USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > The biographical sketches of prominent persons, and the genealogical records of many early and other families in Medway, Mass. 1713-1886 > Part 2
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CHARLES BAILEY, M. D.
CHARLES BAILEY, son of the Rev. Luther and Anne (Peck) Bailey, was born Sept. 2, IS21, in East Medway. He graduated in 1841 from Brown University, Rhode Island. He studied medicine and surgery with
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Dr. Nathaniel Miller, and was, for a time, the partner of Dr. John Warren, of Boston. He attended his first course of lectures at Mason Street College, Boston, and subsequently had charge of Dr. Miller's hospital for two years, He acquired additional experience and practice at the Chelsea United States Marine Hospital, and finished his medical education with Dr. Henry H. Child, President of the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., where he graduated in November, 1843, with the highest honors in a school of 175, and was chosen unanimously to deliver the valedictory address. He commenced practice in Springfield, Mass., the same year, in company with Dr. J. G. Holland, familiarly known as " Timothy Titcomb." He removed in four years to Holyoke, remaining there two and a half years. Then, on account of failing health, he was obliged to journey South. When his health was materially benefited he returned to Philadelphia, taking a course of lectures at the Filbert Street Homeopathic College, where he obtained a thorough understanding of homeopathy. He then returned to Pittsfield in December, 1849, and commenced the practice which he still continues. In May, IS46, he was married to Miss Caroline M. Goodrich, daughter of the late Levi Goodrich, of Webster, Mass. He had two sons, one of whom died while young, in Holyoke, the other is Dr. Edward L. Bailey, who is associated with his father in the practice of medicine. Dr. Bailey, when a boy, had a narrow escape from death by the premature discharge of a cannon with which he and a companion were firing a salute.
REV. ABIJAH RICHARDSON BAKER, D. D.
ABIJAH RICHARDSON BAKER, son of David and Jemima (Richardson) Baker, was born Aug. 30, 1805, in Franklin, Mass. He pursued his studies in Medway, and graduated in IS30. from Amherst College. After graduat- ing he opened a private classical school in Medway Village. He graduated in 1835 from Andover Theological Seminary, Massachusetts. The Rev. Mr. Baker preached in Ware, Mass., West Hartford, Conn., and in Albany, N. Y. He was at length settled, April 25, 1838, in Medford, where he was greatly blessed in a ministry of ten years. He resigned his pastorate in IS49, and gave himself to literary, Sabbath School, and general Gospel work. He re- ceived the degree of D. D. in IS70 from Austin College. He labored for a while in the Gospel in South Boston, Mass. The Rev. Mr. Baker married, Oct. 1, 1835, Harriet Newell Woods, daughter of the Rev. L. Woods, D. D., of Andover, Mass. They had six sons, four of whom entered the ministry, one was a physician, and one died in infancy. The Rev. Dr. Baker died April 30, 1876, at the age of seventy years.
REV. JOSEPH BARBER.
JOSEPH BARBER was born at the old homestead in West Medway, about a mile north of the Baptist Church. By his own unassisted efforts he prepared himself for the Gospel ministry and was ordained Dec. 5. 1861, the pastor of the Baptist Church in Brewster, Mass. Subsequently he was pastor of the churches in North Uxbridge, Mass., Southington. Conn., Bolton, West Bridgewater and Westminster. Mass., and in September, ISS3, became pastor of the Baptist Church in Caryville, where he now ministers.
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GEORGE BARBER, EsQ.
GEORGE BARBER, son of George and Bethia (Jones) Barber, was born Sept. 10, 1772, in Medway. Mass. Early in the present century he estab- lished himself in the Village, then a small hamlet, as a clothier and wool- carder, a calling that the modern improvements in machinery have entirely extinguished. At that time farmers very generally kept sheep, and the fleeces were spun and woven by the wife and daughters. It was found convenient to have the wool carded by machinery into rolls about three feet long, which were put up into bundles to be used on the spinning-wheel which was then found in most houses, and after being spun and woven, the cloth was taken to the clothier for dyeing, dressing, and finishing. Mr. Barber did his work in the old mill known as the McGinniss boot shop, destroyed by fire in ISS3. His work was done partly by apprentices, of whom he ordinarily employed from six to ten, who lived in his family from the age of sixteen or seventeen, until they were twenty-one. These boys had the reputation which they probably deserved, of being a little wild, and if a practical joke was played off on the staid citizens, or a bit of mischief accomplished, it was usually laid to the " Barber devils." Mr. Barber was a kind master, and was re- spected by those whom he employed. He was interested in all efforts for the public advancement and improvement. Among those who served an apprenticeship with him were the Rev. Dr. Joel Hawes, of Hartford, Lewis
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MRS. LOIS (WHITING) BARBER.
Thayer, of Worcester, Amos Fisher, Otis Nichols, Orion Mason, and Alfred Daniels. In connection with Dr. Oliver Dean, then agent of the Medway Cotton Manufactory, he built the large house, which he occupied until his death, at the corner of Barber and Village streets, afterward occupied by W. H. Cary, Esq., and later by the Rev. Father Boylan. During the latter part of his life he retired from active business, and devoted his attention to his farm, which extended north from Village Street half a mile, including what is now Barber, Broad, and North streets, and the land occupied by the railroad station, and Mr. Hodge's canning factory. In 1826 he visited England and Scotland, in company with Mr. Alexander Wright, who was one of the original members of the carpet company established in Lowell. Going abroad was not as common then as now and was considered a great undertaking. He passed a pleasant season in England and was never weary of recounting the scenes and incidents connected with his trip. He was a staunch member of the Masonic Fraternity, liberal in his religious belief, upright in his dealings, a friend of law and order, and his influence and example had much to do with the early character of the Village. Mr. Barber married Sally Orne, who lived but a few years. He afterward married Lois Whiting.
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CHARLES ALBERT BEMIS, M. D.
CHARLES ALBERT BEMIS, son of Albert T. and Sarah H. (Hastings). Bemis, was born Sept. 22, 1843, in Ashburnham, Mass. He attended med- ical lectures in Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass., and in 1872 graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn. After he had practiced his profession for two years in Spencer, Mass., he came to Medway, where he has had a successful and lucrative practice for twelve years. He has held the offices of Examining Surgeon for Pensions for the United States, Medical Examiner for the State, and served on the Board of Health and School Committee in the town. He married, Dec. 14, 1872, Lizzie Thompson, daughter of John and Ann (Lefferts) Thompson, of Philadelphia, Penn.
JOHN BLACKBURN, EsQ.
JOHN BLACKBURN, son of Henry Blackburn, was born March 10, 1777, in Bradford, England. By indentures now in existence, it appears that under date of May I, thirtieth year of the reign of King George III., in the year 1790, he was bound an apprentice to James Hamsworth in the township of Shep- ley in the parish of Bradford, England, for a period of seven years, he then being thirteen years of age. About 1801 Samuel Slater wanted his younger brother, John Slater, to come to America and bring a machinist that under- stood building and working cotton machinery, and he prevailed upon Mr. Blackburn to come with him. He was in the employ of Mr. Slater for a year, who after obtaining all the information and benefit of his skill at a moderate compensation advised him to return to England. But not wishing to return he went to building a stone wall for a neighbor until employed by the Messrs. Jenckes, of Pawtucket, to build a mill for them, and put it into operation, which he did successfully. Afterward. on the fourteenth day of May, 1805, he entered into an indenture with others to build a cotton mill in Medway Village, of which an account is given elsewhere. Retaining an in- terest in the mill during his life, he settled in Walpole, June 11, 1811, and continued the construction of machinery and the manufacture of cotton yarn with his son, George Blackburn, until 1828, when their works were totally destroyed by fire. He then retired upon a farm, and died April 21, 1861, at the age of eighty-four years. He had six children. George and Hannah Bat- tel, who were born in England, William born in Pawtucket, R. I., Mary, A., born in Medway, and John Henry, and one who died in infancy, born in Walpole. Mass. His son, Mr. John Henry Blackburn, resides in Walpole, Mass. He has in his possession the ancient indentures by which his father was bound out when a lad of thirteen years. He has also a watch and a large family Bible printed in 1777, which were brought by his father from England.
REV. ALVAN BOND, D. D.
ALVAN BOND, son of Deacon William and Sarah (Waters) Bond. was born April 27, 1793, in Sutton, Mass. He graduated in 1815 from Brown University, Rhode Island, and in ISIS from Andover Theological Seminary, Mass. He was ordained Nov. 29, 1819, and installed the pastor of Congre- gational Church in Starbridge, Mass. He married, April 25, IS21, Sarah
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Richardson, of East Medway. He was Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary, Bangor, Me., from October, 1831, to April, IS35. May, 1835, he was installed pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Norwich, Conn., which office he filled for thirty years. In IS46 he received the degree of D. D., from Brown University. Rhode Island. The Rev. Dr. Bond resigned his pastorate in 1864. He edited an Illustrated History of the Holy Bible which was published in 1867. His death occurred July 19. ISS2, in Norwich, Conn. A memorial address was delivered Oct. 22, 1SS2, by Professor Timothy Dwight, D. D., who, in early life, was one of Dr. Bond's hearers. This memorial address was published, with a photograph of the Rev. Dr. Bond, for private distribution.
HON. ARTEMAS BROWN, M. D.
ARTEMAS BROWN, son of Benjamin Brown, Esq., of Lexington, Mass., was born sometime in 1789, in Winchendon, Mass. His father died at the age of forty-eight years, leaving a family of ten children, of whom Artemas was the youngest. His mother died soon after, and this loss, together with the straightened circumstances of the family at that time, doubtless helped to develop very early in life those marked traits of character which afterwards made him a useful and prominent man. By the force of his own energy, industry, and perseverance, he acquired a very good rudimentary education, and about the year 1813 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. George Holmes, of Athol, Mass., afterwards attending lectures in Boston, and finally, in IS17, took the degree of M. D. from the Harvard Medical School. He also had the advantage about this time of spending a number of months with Dr. Francis Hayward, of Boston, as a student, and assisting him in his practice, and, under his supervision, having in charge patients in the city almshouse. All this proved of great advantage as preparatory to his professional life. Dr. Brown was a man of vigorous intellect, sterling character, of noble form, great physical strength, and a devoted spirit.
He entered upon the practice of medicine in the spring of IS17 in Med- way, assuming the place made vacant by the retirement of Oliver Dean, M. D. There are still in existence many most interesting letters written by Dr. Brown about this time in which are allusions to the place, the people, their habits of life, etc., and even to his own fluctuating hopes and fears as to his success in Medway, being a stranger in a strange place. In one letter, dated April 17, 1817, he writes : "My way lies through a wilderness beset by many dangers. I have too much confidence to despair, and too much knowledge of the world to suppose that I shall not meet with many disagree- able and discouraging circumstances in a profession where there is so much uncertainty, caprice, and rivalship."
Dr. Brown, however, rapidly gained the confidence and esteem of the people, his reputation as a careful and competent practitioner was soon thoroughly established, and before many months he had the satisfaction of being constantly employed, not only in Medway, but in many of the adjoin- ing towns.
In September, 1817, Dr. Brown was married to Miss Patience Bancroft, of
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Warwick, Mass., a very amiable and accomplished young lady, to whom he had been engaged for a long time.
Mrs. Brown brought to her new home a like energy, courage, and firmness of principle which had already established her husband in a successful profes- sional career. For some years she had been a teacher of young ladies in a school in Northfield, Mass., and had attained a culture, combined with a generous piety, which made her not only a treasure to her husband but also an acquisition to the town. For forty years Dr. Brown pursued his profes- sion in Medway and surrounding towns. He was an earnest worker in every good cause. He was a great force in raising the standard of education, an earnest advocate of temperance, and a practical Christian gentleman. His kindness to the poor was very marked. In his profession he devoted himself to toil, exposure, and expense for them, month after month, year after year, traveling over the long, dreary country roads, through summer's heat and winter's storms, administering to the necessities of the sick, unremitting in his care, soothing their pain, sympathizing with their sorrows, and in many cases supplying food and fuel and raiment from his own store, never ex- pecting or hoping for any remuneration. In fact, one-fourth of his entire practice was at times devoted to those of whom he received no pecuniary compensation.
He was not without some personal eccentricities. He was at times some- what brusque in his manner, and adhered to some old fashioned habits and customs. Not living in a place or at a period where apothecaries were near at hand, he carried his own jalop and ipecac, his "salts and senna" and squills in stout leather saddle bags, from which he compounded his own pills and powders, and paid for them out of his own pocket. He used to boast in his old age of having ridden in the same gig for over fifty years ; though some younger members of the family declared that the gig had had in the mean time several new sets of wheels and a corresponding number of new bodies. But through all its transformations the gig still retained a peculiar rattle which was identified far and near by the doctor's friends and patients, and was often the welcome signal in the sick room of his approach long be- fore his arrival.
Dr. Brown was a public spirited and patriotic man. He took enlarged views of civil and national affairs and entered with deep interest into what- ever pertained to the welfare of our common country. By the votes of his fellow-citizens he was called to occupy a seat in the State Senate and after that to be a member of the convention to amend our constitution. Both of these important offices he filled with honor to himself, and with entire satis- ·faction to his constituents.
When the Rebellion broke out Dr. Brown was rejoiced that he had sons who could go for the country's defense. His eldest son was Second Lieutenant in a regiment of cavalry, and his youngest son was an Acting Surgeon of the Union Army during the war. Vid. The Record of the Union Soldiers. In the spring of 1855 Mrs. Brown suddenly died, which was a very great affliction to the surviving husband. Not long after, Dr. Brown was thrown from his carriage and injured seriously. Soon after came a second great sorrow, the death of his youngest daughter, and so the light went out of his earthly home. Dr. Brown lived several years but his strength of body and mind
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gradually failed until death came January, 1863, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and the good man and beloved physician passed from the evils and sorrows of earth to the rest and joy of heaven.
Of the seven children of Dr. Brown only two survive. His second daugh- ter, Mrs. E. D. Dickinson, of Watertown, Mass., and his youngest son, who is a physician in Hubbardston, Mich.
REV. EDWIN A. BUCK.
EDWIN A. BUCK, son of James and Lydia (Treat) Buck, was born May 31, 1824, in Bucksport, Me. He graduated in 1849 from Yale College. New Haven, Conn., and in 1852 from the Theological Seminary, Bangor, Me. After supplying the pulpit in Pownal, Me., one year, he was ordained, and installed May 31, 1854, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Bethel, Me. After a ministry of some four years he was installed, June, 1858, pastor of the Congregational Church in Slatersville, R. I., where he remained nearly ten years, and was then called, November, 1867, to the work of a city missionary by the Central Church of Fall River, Mass., in which work he is still, ISS5, engaged. The Rev. Mr. Buck married, Jan. 19, 1853, Rebecca Elmira Walker, daughter of Dean and Rebecca (Wright) Walker, of Medway, now Millis, Mass. Mrs. Buck died Feb. 16, 1877. There were seven children : Eliza Harding, born Nov. 12, 1853 ; Alice Lydia, born Aug. 6, 1855 ; Mary Rebecca, born July 18, 1857; N. Eveline, born March 2,. IS60; Isabella Howard, born July 15, 1864, died Jan. 26, 1867 ; Augus- tus Walker, born Feb. 7, 1866; Clara Fay, born Dec. 29, 1868.
REV. NATHAN BUCKNAM.
NATHAN BUCKNAM, second pastor of the Church of Christ, was born Nov. 2, 1703, in Malden, Mass. He graduated in 1721 from Harvard Col- lege, Cambridge, Mass., and almost immediately commenced preaching in Medway, at the age of nineteen years. Although urged to settle, he declined the invitation, not wishing to assume such responsibility until he was twenty- one years of age. He was ordained, and installed Dec. 23, 1824, pastor of the. Church of Christ in Medway, where he fulfilled an active ministry of sixty- two years, and was continued in the pastoral office until his death which occurred Feb. 6, 1795. Vid. THE CHURCHES, also, THE GENEALOGIES.
" The Will of Nathan Bucknam.
" IN THE NAME OF GOD. AMEN. I, Nathan Bucknam, of Medway, in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, clerk, being weak in body, having fre- quent monitors of my approaching dissolution, tho' sound in mind and memory, blessed be God therefor, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. And in the first place desire humbly and devoutly to commit my spirit to God who gave it; and commend my body to the dust from whence it was taken, there to be interred according to the discretion of my executor and executrix hereafter named, in the com- fortable assurance of a resurrection from the dead, thro' Jesus Christ who is become the first fruits of them that sleep. And as touching the worldly estate, which by the blessing of God I am possessed of, I dispose of it in manner and form following, that is to say, it is my will and pleasure that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.
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" Furthermore it is my will and pleasure that Margaret, my beloved wife, have the . improvement of the residue of my estate both real and personal, of whatever kind, and wherever found, during her natural life, she continuing my widow; and that the money for which the land was sold to Joseph Wood, lying in Sturbridge, pur- chased with her money before marriage, and the whole of the plate in the house be entirely at her disposal ; and that the negro woman Flora serve her mistress during her natural life. But if that my wife should again enter into the marriage state, that she have no more than the improvement of one-third part of my estate, beside what is above specified to be at her disposal. Furthermore, My oldest daughter Anna Clarke, deceased, having received upon marriage, out of my estate, by estimation, the sum of fifty-three pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence, it is not my pleasure that her children, or any one on her behalf receive any more out of my estate during the life
of my wife. Furthermore, My second daughter Margaret Ellis, having received out of my estate, the sum of fifty two pounds, ten shillings; my third daughter Eliza- beth Luscombe, having received out of my estate, the sum of fifty three pounds, thir- teen shillings and four pence; and my fourth daughter Catharine Dorr, having re- ceived fifty three pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence, out of my estate, it is not my will that they, either of them, receive any more out of my estate during the life of their mother. Then it is my will and pleasure, that my youngest daughter Lucy, upon marriage, receive out of my estate the sum of sixty eight pounds, thirteen shil- lings and four pence, in money or equivalent thereunto, the money being made as good to her as it was when her sisters received the sums above mentioned out of my estate, and whatsoever she may have in other things at the same price it was in silver currency.
" The reason I will her more than the other daughters is the service she has per- formed, in and for the family since she has been of age. And if she shall remain un- married and shall choose to go from her mother and provide wholly for herself, it is my will that she receive the aforesaid sum as above specified out of my estate, but if she shall have a desire to abide with her mother and behave well and dutifully towards her, that she dwell with her in the mansion house that I may leave, during her natural life, and then the afore mentioned sum to be paid out to her. And with regard to my grandchildren, left by my son Nathan Bucknam, deceased, viz., Sarah, Margaret, Lucy, Anna and Mary Bucknam, it is my will and pleasure, that over and above what I have given to their father, or they have in any wise received, that, at my wife's decease, they receive out of my estate, each the sum of ten pounds, the sum to be paid to them severally be equal to silver currency. And with regard to my grandchildren, left by my daughter Clarke, viz., Samuel, Mary and Catharine, it is my will and pleasure, that over and above what I have given to their mother, or they have in any wise re- ceived, that they receive out of my estate their mother's part in equal proportion with my other daughters, and Samuel to have ten pounds more than either of the daughters, namely, his sisters to be paid by my executor at their grandmother's decease. And as to my negro woman Flora, it is my will and pleasure, that if she outlive her mistress, that she live with one of my children, which she shall choose, if the same can take her, and that there be a suitable allowance out of my estate for her comfortable sup- port if she live to be chargeable, or her service should not answer for her maintenance. And at the decease of my beloved wife, Margaret, it is my will and pleasure that my estate which is not in any way above mentioned, given, or devised, be equally divided among my daughters, namely, Margaret. Elizabeth, Catharine and Lucy, and to be paid by my executor, hereafter named. And in case of the death of either of the daughters above named, before the aforesaid division, it is my will and pleasure, that my executor hereafter named, pay the above dividend to their surviving children in equal shares.
" And I do constitue and appoint Joseph Dorr, Esquire, my son-in-law, executor, and Margaret, my beloved wife, executrix, of this, which, revoking all others, I declare to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, and in the fourteenth year of the Independence of the United States of America. " NATHAN BUCKNAM.
[Seal.]
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"Signed, sealed, and publicly declared, by the said Nathan Bucknam, to be his last will and testament, in presence of us :
"Abijah Richardson, Timothy Hamant, Elijah Clarke, Fun. True copy : SAM'L HAVEN, Reg't of Probate. "A Codicil.
"Be it known to all men by these presents, that I, Nathan Bucknam, of Medway, in the county of Suffolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Clerk, have made and declared my last will and testament, in writing, bearing date the sixth day of October, 1789. I, the said Nathan Bucknam, by this present Codicil, do ratify and confirm my said last will and testament; and do give and bequeath unto my daughter, Lucy Buck- nam, my United, States Loan Office Note, bearing date, 3d December, 1790, State of Massachusetts, No. 292, and said note declares that there is due to me the sum of one hundred and forty-four dollars, five cents, bearing interest at six per cent. per annum, from the first day of January, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and one, inclusively, &c., which said note is signed by Nathaniel Appleton, Commissn, to be paid unto her, my said daughter, Lucy Bucknam, by my executor, out of my estate. And my will and meaning is that this Codicil or Schedule be, and be adjudged to be part and parcel of my last will and testament; and that all things herein mentioned and contained, be faithfully and truly performed and as fully and amply in every respect, as if the same were declared and set down in my last will and testament.
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