USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume II > Part 46
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(VI) Lieutenant Josiah, son of Samuel (3) Bragdon, was born at York, August 19, 1747. He fought in the French and Indian war, and in the revolution, holding the rank of lieu- tenant. He met his death at Ticonderoga, in the service. He married Mary Swett, daugh- ter of Joseph Swett, of York. Children : I. Josiah, mentioned below.
(VII) Josiah (2), son of Lieutenant Josiah (1) Bragdon, was born in York, Maine, De- cember 12. 1775, and died there March 20, 1860. He married, first, Nancy Harmon, and, second, Lydia Harmon, born 1786, died Sep- tember 2, 1879, at the age of ninety-three. He was a mariner. Child of first wife: I. Julia Ann, born April 10, 1810, died Septem- ber 25, 1877: children of second wife: 2. Charles, born September 27, 1815. 3. Josiah D., born January 4, 1821. 4. Edward Albert, mentioned below.
(VIII) Edward Albert, son of Josiah (2) Bragdon, was born in York, April 27, 1830, and died there December 28, 1877. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mas- sachusetts. He was clerk in a general store for a time, and in 1858 he began business on his own account, buying the stock and good- will of Joseph P. Junkins, at York, and con- ducting a general store at York Village from 1858 to 1865. He then purchased the farm known as the Captain Tom Clark farm, where he resided until his death, filling meantime the office of collector of customs at the Port of York. He was an excellent business man and a useful citizen. In politics he was a Re- publican. He married, in 1855. Matilda Mc- Intire, born in York, October 6, 1835, daugh- ter of Edgar McIntire, of York, descendant
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of Micom McIntyre, an early and celebrated pioneer of York. Children: I. Mary A., born July 4, 1856; married Samuel T. Blaisdell, of York. 2. Charles, born September 10, 1859. 3. Julia D., born April 9, 1862. 4. Albert Mclntire, born July 23, 1864; mentioned be- low. 5. Dummer, born August 19, 1867, died June 10, 1894. 6. Kate E., born May 1, 1873, died October 15, 1875. 7. Arthur E., born November 22, 1876.
(IX) Albert McIntire, son of Edward Al- bert Bragdon, was born in York Village, July 23, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of York and at Hampton Seminary, at New Hampton, New Hampshire. He em- barked in the meat and provision business in York in 1885, and continued for three years, selling at the end of that time to Perley Put- nam. In 1888 he opened a retail grocery-store in York and conducted it for five years, sell- ing out in 1893. Mr. Bragdon helped to or- ganize the York County National Bank in 1893, and was chosen cashier, a position he has filled with credit to the present time. Mr. Bragdon is a Republican in politics, and was town treasurer of York in 1890-91-92. He was elected again in 1901 and 1902, but de- clined to serve. He is a member of St. Aspin- quid Lodge of Free Masons, of York, No. 198; of Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 32, of South Berwick; of Maine Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Saco; and of Bradford Commandery, Knights Templar, of Biddeford. He married first, October 3, 1893, Emeline D. Baxter, of Hyannis, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of Captain Benjamin D. Baxter. She died February 14, 1900, at Phoenix, Arizona, where she had gone in search of health. He married second, July 2, 1903, Ruth E. Putnam, born April 14, 1872, daughter of G. W. S. Putnam, of York. Children of first wife: I. Elizabeth M., born March 9, 1895. 2. Edward Albert, born March 24, 1896. Child of second wife: 3. Kingsbury Putnam, born July 25, 1904.
The Tobie family of England is TOBIE a reputable one, and its records go back into the past for centuries. The scripture name Tobias is probably the source whence comes this name. Whether the early immigrants of this name were in any manner related is impossible to determine. Four Tobies were in New England in the early days of the colonies. Francis was a transient resident of Boston in 1635; Henry was a resident of Exeter, New Hampshire, "5th day. 4th month, 1639" : James, mentioned
below, lived in Kittery, Maine; Thomas was at Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1644.
(1) James Tobie was in Kittery, in the dis- trict of Maine, at a very early day, probably in the year 1665. The earliest date when a grant of land was made to him from the town (in its regular distribution to settlers) is June 24, 1687. But there is mention in the records of the county court for the year 1669 of a witness in the case of Mary Green, named "Katherine Tobee." It has been suggested that this may have been the first wife of James Tobie. He was the father of a considerable family, some of which were of age in 1688, indicating that James was adult as early as 1665 certainly ; this would designate his birth date at about 1640; but there is no means of fixing his age. He seems to have been a farmer, and in deeds describes himself as "yeoman." There appears to be no doubt that he was an Englishman, since if he were other- wise the town and county records would have had mention of it, as the fact of the nationality of immigrants not of English birth was men- tioned with great particularity. The property he left at his death indicates that he was a man of energy and industry, as he possessed more than the average amount for that com- munity at that day. The Northern Indians often made raids on the settlers along the coast, killing, scalping, burying and taking prisoners. "On one of the most savage of these raids, the diary of Pike tells that 'Old James Tobie of Kittery and his son James were killed,' along with others." September 2, 1695, Mr. Tobie by deed conveyed the greater part of his estate to his sons. After his death the remainder of the estate was ad- ministered upon by his son Stephen. James Tobie married, before 1659, a wife who was the mother of his children, and her name is supposed, on the strength of the evidence above given, to have been Katherine. After her death James Tobie married Ann Hanscomb, widow of Thomas Hanscomb, a former citizen of Kittery. She survived Mr. Tobie and was living in 1720, when the Hanscomb estate was finally divided. The children of James Tobie, birth dates unknown, were: Stephen, James, John, William, Richard, Isaac, Margaret and Mary.
(II) Richard, son of James Tobie, born about 1676, cordwainer, removed to Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, where his record shows him to have been an energetic and prov- ident man, a person of substance and a useful citizen. He was elected constable in 1720,
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but preferred to pay the stated fine rather than perform the duties of the office. He was tythingman in 1721-22, which shows that he was a church member. He had property of various kinds and owned land in the new plantation of Barrington, which he sold in 1739. He was in the military service in the time of the Indian wars. "Richard Tobey" is on the list of Portsmouth men who served from August 30 to September 10, 1708, in "A list of Souldiers Names, and Time they Served att her Majesties ffourt Wm. and Mary: at New Castle in the province of New Hamp- shire, New England, 1708." "Richd Tobey" is enrolled as "from Coll. Vaughans," in "A Muster Roll of the Souldiers under My Com- mand in A Scout 1712," filed by Captain James Davis. He died probably about 1746. He married Martha, daughter of Samuel Heard, of Dover, New Hampshire. She was "re- ceived into ye Covenant and baptized" in the Portsmouth church, July 14, 1708, and was among the members of the church at the or- dination of Rev. Samuel Langdon, in 1747. Children of Richard and Martha were: Sam- uel, Martha, William, Isaac, Catherine, Expe- rience, Lydia, Sarah, Abigail and Mary.
(III) Isaac, third son of Richard and Mar- tha (Heard) Tobie, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and baptized January 31, 1714. His father gave him half his house in Portsmouth, January 10, 1735. This he sold in 1741. He, like his father, was a shoemaker. He settled in Hampton Falls. He was a sol- dier in the French and Indian war, as is evi- dent from the following petition, dated Jan- uary 15, 1760. "Isaac Tobey of Hampton Falls" stated "That Your petitioner was a sol- dier in the service of the Province, the summer Past, That while he was in the Service at Saratoga he had his gun stolen." He asked for an allowance for the same. The petition was marked "dismissed," but was filed with- out any controverting of the statement it con- tained. Only the Province could not see the way clear to recompense the man for the lost piece. He claimed that his grandfather (James) came from England and spelled his name Tobie, though it was frequently spelled Tobee. Tobey or Toby. He married, at Hamp- ton, January 13, 1737, Elizabeth Page. Their children were: Richard, William, Samuel Brooks and Page.
(IV) Richard (2), eldest child of Isaac and Elizabeth (Page) Tobie, was born June 26, 1740, in Portsmouth, and died in New Glouces- ter, Maine, October 8, 1827, aged eighty-seven years. He lived for a time at Seabrook, where
the records show he served as a member of the county grand jury in 1778-80; was elected member of the board of selectmen in 1778 and continued in the office several years, and was chosen one of the assessors in 1788. He was at New Gloucester, Maine, as early as March 20, 1766, but "Richard Tobie of Seabrook, N. H., yeoman, and Jemima, his wife" sold for $200 to Jemima, wife of Edward Melcher, of Kensington, New Hampshire, land on the highway to Kensington, November 4, 1788. Soon afterward he removed to New Glouces- ter, Maine, where he had been previously. September 18, 1789, Richard Tobie, of New Gloucester, Massachusetts Bay, gentleman, sold to Willard Emery, of Hampton Town, New Hampshire, gentleman, for £6, four acres in Mossey swamp, in Hampton Town, it be- ing the land that was Anthony Emery. Es- quire's." Following is a copy of his obituary : "Died in New Gloucester ( Me)., October 8, 1827, Mr. Richard Tobie. At the commence- ment of the Revolutionary War the deceased was appointed an officer under the Continental Congress, which office he sustained until a short time before the close of the War, when he relinquished it, and was chosen a lieutenant in a volunteer company. Shortly after this the news of peace came, and they did not leave the town of Hampton Falls, New Hamp- shire. In 1789 he removed to New Glouces- ter, Me., where by industry and frugality he acquired a valuable property ; in 1799 he was baptized and joined the Baptist church in that town, of which he was a worthy and exem- plary member till the time of his death. He was kind and affectionate in his family and beloved by all who knew him; he retained his reason till the last, and would discourse upon events which took place sixty or seventy years ago with surprising accuracy. His memory was strong and retentive. His descendants were thirteen children, sixty-nine grandchil- dren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren, in all one hundred and six, ninety-one of whom were living at the time of his death." He married, at Seabrook, New Hampshire, April 28, 1768, Jemima Haskell. They had thirteen children : Richard, Jonathan L., Sarah, Mercy, Elizabeth, Dolley, Marthey, William, Abigail, Jemima, Thomas Haskell, Ezra and Levi.
(V.) Jonathan L., second son of Richard (2) and Jemima (Haskell) Tobie, was born in Seabrook, New Hampshire, October 6, 1770, died in New Gloucester, Maine, April 20, 1814. He removed with his parents to Maine, where he engaged in agriculture. He married, February 13, 1800, Lydia, daughter
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of Edward Parsons, by whom he had six chil- dren : Edward Parsons, Samuel, Jonathan, Elbridge, Lydia Parsons and Elisha M .; of these Edward Parsons and Elbridge were the only ones to have male descendants, and are therefore mentioned elsewhere.
(VI) Edward Parsons, eldest child of Jona- than L. and Lydia ( Parsons) Tobie, was born in New Gloucester. October 13, 1800. died in Lewiston, March 29, 1875. He served an ap- prenticeship at carding wool and dressing cloth, and in 1823 went to Lewiston, where he engaged in the same business. Except for a residence of ten years at Keith's Mills in Chesterville, he spent his life in Lewiston. Dis- abled by an accident, receiving injuries which finally caused his death, he was chosen town clerk, filling the office thirty-five years, and then being chosen the first clerk of the city under the charter. He was a teacher in the Sunday-school, and active in all the work of the Free Baptist church, of which he was a deacon ; the first citizen in the town to cast a vote in opposition to slavery, and a strong ad- vocate of abolition ; helped on fugitive slaves escaping to Canada; stood up staunchly against the use of and traffic in strong drink, and was always on the side of conscience and faith. His upright character and pleasant de- meanor made him many friends. His tender- ness toward the poor and needy made him especially their friend, and among children, whom he greatly loved, he was regarded as a father. Great sorrow was felt at his death, his memory is fragrant. He married first, January 15, 1829, Caroline, daughter of Dean Frye, of Lewiston. She died in 1838. He married second, February 19, 1840, Jane E., daughter of John Harmon, who survived him. The children by the first wife were: Sarah Frye, Mary Frye and Edward Parsons. By the second wife, Le Roy Harmon.
(VII) Le Roy Harmon, only son of Ed- ward Parsons and Jane E. (Harmon) Tobie, was born in Lewiston, January 18, 1843. Af- ter learning the trade of machinist with the Androscoggin Mills, he worked at it in various places. October 4, 1861, following the out- break of the civil war, he enlisted in Company K. Tenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, and served till he was mustered out with the regi- ment, May 7, 1863. In August, 1864, he re- enlisted in Company G., First Maine Cavalry, was wounded in the battle of Dinwiddie Court House, March 31, 1865, and was discharged on account of disability from wounds, July 27, 1865. He has held the offices of commander of Bosworth Post, No. 2, Grand Army of the
Republic, and member of the staff of the de- partment commander and commander-in-chief. He has been president of the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association, and is a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge and other Masonic bodies ; past grand of Ancient Brothers Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and treas- urer of Machigonne Encampment, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. May 2, 1883, he was appointed to a place in the United States custom house at Portland, where he is clerk and acting deputy collector. He married, January 26, 1867, Belle Pollard Hodges, born at Hallowell, October 13, 1843, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Soule (Porter) Hodges. To them have been born three children: 1. Grace Eveleth, born January 20, 1868, mar- ried, October 14, 1894, Thomas West Wilson Atwood, of Portland, who was born in Bar- rington, Nova Scotia, a son of Jolin and Ly- dia Ann ( Wilson) Atwood. They have two children: Marjorie Tobie Atwood, born De- cember 22, 1895, and Edward Wilson Atwood, June 27, 1897. 2. Walter Eaton, see forward. 3. Le Roy Fessenden, see forward.
(VIII) Walter Eaton, elder son of Le Roy Harmon and Belle Pollard (Hodges) Tobie, was born in Lewiston, December 12, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of Portland, became a registered pharmacist in 1890, and prepared for the Medical School of Maine, to which he was admitted in January, 1897, and from which he graduated in 1899. He spent a year as interne in the Maine Gen- eral Hospital, and then started in the general practice of medicine for himself in Portland, where he has since resided and is building up a flourishing practice. He is professor of anatomy in the Medical School of Maine, as- sociate surgeon of the Maine General Hos- pital, chairman of the Portland Board of Health, chairman of the Maine Anatomical Board, member of the Association of Amer- ican Anatomists, secretary of the Maine Med- ical Association and member of the Cumber- land County Medical Association. In politics he is a Republican, like his forebears before him. He is an Episcopalian in religious faith, and a vestryman of St. Stephen's Church. He was made a Mason in 1893, and is a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Greenleaf Royal Arch Chap- ter, Portland Council. Royal and Select Masters: and Portland Commandery, Knights Templar.
Dr. Tobie married, November 5, 1902, Ma- bel Cary, born in Pittsfield. Massachusetts, October 24, 1872, daughter of George How-
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ard and Mary Gardner ( Folger) Cary. They have three children: 1. Walter Cary, born November 5, 1903. 2. Alice Cary, May I, 1905. 3. George Cary, December 22, 1906.
(VIII) Le Roy Fessenden, youngest son of Le Roy Harmon and Belle Pollard ( Hodges) Tobie, was born in Portland, Maine, July 26, 1873. He is unmarried and lives with his parents in Portland. He is auditor of pas- senger accounts of the Maine Central railroad, and has worked since he was a boy, usually in the railroad business. For several years he was assistant general passenger and freight agent of the Washington County railway, with headquarters at Calais, Maine, and had charge of the local traffic of that road. He is a Re- publican, and a former member of the Port- land city government. Mr. Tobie has held many offices in the Masonic bodies of Port- land, and belongs to Ancient Landmark Lodge and other Masonic organizations. He is a director of the Cherryfield Fair, a trustee of the Machias Fair, and is a member of a ntim- ber of organizations in eastern Maine. He has many friends throughout the state.
(V1) Elbridge Tobie, son of Jonathan L. and Lydia ( Parsons) Tobie, was born in New Gloucester, Maine, December 6, 1806. When a young man he located in Portland, where he lived until his death, February 4, 1884. He was a tanner, and spent almost all his business life in the Green street tannery, Port- land, but for a time was interested in the tan- nery near Elm street. For a few years he held a position in the custom house at Port- land. He was at one time a member of the city government, and for years warden of his ward. As early as 1837 he was a trustee of the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association. He attended the Baptist church. He was a quiet, unassuming man, of good ability and inflexible integrity, and in his death Portland lost a model citizen of the old school. He married Sophia Stevens, born in Westbrook, Maine, February 6, 1807, died in Portland, April 22, 1881. Children : A daughter, died in infancy ; and Charles M. Tobie.
(VII) Charles M., only son of Elbridge and Sophia (Stevens) Tobie, was born in Port- land, March 27, 1833, and died there in Feb- ruary, 1896. Like his father, he was a tanner, and his entire business life was spent in the tannery on Green street. He was partner of J. S. Ricker, and later the firm was reorganized as a stock company known as the Casco Tan- ning Company, Mr. Tobie being treasurer un- til his death. Mr. Tobie was a singularly quiet and unassertive man, engrossed in his
business and home life. Yet he was known as a man of sterling worth, and his counsel was much sought. From a modest beginning he developed an extensive and remunerative business, and enjoyed a competency. He never engaged in politics, and never was prominently identified with any fraternal organizations. He attended the First Free Baptist Church. He married Delia C. Atkins, of Portland, who survived him. Children: Son, died in in- fancy ; and Charles F. Tobie.
(V1H) Charles Frederick, son of Charles Al. and Delia C. (Atkins) Tobie, was born in Portland, March 22, 1860, and died there Jan- uary 3. 1907-one of the best-known and most highly respected citizens of that place. He was educated in the public schools, graduating from the high school, and as a young man was an active member of the Portland Cadets. On attaining his majority he was elected treas- urer of the Portland Kerosene Oil Company, and soon after its mergment with the Standard Oil Company he entered the employ of the Berlin (New Hampshire) Mills, in the ca- pacity of bookkeeper. On account of in- paired health he returned to Portland, and in 1893 was elected city auditor, a position he held into the fourth year, when he resigned, in 1896, to succeed his father as treasurer of the Casco Tanning Company, and continued in that capacity until his death. He was active in public and community affairs, and was for several years a member of the city government. He was deeply interested in religious and edu- cational matters. He was a member and one of the strongest supporters of the First Free Baptist Church, prominent in all its good works, and served as treasurer of the parish. He was a member of the board of overseers of Bates College, and shortly before his death was elected a director of the Portland Young Men's Christian Association. He was affiliated with Masonic bodies up to the Scottish Rite, and held many stations therein, being a past master of Ancient Landmark Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; past master of Portland Council, Royal Select Masters ; and officer in Greenleaf Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; and of several superior bodies; and at the time of his death was serving his second year as com- mander of Portland Commandery, Knights Templar, and was military inspector of the Grand Commandery of Maine. As an Odd Fellow his services and assistance were of in- estimable value to one of the strongest bodies of the order in the state, at a time when cer- tain financial irregularities threatened its very existence. In politics he was a staunch Re-
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publican. He married, in 1882, Annie Lewis, daughter of Russell Lewis, of Portland, who survives him. Mr. Tobie was taken very ill quite suddenly, in Boston, January 2, 1907, with edema of the lungs, and died at his resi- dence on State street, Portland, the following day. He was highly regarded for his many excellences of character, and his death was a distinct loss to the community.
BRYANT William Cullen Bryant, who was of this family, cast an un- dying halo over the name. The Bryants were a vigorous, strong-constitu- tioned, hard-working, hard-headed, long-lived race. They were inclined to be retiring, not seeking for public honors or political prefer- ment, but loved the quiet of their own fire- sides. They were warm in amity, strong in enmity, quick to resent a wrong or insult. They were naturally given to the peaceful pursuits, but arose like men to the defence of the Union when it was imperiled.
(I) Stephen Bryant was, it is claimed, in Plymouth colony as early as 1632, and pur- chased land there in 1643. He was pro- pounded as a freeman in 1653, and admitted June 6, 1654. He was constable of Duxbury in 1654, surveyor of highways in Plymouth 1658, and a juryman in 1660. He married Abigail, daughter of John Shaw, of Plymouth, and had : Abigail, John, Mary, Stephen, Sarah, Lydia and Elizabeth.
(II) John, eldest son of Stephen and Abi- gail (Shaw) Bryant, was born in Plymouth, April 7, 1650. The given name of his wife was Sarah; children: John, James, Ruth, Sarah, Joanna and George.
(III) John (2), eldest son of John (1) and Sarah Bryant, was born in Plymouth, Sep- tember 1, 1678, and was undoubtedly that John Bryant who was in Scarborough, Maine, called by the Indians Owascoag, a place of green grass. The evacuation of Scarborough in 1690 was owing to the Indian and French troubles, and the rehabilitation took place in about 1702, from Lynn, Massachusetts. Others followed as peace was restored. In the lot were this John Bryant and his cousin David, from Plymouth. John made his will in Scar- borough. October 12, 1759, and says therein : "Being sensible that I cannot continue long in this life by reason of the hurt I have this day received in my body." He lived a year be- yond this, his will being probated July 7, 1760, and the estate inventoried three hundred and thirty-four pounds. The baptismal name of his wife was Mary. Children : Mary, Su-
san, Temperance, Eleanor and John, from whom the male line descends.
(IV) John (3), only son of John (2) and Mary Bryant, was of feeble constitution, for he made his will in August, 1757, and died in the following October, preceding his father, whom he appointed executor of his will. His wife, whose Christian name was Elizabeth, predeceased her husband. Children : Samuel D. and Bartholomew.
(V) Bartholomew, youngest son of John (3) and Elizabeth Bryant, was born in Scar- borough, July 11, 1737. He received forty acres of land by his father's will. A great drougth occurred in Scarborough in 1761, des- troying the crops, and the inhabitants became uneasy, a great depletion in the population en- suing. Bartholomew was among those who helped found the town of Machias, in Wash- ington county, Maine. His name was on the petition to the general court for the incorpora- tion of the town. The inhabitants had pre- viously petitioned Nova Scotia for a charter without avail. He married Ellen Brookins, of Scarborough. Children : Joseph, Thomas, Samuel, Stephen, Patience, Martha, Hannah, Rebecca, Lydia and Sarah.
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