USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume II > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
817
STATE OF MAINE.
has it that this family is of German origin and that its ancestors settled in England at some very early period. So far as is known the name first appears in English records in a reference to Sir Thomas Tolman, almoner to Egbert I, king of the United Saxons A. D. 825. There also was a Sir Thomas Tolman, commander of a regiment of Saxons in Great Britain; and this earnest patriotism which is thus found in these and in other early mem- bers of the Tolman family has been wonder- fully preserved throughout the long genera- tions of centuries in the mother country and by them transmitted to those who have borne the name on this side of the Atlantic ocean. One of them writes somewhat enthusiastically, and with truth: "In our Tolman records this strong flower of loyalty has ever grown more sturdily by transplanting." The first and very early records of the Tolmans in Maine inform us that they had sought out no nooks as far as possible removed from where their coun- try might need their services; but that they were located where the faintest calls for help might be at once responded to. Samuel Tol- man and Mary his wife were of "the Kenne- beck river, near Fort Western, so called." The patriotism of the New Hampshire branch of the Tolman family is well set forth in the records which follow. Other states give their testimony to the strong worth of this family. Some of these families have also borne evi- dence through many generations of a true poetic cast of mind, which, while not giving gems to literature, has made the homes of the people more tasteful, with gardens of beauty about them, and a liking for literary refine- ments which life in forests could not quench. These people read with commendable pride of Hendrick Carl Caroluszoon, of whom it has been truly written, "he is perhaps the most generally popular of all the Dutch poets of the nineteenth century." "Here is our name in another old form," many a Tolman has said. There is also a decided musical talent running through the family, and one of the members of the older generations, with others, was instru- mental in organizing the first musical society of Boston.
(I) Benjamin Tolman was born in the town of Troy, New Hampshire, which town then bore the name of Monadnock. He was one of the earliest and bravest of revolutionary soldiers and took part in the battles of Bunker Hill, Bennington, Stillwater, Saratoga and in other decisive engagements. He was a very industrious farmer, and all his life aside from his army service was spent in Monadnock.
Before the revolution he had taken part in the French and Indian wars, so that he well car- ried out the brave and patriotic spirit of his ancestors in lands beyond the seas. It is said of him that when he had become very old and his mind was somewhat enfeebled that he would march briskly away over the hills when the thought that his country had need of him came to him; and when he was found and brought back he would cling to his old flint- lock gun and beg of his friends to let him march under Stark once more.
(II) Henry, son of Benjamin Tolman, the revolutionary soldier and patriot, was born in Monadnock, Troy, New Hampshire, and was the second son in a family of fourteen chil- dren. Although he devoted some time to profitable work on a New Hampshire farm, he was a potter by trade and made that occupa- tion a flourishing business. He was a man of great patriotism and much enthusiasm in giv- ing help in all which pertained to the welfare of his native town and its people ; and he held all of the town offices and discharged their duties faithfully and to the satisfaction of his fellow townsmen. The latter part of his life was spent in Sterling, Massachusetts, and he died there March 6, 1851. In 1805 he mar- ried Mary Harris, of Fitzwilliam, New Hamp- shire, who died in Sterling, August 5, 1857, having borne' her husband eleven children : Charles M., born Richmond, New Hampshire, 1807; Nancy, Henry Jr., Elisha, Daniel, Mary, Jacob, James, Philander, Sarah, A Malvina, born Troy, May 1I, 1828.
(III) Philander, son and ninth child of Henry and Mary ( Harris) Tolman, was born in Troy, New Hampshire, June 13, 1819, died August 30, 1897. He was given a good early education in the public schools in his native town and afterward was a student at Wilbra- ham Academy, Wilbraham, Massachusetts. When only a boy he worked industriously in his father's pottery, and when seventeen years old was captain of a military organization known as the Washington Artillery Company. At seventeen he began an apprenticeship in the works of the Washburne Wire Company, at Worcester, Massachusetts, lived there sev- eral years, and in 1848 went to Harrison, Maine. and became partner in a mercantile business under the firm name of Farley & Tolman. After five years he purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor, and from 1857 to 1877 he was senior mem- ber of the firm of P. Tolman & Co. In the year last mentioned his partner died and soon afterward Mr. Tolman left mercantile pur-
818
STATE OF MAINE.
suits and became interested in the manufacture of brick. He was a capable, straightforward and successful business man, a strong Repub- lican and one of the most influential men of that party in the region, and for many years an earnest and consistent worker in promo- ting the usefulness and influence of the church of which he was a member. He represented the towns of Bridgeton and Harrison in the lower house of the state legislature in 1860, and in 1878-79 he occupied a seat in the state senate. For nineteen years he was the effi- cient treasurer of the board of trustees of Bridgeton Academy and was unanimously elected for a twentieth term, but declined to serve because of his advanced years. In 1837 Mr. Tolman became a member of the Baptist church in Worcester and ever afterward to the day of his death was earnestly devoted to the work of the church; and he carried his re- ligion into his every-day life, walked orderly and honestly, held fast to that which he be- lieved to be right, was just and temperate in all things. On one occasion when one of his sons left home to be absent for some time, the parting was accompanied with this paternal admonition : "Be sure and come home and see tis as often as you can, but be careful to come home on Saturday and stay until Monday, or as much longer as you can; but you know that I cannot look favorably on any kind of visiting done on the Sabbath." Mr. Tolman helped to organize the first musical society of Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Tolman mar- ried Laura, born 1819, daughter of James Kelton, of Warwick, Massachusetts. Chil- dren: 1. Frank W., born 1842-43; graduated from Colby College; entered the ministry ; married Harriet Morton, and their daughter, Annie Laura, is a violoncellist of some note and organizer of the Tolmanina Trio of Bos- ton ; she spent much time in Europe, and was the pupil of Professor Julius Klengel, of Leipsic, Alwyn Schroeder and Leo Schulz; she has appeared in more than eight hundred concerts and recitals since 1890, when she made her Boston début ; she is technically pro- ficient, and her musical instincts and her ex- cellent training made her an interpreter of vastly more than ordinary limitations ; Frank W. died in July. 1877. 2. George, died young. 3. Georgianna, died young. 4. Theodore M., born 1847, married Augusta Hazelton ; lives in Portland, Maine. 5. Charles E., born 1849, lives in Paris, Maine ; he was a fine singer and music teacher; married Martha Richardson, and their son. Carl Jean, a graduate from New England University of Music in Boston, is a
fine piano teacher, and taught in a southern musical college last year. 6. Emma F., born 1851, married Professor Albert F. Richard- son, principal of State Normal school at Cas- tine, Maine. 7. James Henry, see forward. 8. Anna M., born 1856, married Walter S. Dudley, of Harrison, Maine.
(IV) James Henry, son of Philander and Laura (Kelton) Tolman, was born in Harri- son, Maine, October 22, 1853, and lives now in the city of Westbrook. His earlier educa- tion was received in the public schools of Harrison, the Bridgeton Academy and Hebron Academy, from the latter of which he gradu- ated in 1876. After leaving school he took up the study of law in the office of and under the direction of Hon. Caleb A. Chaplin, whose daughter he afterward married, and in 1879 was admitted to practice in the courts of this state. He began his professional career in Casco in 1880, remained there until 1886, when he was elected county commissioner for Cumberland county and removed to Portland, although he maintained his legal residence in Casco until 1891. In the year last mentioned Mr. Tolman removed to Westbrook, and in December, 1893, just previous to the expira- tion of his term of office as county commis- sioner, he was appointed judge of the munic- ipal court of the city of Westbrook, which office he still holds. For many years Mr. Tolman has been an active figure in the politi- cal history of Cumberland county and during all of that time has held a prominent place in the councils of the Republican party, and it is no idle compliment to say of him that for years he has been looked upon as a perfectly straight and reliable man, whether as a law- yer at the bar, or as public official, or as a citizen in the private walks of life. Many years ago, while living in Harrison, he held and most acceptably filled the office of school agent of that town, and in 1882 he was elected town clerk of Casco. For several years he was city solicitor of Westbrook, and for more than four years he has been a member of the board of trade of that city. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance, a charter mem- ber of the Order of United American Me- chanics, and is a Master Mason. In 1877 Mr. Tolman married Ella E., daughter of Caleb A. and Abigail M. (Chaplin) Chaplin, and has three children: I. Ella M., born October 20, 1877, a teacher in the Portland high school. 2. George E., July 17, 1880, a grad- uate of Colby College, and also of the elec- trical engineering course of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 3. Abbie Laura, Sep-
819
STATE OF MAINE.
tember 27, 1883, a student of music. (See Chaplin.)
CHAPLIN It is said by tradition and con- firmed by the researches of antiquarians that the family name Chaplin is included with our English patronymics which are derived from vocations, hence it is reasoned that the remote ancestor of the family here under consideration was chaplain in an army. There was one of the surname Chaplin in the house of commons in the reign of Charles I of England, and there is one Henry Chaplin now a member of the same body. In the family there are three coats-of-arms, and they agree in essential re- spects, all griffins' heads, differently erased and gorged; and these arms are entitled to be worn by all who are descendants of Hugh Chaplin, the immigrant ancestor of a strong New England family of his surname, and of whom it is the purpose of this narrative to treat.
(I) Jeremiah Chaplin, of Bradford, Eng- land, was born August 4, 1541.
(II) Ebenezer, of Bradford, England, son of Jeremiah Chaplin, was born May 10, 1572.
(III) Hugh, son of Ebenezer Chaplin, was born in Bradford, England, May 22, 1603, came to New England with his wife Elizabeth in 1638, and had a grant of an acre and a half of land for a house lot in Rowley, Massachu- setts, on what now is Bradford street, and there he built his house, which still stands and is in good repair. He was made freeman in 1642, and according to the history of Rowley he was a surveyor of land, and was included in the list of men of that ancient plantation of whom it is written that they all were "godly men of good estate." Hugh Chaplin died in Rowley, and was buried there 22 I mo. 1653. His will, written with his own hand, is on file in the court of probate in Salem, and gives evidence that he was a man of educational attainments, indicated by his writing and clear grammatical expression. Hugh and Elizabeth Chaplin had four children, all born in Rowley : 1. John, 26 6 mo. 1643, buried September 5. 1660. 2. Joseph, II 12 mo. 1646, married Elizabeth West. 3. Thomas, 2 7 mo. 1648, buried June 21, 1660. 4. Jonathan, 10 10 mo. 1651, buried November 24, 1659.
(IV) Joseph, son of Hugh and Elizabeth Chaplin, was born in Rowley, IIth day of the 12th month, 1646, and married, February 21, 1671-72, Elizabeth, daughter of Twiford and Mary West. They had five children, all born in Rowley: I. Joseph, April 4, 1673, had wife
Mehitable. 2. John, October 26, 1674. 3. Jonathan, baptized April 15, 1677. 4. Jere- miah, born July 28, 1680, ancestor of the Rev. Jeremialı Chaplin, founder and first president of Colby College ; married Ann Kilborn. 5. Elizabeth, September 20, 1682, married John Searle.
(V) John, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (West) Chaplin, was born in Rowley, Massa- chusetts, October 26, 1674, died January 24, 1762. He married, April 9, 1701, Margaret, daughter of Sergeant Caleb Boynton, who is believed to have been a son of Sir Matthew Boynton of the Rowley colony. They had eight children, all born in Rowley: I. Han- nah, February 20, 1702, married, May 27, 1724, Israel Hazen. 2. Elizabeth, April 9, 1705. 3. John, baptized June 12, 1709, died December 31, 1712. 4. Mehitable, baptized December 4, 1709. 5. John, baptized January, 1712-13, died soon. 6. Margaret, married, June 2, 1736, Thomas Wood. 7. John, bap- tized May 12, 1717. 8. Moses.
(VI) John (2), son of John (I) and Mar- garet (Boynton) Chaplin, was born in Row- ley, Massachusetts, and was baptized there May 12, 1717. In some of the records he is called lieutenant, from which it may be in- ferred that he gave some service during the early wars with the French and Indians, al- thoughi 110 actual record of his service is found. The sword of Lieutenant John Chap- lin was handed down and kept in the family until recently destroyed by fire when the old homestead was burned a few years since. He married (first) in Boxford, Massachusetts, January 27, 1746-47, Hepzibah, who died in August, 1771, daughter of Ezekiel Jewett. He married (second) in Newbury, Massachusetts, June 16, 1772, Sarah Stickney. John Chap- lin died January 21, 1774. He had ten chil- dren born in Rowley and all by first wife: I. Hepzibah, September 26, 1750. 2. Joseph, February 22, 1752, served in the revolution. 3. David, January 26, 1754, served in the revo- lution. 4. Lydia, December 2, 1755. 5. John, January 22, 1758. 6. Daniel, March 8, 1760, served in the revolution, and afterward set- tled at Waterford, Maine. 7. Martha, August 4, 1762, died January 14, 1763. 8. Caleb, twin with Louis, March 20, 1764. 9. Louis, twin with Caleb, March 20, 1764. 10. Eunice, Au- gust 1, 1766, married (first) Bronson Emer- son, (second) James Pool.
(VII) John (3), son of John (2) and Hep- zibah (Jewett) Chaplin, was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, January 22, 1758, and with three of his brothers served with credit during
820
STATE OF MAINE.
the war of the revolution. About 1790 he went to Maine and was one of the first settlers in the town of Bridgeton. He married in Rowley, Margaret Jewett, his cousin, and they had fourteen children, all sons, six of whom were born in Rowley and eight in Bridgeton : I. John, April 30, 1780, died July 5, 1784. 2. Jacob, April 13, 1782, married (first) Miriam Jackson, (second) Susan Kimball. 3. John, August 20, 1784, married Lydia Knowles. 4. Benjamin, September 26, 1786. 5. Caleb, twin with Daniel, April 22, 1789, died young. 6. Daniel, twin with Caleb, April 22, 1789. 7.
William, born Bridgeton, September 15, 1791. 8. Eliphalet, twin with Robert, September 15, 1791, died young. 10. Washington, April 15, 1796, married Almira Martin. II. Thomas, April 22, 1799. 12. Eliphalet, December 26, 1801, died young. 13. Caleb, 1803, married Ruth Jordan. 14. Robert Andrews, 1805, mar- ried Priscilla White.
(VIII) Benjamin, fourth son and child of John and Margaret (Jewett) Chaplin, was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, September 26, 1786, and spent nearly his whole life in Maine. He was an industrious and thrifty man. Mr. Chaplin married Jane Welch, and by her had twelve children, the last eight of whom were born in Naples, Maine: 1. James, July 7, 1816, soldier of the civil war; was taken pris- oner soon after his regiment had gone to the front, and was compelled to wear shackles on his wrists and ankles until they wore into the flesh, a special punishment inflicted on him because he firmly refused to swear allegiance to the Southern Confederacy ; married Eliza Waterman. 2. Jacob, February 19, 1818, mar- ried (first) Harriet Gates, (second) Mary Brocklebank. 3. Colonel Daniel, born Bridge- ton, January 22, 1820, soldier and officer of the Union army during the civil war; killed in one of the last engagements of the war ; mar- ried Susan Gibbs. 4. Eliphalet, May, 1822, died in infancy. 5. Caleb A., May 8, 1824. 6. Caroline A., April 27, 1826, married George E. Lown ; one of their sons was killed in serv- ice during the civil war. 7. Washington, July 13, 1828, married Joanna Stuart. 8. Ellen, August 4, 1830, married (first) Captain Jere- miah Staples, (second) Peter Jerries. 9. Cy- rus, September 22, 1832, soldier of the civil war; wounded in battle of the Wilderness; married Angeline Stuart. 10. Lydia, Novem- ber, 1834, married (first) Delisle, ( sec- ond) Warren Sanborn. II. Margaret, Feb- ruary, 1837, married Melville Wadling. 12. John, July 22, 1839, soldier of the civil war ; served three enlistments, in the First, Tenth
and Twenty-ninth regiments of Maine Infan- try ; married (first) Emeline Hestleton, (sec- ond) Louisa Woodbury.
(IX) Hon. Caleb A., fifth son and child of Benjamin and Jane (Welch) Chaplin, was born in Naples, Maine, May 8, 1824, died September 20, 1890, after a long, useful and honorable life, many years of which were given to public service. His early literary edu- cation was gained in the common schools and North Bridgton Academy, and while attend- ing at the latter institution he taught several terms of winter school. Early in the war he . entered the service, was appointed quarter- master of the Twelfth Maine Volunteer In- fantry, and served at Fortress Monroe and Ship Island, and under General Butler at and · in the vicinity of New Orleans. While there he was discharged for disabilities contracted in the service and was brought home. Soon afterward and during the period of his re- covery he took up the study of law, and at the same time served in various public capacities, several years being selectman of Bridgton. He also was county commissioner from 1863 to 1866, and in 1866 removed to Harrison and began active practice, having been admitted to the bar. In connection with professional pursuits he was much engaged in official life outside of the law, was for three terms chair- man of the board of selectmen of Harrison and for many years superintending school com- mittee of the town. He always manifested a deep and wholesome interest in educational affairs generally and did much good work in promoting the welfare of the public schools and in advancing their efficiency. He was one of the trustees of Bridgton Academy and also of the State College at Orino, holding both offices at the time of his death. In 1872 he was elected to a seat in the state senate and was re-elected in the following year. Mr. Chaplin was an able lawyer, a leader of the bar, and for many years ranked with the fore- most men of his profession in the state. His knowledge of the law was deep, and he was a close, careful student throughout the period of his practice. He was a natural orator, a splendid advocate at the bar, and always won favor both with the court and the jury by his superior power of reasoning, his sound and logical argument, and candid presentation. In this respect he was a power in the trial courts, and at the same time he always was a safe, prudent counsellor, fair in his opinions and frank in the expression of them, and perfectly straightforward in every transaction of what- ever character. His talents were versatile and
821
STATE OF MAINE.
lay not alone in legal channels. His power of memory was remarkable and never was he at loss to adapt himself to any condition or any presence. His mind was studious as well as practical and retentive, and once read a sub- ject never afterward was forgotten. All through his life history and mathematics were favorite studies, and at the same time his fer- tile mind was a storehouse of the writings of famous authors, Scott, Burns, Campbell, Longfellow, Tennyson. He was familiar with their best productions and could repeat them almost at will. While a student at old Bridg- ton Academy, in the days when weekly decla- mation was a part of the course, he once re- cited the whole of Byron's "Siege of Corinth" at one time. He always maintained that once well known a subject could not be forgotten, and while laid aside for a time, perhaps for years, such was the quality of his mind that it could be recalled on any occasion. And withal, Mr. Chaplin was a man of very gentle bearing and disposition ; his temperament was calm, his home his castle and the one place he loved best of all. He frequently quoted Napoleon's words to his old guard, "where can one better be than in the bosom of his family," and this sentiment always appeared to be a controlling principle in his life and he held to it steadfastly. In politics he was a firm and unyielding Republican and for many years occupied a high place in the councils of the party in the state. He was brought up under the influence of the Free-Will Baptist church and was an earnest worker in ad- vancing the usefulness of the church and its Sunday school. He was a regular attendant on the sessions of both, and taught others by example as well as by precept. He said that it was easier for him to say "come, children, let us go to Sunday school," than "children, go to Sunday school," and he made it his pleasure to accompany them regularly until they were grown to manhood and woman- hood. He loved his children, and all children, joined with them in their pastimes with the enthusiasm of youth, and they all loved, re- spected and obeyed him in return. He was a lover of horses and always kept a good one, and was a good sportsman, a "crack shot," and at "checkers" he was an expert. He made the most and best of life in every sense, always honorably, and was always willing to share his own successes and pleasures with others. In short, he was a good man, true and upright, and the world was made better by his life in it, and his example set for others never led any man into error.
Caleb A. Chaplin married, March 25, 1849, Abigail M. Chaplin, born December 6, 1822, died July 20, 1905, daughter of John and Lydia (Knowles) Chaplin. Children : I. Clara J., born Bridgton, November 2, 1850, married James S. Fleck. 2. David Byron, July 4, 1852, died September 7, 1853. 3. Sarah Ellerette (Ella E.). born Bridgton, March 20, 1854, married James Henry Tol- man. (See Tolman.) 4. Geneva Abby, born Bridgton, September II, 1855, died August 15, 1906; married James P. Lown. 5. Alma L., born Bridgton, April 7, 1858, died August 27, 1858. Besides these children Mr. and Mrs. Chaplin had a son by adoption, Henri D., born July 20, 1855.
FOWLES
The surnames Fowle and Fowles are identical. There
were two early pioneers of this name. Thomas Fowle settled in Boston be- fore 1635; by wife Elizabeth had children : Jolın, born July 11, 1641; Mary, baptized April, 1643; and James, born December 3, 1644. He returned to England with his fam- ily in 1646 and has no known descendants.
(I) George Fowle or Fowles, the other im- migrant, is progenitor of most of the Fowle or Fowles families of New England. He set- tled in Concord, Massachusetts; was admit- ted a freeman Marchi 14, 1639; admitted an inhabitant of Charlestown in 1648. He bought at Charlestown land of R. Mousal on the road to Penny Ferry. He owned a hay lot in Mal- den in 1650-51. He died September 19, 1682. His will was dated March 11, 1681-82, and proved October 3, 1682. Children: 1. John, aged thirty-four in 1671. 2. Hannah, married, 1654-55. Samuel Ruggles. Born at Concord : 3. Mary, November 24, 1640, died young. 4. Peter, December 24, 1641, lived at Charles- town. 5. James, mentioned below. 6. Mary, February 9. 1646. Born at Charlestown : 7. Abraham. 8. Isaac, lived at Charlestown. 9. Jacob, lived at Boston. IO. Elizabeth, born January 27, 1656, died March 10, 1656-57.
(II) Lieutenant James, son of George Fowle (or Fowles), was born in Concord, March 12, 1643, died December 17, 1690. He settled in Woburn, where he was taxed in 1666; was a commoner in 1668; freeman in 1668; cordwainer by trade. He was granted a town lot to set his shop on behind Bell Hill, to be laid out by the selectmen. This hill was the elevation west of the old Fowle Tavern near the center of the town, where the bell for calling the people to meeting was located. His widow married (second) Ensign Samuel Wal-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.