USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume II > Part 87
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(III) William, son of Captain Samuel Cun- ningham, was born in Peterborough, June 17, 1795, died September 9, 1871. He resided at Belfast and Montville, Maine. He married Charlotte Nesmith, daughter of James Nes- mith. (See sketch of the Nesmith family.) Children : 1. Helen, unmarried, died June 16, 1878. 2. William A., died April 13, 1860. 3. Jane, married Charles H. Lunt, of South Paris ; she died February 1, 1904. 4. Sarah, married James Nesmith, of New York ; died December 22, 1900. 5. Edward J., died May 3, 1901, in New York. 6. Annie S., married Leonard Cooper, of Belfast, Maine. (See Cooper sketch.)
This name has borne no incon- PARKER spicuous part in the settlement and development of New Eng- land, and is now found in all parts of the coun- try and this state. Not all of its bearers have been traced to a common origin, but most are known to have descended from the Puritan Fathers of the New England colonies. The name has been honored in all generations, has
been especially well known in military annals, and those who bear it in this region have held up its prestige. It has been associated with civil reforms, as well as active in military op- erations.
(I) Captain James Parker was born in England about 1617, and came to America about 1638-39. He was a subscriber to town orders in Woburn in 1640, and was made a freeman in that town in 1644. He was one of the grantees in Billerica, Massachusetts, and lived a short time in that town. He was one of the original proprietors of Groton, in which town the major part of his active life was spent. He was one of its first selectmen, chosen in 1662, was made deacon of the church in 1663, and was sergeant and later captain of the militia. He was an extraordinary man, and active in all pertaining to the welfare of the community, being especially prominent in military affairs. He was moderator at most of the town meetings, and a member and chair- man of the important committees, laying out lands, highways and boundaries. In 1693 he was representative in the general court, under the charter from William and Mary. He lived to be eighty-four years old, and his will was made May 25, 1700. He was married in Woburn, in 1643, to Elizabeth Long, and re- sided in Woburn, Billerica, Chelmsford and Groton. Five of his children were born in Woburn, five in Chelmsford, and one in Gro- ton, the last being the offspring of his second wife, whom he married late in life, being eighty-one years old when the child was born. Their names were as follows: Elizabeth, born 1645; Anna (or Hannah), 1647; John, 1649; Joseph, 1651 ; James, 1652, killed by Indians in 1694; Josiah, 1655; Samuel, 1656; Joshua, 1658; Zachariah, 1659; Eleazer, 1660; Sarah, 1667.
(II) Joseph, fourth child and second son of James and Elizabeth (Long) Parker, was born in 1651 in Groton, Massachusetts. His first wife's name was Elizabeth, and his sec- ond wife Hannah. Children: Sarah, Eliza- beth, Simon, Joseph, Benjamin and John.
(III) Joseph (2), fourth child and second son of Joseph (I) and Elizabeth Parker, was born March 1, 1689, in Groton, Massachusetts. The name of his wife was Elizabeth. He had a son Isaac.
(IV) Lieutenant Isaac, son of Joseph (2) and Elizabeth Parker, was born in Groton, Massachusetts. He married Ruth Blood of that town, in Concord, December 16, 1728, Justice Minot officiating. Children: Isaac, William, Thomas, Esther, Ruth, Nathaniel,
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David, Anna and Abraham. Lieutenant Par- ker owned a sawmill on Mulpus brook, and was a man of consequence in his native town. About 1740 he removed to Township No. 4, now Charlestown, New Hampshire. His chil- dren were all born in Groton, and with him to No. 4 went his son Isaac. In this new town he was a man of much importance in local affairs, as is attested by his repeated election to office-six times moderator and eight times selectman. Lieutenant Parker, Captain John Spafford and Stephen Farnsworth were the first captives taken by the Indians from No. 4 in April, 1746. Being carried to Canada by their captors, they remained in captivity till the succeeding spring, when the trio were re- turned to Boston from Quebec under a flag of truce. Lieutenant Parker was a member of Captain Hohb's company in 1748, of Cap- tain Phineas Stevens' company in 1750, and in Colonel Merrow's regiment in 1756, and was commander of the post at Charlestown. The following is an extract from a letter Lieu- tenant Parker wrote to Governor Wentworth, October 3, 1756, which is worth copying here, and shows him to have been of fair education :
"This day arrived here one Enoch Byshop, an English captive from Canada, who was taken from Contoocook about two years since. He left Canada, 26 days ago, in company with two other English captives, viz. William Hair late of Brookfield, entered into Shirley's regi- ment and taken to Oswego. The other man unknown, taken from Pennsylvania. They came away from Canada without guns, hatchet, or firearms, and with no more than three loaves of bread, and four pounds of pork. As they suffered much from want of provisions, his companions were not able to travel any farther than a little on this side of Cowoss (Coos) where he was obliged to leave them last Lord's day, without any sustenance but a few berries. Six men were sent out this evening to look for them, but it is to be feared they perished in the wilderness." He also ad- dressed a letter to Lord Londoun concerning the defences at No. 4, and his lordship replied to the communication under date of Septem- ber 12, 1757. This brave soldier bore his part, and it was certainly an important part, in the mammoth undertaking of the sturdy pioneers who blazed the way for us who came after. He died April, 1762, his wife preceding him to the grave three years previously.
(V) Isaac (2), first son of Lieutenant Isaac (1) and Ruth (Blood) Parker, was born in Groton, Massachusetts, September 13, 1730. The name of his wife was Mary, who
clied March 8, 1755. He removed with his father to Township No. 4 about 1740. Chil- dren : Mary, Isaac, Ruth, Thomas, Rebecca, Jacob and Elizabeth. The above were born in Groton. Born in No. 4 were Sarah, Elijah and Anna. Isaac (2) married (second) Me- hitable Children by second wife: Sarah, Thomas and Mary. He held office in No. 4, and was an exceedingly useful and re- spected citizen, but was overshadowed by the superior ability of his noble father, who out- lived him. He was a church member and a promoter of every worthy cause. Thus cut off at the early age of thirty, his death was a direct personal loss to the striving little com- munity on the banks of the flowing Connecti- cut.
(VI) Thomas, fourth child and second son of Isaac (2) and Mary Parker, was born in Groton, Massachusetts, August 1, 1736, and removed with his father to Township No. 4, now Charlestown, New Hampshire, when about four years of age. The name of his wife was Olive. He lived in No. 4. Children : Betty, John, Hannah, Olive, Thomas, Phineas and Samuel.
(VII) Deacon Thomas (2), fifth child and second son of Thomas (1) and Olive Parker, was born in old No. 4 on the Connecticut river, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, November 8, 1766. The name of his wife was Sally, born August 29, 1770. Children : David, Thomas, Sally C., Otis, Betsey, John, Olive, Sophronia, Mary and Nehemiah. He was one of the first settlers of Winslow, Kennebec county, Maine, on the west side of the river on which is now Waterville, and his was the first white child born therein. Of the Baptist church he was a founder, a pillar, a deacon, and gave liberally of his means toward its support, and was a prosperous farmer.
(VIII) Thomas (3), son of Thomas (2) and Sally Parker, was born in Waterville, Maine, October 6, 1793. He had a son Ne- hemiah. Like his father this Thomas tilled the soil for a livelihood, and possessed abun- dantly the military spirit, serving in Captain Hitchings' company in the war for Sailors' Rights, in Lieutenant-Colonel Sherwin's regi- ment, the Second Brigade and Eighth Divi- sion.
(IX) Nehemiah, son of Thomas (3) Par- ker, was born in Fairfield or Waterville, Maine, September 20, 1822, died September 6, 1889, in Benton, Kennebec county, Maine. He married Elvira Brown, born December 10, 1827, in Benton, died there August 5, 1865. Children: 1. Thomas W., went to California
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and there died. 2. George D., married Lilly Sylvester. 3. Joseph C. 4. Charles F. 5. Orrin F., married Evelyn Vickery ; children : Frank JI., Manley N. and Luke. 6. Willis N. 7. Edward F. S. Fred S., married Luella Maud Thompson; children: Fred S. Jr. and Edward F. Mr. Parker was a prosperous farmer, and resided on his one-hundred-and- ten-acre farm in the town of Benton all his life, was a staunch Democrat, and an attendant at the Methodist church.
(X) Edward F., son of Nehemiah and El- vira ( Brown ) Parker, was born December 20, 1863, in Benton, Maine, was educated in the public schools of his native town, and took an engineering course in the American School of Correspondence, where he graduated with honors. At the age of twenty he entered the employ of the Somerset Fiber Company, which was afterward consolidated with the Kennebec Mills, and is now known as the United Box Board and Paper Company, of which he is now general superintendent. The company em- ploy two hundred hands, and manufacture so- da pulp. Mr. Parker is a member of the Siloam Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Fairfield ; Fairfield Lodge, No. 60, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Hiram Encampment, No. 22, Waterville; Canton Halifax of Waterville: M. W. of A., Fair- field. Like his father, he is a Democrat. He married, October 24, 1907, Minnie, daughter of Elezer Watson, of Fairfield.
The surname Ferguson, or FERGUSON Fergusson, means simply son of Fergus, an ancient Scotch personal name, and is one of the most ancient of Scotland. As early as 1466 the name is found in Dumfriesshire. Ayrshire, Wigtonshire, Perthshire, Forfairshire, Fife- shire, etc. Fergus was the first king of Scot- land, hence its popularity among the Scotch. The plaid of this clan is green and black, with red and white lines through it; the badge a sunflower or foxglove. There are various coats-of-arms. John Ferguson, of Killerran, was made a baronet in 1703. Another John Ferguson was a member of the Scottish parlia- ment from Cragdarroch in 1649, and Robert Ferguson from the same district, also in 1649 and often afterward. Another Robert Fer- guson was in parliament from Inverkeithing in 1579 and 1587. The name is sometimes spelled Farson.
(I) Daniel Ferguson, immigrant, came to America during the protectorate in England, at a time that many thousand Scotch soldiers
taken by Cromwell were sent to New Eng- land. He was living in what is now Upper Eliot, Maine, in 1659, and died in 1676. His widow Mary was living in 1708. He was doubtless a relative by blood or marriage of William Furbish, with whom he bought one hundred and fifty acres of land in Kittery, Maine, now Upper Eliot, February 28, 1667, of James and Elizabeth Emery for fifty pounds. The inventory of the estate of Dan- iel Ferguson was dated June 17, 1676, amounting to one hundred and three pounds six shillings. The widow conveyed to her son Alexander and her grandson James, son of her son James, by deed dated March 9, 1708, under certain conditions, all the land lying at Little Hill. She gave the homestead to her grandson James, mentioned below. ( See York Deeds, folio 102, vol -. ) It was situ- ated south of land of Daniel Furbish, east of the river, north of Andrew Neal's land and west of the Berwick road. Children: I. Me- hitable, born 1670. 2. Alexander, born 1672, married, February 11, 1694. Elizabeth Gowan. 3. Sarah, born 1676, married, December 19, 1695, James Ross, of Casco Bay. 4. James, born 1676, mentioned below. 5. Abigail, cap- tured by the Indians; ransomed with sister Sarah from Quebec by Matthew Cary in Oc- tober, 1695.
(II) James, second son of Daniel Ferguson, was born in Kittery, Maine, 1676, died in 1707. He married Elizabeth Hodsdon, daugh- ter of Benoni Hodsdon. Both he and his wife were slain by the Indians September 28, 1707. They left one child, James. The inventory of the estate was filed October 14, 1707, amounting to two hundred and forty-three pounds and thirteen shillings. In 1714 the estate was charged thirty pounds for bringing up the orphan until he was seven years old. James (2) had a grant of fifty acres of land May 10, 1703, laid out November 21, 1706, at Great Lot ; also seventy acres laid out May 4, 1728, to his estate at Blackberry Hill, now South Berwick, Maine. Only child, James, mentioned below.
(III) James (2), son of James (I) Fer- guson, was born in Kittery in 1707, married, 1729, Patience Downing, daughter of Joshua Downing Jr. James had his father's home- stead in North Eliot, west of the Berwick road to the river adjoining the farm of Timothy Furbish. He served in the militia in 1754-59-62, and was in the service in the French and Indian wars in those years. He died in 1766, his widow and son Daniel being appointed to administer the estate July 7,
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1766. The inventory, dated June 24, 1766. amounted to one hundred and seventeen pounds, eight shillings, four pence. His widow died in 1789 and her estate was administered by her son William, appointed March 30, 1789. The estate of James was divided in 1780. Children : 1. James 3d, married, April 24, 1749, Elizabeth Standley. 2. Daniel, mar- ried, in Kittery, 1776, Abigail Frost. 3. Rob- ert. 4. Elizabeth, died February 2, 1759; married, October 7, 1756, John Hall. 5. Den- nis, married, at Kittery, February 3. 1773. Elizabeth Weymouth. 6. Stephen, married, in Kittery, March 28, 1782, Shuah Bartlett. 7. William, married, in Kittery, November 27, 1781, Miriam Raitt ; she married ( second) De- cember 23, 1788, Benjamin Gerrish. 8. Sarah, born March 16, 1739, married, September 28, 1775. Joseph Forbush. 9. Reuben, mentioned below. (See p. 120, vol. iii, Old Eliot.)
(IV) Reuben, son of James (2) Ferguson, was born in Eliot, Maine, about 1755; he married, February 18, 1779, Mary Raitt. His homestead in 1798 in North Eliot was adjoin- ing the farms of his brothers Dennis, Timothy and Stephen, and the widow, Sally Ferguson. Timothy owned a barn and cider-mill on land of the widow Sarah ( doubtless widow of one of his brothers). Reuben's farm of thirty acres was bounded west by the highway and land of Stephen Ferguson, north by land of Daniel Gould, east by land of Nathaniel Frost. and south by that of Stephen Ferguson. (See p. 184, vol. vi, Old Eliot.) His will, dated October 22, 1804, proved January following, made widow Molly and son Alexander exec- utors. Inventory, $1.351.51. Children of Reuben and Mary ( Molly) Ferguson : Reuben Jr., mentioned below. Alexander, Oliver, Ivory, Nahum, Isaiah, Polly, Marian, Sally, Abigail.
(V) Reuben (2), son of Reuben (1) Fergu- son, was born in Eliot, Maine, in 1789, died in 1873. He married Betsey Stiles, who was born in Massachusetts, 1784, died also in 1873. They removed to Dixmont, Maine. He was a tailor and farmer. Children: Mark, Wil- lard B., mentioned below ; Eliza A.
(VI) Willard B., son of Reuben (2) Fer- guson, was born in Dixmont, Maine, Decem- ber, 1822. He married Rebecca Goodwin, born at Monroe, Maine. in 1831, died June 18, 1880. He was educated in the public schools of Dixmont and fitted himself for the position of teacher. He followed this profession for a period of twenty years, also conducting a farm, after the custom of the times, the brief school term being in the winter that it might not in-
terrupt the labor of the youth on the farm and also that the teacher might pursue his college course or other business between terms. He raised stock extensively. He became promi- nent in public affairs. He was the local magis- trate by virtue of his commission as justice of the peace. In politics he was a Republican, and for many years was on the Dixmont board of selectmen. He represented his dis- trict in the legislature in the years 1867-68. and served on important committees. He was also county commissioner for many years in Penobscot county, Maine, and few men were better known or more highly respected than he. He was possessed of unusual ability; his education and force of character combined to make him an exceptionally valuable citizen and successful man of affairs. He was a member of the Free Masons and of Patrons of Hus- bandry. He attended the Universalist church. Children: 1. Cassius M., born 1850, a lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. Ada H., born 1852, married Rufus G. Brown, of Boston. 3. M. Hubbard, born May 31, 1855, mentioned below. 4. Lucia A., born 1864, a teacher in the Boston public schools, residing at Boston.
(VII) Dr. M. Hubbard, son of Willard B. Ferguson, was born in Dixmont, Maine, May 31, 1855. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield. Early in life he chose medicine for his profession and be- gan to study in the office of Dr. A. C. Hamil- ton, of Bangor, Maine. He studied at Bow- doin Medical College, and Dartmouth Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1879. In 1886 he took lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, also took a six months' course in the New York Polyclinic Medical School the same year, and in 1900-02-06 was a student at the Post-Grad- uate College of New York. Dr. Ferguson be- gan his practice in Phippsburg, Maine, in 1880, and continued seventeen years. He opened an office in Biddeford. Maine. in November, 1897, has been in active practice in that city and vicinity to the present time, and has taken high rank in his profession. He is senior sur- geon at the Webber Hospital at Biddeford, and member of the following medical societies : American Medical Association, Maine Med- ical Association, York County Medical Asso- ciation.
Dr. Ferguson has been prominent not only as a physician and surgeon but in public life. While in Phippsburg he held the office of su- pervisor of schools for eleven years, was se- lectman for several years, representative to the
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legislature in 1887-88-92-93. state senator in 1895-96-97-98, and alternate to the Republican National convention at Minneapolis, Minneso- ta, in 1892, when President Harrison was nominated. Ile is prominent in the Masonic fraternity; member of Polar Star Lodge, Montgomery; St. Bernard Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Bath; Bradford Commandery, Knights Templar, Biddeford. He is also a member of Laconia Lodge of Odd Fellow's and of the Encampment.
DONOVAN Dennis Donovan was born at Clanakilty, county Cork, Ire- land, of an ancient and re- spected Irish family. He came to America when a young man and settled in Maine, es- tablishing his home in Leeds, January 14, 1855. He was a farmer and owned one of the largest farms in Lisbon, Mainc. In religion he was a faithful Catholic, and in politics a Democrat. By his first marriage he had one daughter, Sarah, who married Michael J. Dunn, a carriage manufacturer of Springfield, Massachusetts. He married, second, January 6. 1855. at Whitefield. Catherine MeGraw, born 1832, a native of county Waterford, town of Karlmathomas, Ireland. She left the home of her nativity May 28, 1852, and came to Maine with her family, arriving at Gardiner, July 18. 1852. Children: 1. John B., born March 31, 1856, mentioned below. 2. James, born September 4. 1857. at Leeds, baptized at Lewiston, Maine; is now attorney-general of the state of Montana with offices at the capitol, Helena. 3. Mary F .. born July 22, 1860, at Lewiston, Maine. 4. Joseph C., born March 22, 1863, at Lisbon Falls, died November 14, 1888.
(H) John B., son of Dennis Donovan, was born in Leeds, Maine, March 31, 1856. He was educated in the public schools and the Boston University Law School, graduating from the latter in 1879. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and immediately afterward be- gan practice in the city of Biddeford. He formed a partnership with James E. Hewey, now clerk of the United States district court of Portland. He removed to Alfred, where he had an office and enjoyed a large practice. He figured in many prominent law cases and trials and was especially successful in criminal law. He made a national reputation in the famous murder trial of Mrs. Mary Barrows.
Mr. Donovan achieved distinction in public life. In 1883 he was elected a representative to the state legislature from Biddeford as a candidate of the Democratic party, served on
important committees and took an active part in legislation. He was a member of the im- portant committee on the revision of the stat- utes that year. Ile became a prominent Dem- ocratic leader in county and state politics, fig- uring in the various nominating conventions and party gatherings, and by his personal work and influence accomplishing much for his party. During the presidential campaign of 1892 he was chairman of the Democratic state committee and in charge of the state campaign. He was rewarded by President Cleveland with the appointment as United States marshal for the district of Maine. He served with credit during his term of office and was succeeded by Hutson B. Saunders. Judge Webb, upon the occasion of his retirement from this office, commended Mr. Donovan for his faithful ad- ministration of the duties of his office and mentioned the cordial relations that have al- ways existed between the court and the re- tiring marshal. He introduced new forms of his own invention in the marshal's office, which were so highly appreciated by his successors that they have been adopted. At this same session of the court, on motion of United States Attorney Dyer. Mr. Donovan was ad- mitted to practice in the United States circuit court. Upon the passage of the national bank- ruptcy law Mr. Donovan was appointed ref- eree in bankruptcy for the district of York, a position he held until his death. In perform- ing the duties of this office he had occasion to meet many business men of the county whom otherwise he might not have known, and added largely to his circle of friends. He was uni- formly fair to creditor and debtor alike in the administration of his office, and had a thorough knowledge of the law of bankruptcy and kin- dred matters. It is said he was the best read man on the bankruptcy law in the state of Maine. He died suddenly at his home in Al- fred, May 4, 1905, after a brief and apparently trivial illness. He was genial and attractive in personality, a clever lawyer, an able public speaker and a masterly political leader. He was, moreover, simple and sincere in his re- lation with other men, having few enemies and many friends, commanding the respect and esteem of everybody.
He married, October, 1882. Ella H. Emery, daughter of Hon. William and Harriet W. (Fall) Emery, born July 8, 1863. Mrs. Don- ovan has always lived in her present home, the Emery homestead. The house is of fine old colonial style, over a hundred years old, sur- rounded with three acres of grounds, spacious lawns, gardens and orchards, and magnificent
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shade trees. She was educated in the public schools of Alfred, graduating from the high school, and in Abbott and Lasell seminaries and Wellesley College. Mrs. Donovan is a member of the Alfred Literary Club, and is active in various benevolent works. She has always been interested in the public careers of her father and husband and is herself a woman of public spirit. Children: 1. William Em- ery, born August 14, 1883. 2. Mary Frances, February 12, 1886. 3. Payson Tucker, July 20, 1888, died June 3, 1893. 4. John Bernard, July 14, 1890. 5. Alfred Dunn, October 8, 1892. 6. Harriet Catherine, September 16, 1895. 7. Josephine Elizabeth, July 16, 1899. 8. Bertram Earl, December 3, 1902, died January 3. 1904. 9. Douglas King, July 14, 1904, died September 18, 1904. (See Emery following.)
(For early generations see Anthony Emery I.)
(VII) William Emery (2), son EMERY of William (1) Emery, born April 10, 1791, died November 23, 1877. He was educated in the public schools, and when a young man went to sea and made several voyages as a common sailor. He was promoted to be first mate and finally captain. The embargo of 1812 detained him on land, and changed his whole plan of life. At this time, as an inducement to stay at home, he received from his grandfather, Colonel Ca- leb Emery, a valuable farm in South Sanford, Maine, and he lived there several years. For twelve years he was deputy sheriff for York county, and then became a merchant at San- ford Corner and Springvale, where he con- tinued for many years. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, and served as town treasurer in 1863. He was a member of the Congregational church, and with a few others built the meeting house at Sanford Corner. He was'an active, energetic, shrewd business man, and an honorable, sagacious, intelligent and far-sighted citizen.
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