USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 6
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 6
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J. Warren Gardner, in an article in the Wick- ford (Rhode Island) Standard, states that: Jo- seph (2) was born 1650 : married (first)
; married (second) Mercy -: died 1739. His children : I. Deborah, born 1674; married Job Babcock. 2. Joseph, Jr., born 1676; married Susanna 3. John, born about 1677. 4. Spencer,13 born about 1679. 5. Rob- ert, born 1681, died 1715. 6. James, born about 1683. 7. Benjamin,1+ born about 1685.
13. "There was a Spencer Reynolds in 1728 in Exeter who must have been of the third generation, and therefore may well have been a son of second James or Joseph, as he was interested in the running of the Pettaquamscott north line. It is probable that the second wife of James or Joseph was a Spencer. I put Spencer Reynolds down to first Joseph mainly on the ground that he seems to have been interested in lands owned by said Joseph."-J. W. GARDNER.
14. "Benjamin, son of Joseph, probably was living in South Kingstown; was constable there 1723: Sep- tember 14, 1714. Joseph deeded his son Benjamin for his half of a tract of land in East Greenwich. which said Joseph had bought of his brother Henry. Septem- ber 23, 1714. Benjamin, presumed to be the owner, re- ceived from his brother James a deed of one-half a
Jane Adaline ( Eaton) Wight in a carefully prepared work gives the children of Joseph as fol- lows : I. John (by first wife). 2. Joseph, Jr., will. proved 1722, in North Kingstown. 3. Robert,. died 1712 or 1713. . 4. Samuel. 5. James. 6. Mercy, married Jones. 7. Alice. 8. Sarah, married Clarke. 9. Susanna (or Susan ), married Clarke.
(III) Joseph Reynolds, Jr. (3), Joseph (2). James ( I) ; married Susanna Babcock. She mar- ried (second) Robert Spencer, November 7, 1723. Children of Joseph, Jr., and Susanna ( Bab- cock ) Reynolds : I. Elizabeth, born April 21, 1697, married Rogers. 2. Joseph, born March 22, 1699, married Sarah 3. Su- sanna, born December 21, 1703. 4. John, born October 18, 1706. He made choice of his uncle, Job Babcock, for guardian. 5. George, born August 14, 1708, married Joanna Spencer. Sep- tember 14, 1729. 6. Deborah, born December 13, 1711. 7. Samuel, born North Kingstown, Rhode Island, 1714. 8. Mary, born 1717.
The will of Joseph, Jr. (3), was proved 1722 or 1725. His widow Susanna and his son, John (see below where it is said to be Job Babcock ), administered the estate. A marriage certificate shows her married to Robert Spencer, who was appointed guardian of several of her children, who were then under fourteen. His will was probated April -, 1722, Susanna (his widow) executrix, with her brother Job Babcock. To his eldest son' Joseph he gave half of the farm where he lived, to his son John the other half; to wife Susanna the homestead farm for life; to sons George and Samuel equal portions of land; to daughter, Elizabeth Rogers, £20; to daughters Susanna, Deborah and Mary, a feather bed and sum of money at age.
The children of Joseph (3), Joseph (2), James (I) were eight in number : "Austin" gives the name of one more child, Benjamin. Much of the original land has remained in the family to the present time, Nicholas C. Reynolds, of Exeter, Rhode Island, now occupying the an- cient homestead settled two hundred years ago. "Austin" has very much mixed and mystified the genealogy of this family by putting Joseph. Jr., in place of Joseph, Sr., and the former's will' where the latter should be. He has also mixed
farm for £22. It is presumed that these were the two halves of one and the same farm. This record estab- lishes the fact that the first Joseph Reynolds had sons. Benjamin and James, and we know that he had Joseph, Jr., and probably Robert. Joseph Jr., calls Job Bab- cock brother, and we know that Job's wife was De- borah Reynolds."
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
up the records of the two in a way that is very misleading. The younger Joseph died some sev- enteen years before his father did, and this fact probably led to the error. The second Joseph had no son Benjamin.15 Children of Joseph Jr., and Susanna Reynolds were : 1. Elizabeth, born April 21, 1697 ; married - Rogers. (J. W. Gardner says born 1699). 2. Joseph, born March 22, 1699; married Sarah (J. W. Gardner says 1697). 3. Susanna, born Decem- ber 21, 1703. 4. John, born October 18, 1706; he made choice of his uncle, Job Babcock, for guardian. (J. W. Gardner says born 1705). 5. George, born August 14, 1708; married Joanna Spencer, September 14, 1729. (J. W. Gardner says born 1701). 6. Deborah, born December 13, 1711. (J. W. Gardner says born 1709). 7. Samuel, born 7. 1714, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island ; married Ann Gardner, of Samuel, 1732. (J. W. Gardner says born 1707). 8. Mary, born 1717. (J. W. Gard- ner says born 1711). 9. Benjamin (according to Austin).
(IV) George (4), Joseph (3), Joseph (2), James (1), Exeter, Rhode Island, born August 14. 170816 ; married, September 14, 1729, Joanna Spencer, daughter of Robert and Theodosia (Whaley)17 Spencer. She was born September 30, 1711. He was a justice of the peace 1747-50. Children of George and Joanna (Spencer) Rey- nolds :
(V) Captain Robert (5), George (4), Jo- seph (3), Joseph, Jr. (2), James (1), was born 1736, Exeter, Rhode Island ; married, January 20, 1757. Eunice Waite, daughter of John; died 1806, seventy years of age; interred in Ever- green cemetery, Factoryville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Reynolds, born 1735, died 1802, sixty-seven years of age. Robert Reynolds, Jr. (so called at Exeter, Rhode Island, to distinguish him from another Robert who lived in the same town), was admitted freeman in 1758. He was, like most of his family, of a military turn of mind's,
and in 1767 (October) made captain of the First Company Trained Band Militia, Kings County Regiment, Exeter. The militia laws were re- vised 1774, among other things providing "in what manner the forces within this colony shall. march to the assistance of any of our sister col- onies when invaded or attacked19." The manu- facture of firearms and powder began to be ex- tensively carried on in Rhode Island. Enlist- ments began and orders for arms were inces- sant ; one hundred and forty guns were ordered for North Kingstown. Tea was proscribed. A general muster of the militia of the colony was held20. On the night of the battle of Lexing- ton news was received at Providence, and the next day the militia, a thousand strong, started for the scene of war. The order for these troops . was countermanded by expresses from Lexing- ton. In May, 1775, the committee of safety and the army of observation were organized. The militia was reorganized into three regiments, the whole under command of Brig .- Gen. Nathaniel Greene. James Varnum was colonel of one of these, and John Reynolds lieutenant, afterwards lieutenant-colonel and agent clothier of the Con- tinental army. Each regiment was to occupy the flank and centre in rotation, to preserve their- equality of rank21. General Greene, with the . Rhode Island militia, joined Washington's army early in the spring of 177522. Of the character- of these troops it has been said, "so striking was the discipline of the troops of Rhode Island in contrast with the raw troops in general that Greene fell under the eye of Washington, and he was instantly taken at his full worth23." The effect of the superior military training of these . troops was apparent, and a part of this credit must be given to Robert, who had commanded the First Company of Exeter, and to his forbears who had engaged as officers in the military train- ing of the troops of the colony, some of whom had engaged under English colors in the Colo- nial wars. The records2+ show that Robert, son
15. J. W. Gardner, genealogist, in his "Genealogy of the Gardner Family," published in the Wickford (Rhode Island) Standard, 1905.
16. "Colonial Records."
17. George Reynolds was administrator of his father-in-law's ( Spencer's) estate. As Joseph Reynolds' widow married Robert Spencer, it may be that this is what brought together George, son of Joseph and Susanna Reynolds, and Joanna, daughter of Robert Spencer. Hence the name perpetuated in late genera- lions.
18. See "Military Records Rhode Island."
19. Arnold's "History of Rhode Island," vol. i, page 343.
20. Arnold's "History of Rhode Island," vol. i, pages 344-345.
21. Arnold's "History of Rhode Island," page 348. 22. Bryant's "History United States," vol. iii. page 394.
23. Gen. John A. Logan's "History of the Volun- teer Soldier."
24. "Colonial Records Rhode Island." vol. ix,. page 95.
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
of George, was captain of the First Exeter Com- pany, Second Regiment, Kings County, 1781-88. Whether he had continued as captain of this company from 1767, when he was first commis- sioned the records do not show.
Robert Reynolds left Exeter, Rhode Island, in 1790, to seek a new home in the wilderness of northeastern Pennsylvania, and with him came Job Tripp and William Wall. After weeks of travel through the pathless forest they arrived in Abington, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, and were the first white men to view the beauti- ful hills of Abington. They made a clearing there, built a cabin25, and Robert returned to Rhode Island for the purpose of bringing his wife with him, which he did in 179326. She was the first white woman to inhabit Abington. Sub- sequently four of his eight children, with their families, came to Abington. In 1803 the first military training27 in Abington took place, upon the farm of Deacon Clark. The forces were mo- bilized with dispatch. The maneuvres were no doubt executed with proper precaution. The old Continental uniforms had been well brushed, and the three-cornered hats were again made to do duty. Upon this auspicious occasion Captain Robert Reynolds became colonel by courtesy, a title which he bore to the day of his death, and it still is heard at the reunions of the family when his name is mentioned with the respect due to his patriotism as a soldier and his character as a man. Corn whiskey was to be had; toothsome pumpkin pie, gingerbread and cider served to regale the tired army after the drill was over. The women who had ridden thence mounted pillion, formed a small but proud and interested group as they watched their husbands, fathers and sons march to and fro in the trappings of a war, the echo of which had scarcely died away. It was a great day in the sparsely settled region. The drills were considered essential to the preser- vation of the liberty, so recently and dearly bought. Bred to danger and skilled in accur- acy of fire, these pioneers had come to rely upon their ability singly and collectively to defend themselves against man or beast. Doubtless Robert (of whom more hereafter), on that train- ing day twelve years of age, saw the drill in
25. See Hollister's "History Lackawanna Valley." page 276.
26. See Hollister's "History Lackawanna Valley," page 279.
27. Elder John Miller states there were eleven persons, including officers and men, who participated in the drill.
which were his father and grandfather, if he did not participate himself, and drank in the inspir- ation of fife and drum, which later found pa- triotic expression in his love for a military life, as shown by his enlistment for the war of 1812. It would be interesting to know how long the "Training Day" as an institution was continued by the pioneers of Abington. It was the great day after Christmas and Independence Day, and generally the latter was also a training day. Alas! that more of the local history of Abington has not been preserved. Robert (5) built the first saw mill in Abington and cleared the land which still remains in the family ownership. He was first interred upon the old farm now owned by the widow of M. N. Reynolds, but his remains with those of his wife were removed to 1901 to the burial plot of the family of Stephen C. Rey- nolds, in the Evergreen cemetery, Factoryville, Pennsylvania, where five generations sleep side by side. The children of Captain Robert and Eunice were eight in number, all born at Exeter, Rhode Island :
I. Sarah, born Oct. 17. 1757. 2. Ann, born Dec. 15, 1759, died Mar. 10, 1760. 3. George, of Exeter, R I., and Abington, Penn., born Feb. 19, 1761, died Dec. 19, 1844. 4. Waite, born Dec. 26, 1763. died Mar. 23, 1769. 5. Eunice, born Dec. 29, 1765. 6. Phineas, born Feb. 23, 1768, of Exeter, R. I., and Abington, Penn. 7. Joanna, of Exeter, R. I., and later Abington, born Dec. II, 1769 ; married Benjamin Green, and died April 4, 1852. 8. Solomon, of Exeter, R. I., and Abington, Penn., born Sept. 14, 1771, mar- ried Frances Northup, and died Dec. 25, 1852.
(VI) George (6). Robert, Jr. (5), George (4). Joseph Jr., (3). Joseph (2), James (I), born February 19, 1761, Exeter, Rhode Island : mar- ried Freelove Northup : died December 19, 1844, interred at Evergreen cemetery, Factoryville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Reynolds, born 1760, died October 25, 1834. George Reynolds was also a veteran of the Revolution, enlisting from Exeter, Rhode Island, at seventeen years of age, in Col. Topham's regiment, Benjamin West's company ; he entered into the spirit of the times. Among the records in the Pension Office at Washington, Z. Wells Reynolds, now of the United States navy, during his father's28 incumbency as chief of the middle division of the Pension Office, found in invalid file No. 22949 (Revolutionary) the following :
(Invalid No. 22949, Revolutionary)
28. Hon. W. N. Reynolds, of Wyoming and Lu- zerne counties, and state and federal courts.
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
Declaration of George Reynolds to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7th June, 1832. State of Pennsylvania, Luzerne Co., ss.
On this fourth day of September, A. D., 1832, personally appeared before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, - George Reynolds, of Nicholson Township in said County, aged seventy years and upwards, who being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that the following declaration is true to the best of his knowledge and belief, and that he en- tered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
Affirmed and subscribed, &c.
H. PETTIBONE, Prot.
GEORGE REYNOLDS.
George Reynolds being duly sworn saith that he was born the 19th of February, 1761, at Exe- ter, state of Rhode Island, of which he has a record at his present place of residence. March I, 1778, he enlisted in the Continental Army at Exeter in Colonel John Topham's Regiment, Captain Benjamin West's company, for the term of one year, and that he was in the army during the whole period for which he enlisted ; that the army was stationed at Hon. W. N. Reynolds, Esq., of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, a member of the bar, of Wyoming county and Luzerne county, and of the state and general court, Ti- verton in Bristol County, Rhode Island ; that he was in one engagement on Newport29 Island under General Sullivan ; that on the expiration of the year he received his discharge, tho not a written one.
That he was drafted at four different times after the expedition under General Sullivan, the precise time he cannot recollect, but probably in all four months; during this he was under command of Colonel Charles Dyer, Lieut. George Pierce, Lieut. Spencer Taylor ; was generally sta- tioned on Newport Island.
That since the Revolutionary war this depon- ent lived at Exeter in Rhode Island aforesaid, and that for the last twenty-seven years he has re- sided in Nicholson, Luzerne County; that he never had a written discharge from the Conti- nental Army, but that he received a certificate for one year's service ; that he was never an officer in the army.
That Deponent is acquainted with Aaron, Wight, who resides in Nicholson aforesaid, and. ( Wescott) Stone, who resided some time in Nich -- olson and now in Greenfield adjoining.
H. PETTIBONE. GEORGE REYNOLDS.
The Colonel's name was not Toppin, but: Topham, as George Runnold's name appears on: the original muster roll of the company which was certified to in 1778, and now in possession of the Pension Bureau. The old records I ex -- amined this morning, June 24, 1892.
John Miller, clergyman from Abington, Wes- cott Stone and Aaron Wight testify in the claim as to claimant's good character, truthfullness &c.
(Signed) Z. W. REYNOLDS.
In the autumn of 1776 the Rhode Island forces were reorganized and embodied in the- Continental army and marched abroad30. In the- winter of 1777 the Assembly resolved to raise a brigade of fifteen hundred men to serve for one- vear from the coming March. In fact, it was a re-enlistment of so many of the existing force as. chose to serve, over whom Gen. Cornell was made brigadier, having received a commission in the Continental army. Col. Topham became colonel thereof31. Those interested will find a full account of Col. Topham's regiment and its. excellent record in Arnold's "History of Rhode- Island." George Reynolds (6), son of Robert,. was a private in Captain Benjamin West's com- pany of Topham's regiment, and was wounded by the Hessians in the battle of Newport Island .. Sarah (?), daughter of George (6), who mar- ried William Rice, related that George was. wounded by the Hessians in this fight and suf- fered all his life from a suppurating wound and that he told her of the battle and of his participa- tion therein in detail. He succeeded his father Robert as captain of the First Exeter company. 1793-9432, after Robert removed to Pennsyl- vania (1794), and his company was a part of the- quota of state militia ordered by Congress, be- ing the Second Regiment, Washington County Brigade. The children of George were as fol- lows :
I. Waitey, born May II, 1785, died Sept. 26, 1830; married Henry Hall. 2. Daniel, born Nov. 27. 1786, died June 29, 1863; married (first) Mercy Hall, born June 9, 1789, died June
29. The battle of Newport was one of the most severe battles of the Revolution. The best descrip- tion of this desperate engagement will be found in Arnold's "History of Rhode Island," vol. ii, page 428. Lafayette in speaking of this battle said, "it was the best fought action of the war."
30. Arnold's "History Rhode Island." vol. ii. page 366.
31. Arnold's "History Rhode Island," vol. ii, note- page 367.
32. "Rhode Island Colonial Records."
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
12, 1828; married (second) Sally Ann Colvin, born March 17, 1805, died March 5, 1885. 3. Ezra, born Feb. 17, 1789, died May 21, 1858; married Chloe Gorman, Jan. 1, 1815, died Feb. 5, 1846. 4. Robert, born June 17, 1791, Exeter, R. 1., and Factoryville, Pa., died Aug. 1, 1856 ; married Susan Capwell. 5. Stephen, born Jan. 17, 1794: Exeter, R. I .; died March 29, 1856; married Mary Clark, died Jan. 13, 1850. 6. George, born May 27, 1797, died Feb. 17, 1870; married, Sept. 15, 1818, Julia Prudy, born March 5. 1802, died Nov. 11, 1869. 7. Solomon, born July 9, 1799 : Abington, Pa. ; died Dec. 13, 1872, Dan- ville, N. Y. ; married Rachel Dan. 8. Nicholas, born 1803, died Aug. 31, 1865 ; married (first) Sybil (widow of Mr. Nichols) and daughter of Rev. John Miller, born 1802, died Aug. 8, 1860; married (second) Mary Smith, born 1817, died Sept. 1, 1882. Left no children. 9. Sarah, born May 20, 1806, died Feb. 26, 1874 ; married Will- iam Rice, 1829.
(VII) Robert (7), George (6). Robert (5), George (4), Joseph, Jr., (3), Joseph (2), James (I), born June 17, 1791, at Exeter. Rhode Island ; married Susan Capwell, daughter of Stephen and Hannah ; died 1856, interred at Factoryville. She was born April 9, 1798, died September 5. 1855. With his father's family Robert came to Abing- ton, Luzerne county, now Clinton township, Wyoming county, in 1805. (See affidavit for pen- sion). He was a millwright, lumberman and farmer. When the second war with Great Brit- ain was declared, the inherent military and pa- triotic spirit of his forbears impelled him to en- list. In an old paper of 1814, in the possession of J. W. Stark, of West Nicholson, Pennsylvania, there is contained an account of the enlistments from this vicinity, and it is as follows :
"45th Company, Ist Regiment, Ensign Rob- ert Reynolds, Privates Marshall Dickson, Chris- topher Reynolds, Crispin Reynolds, Drummer Stephen Reynolds."
These men marched from that part of Abing- ton (now Clinton township), Wyoming county, formerly Luzerne county, through the woods, and at cach little settlement were greeted en- thusiastically by their neighbors. The fifer, whose efforts at blowing caused him to look pale, was taunted by the small boy, then as now ubi- quitous, with this evidence of cowardice, and was chased by the indignant musician over the worm-fence and into the woods toward Wav- erly. The commands of the ensign in charge fell upon the indignant ears of the insulted one with- out effect. This detail joined the main force under Captain Camp, at Wilkes-Barre, and it is
said they floated down the river on a raft to Har- risburg, and thence to Havre De Grace, Mary- land, where they received news of the battle of New Orleans, and that peace was likely, and were ordered home. In the possession of the writer is a warrant for one hundred twenty acres of land which has never been located, and which is now practically worthless, as the legal costs of securing the formal conveyance of title would be more than the cost of a purchase of a like area from the government. This land warrant is as follows :
I20 I20
United States of America. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED, that under the Act of March 3rd, 1855, entitled "An Act in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged in THE MILITARY SERVICE of the United States," Robert Reynolds, Ensign, Captain Camp's Mi- litia, War of 1812, is entitled to locate One Hun- dred and Twenty acres at any land office of the United States in one body, and in conformity to the legal subdivisions of the public lands upon any of the public lands subject to sale at either the minimum or lower graduated prices. Given under my Hand and the Seal of the Department this 2nd day of July, 1856.
D. T. JENKS.
No. 79112. J. MINOT, Commissioner.
Robert Reynolds (Ensign) and his wife are interred in the Depot cemetery, at Factoryville, Pennsylvania, but arrangements are nearly per- fected for the removal of their remains to Ever- green cemetery. Factoryville, Pennsylvania. The children of Robert and Susan :
I. Joseph Whipple, born March II, 1815, Clinton township, Wyoming county, Penn ; died March IO, 1866, West Nicholson, Penn .; mar- ried Phobe Stark. He was a veteran of the Civil war. 2. Stephen Cromwell. 3. Seth W., born June 13, 1819, died October 13, 1822. 4. Eliza J., born June 13, 1823; married Minor Worden. 5. Robert Leroy, born October 2. 1826, died Nich- olson, Penn. ; married Sprague, daughter of George Sprague. Veteran of Civil war. 6. Caroline S., born Sept. 22, 1829. 7. Frederick Earl, born Aug. 28, 1831, died Dec. 29, 1833. 8. Hannah Morella, born Aug. 30, 1833 : married Norman Williams. 9. Ellen A., born Dec. 25, 1835; married John Fedrick Eaton, Wyoming county, Penn. 10. Emeline A., born Jan. 31, 1838, died 1902 : married Henry P. Jacobs.
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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.
(VIII) Stephen Cromwell (8), Robert (7), George (6). Robert (5), George (4), Joseph, Jr. (3), Joseph (2), James (I), born March 26, 1817, at Factoryville, Pennsylvania, died Janu- ary 17, 1890; married (first) Mary Laura Cap-' well, daughter of Stephen and Sevalla (Sea- mans) Capwell, February 9, 1847, at Factory- ville. She was born September 12, 1829, died 1870. Married (second) Mary C. Monsey. Stephen was moulded in the likeness of Him of whom it has been declared, that "An honest man is the noblest work of God." He possessed an excellent mind, was well read, and by his ability in debate won a high place in the public discus- sion of the great questions involved in the Mex- ican and Civil wars. His earnest loyalty in 1861 found expression in the work of enlistments for the service, and his interest in the welfare of the soldiers is attested by a great mass of correspon- dence in the possession of the writer from them, thanking him for his kindness and thoughtful- ness for the welfare of their families in their ab- sence at the front. For upwards of a quarter of a century he, with Bartly Wall, conducted a line of stage-coaches running from Factoryville to Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, which was contin- ued until the construction of the Lehigh Valley railroad relegated the stage coach to oblivion. The mails were carried by this conveyance, and during the entire period not a single time was there a failure to deliver the pouches on time to the mail trains of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company at Factoryville. His early life was that of the pioneer and his tales of hunting and woodcraft and of the early days of the settlement of Abington are yet subjects of interesting discussions in the family gatherings. He was a business man of character and accom- plishment, but his natural bent for discussion, and particularly upon matters of law, of which he was a student, influenced greatly the lives and career of his family. Two of his sons entered the law, and find in their chosen profession the same intellectual delight that was experienced by their father, whose chief regret was that his cir- cumstances in early life had prevented him from realizing his ambition to become a lawyer. With a conscious rectitude, knowing the approach of death, he conversed of his ancestors during much of the last days, insisting upon giving dates and incidents that they might be preserved. He ex- acted a promise from the writer of this sketch that he would take up at once the work of gath- ering the family and local history before it should be too late. Asked but a moment before his
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