The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 59

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978

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(II) Thomas (2) Lillibridge, son of Thomas (1) and Sarah (Lewis) Lillibridge, was born in Newport, R. I. He settled in Westerly, where he was admitted a free- man, April 30, 1723. He was a commissioner to lay out the road from Pawcatuck bridge to South Kingston line, 1727. He died in Westerly, February 8, 1757, "in

the 55th year of his age." He married, June 12, 1726, Mary Woodmansee.

(III) Edward Lillibridge, son of Thomas (2) and Mary (Woodmansee) Lillibridge, was born on March 25, 1732, in Richmond, R. I. He died February 3, 1810, and was buried in Wood River Cemetery, Richmond. Edward Lillibridge purchased the farm of his uncle, Robert Lillibridge, in Richmond, and resided there until his death, taking a prominent part in local affairs. He married (first) December 4. 1755, Patience Tefft; (sec- ond) January 6, 1765, Thankful (Tefft) Wells.

(IV) Amos Lillibridge, son of Edward and Thank- ful (Tefft-Wells) Lillibridge, was born in Richmond, R. I., in 1776. He inherited all his father's lands, in- cluding the Robert Lillibridge farm in Richmond, where he made his home until his death. He died July 4, 1857, and was buried in Wood River Cemetery. Amos Lilli- bridge married Phebe Hoxie.

(V) Wanton Lillibridge, son of Amos and Phebe (Hoxie) Lillibridge, was born in Richmond, October 17, 1806, and resided there all his life. He was a pros- perous farmer and a prominent citizen, and for several decades occupied a prominent position in Richmond. He was one of the framers of the Constitution of Rhode Island, member of the Legislature, very prominent, president of Town Council, and held many other town offices. He died in Richmond, September 4, 1890. On November 7, 1841, Wanton Lillibridge married Sarah Ann Champlin, daughter of John A. Champlin, and member of one of the oldest and most prominent of old Rhode Island families. They were the parents of the following children : I. Horace, died in infancy. 2. Sarah Mason, born May 11, 1843, died Feb. 2, 1906; married, May 25, 1871, Robert I. Moore. 3. Amos A., enlisted in the Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volun- teers, and was killed near Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 18, 1864. 4. Charles W., married Abbie Bowen. 5. Edward Hoxie, married Addie Shumard. 6. Jennette, mentioned below. 7. John H., married Emma Pinckney. 8. William W., married Ida Spencer. 9. Jennie F., married Charles H. Stevens. 10. Hattie E., married William F. Joslin.

(VI) Jennette Lillibridge, daughter of Wanton and Sarah Ann (Champlin) Lillibridge, was born at Rich- mond, R. I. She married, June 26, 1884, Frank Rey- nolds Brown, born in North Stonington, Conn., and died there, son of Charles L. and Margaret (Reynolds) Brown. Mrs. Brown makes her home on the Thomas Lillibridge estate, which she purchased in 1915. Mr. Brown was a farmer and prominent business man in North Stonington, also interested in school work.

CONSTANT SIMMONS HORTON-The late Constant Simmons Horton, assistant superintendent of police and chief of detectives of the city of Providence, R. I., was a descendant of a family which has been prominent in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for a period of more than two hundred and fifty years. He was of the seventh generation in direct descent from the founder, Thomas Horton. The coat-of-arms is as follows :

Arms -- Argent on a fesse azure between two wolves passant in chief and a cross bow in base gules, three martlets or.

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Crest-A cubit arm erect, vested gules, cuffed argent, holding in the hand proper an arrow azure, feathered and barbed or.

(I) Thomas Horton, immigrant ancestor and founder of the family in America, was of Welsh ancestry, according to family tradition, and was a relative of Thomas Horton, who settled early in Charlestown, Mass. He settled in Milton, Mass., formerly Dorches- ter, as early as 1669. His first wife, Sarah, appears to have been a member of the church at Braintree, Mass., where her son, Thomas, was baptized in 1677. Thomas Horton married (second) at Milton, Mass., December 25, 1693, Susannah Keney. His sons settled at Milton and Rehoboth, and he was doubtless the progenitor of all the Rhode Island Hortons of colonial days. Chil- dren, born at Milton, of the first wife: I. Rachel, born Aug. 6, 1669. 2. John, born June 6, 1672, settled in Rehoboth. 3. Thomas, born Oct. 3, 1677. 4. David, born Oct. 14, 1679. 5. Solomon, mentioned below, born Jan, II, 1682. 6. Esther, married at Rehoboth, April 10, 1701, Benjamin Viall. There were perhaps other chil- dren.

(II) Solomon Horton, son of Thomas and Sarah Horton, was born at Milton, Mass., January 1I, 1682. He resided at Milton, where he married, December 5, 1701, Susanna Babcock, and subsequently removed to Rehoboth, where he was the founder of the Rehoboth branch of the family. The children of Solomon and Susanna (Babcock) Horton were: 1. Sarah, born May 17, 1702. 2. Hannah, born Dec. 19, 1706. 3. Solomon, mentioned below. Perhaps others. Solomon Horton was prominent in the life and affairs of early Rehoboth.

(III) Solomon (2) Horton, son of Solomon (1) and Susanna (Babcock) Horton, was born at Milton, Mass., between the years 1712 and 1715. He removed to Reho- both, and there made his home until his death. He mar- ried Mary , and they were the parents of the fol- lowing children, born at Rehoboth: I. Charles, born March 18, 1739. 2. Constant, born Oct. 29, 1740. 3. Solomon, born Jan. 15, 1742-43. 4. Mary, born Aug. 10, 1-45. 5. Abiall, born Oct. 14. 1747. 6. Daniel, men- ioned below. 7. Aaron, born March 21, 1752.

(IV) Daniel Horton, son of Solomon (2) and Mary Horton, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., January 30, 1749- 50. He was a soldier in the American Revolution, en- listing in his native town, as a private in Captain Nathan Carpenter's company, at Brookline, Mass. Dur- ing the course of the war he served also in Captain Israel Hix's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment, marching from Rehoboth to Bristol, R. J .; he was sergeant in Captain Israel Hix's company, in 1780. (See page 265, volume viii, "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolution"). Daniel Horton married Mary Goff, and their children, born in Rehoboth, were: I. Nancy, born Oct. 15, 1780. 2. Silvanus, mentioned below. 3. Simeon, born Sept. 27, 1784; married Mel- vina M. Wheeler. 4. Rachel, born Jan. 18, 1787; mar- ried John Slade, and died at Somerset, Mass. 5. Polly, born Ang. 6, 1789; married Isaiah Simmons, and died at Bristol, R. I. 6. Lettis, born Dec. 22, 1791 ; married George Case, and lived at Rehoboth. 7. Royal, born Nov. 18, 1795.

(V) Silvanus Horton, son of Daniel and Mary (Goff) Horton, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Septem- ber 20, 1782, and resided there all his life. He was a

prosperous farmer and well-known citizen. He mar- ried Hannah Slade, and they were the parents of several children, among them Henry Slade Horton, mentioned below.

(VI) Henry Slade Horton, son of Silvanus and Han- nah (Slade) Horton, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., and like his father was a successful and well-known farmer. He married Arabella Simmons, and they were the par- ents of nine children, among them, Constant Simmons, mentioned at length below.

(VII) Constant Simmons Horton, son of Henry Slade and Arabella (Simmons) Horton, was born at the Horton homestead, in Rehoboth, Mass., January 7, 1848. He received his education in the public schools of Rehoboth, and after completing his studies, learned the carpenter's trade. He followed this trade until 1877, in East Providence and Pawtucket, R. I. In the latter year, he removed to Providence, where he became con- nected with the police force in the capacity of patrol- man. From this minor position he rose, solely through worth and signal ability, to the post of assistant super- intendent of police and chief of detectives of the Provi- dence forces. During the thirty-seven years of his con- nection with the department he was eminently respected not only for his fine ability, but for his high standards of justice and honor. His work through these years shed lustre on the police department of the city. Con- stant S. Horton was a man of pleasing personality, and commanding appearance, tall and fine looking. He was thoroughly acquainted with every phase of his work, and was one of the most efficient men who filled the difficult posts which he held. His political affiliation was with the Republican party. He was a member of the Men's Club of the Cranston Street Baptist Church.

On May 9, 1875, Mr. Horton married Calista W. Viall, who was born in Seekonk, Mass. (now East Providence), R. I., daughter of Willard and Calista (Lyon) Viall; both of her parents were of early Massa- chusetts families. Mr. and Mrs. Horton were the par- ents of two children: I. Bertha Willard, who died at the age of nineteen months. 2. Chester Shorey, was born April 7. 1878, and died April 8, 1917; he married in 1913, Alice Louise Ward. Mr. Horton was connected with the Union Trust Company of Providence, R. I. Mrs. Horton survives her husband and resides at the family home at No. 25 Almy street, Providence. She has been a member of the East Providence First Bap- tist Church for fifty-one years, and is actively identified with many departments of its work, taking an active part in charitable and philanthropic efforts. Constant Simmons Horton died at his home, in Providence, R. I., April 13, 1914.

ORRAY TAFT-The Taft families in America comprise the progeny of Robert and Mathew Taft, both of whom emigrated from Ireland in the second half of the seventeenth century and settled in Mendon, Mass. Both were Protestant Irish by hirth. County Louth, the Irish home of the Tafts, in the province of Leinster, is on the northern coast of the island, bounded by Armagh and Ulster, and on the east by the British channel. The name of Taft does not appear in Scotland in any form, and only in England apparently among the descendants of the Irish family. For several centuries the name has

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BIOGRAPHICAL

een spelled Taaffe. The families of Tifft and Tefft in England may have the same origin, and doubt still xists as to whether the family is of English or Irish rigin. Sir William Taaffe or Taft, a knight of Protes- ant faith, was among the grantees at the time of the Scotch emigration to Ulster province, in the reign of King James, and in 1610 received a grant of one thou- and acres of land in the parish of Castle Rahen, County Cavan. Genealogists have connected the founders of he American branch with this Irish family. The family n America has played a prominent part in New Eng- and life and affairs since the time of its founding, and mong the men of distinction which it has produced is he Hon. William Howard Taft, ex-President of the Jnited States. The family has been particularly promi- lent in Massachusetts and in Rhode Island. The late )rray Taft, 1793-1865, president of the People's Sav- ngs Bank of Providence, and of the Worcester Rail- oad, was a member of the Uxbridge, Mass., branch of he family, and a descendant of Robert Taft in the sixth American generation.

Robert Taft, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was born in Ireland, in 1640, and came to America in 1678, n which year he was granted a lot of land in Braintree, Mass. In the following year he bought land in Mendon, nd sold the Braintree property on November 18, 1679, o Caleb Hobart. He subsequently bought much land n the vicinity of Mendon pond, and evidently from the utset was a man of considerable wealth, as he became ne of the largest property owners in the neighborhood f Mendon. Robert Taft was prominent in the affairs f Mendon from the time of his coming to the town. n 1680 he was one of the first board of selectmen of he newly organized town of Mendon, and also served on the committee to build the minister's house. He nd his sons built the first bridge across the Mendon iver. He was one of the purchasers of the land of which the town of Sutton was formed. Robert Taft narried Sarah , who died in November, 1725. Ie died February 8, 1725.

Captain Joseph Taft, son of Robert and Sarah Taft, vas born in Mendon, Mass., in 1680, and died at Ux- ridge, Mass., June 18, 1747. When Uxbridge was set ff from Mendon he moved there, and his farm was ituated on both sides of the Blackstone river. His ome was on the west side of the river. At the first Jxbridge town meeting, on July 25, 1727, he was ap- jointed one of the "tithingmen." He was one of the oremost men of the town and served as lieutenant and aptain of the local militia. He married, in 1708, Eliza- eth Emerson, who was born at Ipswich, Mass., March , 1687, and died at Uxbridge, in 1760, daughter of ames and Sarah Emerson.

Marvel Taft, descendant of Captain Joseph Taft, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., on February 6, 1763. He re- ided on the old Taft homestead, where he was a pros- erons farmer. He married Ruth -, who was born October 2, 1762.

Orray Taft, son of Marvel and Ruth Taft, was born t the homestead in Uxbridge, Mass., April 9, 1793. He was educated in the public schools of his native own, and at an early age entered mercantile life. At hat period, the opening decades of the nineteenth cen- ury, the commerce between the cotton planter of the

South and the manufacturer of the North was carried on on a vastly different basis than that which prevails to-day. Orray Taft made his first trip South as a cot- ton factor, taking with him Northern commodities which had a market in the South, and changing them for cotton which was shipped to New England mills or abroad. He engaged in this field of activity until 1829, in which year he located in Providence, R. I., and established himself in business on a large scale. Within a short period he became a well-known figure in the cotton manufacturing interests of the State. Orray Taft was one of the organizers and owners of the Wauregan Cotton Mill. and dealt heavily and suc- cessfully in cotton as a manufacturer and as a cotton broker. He was well known in the southern cotton markets, and on the plantations which he visited annually for many years. Through the importance of his connection with the vital manufacturing interests of the State of Rhode Island, he was brought naturally into prominence in financial and public life. Mr. Taft was one of the organizers of the People's Savings Bank of Providence, and succeeded the senior Governor Sprague as president of that institution. He was heavily interested in the Providence Gas Company, and in the Worcester Railroad, which he helped to organize and which he served as president. He served for one year as a member of the Rhode Island Legislature, but though eminently fitted by reason of his fine intellec- tual powers and masterly knowledge of public affairs for the office, he was essentially a business man and found his forte in the mercantile world. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the city of Providence, and was prominently identified with many notable move- ments for civic betterment. Orray Taft was an attend- ant of the Beneficent Congregational Church of Provi- dence, and a liberal donor to all its charitable and benev- olent work.

Mr. Taft married, September 24, 1821, Deborah Keith, who was born at Grafton, Mass., daughter of Royal and Deborah (Adams) Keith, of Northbridge, Mass., and a granddaughter of Simeon and Rebecca Keith.

Orray Taft died at his home in Providence, R. I., 1865, at the age of seventy-two years. He had five children, of whom a daughter, Emma A. Taft, who resides at the old Taft homestead at No. 539 West- minster street, Providence, is the only survivor. There are many grandchildren.

ANDREW BROWN WHIPPLE, late of the vil- lage of Greenville, town of Smithfield, R. I., was prob- ably the oldest living direct descendant in Rhode Island of Captain John Whipple, who came to this country from England as early as 1632, being on the record of Dorchester, Mass., in that year. Captain John Whipple was a carpenter by trade; he received a grant of land in Providence, R. I., in 1637, and in 1659 bought land there. He was a deputy in 1666 and thereafter, and with his wife joined the church in 1641. He died May 16, 1685, and was buried on his own farm, but later his remains and those of his wife who died in 1666 were removed to the North Burying Ground.

(II) Benjamin Whipple, son of Captain John and Sarah Whipple, was born in 1654, resided in Provi- dence, and there died, March II, 1704. He married,

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

April 1, 1686, Ruth, daughter of James and Hannah (Field) Matthewson. The line of descent is through Benjamin (2), their eldest child.

(III) Benjamin (2) Whipple was born in Provi- dence, November 1I, 1688, but on arriving at man's estate removed to North Providence and located on a farm given him by his father. He was also a tanner and a currier, and a man of good standing in the com- munity. He died in the one hundredth year of his age. He married (first) November II, 1727, Sarah Bernon, daughter of - Bernon, a French Huguenot, who fled from France to escape religions persecution. He was a man of wealth and education, who was a great aid to the community in which he settled. Benjamin (2) Whipple married (second) Esther Miller, and had issue by both wives.

(IV) The next in line was Ephraim Whipple, fourth son of Benjamin (2) Whipple and his first wife, Sarah (Bernon) Whipple, who was born in North Provi- dence, November 7, 1729, and became a farmer of the Fruit Hill section. He was a man of sound judgment and upright life, a leading member of the Baptist church, known far and near for his piety and Chris- tian life. He married May Hawkins, and they were the parents of three sons: Emor, Benjamin and Eph- raim, twins. The line continues through the first born, Captain Emor Whipple, grandfather of Andrew B. Whipple, of Greenville, R. I.

(V) Captain Emor Whipple, born about 1772, died July 31, 1849, and was buried in the cemetery near his farm, which is now occupied by a grandson, William H. Whipple, of North Providence. Captain Whipple was a well-known, substantial farmer, a captain of the local militia company, a member of the General Assem- bly, and a member of the Fruit Hill Baptist Church. He was a Democrat in politics, very charitable, and like his father deeply religious. He married Ahigail Brown, who died December 15, 1838, in her sixty-sixth year.

(VI) Abraham Whipple, second son of Captain Emor and Abigail (Brown) Whipple, was born about the year 1800, at the farm in North Providence, R. I., now owned by his nephew, Benjamin H. Whipple, and died in Greenville, in the town of Smithfield. He was a farmer and a wheelwright, moving to Greenville in 1834, where he was long engaged in carriage and wagon building. He married Sarah Farnum.

(VII) Andrew Brown Whipple, of the seventh Amer- ican generation, son of Abraham and Sarah (Farnum) Whipple, was born in Johnston, R. I., December 12, 1832, died February 22, 1919, at his home in Green- ville, R. I., in which he had resided for sixty odd years. Up to the time of his death his sight and hearing was good, no artificial aid was required in read- ing, and his general health was excellent. He attended district schools in Smithfield and later was a student at North Scituate Seminary, there finishing his studies. His father was a farmer and landowner, and in early life Andrew B. was his father's helper; later he learned the wheelwright's trade with his father and finally suc- ceeded him in business, continuing carriage building and general wheelwrighting in Greenville for about thirty years, with the exception of seven years spent in simi- lar business in Providence. Finally he sold out, and in 1894 opened an undertaking establishment in Greenville.

which he owned at the time of his death, although 1 surrendered the management to his able son and live retired from business cares. He was very successf in all his undertakings, and in addition to his busine and villa he was a large landowner.

Mr. Whipple was a long-time attendant of the Baj tist church, and was one of the well-known and highl; esteemed men of his community. A Republican in poll tics, he had many honors bestowed upon him, havir served three years in the House of Representatives seven years as State Senator; one year as coroner ( the town; was interested in the Smithfield Nation Bank and president of the Smithfield Savings Ban In the Legislature he served on important committee in both houses and worthily represented his constitt ency. Mr. Whipple was a member of Temple Lodg No. 18, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Greer ville, and was the oldest living member of the lodg

Mr. Whipple married, September 16, 1853. Rach Sales Wilbur, who died May 5, 1915, after a marrie life of sixty-two years. They were the parents of son, Charles Lucian, born September 22, 1858. He wa educated in the public schools, and from early manhoo was closely associated with his father in the whee wrighting and in the undertaking business, now in fu management of the latter. He married Cora Sale Mowrey, March 26, 1895, and they are the parents of son, Lucius Albert, who is superintendent of the Hom School in North Providence ; he married Mabel Range and they have a daughter Dorothy.

SAMUEL PENNY COOK-When a youth ( eighteen years, just out of high school, Samuel P. Coo entered the service of the Producers National Bank c Woonsocket. That was nearly half a century ago, an from the year of his admission, 1870, until the presen 1919, he has known no other business home for greater business interest. This long term of service eleven years of which has been as president of th bank, coupled with the fact that for a quarter of ; century he was city treasurer, has given him a grasp ci matters financial and brought him so prominently befor the people that his opinions on finance carry the weigh of authority. The radical changes made in bankin laws during the past few years, although not at firs cheerfully accepted by the financiers of the country and the problems presented were approached by banker with characteristic caution, but as their value becam apparent and their ability to meet national and inter national demands was proven, all doubt vanished an the splendid response made by national banks and bank ers to the enormous demands made upon their financia resources and upon their patriotism is the best answe to any criticism of either American banking laws o upon the patriotism and good faith of American bank ers. No business has been called upon for greater sacri fice during these years of national stress and storm, an. the best thought of the financial world has lent itself t the solution of the war's financial problems. As execu tive head of Woonsocket's leading bank, Mr. Cook ha borne his part in carrying the financial burden impose upon this city and has as well, ably fulfilled his obliga tions to those who look to the Producers Bank as thei source of financial supply. Mr. Cook is a son of Arie

Henry Richardson

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BIOGRAPHICAL

indsey Cook, son of Ariel (2) Cook, son of Ariel (I) bok, son of Deacon Nathaniel Cook, son of Nicholas :) Cook, son of Deacon Nicholas (1) Cook, son of 'alter Cook, founder of the branch of the Cook fam- , in New England.

Walter Cook was of Weymouth, Mass., as early as 42, married, was the father of a family of eight, and ed January 5, 1685, an old man. His son, Deacon icholas (1) Cook, born February 9, 1660, married first) Johanna Rockett, (second) Mehitable Staples, id was succeeded by a son, Nicholas (2) Cook, born mne 10, 1687. This Nicholas (2) Cook married, in 15, Elizabeth Staples, who died in Bellingham, Mass., arch 3, 1788, aged eighty-nine, the mother of twelve ns and daughters.

Nathaniel Cook, the eldest of these children, was rn September 15, 1718, and resided in Wrentham, ass., in that part of the town which later became imberland, R. I. He was a deacon of the Six Princi- e Church, and a man of influence. He married, Jan- ry 27, 1741, Margaret Ballou, born October 6, 1720, ughter of James Ballou, and a descendant of Ma- rin Ballou, founder of the family in Rhode Island.

Ariel Cook, son of Nathaniel and Margaret ( Ballou) ook, was born October 15, 1749, and died June 18, 1803. e resided at the homestead in the town of Cumber- nd, not far from the Ballou Meeting House ; he was a rmer, and a deacon of the Baptist church. He mar- ed, February 20, 1772, Dorcas Whipple, familiarly and vingly known to the entire neighborhood as "Aunt orcas." She died December 24, 1839, aged ninety, the other of nine sons and daughters.

Ariel (2) Cook, son of Ariel (1) and Dorcas (Whip- e) Cook, was born at the homestead in the town of imberland, R. I., and there resided all his life, a pros- rous farmer and prominent citizen. He married, ptember 10, 1809, Eliza G. Sabin, daughter of John ibin, of Newport. They were the parents of sons and ughters, namely: George, who was cashier of the Imberland Bank, at Cumberland Hill, for forty-seven ars, serving until two weeks prior to his death; Al- rt, John, Edmund L., Charles, Ann Eliza, Horace, riel Lindsey, of further mention, Rebecca, Maria, len F. and Joshua S. Cook.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 59

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society Number of Pages: 978

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978