USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Springfield > History of the town of Springfield, Vermont : with a genealogical record > Part 30
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
He m. June 10, 1760, Thankful Hatch of Ellington, Conn. Ch. :
I. Calvin, b. April 13, 1761, who, as a lad of fifteen, took charge of the farm in Tolland while his father and next younger brother were serving in the army, and who came to Springfield with his father and resided here until 1837, when he removed to Guildhall, where he died at the age of 93. He was a trial justice, and for many years held courts for the trial of suits in Springfield.
An addition was built to his house for an office for his brother, Hon. Jonathan Hatch Hubbard, and in this office and a room in Newell's store and in Dr. Samuel Cobb's house the courts were held. He m. 1st, Ruth Meacham of Charlestown, who d. Oct. 2, 1802. Ch. : 1. Edna, b. Oct. 16, 1785; m. Feb. 24, 1823, Moses Rice of Stock- bridge. Ch. :
(1). Clarissa.
2. Ruth, b. March 15, 1787.
3. Horace, b. May 6, 1789; m. July 5, 1813, Phemia Wood. Re- moved to Guildhall. Ch. :
(1). George.
(2). John.
4. Ann, b. May 14, 1791; m. Mr. Cleveland of Northumberland, N. H.
5. Laura, b. March 23, 1793.
6. Calvin, b. May 6, 1795; d. July 12, 1872.
In his youth he worked on his father's farn, attending the famous Eureka School in the winter. He studied Latin, walking to the village to recite. At the age of 22, having been disabled for farm work by an accident, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Moses Cobb of the village. In 1817 and 1818 he at- tended the medical lectures at Dartmouth College, teaching
1
CALVIN HUBBARD. AT 90.
------
CALVIN HUBBARD. M.D.
349
OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
school to pay his expenses, and becoming famous as a teacher of unruly schools.
In March, 1819, he entered the office of Dr. Amos Twitchell of Keene, one of the most famous physicians and surgeons iu New England, and whose kindness and that of his good wife won the enduring gratitude and love of the young man, who was strug- gling with extreme poverty.
After completing his medical studies, he settled, April 4, 1821, in Nelson, N. H., ten miles east of Keene, where he remained in practice sixteen years. In 1837 he returned to Springfield, and bought his father's farm aud two adjoining farms, where (with the exception of two years, 1839 to 1841, when he lived in the village in the house now owned and occupied by Dr. D. W. Hazelton, and practised medicine) he passed the rest of his days in farming, his favorite pursuit.
After living in Nelson for a few years he bought a farm, which he stocked with merino sheep, and from that time on was an enthusiastic sheep breeder.
Dr. Hubbard was a self-made man, of great natural abilities and tireless energy, and had the courage of his convictions. While living in Nelson the use of ardent spirits was universal. The neglect to offer a caller a drink was esteemed the most in- sulting way of intimating that he need not call again; and its use in the hay field was regarded as a necessity. He decided to abandon the use of rum on his farm, and though warued by his neighbors that it would be an impossibility, he carried it through, and the good example was followed by others. When he settled there, sixty barrels of rum were used yearly in town, besides other liquors. At the end of the sixteen years one bar- rel was enough to last the people a year.
He married, about 1823, Betsey Woodberry of Beverly, Mass., b. in 1800, and who was a descendant of the sixth generation from John Woodberry, who came from Somersetshire, Euglaud, to Salem iu 1626, aud who was the first and only man who held in America the office of Lord High Constable. Ch. :
(1). . Josiah Woodberry, b. Jan. 3, 1826. He was educated at the Perkinsville and Chester Academies, by a private tutor at . Windsor, and at the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Mass. He continued his studies in the office of Gov. Met- calf at Newport, N. H., aud in the office of Hon. O. P. Chandler at Woodstock, Vt., and opened an office for the practice of law at Springfield in 1849. After a few months he removed to Boston, aud practised there until his death, Sept. 16, 1892. He was a thorough and well- read lawyer, and had a very large practice, many im- portant cases being entrusted to him.
350
HISTORY OF THE TOWN
He m. June 4, 1856, Mary R., daughter of Ezra Batch- eller of North Brookfield, Mass., who survives him. Ch. : [1]. Mary, b. Aug. 27, 1858.
[2]. Alfred B., b. March 27, 1860.
(2). Elizabeth Helen, b. Oct. 5, 1831; m. Dec. 6, 1894, Frank J. Bell, and resides in Springfield.
(3). Charles Horace, b. Nov. 25, 1834. He was educated at the Springfield Wesleyan Seminary and the Harvard Law School, and entered the office of his brother in Boston as a student in October, 1854. On his admission to the bar' in 1857 he practised with his brother until 1862, when failing health compelled him to give up sedentary occupa- tions, and he worked on his father's farm until 1867, when he moved on to the Lewis farm in Eureka, where he has since resided.
He represented the town in the Legislature in 1874, was a member of the State Board of Agriculture in 1874-76, has been a director and Vice-President of the Vermont State Agricultural Society for twenty-five years, and a Justice of the Peace for about the same length of time. He m. Oct. 14, 1867, Carrie C., danghter of George and Adaline (Wilcox) Campbell of Westminster West. Ch. :
[1]. Geo. Campbell, b. July 29, 1874.
[2]. Bessie Adaline, b. Aug. 19, 1875.
[3]. Fayette Elmore, b. May 21, 1877.
[4]. Calvin Eugene, b. June 1, 1880.
[5]. Mary Chamberlain, b. Feb. 10, 1883.
(4). Sarah Thorndyke, b. June 17, 1836.
(5). Harriett Lincoln, b. April 3, 1839; m. Dec. 12, 1861, Joseph White of Springfield. (See White.)
(6). Catherine Rachel, b. June 3, 1841; m. June 20, 1866, Henry Heywood of Lancaster, N. H. Ch. :
[1]. William Henry, b. Feb. 25, 1868.
7. Lucia, b. May 16, 1797 ; m. Feb. 24, 1820, John Keyes of Acworth. Ch. :
(1). Caroline, b. Jan. 10, 1823; m. - Heywood of Concord, Vt .; d. May, 1893.
(2). Frank H., b. Nov. 23,1826 ; m. Elizabeth A. Amy, and lives at Watertown, Mass.
8. Pamela, b. June 17, 1799 ; m. Oct. 13, 1828, Hiram H. Nichols, and removed to Guildhall.
9. Seth, b. July 15, 1802 ; d. July 21, 1802.
Calvin, Sr., m. 2d, Anna Meacham of Charlestown, sister of his first wife. II. Chloe, b. March 13, 1763.
III. George, b. Feb. 12, 1765 ; enlisted in the Continental army as a drum- mer at the age of eleven and served through the war. He settled at West Lebanon, N. H.
IV. Jonathan Hatch, b. May 7, 1768. First lawyer in Springfield. Later
C. Horaci Hubbard
--- ------ -
351
OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
removed to Windsor, where he died. He was judge of the Vermont Supreme Court, and a member of Congress from Vermont.
V. Isaac, b. July 28, 1770; settled at Claremont, N. H., where he died. He was a noted farmer and stock breeder. He m. Ruth, daughter of Dr. Samuel Cobb.
VI. Goodrich, b. March 18, 1773.
VII. Elizer, b. Jau. 14, 1775, was a lawyer. He first settled at Windsor, and afterward removed to Canada.
VIII. Ahira, b. Oct. 13, 1779.
IX. Pamela, b. April 13, 1781.
ELIJAH A. HULETT, son of Lyman and Lucy (Cutler) Hulett, was b. at Chester, Oct. 24, 1831. Keeps a fish market in Springfield. He m. April 4, 1855, Eliza L. Archer, daughter of Horace and Mary A. (Sargent) Archer, b. at Shrewsbury, Vt., Feb. 4, 1836.
MOSES HURD came to Springfield from Newport, N. H., in 1853; m. Caro- line Bascom. Ch .:
I. Asenath Louisa, b. October, 1834; res. in California.
II. Loren B., b. Aug. 29, 1836. Appointed to a clerkship iu War Depart- ment at Washington, D. C., in July, 1867. In May, 1874, received the appointment of postmaster at Springfield, and held the office until Sept. 15, 1885. Is now in insurance business in Springfield. He m. June 4, 1867, Ellen L. Hazard of Washington, D. C. Ch. :
1. Ora E., b. Aug. 11, 1869.
2. Ray L., b. April 3, 1877.
III. Caroline, b. April 21, 1840; m. George B. Rockwell.
LEWIS E. JACKMAN, son of Joseph and Permelia (Strong) Jackman, was b. in Lincoln, Vt., in 1838. He came to Springfield in 1862, and worked at the carpenter's trade. Byexposure and sickness he partially lost the use of his limbs, and, unable to work at his trade, he studied photography. He had a saloon just south of the Pingry Block, and continued the business until his health again failed. He d. Jan. 25, 1884. He was a natural mechanic and a real artist, and was well known to the people of this town for many years. He conquered difficulties and overcame obstacles which would have discouraged many an- other one in the struggle of life.
He m. in 1860, Ellen H. Marcy, daughter of Stephen and Melinda (Mason) Marcy of Weathersfield. She d. Jau. 28, 1892.
WILLIAM R. JACOBS, son of Blake and Jane (Knight) Jacobs, was b. at Haverhill, N. H., May 23, 1855; m. Nov. 15, 1876, Mary E. Slack, daughter of John A. and Mary A. (McAllister) Slack, b. at Springfield, April 6, 1855. Ch. :
I. Raymond R., b. at Springfield, Nov. 22, 1879.
II. Julian S., b. at Springfield, April 8, 1887.
JENKINS FAMILY.
JOHN JENKINS came to Springfield in 1789 from Taunton, Mass., with his wife and six children, four boys and two girls. He settled iu the west part of the town, on the farm now owned by Herbert W. Jenkins. He was a Quaker, and by trade a tinker. The three younger boys were nail-makers.
352
HISTORY OF THE TOWN
JOHN JENKINS, oldest son of John, learned the mason's trade at the age of twenty-two, and he followed that business during the rest of his life. At the age of twenty-six he married Deborah, daughter of Levi Philips, who was from Rhode Island. It is related that he was engaged by Mr. Philips to build a chimney, and while on the roof, topping it out, saw Deborah laying the pewter platters which she had washed and scoured from the dinner table, in the sun, and while noting the neatness and agility with which she spread the shining dishes, a little piece of mortar slipped from the point of his trowel and fell in the centre of one of the shining plates. As a result of this bit of pleasantry their marriage occurred not long after. Twelve children.
GEORGE JENKINS, son of John and Deborah (Philips) Jenkins, was b. in Springfield in 1800, and learned the mason's trade of his father. When he was abont twenty-one, his father had become embarrassed and was likely to lose the farm, and George bonght the lease, and the next four years worked in Boston, and paid it up, afterwards bnying the "right of soil." The next year he built the brick honse now standing on this farm. Soon after he began work for Capt. Thomas Dana, and continned with him more than twenty years, during which time they built a large number of brick buildings in Vermont and New Hampshire. The brick honse on the Dr. Calvin Hubbard farm in Enreka was built by Capt. Dana, his son, William Dana, George Jenkins and Lincoln Whitcomb. They began Wednesday morning, and Saturday night the walls were ready for the roof. It contained two brick ovens and eight fireplaces, and over thirty thonsand of brick were nsed. Each of these men conld lay two thousand a day. Mr. Jenkins always lived on the farm where he was born, and this farm from settlement has always been kept in the family. He worked as a brick mason nntil eighty years of age, and when eighty-three he worked an hour on the Town Hall in Chester, where he and his son, grandson, and great-grandson all laid brick at the same time. In the early part of his life brickmasons received about $1.25 per day, later $1.50.
Mr. Jenkins did not attend any school until nine years old, and his educa- tion from books was limited, but by keen observation he acquired a good business ability, and held many offices of trust. He was a man of excellent principles and good judgment, and temperate in all things; was one of the first to advocate prohibition and total abstinence, which he practised during the remainder of his life. In 1835 he professed religion and joined the Con- gregational church in the village, of which he was a worthy and earnest member till his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1887, at the age of 87 years.
He m. Merriel Thompson, danghter of John and Betsey (Brown) Thomp- son, and they had seven sons and one daughter. Ch. :
I. Lncia A., b. Feb. 8, 1828 ; d. March 18, 1835.
II. Thomas L., b. Oct. 2, 1829. A mason by trade and well known to the people of this town. He d. Jan. 15, 1892.
Dec. 20, 1855, he m. Marcella D. Leland, danghter of Joshua and Betsey (Boynton) Leland of Baltimore, b. Dec. 17, 1830. Ch. :
1. Charles L., b. Oct. 17, 1856.
2. Nellie M., b. Dec. 30, 1857; m. Dec. 15, 1880, Charles A. Williams of Chester ; d. December, 1883. Ch. :
(1). Nellie J., b. Sept. 26, 1883.
353
OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
3. George O., b. Oct. 28, 1859; m. Dec. 28, 1880, Minnie A. Roby, daughter of Allen and Betsey (Tuttle) Roby. Ch. :
(1). Walter M., b. Sept. 7, 1881.
(2). Ralph C., b. Dec. 3, 1891.
4. Lucia E., b. Dec. 9, 1864; m. Albert E. Sawyer of Bellows Falls. Ch. :
(1). Lena L., b. Feb. 16, 1888.
(2). Thomas J., b. Jan. 4, 1892.
5. Hattie E., b. July 10, 1869; m. Oct. 26, 1892, Fred O. Stearns of Perkinsville.
III. George F., b. Jan. 8, 1832; d. in infancy.
IV. Benjamin F., b. Aug. 30, 1833 ; d. Jan. 20, 1837.
V. Henry H., b., July 27, 1836; m. April 30, 1857, Lucy M. Field, daughter of Charles and Mary (Foster) Field. Ch. :
1. Mattie A., b. Feb. 3, 1859; d. March 15, 1865.
2. Edwin H., b. Jan. 19, 1861 ; m. March 13, 1886, Lovina A. Smith of Loudonderry.
3. Merrill M., b. Jau. 22, 1863.
4. Emma M., b. Jan. 22,-1865; d. Sept. 12, 1880.
5. Lucy E., b. Feb. 3, 1867.
6. Fauny S., b. Sept. 14, 1868; m. March 4, 1889, John H. Booth. Ch. : (1). Maude Emma, b. Nov. 3, 1890.
(2). Florence Lucy, b. Feb. 28, 1893.
VI. Edwin, b. March 20, 1839; d. in infancy.
VII. Herbert W., b. June 26, 1844; res. in Springfield on the homestead which has been in the family for four generations. He served in the Civil War. He m. March 18, 1863, Julia E. Whitcomb, daughter of Salmon and Mary A. (Fiske) Whitcomb. Two ch. : Willie H. and Lizzie, both d. in infancy.
VIII. James Franklin, b. May 8, 1846; res. in Waverly, Iowa.
CHARLES C. JOHNSON was b. in Chester, Vt., July 22, 1831; was the son of Willard and Sophia (Hoar) Johnson. Both his paternal and maternal grand- parents were among the first settlers of the town of Chester, his paternal grandfather being one of the original charter members of that town. Mr. Johnson's early life was spent on the original home farm. His education was obtained at the district schools and at Chester Academy. At the age of eighteen he entered the store of Sherwin & Richardson, and learned mercan- tile business. Jan. 3, 1853, he m. Susan S. Ellison, daughter of John and Betsy (Earle) Ellison of Chester. In 1854 he with his wife moved to Brim- field, Peoria County, Ill., where his first child, Susan E., was b. Aug. 2, 1854. In 1859 he moved to Red Wing, Minn., where he remained until 1863. At the time of the Sioux Indian war of 1862, he was appointed colonel of the 10th Regiment Minnesota Militia, which was organized on account of the Indian ontbreak. In the winter of 1863 and 1864 he returned east, aud settled in Springfield, Vt. Aug. 29, 1864, he enlisted in Co. M, 3d Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regimeut ; was promoted to orderly sergeant, and by reason of close of the war was honorably discharged June 17, 1865. Returned immedi-
354
HISTORY OF THE TOWN
ately after discharge to Springfield, and entered the employ of the Vermont Novelty Works Company. In the spring of 1868 he was elected first consta- ble of Springfield, and served as such officer for two years. Being of a me- chanical turn of mind, he has, while living in Springfield, made many inven- tions which were patented, some of them proving of much value to parties to whom he sold the right. In 1890 he engaged in the business of pension attorney, in which he has successfully practised, and in which he is engaged at the time of publication of this volume. Children born to him, all of whom are now living, are :
I. Susan Elizabeth, b. Aug. 2, 1854.
II. Minnie Sophia, b. Sept. 3. 1866.
III. Schuyler Colfax, b. Dec. 27, 1868.
IV. Etta Earle, b. Dec. 10, 1870; the last three being born in Springfield.
Mr. Johnson has taken great interest in Grand Army affairs, and has at sev- eral times held the honorable position of Post Commander, and in 1894 was Inspector General of the Department of Vermont, G. A. R.
Schuyler Colfax, son of Charles C. Johnson, was educated in Spring- field schools, was clerk in post office in Springfield under L. B. Hurd, at Claremont, N. H., at Brattleboro, Vt., three years, again at Springfield, and later at New Whatcom, Wash .; now in insurance business in New York.
GEORGE JOHNSON was for many years a well-known citizen of Springfield. He was a carpenter, and learned his trade of Samuel M. Lewis. At one time he lived on land now owned by the family of Luke Taylor. He had a grocery store in the old office of Samuel M. Lewis, on the site of the Washburn Block, at the head of Main Street, and was afterward in the hotel business here, also in a hotel in Landgrove, Vt. He also owned at one time the Isaac Davis farm.
The last of his years were spent in the house now owned by Orrin Rice, 2d, where he d. May 13, 1869.
He m. Betsey Bates, daughter of Theophilus Bates and sister of Job Bates. She d. Nov. 9, 1879, at the age of 87 years.
JOHN E. JOHNSON, son of Joshua and Hannah (Estabrook) Johnson, was b. at Rockingham, Vt., April 28, 1802; m. 1st, Martha Shedd ; she d. July 5, 1862; m. 2d, Aug. 23, 1863, Catharine M. (Bemis) Knight, daughter of Enos and Submit (Haskins) Bemis, b. at Weathersfield, Jan. 14, 1832.
RAWSON T. JOHNSON, son of Elisha and Matilda (Gale) Johnson, was b. in Londonderry, Vt., July 10, 1825. He learned the blacksmith's trade of Emery Mellendy, in Londonderry, and carried on the business two years in that town, in company with Horace Allbe. In 1847 he came to Spring- field, and worked for Capt. George Kimball one year, then for Joseph Knight one year, in a shop on the spot where Whitney & Brown's house now stands. At the expiration of the year he hired the shop, and in company with Richard McCrae was two years in business, then formed a partnership with Willard Harlow in the carriage business. In 1852 he built a shop just above where his present shop stands, and since that time, with the exception of a few years, during which he superintended the business
355
OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
for other parties, Mr. Johnson has carried on blacksmithing continuously, under the firm name of R. T. Johnson & Co. He has long had the reputation of being the best shoer in this section, and has had a large patronage from horsemen in other towns of the State, some of them many miles away. On account of failing health he sold his business in 1893 to Russell S. Herrick. He m. March 11, 1845, Adaline Allbe, daughter of Horace and Hannah (Herrick) Allbe. Ch. :
I. Estella, b. Dec. 3, 1845; d. May 28, 1854.
II. Fred L., b. Nov. 28, 1850; m. June 23, 1874, Jessie Good- win. Ch. :
1. Lottie, b. No- vember, 1885.
III. Frank L., b. Aug. 29, 1854; graduat- ed from the State Normal School at Castleton, Vt., and was for several years superinten- dent of schools in Spencer, Mass. ; now superinten- dent of County Truant School at Oakdale, Mass. He m. November, 1878, Flora Vail. Two ch.
IV. Flora A., b. Feb. 24, 1857; m. Jan. 22, 1880, Charles L. Fairbanks. Ch .:
RAWSON T. JOHNSON.
1. Ruth, b. Sept. 19, 1882.
2. Flora E., b. July 27, 1884.
3. Helen L., b. Sept 9, 1887.
V. Charles W., b. Feb. 24, 1859 ; m. Emma Mentzer. Two children.
VI. George Ellsworth, b. June 21, 1862; fitted for college at Springfield High School, and graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1887;"for several years was principal of Springfield High School; later a student in Clarke University ; now (1895) superintendent of schools in Andover, Mass.
ELISHA KEITH, son of Samuel and Mary N. (Ward) Keith, was b. at Chester, Aug. 2, 1815; d. May 9, 1879, at Springfield. He in. Feb. 11, 1863, Susan M. Haywood, daughter of Paul and Lucy (-) Haywood.
356
HISTORY OF THE TOWN
DR. ARIEL KENDRICK was b. in Woodstock, Vt., Dec. 17, 1798. His father, Rev. Ariel Kendrick, was pastor of the Baptist church in that place. In 1826 he graduated from the Castleton Medical School, and about 1828 he located in North Springfield, where he was in active practice more than fifty years. He was a member of the Baptist church, honored and respected. He d. May 12, 1887, his life having been noted for service to the poor and lowly, as well as to those of abundance.
His first wife was Mary C. Bryant of Cornish, N. H. After her death he m. Sarah J. White, daughter of Moses and Mary (Dutton) White. One daughter by last marriage :
I. Eva Jane, b. July 5, 1860 ; a very successful teacher.
FRANCIS H. KENNEY, son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Blackburn) Kenney, was b. at Springfield, Dec. 13, 1840; d. Jan. 20, 1873. He m. Aug. 23, 1866, Abby Whiting, daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Webb) Whiting. Ch. :
I. George F., b. at Springfield, Dec. 14, 1868; graduate of Boston University.
II. Mary E., b. at Springfield, April 29, 1870; d. March 29, 1877.
RICHMOND J. KENNEY, son of Hiram D. and Elizabeth(Blackburn) Kenney, was b. in Springfield in 1842. "He is a contractor and builder, and began
RICHMOND J. KENNEY.
business in Springfield in 1868, occupying the shop formerly owned by Capt. George Kimball. In 1877 he built his present large and commodious shop, just above the gristmill of Cobb & Derby, where he is still doing a large business in erecting and repairing buildings, em- ploying from fifteen to twenty hands. He deals in lumber dressed to order and in all kinds of house-finish- ing goods.
He m. Caroline E. Damon, daughter of Curtis and Clarissa (Olcott) Damon. Ch. :
I. Clara Lizzie, b. at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1867; m. Fred W. Bird of Grand Rapids, Mich .; res. in Springfield. One ch. : Nellie.
II. Nellie Jane, b. in 1873 ; d. in 1877.
357
OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
CHARLES M. KEYES, merchant and furrier, son of Solomon and Sophronia (Derby) Keyes, was b. in Reading, Vt., Feb. 16, 1829. Came to Springfield in 1854, and began work in B. F. Dana's store, on the site of the Woolson Block. The next year began business for himself in a store which stood where the restaurant is now located, south of Tontine, and has continued in business to the present time.
He m. Jan. 15, 1856, Mary L. Buck, daughter of Benoni and Candace (Goddard) Buck of Reading. Ch. :
I. Mary Annis, b. Dec. 28, 1856, in Springfield ; d. Sept. 17, 1876.
CAPT. JOHN KILBURN, b. in Glastonbury, Conn., in 1704, son of Isaac and Hannah (Ordway) Kilburn; m. 1st, Oct. 26, 1732, Mehitable, daughter of Andrew and Mehitable Bacon ; m. 2d, Hannah Fox of Glastonbury. In 1825 he was living in Springfield, Mass. ; he afterwards lived iu Middletown, Conn., and Northfield, Mass. In 1749 he moved to Walpole, N. H., and was the first white settler of that town, where up to 1762 he held many important offices, being selectman from 1755 to 1762.
His memorable and successful defence of his cabin, on the 17th of August, 1755, with the assistance of his son John, his wife and daughter Hitty, and a man named Peak and his son, against a band of one hundred and ninety- seven Indians, is mentioned in Trumbull's History of the Indian Wars as one of the most heroic and successful efforts of personal courage and valor re- corded in the annals of Indian warfare.
Soon after the close of the Indian wars he removed to Springfield. It is supposed that he settled in Spencer Hollow, near the farm of Levi R. White. He bought three hundred acres of land of the proprietors in 1771, and in the same year one hundred acres of land and a mansion house of John Nott, supposed to have been in Spencer Hollow.
Later he returned to Walpole, where he died April 8, 1789. He was a man of noble qualities of character, honored and respected.
GEORGE KIMBALL's name is first connected with the history of Springfield in 1821, when he came to this town from Temple, N. H., where he was born Jan. 23, 1800. His only earthly possessions with which he started out in life to build a fortune are quickly named, -a homespun freedom suit, a single silver dollar, which was afterward preserved as a talisman in the form of a spoon, and his knowledge of the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned of John Boles, in Wilton, N. H. He began his work in Springfield with Capt. Hawkins, in a shop located on what is now Clinton Street, alittle way below the bridge. He was employed half the time by Capt. Hawkins on the iron work of ploughs, and the remainder he worked at his trade for himself. One year later he ventured alone and opened a shop near where the house of Mrs. Cor- bett now stands, and became one of the early blacksmiths of the town. A. year or more later, while on a visit to his widowed mother in Temple, the shop was sold, and on his return he found that he had but sixty days' notice to vacate; whereupon the farmers and other citizens rallied to his assistance, and drew brick and lumber, and in 1824 a brick shop was built on the site of the one so long occupied by his son, George Kimball, on the west side of Main
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.