USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Springfield > History of the town of Springfield, Vermont : with a genealogical record > Part 43
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I. James was b. at Grafton, Mass., Jan. 8, 1795, and came to Spring- field with his father when five years old. He attended school in Eureka, and a private school kept by Father Smiley. Was a clerk in a store in Grafton, Mass., when a boy. Nov. 13, 1820, while keep- ing tavern at the Gill place, he m. Sabrina Brush. In 1823 he moved to Charlestown, and kept the Cheshire Bridge House, which had been kept by one Whitford Gill. In 1826 he returned to Spring- field, and bought of John White the farm north of the village, known for more than 60 years as the Whipple homestead. Here in 1830 James Whipple, Sr., died.
In 1832 James Whipple was agent of the Springfield Stage Co. They owned the stage liues from Hancock and Walpole to Charlestown, and up the river both sides to Claremont and Windsor, and to Springfield and Chester. In 1845 he sold the staging to George M. Dickinson of Westminster.
Sabrina Brush, wife of James Whipple, was b. at Bennington, Vt., Sept. 21, 1796; was a governess in the family of Gen. Morris for three years before her marriage. She was a daughter of Nathaniel (son of Reuben) and Ruth (Wood) Brush. Nathaniel Brush was b. iu Huntington, L. I., April 22, 1741. He was a lawyer, and lived iu New York until about 1770, when he removed to Bennington, Vt., where he d. July 3, 1803. He commanded the militia of that town in the battle of Bennington, and was judge of probate in 1781 and from 1787 to 1794, and clerk of courts from 1787 to 1803. He
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
In. for his 2d wife Abigail Leverett, daughter of John Leverett of Bennington, and a descendant of Sir John Leverett, who was buried in King's Chapel burying-ground, Boston, Mass., and whose family owned much real estate in Boston, including the land where Leverctt Street now is, which was named for them.
After the death of Nathaniel Brush, his widow removed to Windsor with her three little girls. Adela, the second daughter, m. Ebenezer Torrey Englesby of Burlington, Vt., whose grandson, Leverett T. Englesby, is a lawyer and prominent man of Burlington.
James Whipple d. Dec. 18, 1871. Sabrina (Brush) Whipple d. Feb. 27, 1866.
James and Sabrina (Brush) Whipple had two children :
1. James Brush, b. on the Gill farm in Springfield, Sept. 7, 1821. He was a man of integrity and strict honesty, and was active in all movements for the good of humanity. For many years he was a member of the Congregational church, was a strong advocate of temperance and spared no efforts in the promotion of that cause. IIe lived on the farm near the ox-bow, so called, just above Springfield village, and for a number of years was largely engaged in raising choice merino sheep. He was a great reader and was well informed upon the current topics of the times, always taking great interest in agricultural soci- eties. He was honored with responsible positions, and for many years was one of the trustces of the Spring- field Savings Bank. In his later years he became very much interested in gathering and preserving the history of his native town, and was one of the foremost movers in the formation of the Union Historical Society, of which he was always an active member. He did a large amount of work in collecting facts, data, and biographical sketches for the town history, and took great pains to secure some of the portraits and cuts for the work. To Mr. Whipple more than to any other one man the existence of this JAMES B. WHIPPLE. book is due, and great credit
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
belongs to him for his persistent efforts in this matter. IIe d. Nov. 15, 1889.
Mr. Whipple m. Aug. 12, 1858, Mary Ann, daughter of Hon. Samuel and Mary (Simmons) Whiteomb of Springfield, b. in Dorehester, Mass., June 1, 1829. Ch. :
(1). James Eben, b. Aug. 5, 1859; d. July 15, 1872.
2. Abby Leverett, d. in infancy.
WILLIAM H. WHEELER, son of Henry H. and Tabitha (Wright) Wheeler, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. II., Sept. 13, 1830. In 1852 he came to Springfield and engaged as clerk in the drug store of Charles Sabin, in the same store where he is now in business. Mr. Sabin soon sold the business to Frederick W. Porter and Noble J. Crain. On the death of Mr. Crain in 1855, Mr. Wheel- er bought an interest in the business, the firin being Porter & Wheeler. Later he bought the interest of Mr. Porter, and has eontin- ued the business alone until the present time (1895), hav- ing been longer in business than any other one of the present active business men of this town, and always in the same store.
He possesses the entire confidenee of his townsmen, and has been treasurer of the town since March, 1872, and of the village eorpora- tion sinee 1873. He m. Sept. 15, 1856, Harriet R. Brewer, daughter of Asa and Betsey (Kýnight) Brewer of Fitz- william, N. H. Ch. :
I. Graee E., b. in Springfield, Sept. 11, 1857. II. Alice M., b. in Springfield, Dec. 13, 1860.
III. Harry L., b. in Springfield, June 20, 1863; d. Sept. 8, 1864.
WILLIAM H. WHEELER,
IV. Carrie M., b. in Springfield, Jan. 3, 1869; d. Nov. 7, 1885.
V. Frederick W., b. in Springfield, Dec. 9, 1878.
JONATHAN WHIPPLE, son of James and Elizabeth (Hall) Whipple, b. in Grafton, Mass., Dee. 3, 1763. He moved to Weathersfield in 1791, and in 1814 eame to Springfield and bought of Col. John Barrett the " Bloekhouse Farm "
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
on Connecticut River. He was one of the prominent men of his time. He was a justice of the peace, a representative in the State Legislature in 1821 and 1822, and for many years was judge of probate for Windsor District. He d. March 25, 1839.
In 1790 he m. Lydia Leland of Grafton, Mass., who d. May 8, 1841. Ch. :
1. Phineas Leland, b. Jan. 6, 1792; m. Alida Van Antroop; d. Oct. 5, 1844. He was an Episcopal clergyman, and lived in Lansingburgh, N. Y.
II. Lydia M., b. Nov. 13, 1794; m. Calvin Warren of Weathersfield; res. in Berlin, Vt .; d. Dec. 25, 1884.
III. Randilla, b. June 12, 1796; m. Feb. 3, 1824, John C. Haskell .of Weathersfield ; d. Oct. 6, 1877.
IV. Josephine M., b. May 8, 1798; m. John Perkins; res. in Springfield. (See sketch of John Perkins.)
V. Ormns Mandel, b. Feb. 14, 1801. Came to Springfield with his father in 1814, and for forty-two years lived on the farm his father bought of Col. John Barrett. He was a noted cattle drover and wool buyer, and widely known. He was the representative to the Legislature in 1841 and 1842. He d. in Weathersfield, Dec. 8, 1876. He m. Dec. 16, 1828, Sybil Bates, daughter of Deacon Phineas Bates. She was b. May 10, 1802, and is still living (1894) in Weathersfield. Ch. :
1. Jonathan Ormns, b. April 28, 1831; m. Celia Farnham; res. in Iowa.
2. Kate S. B., b. May 25, 1833 ; m. Frederick Fairbanks. Ch. : (1). George Mandel, b. April 29, 1866.
(2). Wallace Lincoln, b. March 19, 1869.
3. Charles F., b. Nov. 7, 1835. He served three years in the War of the Rebellion, in Company M, 2d Reg't of Wisconsin Cavalry. He m. Martha, danghter of Luther P. and Lonisa (Barrett) Warren of Weathersfield, and resides on the homestead at Weathersfield Row. Five children.
4. George F., b. Dec. 15, 1841; d. May 14, 1845.
VI. Balsara, b. January, 1803; d. Dec. 6, 1831.
VII. Jonathan Eustace, b. Aug. 2, 1806; d. March, 1866; m. Maria Viele. He was a successful mannfacturer in Lansingburgh, N. Y.
VIII. Clarissa, b. March 15, 1811; d. Oct. 21, 1829.
ABEL WHITE, son of Mark, b. in Acton, Mass., Sept. 26, 1766; m. March 20, 1803, Rnth Prescott of Westford, Mass. Five children. He came to Springfield abont 1817, and first lived in a house where the Whitmore house now stands. He d. July 22, 1825. He was a direct descendant of William White, who came in the " Mayflower." Ch. :
I. Abel Prescott was b. in Mason, N. H., July 23, 1804. Came to Springfield with his father, a carpenter by trade. He m. April 1, 1829, Anna Fassett, daughter of Perley and Alfedo (Holt) Fassett, who d. Feb. 10, 1873; he d. Sept. 20, 1893. Ch. :
1. Francis, b. Aug. 9, 1830; d. April 11, 1835.
2. Joseph, b. Dec. 7, 1833. He began work in the scythe snath
JOSEPH WHITE.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
business, for Frost, Ball & Church, in 1852. When the Vermont Snath Company was organized, in 1869, Mr. White became one of the company, and has continued in the business to the preseut time, devoting himself with great fidelity and industry to its interests. He is secretary and treasurer of the company.
HIe m. Dee. 12, 1861, Harriet L. Hubbard, daughter of Calvin and Betsey (Woodbury) Hubbard. Ch. :
(1). Katharine H., b. Nov. 27, 1862.
(2). Walter M., b. Feb. 12, 1879.
3. Frances Ann, b. June 14, 1836; m. George Hubbard of Guildhall, Vt .; d. March 1, 1873. Three children.
4. Marshall Bertrand, b. April 15, 1838; a member of Co. E, 16th Reg't Vermont Volunteers ; d. in Springfield, Juue 13, 1866.
5. Mary E., b. Feb. 14, 1841; in. Dec. 18, 1866, George Ellis of Springfield ; res. in Rutland.
BARTLETT E. WILITE, son of James and Lucinda (Woodward) White, was b. in Chester, Aug. 8, 1818; res. in Springfield since three years old. A stone mason by trade. He m. in 1840 Mary A. Smalley, daughter of Darius and Su- san (Beeman) Smalley. She was b. in Grafton, Aug. 30, 1823; d. in Spring- field, May 9, 1893. Mr. White enlisted, Sept. 1, 1862, in Company E, 16th Reg't Vermont Volunteers. Wounded and lost a leg at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, aud was discharged Oct. 31, 1863. Ch. :
I. Elizabeth, b. 1842; m. Osman Earle.
II. Nancy, b. 1844; m. Orrin Beard, deceased ; m. 2d, Eli P. B. Pulispher.
III. Merrill B., b. 1846.
IV. William D., b. 1848; m. Lucy Fairbanks, daughter of John B. Fair- banks. Ch .:
1. Bertha L., b. June 18, 1874.
2. Ruby L., b. April 20, 1877.
3. Nancy E., b. Sept. 2, 1879.
4. Merrill W., b. June 3, 1882.
5. Charles L., b. Sept. 18, 1887.
JOHN WHITE came to this town from Grafton, Mass., in 1803, and bought the gristmill of Lewis & Seymour. He lived in a house near present site of the fountain. This was one of the first houses built on Main Street. In 1806 he sold his mill aud house to Isaac Fisher, and bought the farm lately owned by James B. Whipple. He had two wives and ten children. His second wife was Bethiah Holton of Westminster, to whom he was married iu 1821.
REV. PLINY H. WHITE, son of John and Bethiah (Holton) White, was b. in Springfield, Oct. 6, 1822. His early opportunities were limited, and his edu- cation was chiefly acquired at the academy iu Limerick, Me. He worked a few years as elerk in a store in Walpole, N. H., and spent his leisure hours in reading and study, thus developing those traits of industry which charac- terized his future life. He studied law with Hon. William C. Bradley of Westminster, aud was admitted to the Windham County bar in 1843. He practised in Wardsboro, Londonderry, and Brattleboro. Having pursued a course of theological study in private, he was licensed to preach in 1858, and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Coventry, Vt., Fcb. 15, 1859. This pastorate continued till his death, April 24, 1869.
He m. Elceta B. D. Gates of Belchertown, Mass., in 1847, and they had two children.
When about twenty years of age he began writing for the press and was a copious contributor to newspapers and magazines. He furnished some hun- dreds of articles for the Vermont Record, mostly relating to Vermont history and biography. He published a history of the Congregational churches in Orleans County, and had in preparation when he dicd a history of the Congre- gational churches of Vermont.
In 1861 he was assistant clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives, secretary of civil and military affairs in 1852, representative of the town of Coventry in 1862 and 1863, member of the Board of Education from 1862 to 1868, and filled many other positions of trust.
Ilis love of history and research made him a valuable member of the Ver- mont Historical Society ; and he contributed largely to its valuable collection, which he arranged and catalogued with great care.
Seldom has any State been honored with a son more truly devoted to her interests.
JOHN WHITE, son of John and Achsa (Bigelow) White, was b. in Grafton, Mass., Feb. 7, 1794. He came to Springfield, and was for many years a prom- inent business man at North Springfield. He d. Sept. 16, 1872. He m. in 1831, Eusebia Atwood, daughter of Rufus and Esther (Gile) Atwood. Ch. :
I. Amelia E., b. March 7, 1833; m. Amos P. Fairbanks.
II. Marcella E., b. Sept. 4, 1835; m. Dr. George Dresser. He d. March 31, 1863.
III. Abbie S., b. April 6, 1843; m. Nov. 25, 1869, Joshua L. Upham of Wcathersfield.
MOSES WHITE, son of John and Achsa (Bigelow) White, was b. in Boylston, Mass., Feb. 29, 1702 ; d. Aug. 27, 1862. He m. Mary Dutton, daughter of Amasa and Elizabeth (Knight) Dutton. Ch. :
I. Moses Denison, b. April 14, 1832; m. March 22, 1860, Aurora E. Davis.
II. Mary Ellen, b. Nov. 23, 1833; m. Nov. 12, 1855, Christopher C. Goodrich.
III. Emily, b. June 22, 1835.
IV. Marcia A., b. September, 1836; d. in 1837.
V. Sarah Jane, b. Nov. 9, 1839; m. Dr. Ariel Kendrick.
JOTHAM WHITE came to this town from Charlestown, N. H., about 1785. He had been in military service and acquired the title of major. His Ist wife was a sister of Mrs. Oliver Hastings of Charlestown. His 2d wife was Betty Carswell, to whom he was m. in October, 1792, as recorded in the town rec- ords. There were three children :
I. Charles
II. Cynthia } twins, b. June 30, 1794.
III. Betsey, b. Dec. 8, 1797.
He owned land both sides of Black River, and built a dam near where Mason Walker now lives, but did not secure any valuable water power. Tra- dition says that he once kept a tavern in that vicinity.
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
The following is taken from the History of Charlestown, N. H. :
"Know all men by these presents, that I, Jotham White of Springfield, in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, gentleman, for and in consider- ation of the sum of thirty-five pounds in silver money to me in hand before the delivery hereot paid by Oliver Hastings of Charlestown, in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, physician, do hereby sell and deliver to the said Oliver Ilastings, my negro boy slave named Anthony, about eight years and a half of age. To have and to hold the said negro boy slave to the said Oliver Hastings, his heirs and assigns, until the said negro boy shall ar- rive to the age of twenty-one years. I, the said Jotham White, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, do by these presents covenant and en- gage with the said Oliver Hastings, his heirs and assigns, against the lawful claim and demands of all persons whatsoever.
" In witness whereof I have herennto set my hand and seal, this second day of March, in the year of onr Lord seventeen hundred and ninety.
JOTHAM WILITE.
" Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of AMANDA STONE, JOEL REED."
NATHAN WITTE was b. in Uxbridge, Mass., March 17, 1776, and came to Springfield in the winter of 1805-6. He first located on Connecticut River, near the north line of the town, on the Townshend place. Six years later he sold this farm to Samuel Steele, and bought of Taylor Spencer the farm now owned by his son, Levi R. White, and in 1826 he moved to the meadow farm at the mouth of Black River, where he d. March 28, 1858.
In 1800 he m. Rachel Rist of Grafton, Mass., who d. May 22, 1817, aged 37. By this marriage there were ten children :
I. Sally, b. in Grafton, Mass., May 15, 1801; m. Nov. 27, 1821, Isaiah Ellis. Six children. (See Ellis family.)
II. Calvin C., b. in Grafton, Mass., Feb. 10, 1803; m. March 1, 1837, Patience A. Batchelor. They lived at Gunplain, Mich., and had five children. He d. Nov. 8, 1880.
III. Lnther, b. in Grafton, Mass., Oct. 24, 1804; m. Jan. 23, 1826, Fanny Glazier.
IV. Eliza Ann, b. in Springfield, Aug. 31 1806; m. Nov. 2, 1823, Jonas B. Spencer, d. May 10, 1834. (See Spencer family.)
V. Caroline, b. in Springfield, March 29, 1808; m. Dec. 25, 1831, Daniel Tower, d. in Michigan, October, 1846.
VI. Elias, b. in Springfield, Nov. 27, 1810; d. nnm.
VII. Sophia, b. in Springfield, July 8, 1812; m. Jan. 23, 1834, Lewis Weston ; he d. Dec. 2, 1869.
VIII. Albert, b. Feb. 13, 1815; d. in infancy.
IX. Bezaleel, b. Feb. 26, 1816; m. Sept. 24, 1837, Lanra Lee; d. in Mis- sonri, Ang. 11, 1883. Five children.
X. Avander, b. May 11, 1817; m. May 10, 1842, Phebe Smith; d. Jan. 30, 1846.
Nathan White m. 2d, Dec. 7, 1817, Olive Putnam of Charlestown, N. H.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
daughter of Timothy and Sarah (Hewitt) Putnam, Feb. 17, 1794. Eight children.
XI. Nathan P., b. Sept. 23, 1818; m. Harriet A. Stocker. Ile is a success- ful farmer and has long been noted as a breeder of merino sheep. Ch. :
1. Albert N., b. Jan. 11, 1839; d. Aug. 7, 1841.
2. Robert S., b. Jan. 3, 1858; m. May 31, 1882, Jennie A. Parker, daughter of Henry Parker; res. in Charlestown, N. H. Ch. : (1). Avis P., b. May 18, 1883.
(2). Hugh A., b. Oct. 6, 1884.
(3) and (4). Mark N. and Maurice II., b. May 19, 1886.
3. Charles E., b. Aug. 6, 1860; d. Jan. 24, 1864.
4. Nathan E., b. Jan. 4, 1866.
XII. Marvel H., b. March 14, 1821; m. June 2, 1550, Almina Symonds ; d. in Minnesota.
XIII. Levi R., b. April 25, 1822; m. April 18, 1850, Sophronia Smart, daughter of Abial and Sophia (Bennett) Smart, b. Sept. 11, 1828; d. June 22, 1872. Mr. White ranks foremost among successful farmers, and, like his brother, has an established reputation for breeding choice merino sheep. One danghter:
1. Mary Frances, b. April 19, 1852; m. Nov. 17, 1870, G.F.Wiley. Ch. : (1). Flora Fran- ces, b. June 15, 1875.
(2). Grace Smart b. March 20, 1878.
XIV. Rachel B., b. May 5, 1824 ; unm. XV. Olive M., b. Jan. 20, 1826; m. June 10, 1851, Samuel Brown. (See Brown family.)
XVI. James E., b. Jan. 7, 1829. He is a large landowner and prominent in public affairs. He owns the valuable homestead of his father on the Con- necticut River. In 1868 and 1869 he represented
JAMES E. WHITE.
GEO. M.WALKER & CO. BOSTON
HCamling Whitmore
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
the town in the Legislature, and has held numerous other important offices, being quite extensively counected with the Probate Court bnsiness of this district. He m. Ist, Emily A. McCrac, who d. Oct. 24, 1873. Ch. :
1. Della, b. Sept. 24, 1863 ; m. July 10, 1888, Charles L. Hamlin of Charlestown, N. H.
2. Jonah, b. June 1, 1865; d. in infancy.
3. Frank J., b. May 9, 1866; m. Dec. 7, 1887, Dena M. Townshend ; res. in Charlestown.
4. Sabra Louisa, b. Sept. 25, 1868.
Ile m. 2d, April 6, 1884, Ida E. Ryder of Acworth, N. H. Ch. :
5. Ralph Herbert, b. Jan. 1, 1884; d. in 1895.
XVII. George B., b. May 19, 1831; m. Dec. 11, 1863, Cornelia J. Thompson. They live in Minnesota.
XVIII. Josiah G., b. Nov. 15, 1834; d. in Owatonna, Minn., Sept. 28, 1861; unm. Ile was a fiue scholar, of marked ability, and there seemed to be every promise of a successful and brilliant career before himn, when he was cut down in early manhood.
ITAMLIN WHITMORE was b. in Lebanon, N. H., March 5, 1809. IIe moved with the family to Charlestown, N. H., and worked on a farm, where he ac- quired a taste for farming and rural pursuits.' At the age of eighteen he eutered the store of Henry H. Sylvester as clerk. Iu 1832 he came to Spring- field, and in company with Robert Morris, son of Gen. Lewis R. Morris, bonght a store of goods of May & Wales. Mr. Morris died the next year, and Mr. Whitmore continued the business. Having but small capital, it required energy and self-reliauce to carry on the business alone. This first venture was on the site of Woolson & Thompson's block, in the building that was after- wards moved to Valley Street aud occupied by M. W. Newton. Mr. Whit- more, with others, bought the tavern and rebuilt it. He also bought the woollen factory, which he operated at different times with Luke Williams, John Holmes, B. F. Dana, and William Dillon as partners. He was also engaged, at various times, in the manufacture of sandpaper, lead pipe, linseed oil, pa- tent clothes pins, etc., and was always successful in his undertakings.
Iu one venture, with four partuers, au iuvestment of only one hnudred dol- lars gave him oue fifth of seventy-two thousand dollars net profit. He was a large owner of real estate. The Nelson Johnson honse, which he purchased and made his home, was rebuilt and enlarged so that it was one of the finest aud most convenient residences in town.
In later years he was extensively engaged in farming, and was the first man in Springfield who veutured to build a silo. His quick apprehension enabled him to sec at once the value and economy of ensilage for stock. At different times he was the owner, either alone or with others, of more than thirty farm lots and buildings.
For fifty-six years he was an active business man in Springfield, aud in all that time the industry of the town gained from his sagacity and enterprise an impetns which contribnted in many ways to the prosperity of the people. He was well informed in public matters, and an interested and intelligent observer of public events, aud never hesitated to express freely his views of measures
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN
and men. He was not one who sought or cared for town offices, and was too original and outspoken in his opinions to win popular favor. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1854.
Mr. Whitmore was a man of powerful intellect and great executive ability ; and like many other self-made men of large ability and self-reliance, was sometimes less tolerant of the opinions of others than was their duc and right, and in maintaining his own notions would forget the self-control which com- mands respect if it does not carry conviction.
Mr. Whitmore m. 1st, Nov. 16, 1837, Salome W. Sawyer. Ch. :
I. Oscar IIamlin, b. Jan. 18, 1839; d. in infancy.
1I. Benjamin Franklin, b. Aug. 28, 1840; d. in infancy.
III. Adin IIamlin, b. March 31, 1843; m. Feb. 15, 1881; res. at Las Vegas, N. M.
IV. Noel Malt, b. Sept. 4, 1845; d. Nov. 24, 1872.
V. Agnes Salome, b. Aug. 4, 1851; m. April 20, 1876 ;- d. Feb. 20, 1890.
VI. John York, twin to Agnes; d. in infancy.
VII. Jervis John, b. March 28, 1856.
IIe m. 2d, Aug. 22, 1887, Hattie. J. Parkhurst. Ch. :
VIII. Gwendolin, b. May 24, 1888.
Hamlin Whitmore d. May 4, 1888.
JACOB WHITCOMB, son of Israel, came from Cohasset, Mass .; was a sea captain, running a trading vessel from Boston to the sonthern ports. Came to Springfield in 1794 and settled on the farm that was afterwards owned by his son Israel, now owned by Frank J. Bell. In 1803 he moved and repaired the honse which now stands on the farm.
He d. March 13, 1844, aged 79. His wife was Anne Pratt of Cohasset. She d. July 28, 1855, aged 85 years. Ch. :
I. Achsa Lincoln, b. Ang. 26, 1793, in Cohasset; d. Ang. 10, 1808.
II. Polly, b. Dec. 9, 1795, in Springfield ; d. March 29, 1841.
III. Ezekiel, b. Oct. 6, 1797. He was a carpenter and learned his trade of one Loderick Durrer, who was also a school teacher. Durrer learned the carpenter's trade of Lewis & Seymour. Mr. Whitcomb became a successful contractor and bnilder. He worked on the Fitchburg and Old Colony depots in Boston, and on the depots at Charlestown and Claremont, N. H. When Henry Hawkins, the contractor for the Methodist church in Springfield, was taken ill, Mr. Whitcomb finished the contract. He built many houses in his own town, and also worked in some of the Southern States. His last work was overseeing the construction of the fine residence overlooking Main Street, built during the war by his sons, Moses P. and Thomas J. This residence is now owned by John K. Ford. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. He was a great reader, had a retentive memory, and was well informed. He was able to furnish informa- tion for this history. He d. Sept. 26, 1886.
He m. Dec. 7, 1824, Catherine Davis, daughter of Joshna Davis. She d. in Springfield, March 1, 1895, aged 93 years. Though confined to her bed for some years by an accident, a more thoroughly happy person is seldom seen than she appeared to be. She remembered all
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OF SPRINGFIELD, VT.
old friends and their children after them, always having a lively interest in their well-being. She joined the Congregational church Aug. 4, 1822, under the pastorate of Father Smiley ; a member 72 years. Ch. :
1. Moses Prentice, b. Sept. 8, 1825. At sixteen years of age he went to New York City, going by stage as far as Troy, N. Y .; lived with his uncle Moses until he seenred a position with Chase & Treadwell, furriers. Afterwards beeame partner in the same firm. Finally was joined by his brother "T. J. ; the firm beeame Whiteomb Bros., manufacturers of fnrs for the wholesale and retail trade. After thirty years in the business he retired and came to Springfield to oeeupy the mansion built by himself and brother, and engaged in farming for himself as recreation. He also erected a family tomb of granite, which remains to his heirs in the rustie dell. He d. Dee. 8, 1879, aged 54 years.
2. Thomas Jefferson, b. Feb. 24, 1827. Went to New York City in the same way as his brother M. P., one year later, remaining there bnt a few months, then to Milwaukee, thenee to St. Louis, where he too engaged in the fur trade. Finally returned to New York City, and beeame partner with his brother M. P., also Frederick N., at a later date. He returned to Springfield with his brother to live at the old homestead. After the deeease of his brother M. P., the mansion was sold to and oeenpied by J. K. Ford of New York City. In 1881 he moved with his family to Lincoln, Neb., thenee to Long Island, Kansas, where he is now engaged in hardware business. He m. April 12, 1855, Emma W. Valiant of Palmyra, Mo. Had one ehild :
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