# History of Gardner, Massachusetts/Family History

Family History.
The early inhabitants of the town were from the State of Massachusetts; from thirty different towns, and mostly from the counties of Middlesex and Worcester. They were distinguished as a class of people for their independence, persevering enterprise, intelligence, industry and probity.
They were subject to many hardships and privations. Without roads or carriages, or even beasts of burden; their own shoulders bore their grain to the distant mill, with no other guide than marked trees. With the lofty forests frowning upon every side, it was their mission to "go ahead" with their iron powers of locomotion, and make glad "the wilderness and the solitary place," while "the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."
We would not regard it as a calamity that we have in this department so little that is allied to fame; it is but the common lot of humanity. While it is true that few of our citizens have ​been known to fame, it is also true that fewer have been known to infamy. As it is of familiar every-day incident, mainly, that the fabric of life is formed, we therefore claim an equality with common people.
Without doubt there may be found some mistakes in connection with the family register: this part of the work has been the most laborious and difficult to the writer. To those who have aided us in collecting these materials we render our sincere and hearty thanks.
If the register of any family is omitted residing in town previous to the year 1800, it is because it could not be gathered from any accessible sources of information.
Abbreviations.—Dau. for daughter, m. for married, ch. for children, ae. for age, and d. for died.
Early Settlers.
Bickford, Capt. William, from Beading, bought a tract of land on the great road to Royalston: he put up a saw and grist-mill,—the first that were built in Gardner,—where E. C. J. & O. A. Travers' chair-shop now stands. He was instrumental in building up the town; was chosen Captain of the first Militia company formed here. He served a period in the French war at Nova Scotia, and would have been a ​pensioner had he lived until the act was passed. He m. Tabitha Parker: their ch. were:—1. Tabitha, m. Nathan Howard; whose ch. were:—Amos and William. 2. William, m. Betsy White; whose ch. were:—Cassandana, Amanda Malvina, d., and Betsy, d. 3. Ebenezer, m. Sarah Hill; whose ch. were:—Roena, George W., Francis A., Asa D., Sarah, David, Mary, Martha and William. 4. Nathan, d. 5. David, d. 6. Edmond, m. Nancy Emory; whose children were:—Albert, Lucinda, Tabitha, Oliver E., Nancy, Betsy, d., Lydia, Charles and Otis, d. 7. David, d. Mr. Bickford d. in 1832, ae. 89.
Beard, Andrew, from Reading, settled in the south part of the town, in the early part of the town's history. Was a carpenter and a hard working man. The remnant of an aged tree is now standing near his former residence upon which he killed a bear. He married Miss Burnap; their ch. were:—1. Lizzie. 2. Tabitha, m. Abel Woodward; whose ch. were:—Aaron, Abel, Tabitha, Isaac, Mary, Nancy and Lock. 3. Andrew, m. Lucy Dunn; whose ch. were:—Andrew and Vinal Cranston. 4. Artemas, m. Lydia Baker; they had one child whose name was Lydia. 5. Aaron, m. Anna Dunster; whose ch. were:—Betrix, Mary, Lydia, Hephzibah, Anna, Dorcas, Lucy, Maria and Aaron. 6. Mary. 7. Abel. 8. Bethia. 9. Dorcas, m. Mr. Jewett. 10. Hephzibah. 11. Lucinda. Mr. Beard d. in 1831.
Bolton, Ebenezer, from Reading, was a farmer in the south part of the town. He was a minute-man at the battle of Bunker hill; at one time he felt the bullets brush his hair as they passed him. He received a pension for his services. He m. Elizabeth Holt; their ch. were:—1. Betsy, m. Nathan Taft; whose ch. were:—Nathan, Hollis, Jerusha, ​Lovina and Asa. 2. Esther, d. 3. Jerusha, m. Silas Holt; whose ch. were:—Reuben and Esther. 4 and 5. Abram and Asa, (twins,) d. 6. Ebenezer, m. Lenday Leland; whose ch. were:—Hollis, Horatio Nelson, Panthia, d., Emily, Ransom, Rhoda and Bellarmin. Mr. Bolton d. in 1835, ae. 87.
Baker, John, from Marlborough, was a farmer in the south part of the town. He m. Elizabeth Marshall; their ch. were:—1. Milley, m. Nathan Eaton; whose ch. were: —John, Milley and Myra. His second wife was Ellen Parmenter; whose ch. were:—Mary, d., Nathan, Mary, James, Eleanor, Benjamin, Marshall, d., Marshall, Eleazer, Stilman, William, Nancy and Sarah. 2. Esther. 3. Lydia. Mr. Baker d. in 1835, ae. 87.
Baker, Jonas, from Marlborough was a farmer in the south part of the town. He m. Miss Adams. His second wife was Susan Simonds; whose ch. were:—Joseph Simonds, Jonas and Betsy.
Baker, George, from Marlborough; he was brother to the two last mentioned individuals; they all located in the same vicinity and were of like occupation. He m. Dinah Parmenter; their ch. were:—1. Artemas, m. Sarah Nichols; whose ch. were:—Artemas, David, Luther, Sarah, Quincy, Isaac, Ibri, Uri, Persis, Amos and Chloe. 2. Persis. 3. George Adam, m. Olive Holden; whose ch. were:—George Holden, Willard, Roxa and Sumner. 4. Nancy. 5. Dinah, m. Eber Underwood; whose ch. were:—Gilman, Curtis, Dexter, Israel and Calvin. 6. Amos.
Baker, Thomas, from Westminster, settled on a farm now owned by Daniel Adams. He m. Mary Lewis; their ch. ​were:—1. Ezra, m. Lucy Priest; whose ch. were:—Fanny, Joel, Levi, d., Betsy, Joseph and Charles. 2. Richard, m. Althina Whitney; whose ch. were:—William, Lucy, d., Mary, Walter, Betsy, Francis L., Richard Baxter, Calvin H., Lucy Ann and Angeline Maria. 3. Mary, m. David Nichols; whose ch. were:—Roena, Marietta, Noyes and Marcus. 4. Joseph, m. Esther Holt; his second wife was Lucy Davis; whose ch. were:—Alexander and Lucy. 5. Roena. Mr. Baker d. in 1842, ae. 81.
Baldwin, Josiah, one of the first inhabitants, lived in town a few years; was a soldier in the revolutionary war three years. He m. Susanna, dau. of Israel Green; they had one child whose name was Susanna, who m. James Cowee; their ch. were:—Persis, Joel, Rebecca, Susanna, Betsy, Mehitable, Sarah, Lucinda, Person, George Washington, Aaron, James, William, John and Ruel Green.
Bacon, Joseph, from Sherburne, was a farmer and carpenter, residing about 1½ miles north-west of the center of the town, on the place now occupied by Joseph Whitney. He m. Abigail Cole; their ch. were:—1. Charlotte. 2. Arna, m. Betsy Sawin; whose ch. were:—Betsy, and Sophronia. 3. Joseph, d. 4. Abigail. 5. Atarah, m. Mr. Burbank; whose ch. were:—Abigail, Mary, Joseph and Benjamin. 6. Eliab, m. Christiana Comee; whose ch. were:—Calvin Cole, Eliza Caroline, Francis, Nancy, Cynthia Maria, James and Matthias Clark. 7. Arathusa. 8. Joseph, m. Lucy Wood; whose ch. were:—Sereno, Almira and Francis. 9. Francis, m. Malinda Kendall; whose ch. were:—Mary, Charles, Maria and Asa. Mr. Bacon d. in 1808, ae. 62.
​Bancroft, Jonathan, from Ward, (now Auburn,) was a farmer and shoe-maker, living where now resides his grandson, Dea. S. W. Bancroft. He very narrowly escaped being drowned while attempting to cross the pond one evening on the ice; coming to an open place unawares, he fell in, but managed to get on to the ice again and returned home. He was at the taking of Burgoyne in 1777. He m. Sarah Case; their ch. were:—1. Jonathan, m. Betsy Parker; whose ch. were:—Sophia, Mary, d., Laura French, d., Jonathan Ormond, Mary Amanda, Laura Elvira, Jesse Parker, Lucius Lorenzo and Smyrna Osgood. 2. Smyrna, m. Sarah Whitney; whose ch. were:—Harvey Mansfield, Smyrna Winslow, Mary Elmira, Sarah Whitney, Amasa and Viola. 3. Sarah. 4. Mary, d. 5. Betsy. 6. Lucy. 7. Roxa, m. John Phillips; whose ch. were:—Warren, d., Eliza, Caroline, Warren and Mary Bancroft. Mr. Bancroft d. in 1826, ae. 76.
Brick, Jonas, from Sherburne, was a farmer, living in the south part of the town. He m. Hannah Richardson; their ch. were:—1. Silas, m. Anna Pike; whose ch. were:—Eliza, Milly, Maria and Ann. 2. Asahel, m. Betsy Snow; whose ch. were:—Asahel Augustus, Ephraim Sumner, Susan Sawyer, Jonas Richardson and Jerome Snow. His second wife was Mrs. Carpenter; they had one child whose name was Jane Elizabeth. 3. Charlotte, m. Mr. Wells; whose ch. were:—Emma, Charlotte, Judith, Willard, Wealthy, Sarah and Elizabeth. 4. Sarah. 5. Enoch. 6. Elijah, m. ​Sarah Comee; whose ch. were:—Alfred Harrison, David Comee, Mary, d., and Maria, (twins,) Eliza, d., Sarah, Mary, and Walter. 7. Jonas, d. 8. Judith. 9. Jonas, m. Esther Whitney; whose ch. were:—Mary Ann and Esther. Mr. Brick d. in 1822, ae. 64.
Brooks, Joel, from Stow, was a farmer, living in the west part of the town, where now resides Levi Curtis. He m. Tameson, dau. of Ebenezer Howe; their ch. were:—1. Lydia, m. David Nichols. 2. Lucy, m. George Scott. 3. Betsy, m. Isaac Jackson; whose ch. were:—Susan Elvira and Betsy Tameson. His second wife was Mehitable Minott; whose ch. were:—Rockwell, Maria, Melancy, d., Ellen, d. Daniel Webster and Edward. 4. Joel, m. Cynthia Taylor; whose ch. were:—Betsy and Lucy Ann. 5. Silas, m. Emily Conant; whose ch. were:—Luke, Sylvanus, Emily Elmira, George, Joel Josiah and Webster. 6. Luke, d. 7. Ann, m. Isaac Hall. Mr. Brooks d. in 1840, ae. 84.
Coolidge, James, from Sherburne, located as a farmer in the west part of the town. When Gardner was incorporated he was opposed to being taken from Winchendon, and petitioned the Legislature to set him back to that town, but was refused the favor: after a few years he became reconciled, and took hold in earnest to assist others in building up the Town. He m. Sarah Gould; their ch. were:—1. Sarah. 2. Joseph, m. Achsah Hale; whose ch. were:—Catharine, Lucy, Joseph Hale, Sarah, Artemas and Charles Monroe. 3. Betsy. 4. James, m. Annis Sawin; whose ch. were:—Warren, Betsy, Charles, Samuel Sawin, Sarah, d., Martha, James and Abigail. Mr. Coolidge d. in 1847, ae. 94.
​Childs, Daniel, was a farmer, living in the north part of the town, where Mr. Harty now resides. He m. Phebe———; their ch. were:—1. William. 2. Daniel. 3. Jonas, d. 4. Mary. 5. Timothy. 6. Nathaniel. 7. Cynthia. 8. Jonas, m. Amelia L. F. Osgood; whose ch. were:—Lucius A., Amelia A. and Amanda. 9. Betsy. 10. Harriet. 11. Lucy. 12. Charles, m. Roena Baker. 13. Abijah. 14. Francis.
Comee, David, from Lexington, located as a farmer in the east part of the town; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; he was in a fierce battle, when a ball from the enemy cut the hair from his head, (it being clubbed up,) another ball struck his gun as it was poised before him; it tore the barrel out of the stock and left the ball remaining. He m. Christian Maltman; their ch. were:—1. David, m. Esther Baker; whose ch. were:—David, Betsy, John and Lonisa. 2. James Maltman, m. Sarah Putnam; whose ch. were:—Maria, Christian, Sarah, James M., Mary, William W., Abby, John Porter, d., Leander Porter, Eliza and Daniel Webster. His second wife was Hannah Maltman; their ch. were:—1. Benjamin, d. 2. Christian. 3. Mary, m. William Fletcher; whose ch. were:—Mary Adaline, Eliza, William and Francis. 4. Benjamin, d. 5. John, d. 6. Hannah. 7. Sarah. 8. Ruhamah, m. Abram Jaquith; they had one child whose name was Abby Mead. 9. Martha, m. Ebenezer Fenno; whose ch. were:—Lucy Ann, Harriet Newell, Sarah, Henry Clay and Bernerd Maurett. 10. Benjamin, m. Lovina Mead; whose ch. were:—Charlotte Emeline, Caroline Augusta, Martha Ann, James Monroe and Sarah Mead. His second wife was Mrs. E. A. Seager; whose ch. were:—Rosette, William, Esquire and Helen. 11. Joseph, m. Miriam Stone; whose ch. were:— ​Christopher Columbus, Samuel, Martha S. and George. 12. George Washington, m. Fanny Vining. His second wife was Betsy Howard: whose ch. were:—George Marsena, Francis, Fanny and Frank. Mr. Comee d. in 1828, ae. 82.
Conant, Josiah, from Westminster, was a farmer, residing in the east part of the town; the place is now owned by Dennis Gates. He m. Annis Derby; their ch. were:—1. Aaron, m. Lucy Bancroft; whose ch. were:—Catharine, Boswell B., d., Boswell, d., Smyrna Bancroft, Emily, d., George Farewell, Aaron Winslow, Mary Bancroft and Sarah Case. 2. Lucy, m. Isaac Miller; whose ch. were:—Gardner, Mary, William, Lucy, Lyman, James, John and Nancy. 3. Nancy, m. Alpheus Simonds; whose ch. were:—Adaline, Abigail, Nancy, Maria, Myranda, Caroline, Hannah, Augusta, Sylvenus and Rebecca. 4. Betsy. 5. Farewell, m. Lucy Wright; whose ch. were:—Rebecca, Mary Ann, Calvin, John Wesley, Charles Wright and Lucy Maria. 6. Abigail, m. Jonathan Brown; whose ch. were:—Abigail, Maria and Myranda, (twins,) Emily, Jonathan Leroy, Elisha, Martha, Charles, Lucy, Mary and Edward Reynolds. 7. Mary, m. Asahel Corey; whose ch. were:—Jonas and Charles. 8. Josiah, m. Hannah Graves; whose ch. were:—Harriet, Augusta, William, d., Walter, Joseph Lewis, d., Francis, Ellen Maria, d., George Alvah and Eliza Jane. 9. Emily. 10. Susan, m. Asa Temple; whose ch. were:—Elizabeth Holland and Christopher Columbus. 11. Lyman, m. Emma Wells; whose ch. were:—Caroline Elizabeth, Mary, Edward and Theodore. 12. Maria, m. Joseph P. Howe; whose ch. were:—Maria, Abby, Edward Payson and Emergene. 13. Lanson, d. 14. Sylvester Thomas, ​m. Sarah Bickford; they had one child whose name was Charles. Mr. Conant d. in 1835, ae. 77.
Clark, Joseph, from Sherburne, was a farmer in the west part of the town. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war seven years, and received a pension ten years or longer. He m. Mary Maltman; they had one child whose name was Joseph, who m. Sarah Sawyer; their ch. were Leonora, Sylvester, Mary and Joseph Monroe. Mr. Clark d. in 1837, ae. 80.
Clark, Benjamin, (brother to the one last mentioned,) from Sherburne, was a farmer, residing in the west part of the town; the place is now occupied by his son, Dea. Samuel H. Clark. He m. Martha Minott; their ch. were:—1. Esther M. 2. Benjamin, m. Rebecca Richardson; whose ch. were:—Elizabeth and Mary Ann. 3. Mary. 4. Betsy, m. Lowell Leland; whose ch. were:—Leaden, Esther M., Elizabeth, d., Martha Elizabeth, Lucy, Henry and Joseph W. 5. Sarah. 6. Joanna M. 7. Samuel Harrington, m. Mary Bennett; whose ch. were:—George and William Raymond. Mr. Clark d. in 1827, ae. 65.
Dunster, Hubbard, from Westminster, was a cooper, residing on the place now occupied by Elijah Foster. He m. Rebecca, dau. of Benjamin Kendall; their ch. were:—1. Martin, m. Sarah Nichols. 2. Prudence, m. Isaac Fitts. 3. Rebecca, m. Gilman Robbins; whose ch. were:—George, Charles, Sarah, Caroline and Joseph. 4. Louisa. 5. Aseph, m. Sarah Stoddard; whose ch. were:—Lydia Ann, Caroline, Rebecca and Lucy. 6. Jane, m. Stephen Tyler; whose ch. were:—Mary Jane and Adaline. 7. Lydia, m. Joel Nichols; whose ch. were:—Eliza Ann, Frank and Emma. ​Dapheny m. Mr. Parsons; they had one child whose name was Warren. Mr. Dunster d. in 1818, ae. 45.
Eaton, John, from Needham, located as a farmer in the north part of the town, where now resides his son, John Eaton. He was a soldier in the taking of Burgoyne's army. He m. Mary Larkin; their ch. were:—1. Lucy, m. Mr. Boyden; they had one child whose name was Mary Ann. 2. Josiah, m. Mary Weston; whose ch. were:—Merrick, Mary Ann, Josiah, Otis, Danford, George, Nancy and Charles. 3. Mary, m. Isaac Williams; whose ch. were:—Mary, Charles and Calvin. 4. John, m. Betsy Esty; whose ch. were:—George, Warren, Franklin, Eliza, John, Amasa, Mary, Maria and Oliver. 5. Nancy. 6. Peter, m. Catharine Coolidge; whose ch. were:—Mary Ann and Charles. His second wife was Mrs. Knowlton. Mr. Eaton d. in 1827, ae. 81.
Eaton, Ebenezer, from Needham, was a farmer in the south part of the town. He m. Joanna Hutchinson; their ch. were:—Ebenezer, Jonas and Sarah. His second wife was Mrs. Richardson; whose ch were:—Betsy, George and Clarissa.
Eaton, Jonathan, (brother to the two last mentioned,) was a farmer, living in the west part of the town. He m. Bulah Ward; their ch. were:—1. Bulah. 2. Jonathan, d. 3. Joseph, d. 4. Benjamin, d. 5. Jonathan, m. Miss Lane. 6. Rebecca. Mr. Eaton d. in 1819.
Edgell, Joseph, from Westminster, was a farmer, living near the west village, where Charles Stacy now resides. He m. Dorcas———; whose ch. were:—Charles, Nancy, Joseph, d., Rebecca, Joseph and Kendall. He moved back to Westminster many years ago.
​Edgell, Benjamin, from Westminster, was a farmer and cooper, in the south part of the town, living where Joseph Metcalf now resides. He m. Priscilla Graves; their ch. were:—1. Susan. 2. Benjamin, m. Mary Ann Dollonson. 3. Catharine. 4. Priscilla, m. Newell Brown; whose ch. were:—Charles, Sarah and Henry. 5. Mary, m. Luther Alden; whose ch. were:—Luther and Silas. 6. Farewell, m. Mary Ann Sawin; whose ch. were:—Emily, d., Elvira C. and Emily Janette, d. His second wife was Mary Ann Minott; they had one child whose name was George. 7. Louisa. 8. Lucy, m. Aseph Wood; whose ch. were:—Prucius M., d., Prucius M., Amanda, Theophilus, d., Lucy Augusta, Theophilus and Adelia. His second wife was Abby H. Pierce; they had one child whose name was Eliza H. 9. Abigail, m. Edward L. Turner; whose ch. were:—Francis E., d., Martha P., Edward S., Frank E and Harriet A. 10. Martha, m. Jonas Pierce; whose ch. were:—Calvin and Catharine, d. His second wife was Mrs. Nichols; they had one child whose name was Erastus N. Mr. Edgell d. in 1817, ae. 46.
Fisher, Gideon, was one of the first inhabitants of the town, living in the north part: was a great help to the place in clearing it of wild animals. He m. Mrs. Rebecca Hutchins; they had one child whose name was William. Mr. F. sold in a few years and left the place.
Foster, David, from Reading, was a farmer and carpenter. He was engaged in the Revolutionary war nine months, and was the last man who fled from the enemy at the battle of Bunker hill. He m. Betsy Minott; their ch were:—Betsy, d. 2. Susanna. 3. David, d. 4. David. 5. Betsy. Mr. Foster d. in 1815, ae. 70.
​Foster, Samuel, from Reading, lived in the west part of the town. He m. Elizabeth Boyden; their ch. were:—1. Lizzie. 2. Samuel, m. Mary Payson; they had one child whose name was Joseph Payson. His second wife was Mary Persons. 3. Dolly, m. Mr. French. 4. Peter. 5. Jesse. 6. Assenath. 7. Jonah. 8. Rufus.
Fairbanks, Levi, from Harvard, was a farmer in the east part of the town, where his son, Levi Fairbanks, now resides. He m. Eunice Randall; their ch. were:—1. Levi, m. Miss Anderson; whose ch. were:—Phebe, Walter, Mary and Stephen. His second wife was Mrs. Pierce. 2. Jabez, m. Abigail Seaver; whose ch. were:—Abigail and Louisa. His second wife was Nancy Temple; they had one child whose name was Sardis. 3. Ephraim, m. Susan Weston; whose ch. were:—Nelson, Elisha and Stephen. 4. Joseph, m. Ruth Jaquith; whose ch. were:—Harriet Newell, Ruth Jaquith, Joseph and Alonzo. 5. Eunice, m. Stephen Weston; whose ch. were:—Adaline, Stephen, Maria and Mary. 6. Lydia, m. Arba Brooks; whose ch. were:—Eunice and William. 7. Stephen, d. 8. Luke. Mr. Fairbanks d. in the year 1845, ae. 90. His wife d. in the year 1851, ae. 92.
Fairbanks, Noah, from Harvard, was a farmer in the west village, living where Lewis H. Graham now resides. He m. Hannah Whitcomb; their ch. were:—1. Emory, m. Eunice Heywood; whose ch. were:—Emory H., Francis J., James H., Elizabeth E., Joseph W., Susan A., Lucy Ann and Laura. 2. Noah. 3. Sewell, m. Susan Heywood; whose ch. were:—James H. and Sewell W. 4. Aseph, m. Hannah Whitcomb; whose ch. were:—Aseph Waldo, Joel Whitcomb and Martha Malvina. 5. Sophronia, m. Lewis H. Graham; whose ch. were:—Lucy Jane, Henry Lewis, ​Mary Louisa and Lucius Fairbanks. 6. Hannah. 7. Lucy, m. Joseph Barker; whose ch. were:—Mary Lemira, Eliza Adaline and Martha Maria. 8. Joel, m. Esther Leland. Mr. Fairbanks d. in 1852, ae. 80.
Fenno, William, from Boston, was a farmer, living in the east part of the town; the place is now owned by Hosea Hadley. He m. Rachel Ray; they had one child whose name was Mary; who m. Abel Wood; their ch. were:—Lyman T., Hiram, Sophia, Dolly, Hannah, Cynthia, Joel and William. His second wife was Lydia Ray; whose ch. were:—1. William, m. Mary Corey; whose ch. were:—Samuel Farrar, Lucy Corey, Elmira, William Wood, Stephen, Mary, Lucinda and Frances Ann. 2. Asa, m. Grata Wheeler; whose ch. were:—David Dickerson, William Stone, Mary Emily, Jonas Wheeler, Ray, Elmira, Harriet and Joel. 3. Joel, m. Sarah Corey; whose ch. were:—Sarah Clarinda, Hezekiah Corey, Willard Jefts, Charles Alexander and Joel Carmillus. 4. Elmira, m. Joseph Carter; whose ch. were:—Mary Elizabeth, Adalaide and Eveline. 5. Lucinda, m. Washington Nichols; whose ch. were:—Eliza Jane, George Burknap and Charles Monroe. 6. Lyman, m. Mary Miller; whose ch. were:—Jane Maria, Ella Isadore, George Henry and Hattie Augusta. Mr. Fenno d. in 1822.
Green, Israel, the fourth inhabitant of the town, lived one and one-half miles north-west from its center. He had four sons, who were mighty huntsmen, and were noted for killing bears. The sons all enlisted in the Revolutionary war; only one of them ever returned. He had one dau. who m. Josiah Baldwin. Mr. Green removed to Westminster before his death.
​Green, Nathan, from Leicester, was a farmer, living in the north-easterly part of the town; he abstained from all spirituous liquors, and in that respect was almost an exception in those days. About the year 1820 his house was struck with lightning; Mr. Green and his wife felt the shock. It affected him like a stick of wood coming with force against his lower limbs. It stunned Mrs. Green. They heard no report, though it sounded to others like the firing of a gun; there was no rain; the hemisphere was diversified with light and brassy clouds; there appeared a black cloud in the center, "like a man's hand," from which it was supposed that the electrical fluid proceeded. The carpenter who repaired the house found it considerably shattered and thought there was not a nail but what was either drawn out, or started. He m. a French lady, Margaret, dau. of John D. Jersey, from the Island of Journsey. They had no children. Nathan Green, (a nephew of his,) lived with them from a child, to whom he gave his property; he m Fanny Bicknell; they had one child whose name was Charles. Mr. Green d. in 1822, ae. 71.
Glazier, John, came from Shrewsbury in 1773; he owned a good farm in the center of the town, and kept a public house; was an honest, upright man, anxious to promote the welfare and prosperity of the town; he gave them the use of his house to hold their meetings in, until the meetinghouse was built; it is the place that Asa Richardson now owns, and is supposed to be the oldest house in town. He m. Sarah, dau. of Isaac Temple, of Shrewsbury; their ch. were:—1. Smyrna, m. Bridget Foster; whose ch. were:—Bridget and Abram Foster. When Smyrna was about four years old he fell into a well and climbed out alone. When he was a young man he was very fond of a gun; he shot at ​a hawk when flying high in the air, and brought it to the ground. At another time he shot at a flock of wild geese and killed two of them with a single ball as they were swimming in the pond. He obtained a good common education from his own industry, as schools were scarce in those days. He is now living, and the oldest person in town. His age is 92. 2. Lewis, m. Betsy Coolidge; whose ch. were:—John Coolidge and Sarah Temple. His second wife was Lucy Keyes; whose ch. were:—Betsy Coolidge, Thomas Edwin, Mary Ann, d., Smyrna Sylvester and Lewis Lysander, (twins,) d., Lucy Ann and Mary Keyes. 3. Ruth, m. Jonathan Prescott; whose ch. were:—Jonathan, Bushrod Washington, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, George and Ruth Ann. Mr. Prescott was the first merchant in Gardner; he built the house and lived where Francis Richardson, Esq. now resides: after living in town a few years he removed to Boston, where he was appointed constable, which office he held during life. He d. in 1852, ae. 92. 4. Elizabeth. 5. Sarah, d. in 1786, at the age of 1 year, and was the first one interred in the burying ground. Mr. Glazier d. in 1826, ae. 87.
Goodale, Peter, from West Boylston, was a farmer, residing on the place now occupied by Charles Green. He was a good townsman while he stayed, which was but a short time, when he sold and went back to West Boylston. He m. Abigail, dau. of Benjamin Hinds; whose ch. were:—Elizabeth, Benjamin, Jason, Peter, Aseph and Junia.
Greenwood, Jonathan, from Sherburne, was a farmer, and kept a public house in the south part of the town, where his son, Walter Greenwood, now resides. He m. Sybil Holbrook; their ch. were:—1. Alvin, m. Mary Childs; whose ​ch. were:—Sophia, d., Sophia, Maria, Calvin S., Alvin Monroe, James Holbrook, Charles, William and Mary. 2. Sybil, d. 3. Jonathan, m. Phebe Temple; whose ch. were:—Walter, Louisa, Thomas, Betsy, Mason and Joel. 4. Walter, m. Rebecca Wright; whose ch. were:—Aaron, Emily, Martha, Rebecca, Edward W., George, Judson and Thomas. 5. Sybil, m. William Whitney; whose ch. were:—Sybil and Betsy. 6. Leonora, m. George W. Cowee; whose ch. were:—Sybil C., George Leander, Alvin G., Aaron, Mary M. and Adaline. His second wife was Sarah Wilcox; whose ch. were:—Frank, d., and Fred (twins,) Frank, Ellen E. and Hattie J. Mr. Greenwood d. in 1821, ae. 66.
Greenwood, Aaron, from Sherburne, was a farmer, in the south-west part of the town, where his grandson, Aaron L. Greenwood, now resides. He was three years in the Revolutionary war, and received a pension a number of years. He m. Anna Learned; their ch. were:—1. Charles, m. Betsy Temple; whose ch. were:—Aaron L., Francis T., Betsy, Edward and Asa Temple. 2. Anna. Mr. Greenwood d. in 1824, ae. 68.
Gates, Simon, moved from Westminster to Gardner without changing his residence; the town line crossing his farm, he had a right to belong to the town he chose, and being a just man, decided to come to Gardner, because he thought it his duty to go where he could do the most good. He had a good farm on what is called Beech hill, where his grandson, Horace Gates, now lives, and was one of the principal men in building up the town. He m. Susanna Reed; their ch. were:—1. Nathan, m. Abigail Knowlton; whose ch. were:—Nathan, Jeremiah, d., Abel, Aseph, Luke, d., ​Abigail, Luther, Amos, Susannah, an infant dau., d., Lucinda, Clarissa, Jeremiah Knowlton, James Eliot and Benjamin Addison. 2. Simon, m. Sarah Taylor; whose ch. were:—Louisa, Simon Hazeltine, Horace, Dennis, Mary and Dolly. 3. Daniel, m. Phebe Mosman; whose ch. were:—Daniel Merrick, Sophronia, Leonard Mosman, Lucy, Phebe, Charlotte and Solomon Keyes. 4. Reuben, m. ——————; their ch. were:—Samantha Keyes, Anna Mosman, Ezekiel, Darwin and Bial. 5. Ezekiel. 6. Elizabeth, d. 7. Elizabeth. Mr. Gates d. in 1803, ae. 63.
Holland, Joseph, from Boylston, was one of the first settlers in Gardner, his place is the one now owned by Capt. Joel Cowee. After living in town a few years he sold to Mr. Glazier and went north. At this time Mr. Heywood and Mr. Glazier owned about 300 acres of land in the center of the town. Mr. Holland m. Elizabeth Gleason; whose ch. were:—Joseph, James, Ruth and Ephraim.
Heywood, Seth, (son of Phineas Heywood, and grandson of Dea. John Heywood, of Concord,) who came from Sterling to Gardner, was one of the first settlers in town; had a good farm in the center of the town; he was also a blacksmith. He was a man of superior mind, and had a remarkable memory; being a great reader, he was able to relate a history of almost any book then known. He was a valuable member of society, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him. He was Lieutenant in the army at Cambridge nine months. He m. Martha, dau. of Isaac Temple of Shrewsbury; their ch. were:—1. Betsy. 2. John, m. Mary Hutchins; whose ch. were:—Mary, John and Betsy Lavette. 3. Sarah, m. Samuel Edgell; whose ch. were:—Betsy, Sarah, William, Mary, Lucinda and Samuel. 4. Ann, m. William ​Whitney; whose ch. were:—William, Seth, Joseph, Althina, Anna, Hollis, Amasa and Lucy, (twins.) Mr. Whitney d. in 1846, ae. 81; his wife died so soon after, that their funerals were attended together. Her age was 76. 5. Mary, m. Joseph Boyden, M. D.; whose ch. were:—Mary, Wyat Clark, Lucy, Ebenezer, Fredrick and Joseph. After residing in Gardner a few years, Dr. Boyden left for Tamworth, N. H., where he became an eminent physician; but was suddenly cut off in the midst of life, by a fall from his horse. 6. Benjamin, m. Mary Whitney; whose ch. were:—Levi, Benjamin Franklin, Walter, William, Seth and Charles. 7. Martha, m. Samuel Sawin; whose ch. were:—Samuel Weston, Eliza Adaline, John Harrison and Levi Heywood. 8. Seth. 9. Lucy, m. Gardner Pollard; whose ch. were:—Lucy, Martha, Levi, Seth, Elmira, Nancy and Gardner. 10. Levi, m. Nancy Healy; whose ch. were:—John Healy and Benjamin Seth. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1808. Commenced the study of law, with Hon. Nathaniel Paine, of Worcester, and finished with Hon. Elijah Mills, of Northampton: admitted to the bar in 1811, and commenced practice in Worcester the same year. In Oct., 1818, he removed to Pickneyville, Louisiana, where he engaged in teaching school. Having kept an office in New York for a short period, he became Principal of the Academy in Hackensack, New Jersey. He again resumed practice in the city of New York, where he died in 1832, ae. 49. Mr. Heywood d. in 1817, ae. 89.
Hill, Marvrick, from Medway, was a farmer, residing in the north part of the town. His place was adjoining the Green ​place. He m. Abigail Moulton; their ch. were:—1. Moses, m. Lucy Adams; whose ch. were:—Elizabeth Clark, James Marvrick, Thomas Adams, Lucy, Cyrus, Clement, Hannah Adams, d., Moses, Isaac Watts, Hannah Adams, Millie, Sophia and Harriet Binam, (twins.) 2. Jesse, m. Keziah Brick; whose ch. were:—Keziah, Abigail, Gilbert, Sarah, Julia, Heman, Jesse and Mercy. 3. Bezaleel, m. Hannah Baker; whose ch. were:—Nancy, Caleb, Hannah, Lucy, Orinda, Bezaleel, Amza, Moses, Abigail Marvrick, Silas Baker and Lydia. 4. Nathaniel, m. Annis Whitcomb; whose ch. were:—Tamar, d., Lucinda, Mary, Elizabeth, d., Annis, Ebenezer, d., Nathaniel, d., Mercy, d., Tamar and Linda.
5. Mary. 6. Mercy. 7. Sylvenus, m. Charlotte Bacon; they had one child whose name was Sylvenus. Mrs. Hill d. in the year 1807, ae. 93. Many years ago, while they were having their garden plowed, Mr. Hill told his boys to be careful of a little apple-tree (of about two years growth,) as their mother was expecting to live to eat the fruit of it; she did live to see it bear thirty bushels of apples in a year. The day she was ninety years old, she committed to memory a hymn of Dr. Watts', with as much ease and accuracy as in early life. Spinning linen was her employment the last years of her life; she spun the warp for a web of thirty yards after she was ninety-three years old.
Hadley, Joseph, was one of the early settlers, residing as a farmer in the north part of the town. His ch. were:—Mehitable, Stephen and Nathan. There are none of his posterity now resident in town, and little can be learned with regard to them.
Hinds, Daniel, from West Boylston, was a farmer, living in the south part of the town. He m. Sarah Holbrook; ​whose ch. were:—Sarah, James, Benjamin, Daniel and Milton. He moved back to West Boylston.
Howe, Ebenezer, from Templeton, located as a farmer about a mile north of the center of Gardner. The place is now owned by Peter Eaton. He m. Elizabeth Deland; their ch. were:—1. Tameson. 2. Perley, m. Jane T. Belcher; whose ch. were:—Betsy Deland, Sarah, Eli, Frances M., Ebenezer, Perley, Lydia, Jane K. and Emily Augusta. 3. Ezekiel, m. Susanna Payson; whose ch. were:—Ezekiel, Franklin, Joseph Payson, Samuel Stillman, Stowell, Mary Payson, Susan, George, David Monroe and Betsy. 4. Sarah, m. Silas Wood; whose ch. were:—Amos and Phebe. 5. Betsy, m. John Miller; whose ch. were:—Ebenezer, Eliza, Benjamin, Maria, Amos and Betsy. 6. Benjamin, m. Kesiah Hill; whose ch. were:—Benjamin, Amos, Sarah, Ebenezer Deland, Simeon, Mary Ann, Lucy and Harrison. 7. Amos, whose birth was the first in town after its incorporation; it occurred June 17th, 1785; he d. in 1805, ae. 20. His second wife was Mercy Hill. Mr. Howe d. in 1808, ae. 62.
Haynes, Reuben, from Sudbury, was a farmer, in the north part of the town; his land joined Winchendon. He was chosen Lieutenant of the first militia company formed in Gardner; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war three years, and sergeant part of the time; he received $120 annually for some years as a pensioner. He m. Susanna Willis; their ch. were:—1. Susanna. 2. Ezra Willis, m. Martha Stone; whose ch. were:—Reuben, Mary and Martha Willis. Her second husband was Elisha Coolidge; whose ch. were:—Wesley and Charles. 3. Sarah, m. Jonathan Temple; whose ch. were:—Jerusha, Jonathan, and Willis. ​4. Israel, d. 5. Eunice. 6. Reuben, d. 7. Ruth. 8. Rebecca. 9. Jerusha. 10. Asenath. Capt. Haynes d. in 1841, ae. 86.
Jackson, Elisha, from Westminster, was the first inhabitant in Gardner. He was a man of stability and force of character accompanied with sagacity; was a farmer, and kept a public house in the south part of the town where D. W. McFarland now resides. He m. Bulah Taylor; their ch. were:—1. Jemima, m. Ebenezer Keyes; whose ch. were:—Ebenezer, Elisha, Solomon, Lorenzo and Jemima. 2. Lucy, m. Aaron Wood; whose ch. were:—Lucy, Sarah and Aaron. His second wife was Bethia Beard; whose ch. were:—Moses, Cyrena, Asaph, Amanda, Emeline, Theophilus P., and Abel S. 3. Bulah, m. Jonathan Brown; whose ch. were:—Jonathan, John, Charles, d., Elisha, Charles, Sarah, d., Sarah, Benjamin Babbitt, Lucy and Nancy. 4. Ruth, m. Nahum Wood; whose ch. were:—Louisa, Ruth, Catharine, Albert and Nahum Howard. 5. Elisha, m. Relief Beard; whose ch. were:—Phebe, Lucy, Elisha Stowell, Sophronia and Samantha, (twins,) Joseph Loring, Charles Weston, Elvira and Leonard Franklin. 6. Josiah, m. Arathusa ​Bacon; whose ch. were:—Christiana Bacon, Arathusa Caroline, Josiah Alexander, Abigail Sanger and Eliza Adaline. 7. Ebenezer, m. Susanna Foster. 8. Abigail, m. Timothy Taft; whose ch. were:—Lucy and Lucinda, (twins,) Proctor, Abigail and Roena. 9. Abel, m. Betsy Foster; whose ch. were:—David Foster, Elizabeth, Susan, Harriet and Abel. Mr. Jackson d. in 1814, ae. 77.
Kendall, Benjamin, from Sherburne, was a farmer, in the south part of the town, dwelling where Walter Greenwood now resides. He m. Keziah Twichell; their ch. were:—1. Aseph, m. Eunice Case; whose ch were:—William, Mary, Benjamin, James, Aseph, Timothy, Bethia and Daniel. His second wife was Hannah Batchelder; whose ch. were:—Jane and Charles. 2. Rebecca, d. 3. Jonathan, m. Mary Nichols; whose ch. were:—Aseph, Hubbard, Moses, Eunice, Orrison, Edmund, Cruso, Rebecca, Mary, Fanny and Harrison. 4. Rebecca. 5. Martin, m. Prudence Kendall; whose ch. were:—Isaac, Mary, Alvin, Annis, David, Ada-line, Bartlett Stoddard, Benjamin and Martin. 6. Anna, m. Marshall Stoddard; whose ch. were:—Marshall, Anna, Jane and Benjamin. 7. Miriam, m. Bartlett Stoddard; whose ch. were:—Bartlett and Nancy Keziah, d. 8. Keziah. Mr. Kendall d. in 1841, ae. 96.
Kneeland, Timothy, from Harvard, was the third inhabitant of the town; (Samuel Cook was the second inhabitant of Gardner, and lived where Aaron L. Greenwood now resides; nothing more can be ascertained concerning him, as he moved from town in the early part of its history.) He located about one and one-half miles west of the center of the town, (which was then Winchendon,) was a carpenter, had a good education and was much employed in town affairs. He was ​a soldier in the Revolutionary war three years and three months. There are none of his descendants now residing in Gardner. Soon after they came here, (while they went by marked trees,) Mrs. Kneeland visited at Mr. Bancroft's, one of the neighbors; on her return home she lost the path and wandered several miles until she came to Otter river, and not knowing where she was, called loudly for help; having a child with her, they sat down on a log to rest, and being warm, she took off her bonnet; hearing a crackling of something coming towards her and thinking it must be a bear or a wolf, she screamed, when her own dog barked in answer: she always called that the most joyful moment of her life; when she got her child asleep she arose and told the dog to go home. She forgot her bonnet and never found it afterwards, or knew the place where the dog found her. Before the incorporation of the town they attended meeting in Templeton; at one time, the snow being deep, they put on rackets and walked four miles to meeting, carrying a child to be baptized. Mrs. Kneeland was a very enterprising woman, as the following anecdote will show: One night after her family had retired to rest she had ten yards to weave to complete the web; the cloth belonged to a lady in Templeton, and being in want of the pay she labored through the night and finished the web at the dawn of day. He m. Maria Stone; their ch. were:—1. Maria, m. Josiah Nichols; whose ch. were:—Andrew, Sarah, David, Levi, Sabria and Fanny. 2. Oliver, m. Betsy Baldwin; whose ch. were:—Israel, Lucy, Silas, Esther, Betsy, Levi, Abner and Edward. 3. John, m. Mary Johnson; whose ch. were:—Mary Cynthia, Electa, Lucy, Bial, Arza, Eliza and John W. 4. Miriam. 5. Asa, m. Hannah Cheney; whose ch. were:—John., Phyland, Hannah G., Dulcena, Asa, Maria, Abner, Leonard, ​Sarah, Gardner and Averill. 6. Abner, m. Waity Ormsbee; whose ch were:—Waitstill, Sophronia and John S. His second wife was Lucinda Mason; whose ch were:—Lucinda and Abner O. His third wife was Mrs. Osburn. His fourth wife was a lady from Boston. Abner Kneeland, whose fame reached almost every country, was brought up in the good old-fashioned ways of our ancestors. Being naturally of a strong mind, he, with but little assistance, gained a good education, and was employed in the capacity of a school-teacher for some time. In 1802 he published a spelling-book of 200 pages, entitled the "American Definition Spelling Book." He was engaged as a merchant for a time, but adhering to the principle of justice and honesty, depending upon prosperity for a living, the tide of fortune rolled the wrong way, and he gave up the business for the carpenter's trade; saying, the only way to be rich, is to be contented with what you have; thus making the beggar as rich as the king could possibly be on his throne. In 1805 he was ordained as a Baptist minister in Langdon, N. H., and for several years was a member of that denomination. Afterwards he was a preacher of universal salvation for some years. Subsequently he became a deist, and was for many years the editor of the Boston Investigator. He d. in 1844, ae. 70. V. Lucy, m. Paul Stearns; whose ch. were:—Timothy Kneeland, Lucy, Thomas, John Milton, (who is a Counsellor and Attorney at law, in Williamsburg, N. Y.,) Sarah, Benjamin Franklin, (a merchant in Felchville, Vt.,) and George Washington, (twins,) (is a minister and physician in New Bedford, Mass.,) Paul W. and Honestus. 8. Sarah, m. Mr. Phinney. 9. Edward, d. 10. Silas, m. Martha Laws; whose ch. were:—Lucy, Maria, Martha, Ira, Joel, Nancy, Abel L. M., George W. S. and Mary. Mr. Kneeland d. in 1818, ae. 81.
​Kelton, Samuel, from Needham, was a farmer, residing in the north part of the town, where his grandson, Charles Kelton, now lives. He m. Mary Leeds; their ch. were:—1. Lemuel, m. Martha Angier; whose ch. were:—Martha, Abigail and Samuel. 2. Esther. 3. Enos, m. Dorothy Winchester; whose ch. were:—Louisa, George, Selina, Charles and Lucinda. 4. William. 5. Eliam, m. Sophia Hosley; whose ch. were:—David and Nancy. Mary, m. Stillman Holden. Mr. Kelton was 79 years of age.
Kendall, Abel, from Sterling, was a farmer, residing in the east part of the town; was a very active man and much employed in town affairs. He staid in town but a few years. The name of his wife is not on record: their ch. were:—Abel, m. Betsy Childs; whose ch. were:—Betsy, Mary, Silas, d., Lucinda, Silas, Heman, d., Wilder, d., Ezra, He-man Wilder and Lima Sawyer.
Kemp, John, from Groton, was a miller, in the south part of the town. He m. Sarah Shattuck; their ch. were:—1. Jonathan, m. Fidelia Johnson. 2. Sarah, m. Amos Ray; whose ch. were:—Eliza Ann, Sarah Maria, Elvira and Charles Hudson. His second wife was Hephzibah Garfield; they had one child, whose name was Lucy G. 3. Betsy, m. Amos Gates; whose ch. were:—Walter, George, Webster and Adaline. 4. Amy, m. John Eaton; whose ch. were:—Thomas, Milley, Sarah, Nathaniel, James, Wendell, Simeon, Jefferson, Francis and Charles. 5. John, m. Sylvia Sawin. 6. Olive, m. Almond Ray; whose ch. were:—Malvina, Lucy Ann, Harriet, Elmira and Jane. 7. Nancy, m. Benjamin A. Gates; whose ch. were:—Viola, Francis, Lucy, Mary, Isaac, Newell, Alvin, Hiram, Eliza, Edward and Ellen. 8. Lucy, m. David Kendall; whose ch. were:—Eliza, George, ​Webster, Ellen, Josephine, Charles and Frank. Mr. Kemp d. in 1853, ae. 82.
Leland, Simeon, (son of Simeon, and grand-son of William Leland,) from Sherburne, settled as a farmer, where now resides Charles Green. He m. Rhoda Hill; their ch. were:—1. Lynda. 2. Hollis, m. Betsy Graves; whose ch. were:—Charles H., Simeon, Ebenezer Franklin, Almon Augustus, Aaron Sanford, Stephen Nelson, Eveline Elizabeth, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clinton and Alonzo Davis. 3. Bellarmine, m. Harriet Hill; whose ch. were:—Simeon, David W., Ezra, Rhoda, Levi, Bellarmine, d., and Bellarmine. 4. Simon, m. in the Western country, and was noted for trading with the Indians, who were very fond of whisky, and would often beg and plead for it; at one time an Indian plead so earnestly that Mr. Leland asked him if he would have a finger cut off, whereupon he laid his hand upon a block, willing to sacrifice it for whisky. Mr. L. did not accept his hand; whether the Indian got his whisky or not, I am unable to say. 5. Elbridge, m. Betsy Priest; they had one child whose name was Lucy R. His second wife was Eliza Punchon; whose ch. were:—H. N. Bolton, Edwin, Amasa P., Mary Ann, John, Edward, Jane O., Sarah E. and Rachel E. 6. Rhoda, m. Silas Seaver; whose ch. were:—Martha, Lynda, Mary, Amanda, Lucy, Samuel, Sanford, Smyrna and Rhoda Ann. Mr. Leland d. in 1823, ae. 64.
Lynde, William, from Malden, became an inhabitant of Gardner, and owned the valuable farm where his son, William S. Lynde, now resides. He was a valuable citizen. He m. Mary Waite; they had one child whose name was William Sargeant, who m. Christiana Comee; their ch. were:— ​Mary Malvina, James Porter, Charles, Celia, Sarah Putnam and Leander Comee. His second wife was Mrs Bolton; whose ch. were:—Octavia Ann and Harriet Melinda, d. Mr. Lynde d. in 1841, ae. 76.
Learned, Samuel, from Cambridge, was a farmer and blacksmith, residing in the east part of the town. He m. Lydia Knapp; their ch. were:—1. William, m. Rebecca Nichols; whose ch. were:—William Howard, Lydia Knapp, Walter Nichols, Rebecca Lynde, Emily Adaline, Francis and Lucy Pierce. His second wife was Lois Davis; they had one child whose name was Myron. 2. Samuel, m. Abigail Jaquith; whose ch. were:—Samuel and John. His second wife was Jerusha Haynes; whose ch. were:—Turel and Jerusha. His third wife was Sarah Joslin; whose ch. were:—William and Frank. His fourth wife was Mrs. Eaton. 3. Lydia, m. Winslow Davis; whose ch. were:—Samuel, Mary L., Martha L., Silas, Porter, Charles and Sarah A. 4. Anna. 5. John, m. Maria Miller; whose ch. were:—John, Susan, Abby, Alonzo and Lucy. His second wife was Betsy Miller. 6 and 7. Mary and Martha, (twins;) Mary, m. Charles Green, whose ch. were:—Fanny, Mary, Nathan, Charles Henry and Emma Augusta. Martha, m. George M. Travers; whose ch. were:—Martha Elizabeth and Mary Frances. 8. Ebenezer Turel, m. Mary White; whose ch. were:—Sarah Matilda, Susan Tufts, Mary White, Lydia Knapp, Anna Martha, Ellen Maria and Josephine Dorr. Mr. Learned d. in 1847, ae. 77.
Matthews, John, from Holden, located as a farmer, where his grandson, Joel Matthews, now resides. He was a soldier ​in the Revolutionary war six months. He m. Patience Graves; their ch were:—1. John, m. Mary Turner; whose ch. were:—Abel, Edward Turner, Betsy Knowlton and Lucy. 2. Abel, m. Lucretia Wilder; whose ch. were:—Parney and Abel. 3. Patience. 4. Joel, m. Sarah Coolidge; whose ch. were:—Phebe, Joel, James Coolidge, Betsy Gould, Sarah, Lydia, Lewis Glazier, Hezekiah and Lucy Glazier. 5. Priscilla, m. Luke Baker; whose ch. were:—Joel, Asa, Richard and Abel. 6. Lydia, m. Joel Fisher.
7. Phebe. 8. Hezekiah, Mr. Matthews d. in 1817, ae. 82. Martin, Jonathan, came from Lunenburg in the year 1793, established himself as a farmer in the west part of the town; the place is now owned by Seth Whitney. He m. Susanna Taylor; their ch. were:—1. John. 2. David. 3. George, m. Fanny Brickley; they had one child whose name was Susanna. He d. of the small pox in Montreal. 4. Jonathan, m. Lydia Dukley. 5. James, m. Lucy Travers; whose ch. were:—David Taylor, Eliza Ann, Susan, James Loyd, John, Edwin and Edward, (twins,) Elijah Travers, George, Jonathan Walter. His second wife was Mary Wadsworth; whose ch. were:—Lucy, Maria and Catharine. His third wife was Mary Upton; whose ch. were:—Frederick, Mary and Lucy. His family are all singers and teachers in music and other branches of literature. 6. Susanna, m. Austin Parker; whose ch. were:—Marion B., Frederick, Damaris, and Norman. 7. Betsy, d. 8. Betsy, m. Elijah Travers; whose ch. were:—George Martin, Lydia Pierce, Charles Sumner, Fidelia Waterman, Betsy Lane Lawrence, Sarah Sergeant, Horace Parker, Elijah Clement and Otis Aureleas. 9. Lucy, m. Barton Geary; whose ch. were:—Sarah ​Emeline, Stephen, Lucy Arminda, Martin Van Buren, Harris, Lafayette and Elmina. Mr. Martin d. in 1826.
Merriam, Jonathan, from Westminster, was a farmer in the north-east part of the town, where Asa Raymond now resides. He m. Betsy Harris; whose ch. were:—Jacob Harris, (was a minister, receiving his education at Bangor, Maine;) Nathan, Betsy Winchester, d., Sarah Harris, Samuel Harris, Milton and Betsy.
Miles, Oliver, from Concord, was a cabinet-maker, living where Mrs. Addison Gates now resides. He m. Sarah Joslin; their ch. were:—1. Orinda, m. Andrew Mentser; whose ch. were:—Orinda, William and Andrew. 2. John Joslin, m. Sarah Mosman; whose ch. were:—Ezra and George. 3. Charles, m. Sophia Brown. 4. Walter, m. Miss Ingalls. 5. Luke, m. Mary Ann Conant; whose ch. were:—Mary Ann and Luke. 6. Cyrus, m. Ann Whitney. 7. Harriet, m. Charles Crane. Mr. Miles removed from Gardner some years since.
Miles, John, from Concord, is now living with his daughter, about a mile east of the center of the town; was a farmer while he was able to labor. He m. Mary Mosman; their ch. were:—1. Mary. 2. Louisa, m. John Dalrymple; whose ch. were:—John Miles, William, George Healy, Mary Augusta, Laura Eliza, d., and Ellen Laura.
Nichols, David, from Reading; was a farmer and blacksmith. He resided near South Gardner, on the place now owned by Joseph Metcalf; was a valued citizen while he lived, but died in the prime of life. He m. Rebecca Bur-knap; whose ch. were:—1. David, m. Rachel Howard; whose ch. were:—Lydia, David, Betsy, Isaac, Nathan, Rebecca, ​Edmund, Amos, Elvira, Emily and Charles. 2. Kendall, m. Deborah Partridge; whose ch. were:—Amos, Aseph, Joseph, Burknap, Isaac and William; the two last mentioned were drowned while on art excursion of pleasure. 3. Rebecca. 4. Mary. 5. Isaac, m. Nancy Dodge; whose ch. were:—Farwell, Nancy, Lucy and Lyman. 6. Asa, m. Mary Derby; whose ch. were:—Merrick, Burknap, Washington, Lucy and William. 7. Sarah. 8. Edmund, m. Esther Jackson; they had one child whose name was Franklin. His second wife was Rhoda Forbush; whose ch. were:— Esther, Edmund, Martha and Amos. 9. John, m. Betsy Stevens; whose ch. were:—Eliza, Betsy, Charles Curtis, John Loring, Thomas Otis, Abel Stevens, Mary and Martha, (twins,) and Franklin. Mr. Nichols d. at the age of 50.
Noyes, Adam, from Littleton, was a merchant in South Gardner, and also kept a public house. He m. Mehitable Tuttle; whose ch. were:—Henry Warren, Thomas Russel, Adam Simedor, Charles M. A., d., Maria Miriam and Charles Addison. He moved from Gardner many years ago.
Osgood, Jonathan, from Westford, was the first minister settled in Gardner; (he is spoken of more particularly in the ecclesiastical department.) He m. Orange Wardsworth; their ch. were:—1. Amelia Lewis Fenn. 2. Eliza Orange Wardsworth, m. Joshua M. Whitcomb; whose ch. were:— Jonathan O., Harriet E., Joshua M. and Charles W. 3. Jonathan Walter Dondolo, m. Eliza Barnard; they had one child whose name was Walter B. His second wife was Miss M. F. Stone; whose ch. were:—James S., Eliza F. and Caroline P. He graduated at Dartmouth College, was ​a physician in Templeton for many years, and is now residing in Greenfield. 4. Amanda Almira, m. Clement Jewett; whose ch. were:—George, Mary and Sarah. 5. Harrison Mortimer, m. Miss Leonard. Mr. Osgood d. in 1822, ae. 61.
Payson, Joseph, from Framingham, was a farmer and shoemaker, living in the east part of the town, where his grandson, Joseph P. Howe, now resides. He m. Mary Hill; their ch. were:—1. Mary. 2. Susanna. 3. Eleanor, m. Uriah Clapp. His second wife was Azubah Wilder; whose ch. were:—Asahel, Daniel, Mary, d., Bellona and Lovell. His second wife was Betsy Leach. His third wife was Mrs. Hale. Mr. Payson d. in 1832, ae. 89.
Perley, Allen, from Ward, (now Auburn,) was a farmer, living where his son, Dea. Asa Perley, now resides. He m. Juda Case; their ch. were:—1. Susanna, m. Mr. Marsh; whose ch were:—George, Daniel, Ebenezer, Presson and Susan. 2. Allen, m. Anna Greenwood; whose ch. were:—Martha, Sylvia, and Elizabeth. 3. Sarah. 4. David, m. Miriam Partridge; whose ch. were:—Almira, Anna, Thuseba, Hannah Bigelow, David, Mary Ann, Adam and Hiram, (twins,) d., Asa and Henry. 5. Anna, m. George W. Davis; whose ch. were:—Walter, George, Alonzo and Betsy. His second wife was Betsy Conant; whose ch. were:—Lyman, Leander, Anna Perley, Maria, Lucy Ann, Silas and Charles. His third wife was Miss Rich. 6. Asa, m. Mary Kendall; whose ch. were:—Mary Elmira, Asa Proctor, Charles Addison, William Porter, George Allen, James Munroe, Francis Walter, Theophilus Parsons, Leander Alonzo, Lewis F. and Ellen Maria.
Partridge, Jabez, from Sherburne, located as a farmer in ​the south part of the town, where his grandson, Seneca Partridge, now resides. He was one of the first inhabitants of the town. He m. Anna Twichell; their ch were:—1. Adam, d. 2. Deborah, m. Elisha Pierce; whose ch. were:—Nancy, Louisa, Elisha, Amos and Hannah. 3. Adam, m. Mary Jackson; whose ch. were:—Asa, Seneca, Oran, Caroline, Loenza, Adam, Mary and Louisa. 4. Hannah, m. Mr. Bigelow; whose ch. were:—Anna, Cynthia and Miriam. 5. Cynthia, m. Luke Whitney; whose ch. were:—Orison, Thuseba , d., Luke, Cynthia, Thuseba, William, Anna, Jerome, Mary, Eliza and Asa. 6. Miriam. 7. Henry.
Partridge, Reuben, from Sherburne, was a farmer, living in the south part of the town. He m. Mary Perry; their ch. were:—1. Deborah. 2. Mary, m. Samuel Hill; whose ch. were:—Amos, Moses, John, Nathaniel and William.
Pierce, John, was a farmer, living in the east part of the town. He left Gardner many years since. The names of their ch. were:—Nathan, Lucy, Peter, Abigail, John and Susanna.
Priest, Joseph, from Winchendon, located as a farmer in the west part of the town, where now resides Nahum Wallace. He m. Patience Stiles; their ch. were:—1. Levi, m. Hannah Woodbury; whose ch. were:—Joseph, Milo, Levi Woodbury, Francis Dana and Nancy. His second wife was Prudence Hyde. 2. Joseph. 3. Lucy. 4. Jacob, m. Mary Clark; whose ch. were:—Joseph, Willard, Mary, Martha, Betsy, Lucy, Eliza and Harriet. 5. Betsy. 6. Caleb, m. Lonisa Gage; whose ch. were:—Lorenzo S., Caleb A., Julius W., George B., Calvin Monroe, Francis O. and Nancy L. Mr. Priest d. in 1814, ae. 60.
​Penniman, Ezra, from Braintree, was a farmer, in the west part of the town, where Heman Ray now resides. He m. Lovisa Eager; their ch. were:—1. Lovisa, m. Uriah Merritt. 2. Abigail, m. Isaiah Howe; whose ch. were:—Sylvester, Almira and Franklin. 3. Benjamin. 4. Sarah, m. Jesse Hill; whose ch. were:—Joseph Milton, Sarah, Edwin, Calvin and Eliza. Her second husband was Benjamin Wood; whose ch. were:—Betsy, Amanda, Lowell, Oliver, George Franklin and Mary Ann. 5. Mary, m. Mr. Chevers. 6. Betsy, d. 7. Susan, m. I. Sumner Merritt; whose ch. were:—Simeon and Ezra. 8. Tabitha, m. Granville Williams. Her second husband was Mr. Bacon. Mr. Penniman d. in 1823.
Putnam, John, from Danvers, was a farmer, in the east part of the town. He m. Anna Penniman; their ch. were:—1. John. 2. Amasa, m. Mary Temple; whose ch. were:—Amasa, Mary Temple, Lucy, Martha Barker, Nancy, Sarah W. and Betsy Heywood. 3. Nancy, m. Joseph Whitney; whose ch. were:—Ivers, Eliza and Caroline. 4. Elijah, m. M. Elmira Bancroft; whose ch. were:—Mary E., Viola and William. 5. William, m. Mary Ann Flood; whose ch. were:—Mary Ann, Emeline, Louisa, William Elijah, Lucy Adalaide, James Amasa and Ivers John. Mr. Putnam's age was 77.
Pratt, Aaron, resided in the south-east part of the town. He m. Betsy ———; their ch. were:—1. Aaron. 2. Betsy. 3. Mercy. 4. John. 5. Lovisa. 6. Susanna. 7. William, m. Sarah Matthews; whose ch. were:—Aaron, Otis, Sarah, Joel, William, Walter and Eliza. 8. Russel, m. Ann Wheeler; whose ch. were:—John, Henry and Charles. Mr. Pratt d. in 1812.
​Richardson, Jonas, from Worcester, located in the northeast part of the town, where Stillman Holden now resides; he was a shoe-maker, and like other people of that occupation in those days, would take his tools and go about from house to house making up shoes for the year. He m. Mary Bailey; their ch. were:—1. Azubah, m. Benjamin Pierce; whose ch. were:—Benjamin and Azubah. 2. Abel, m. Sarah Lincoln. His second wife was Mrs. Whitcomb. 3. Mary, m. Benjamin Hill; they had one child whose name was John. 4. Betsy, m. Jonathan Currier; whose ch. were:—Mary, Hannah, Betsy, Nathan and Almira. 5. Persis. 6. Hattie, m. Daniel Currier; whose ch. were:—Joseph and Benjamin, (twins,) and Lucinda. Her second husband was Robinson Howe; whose ch. were:—Huldah, Catharine, Sophia and Mary. 7. Jonas, m. Abigail Currier; whose ch. were:—Mary Jane, Charles and Abel. 8. Asa, m. Elizabeth Glazier; whose ch. were:—Lydia, Elizabeth, d., Francis, Lucy, Jonas, Persis, d., and Isaac. 9. Nathan, m. Sophia Boutelle; whose ch. were:—Thomas B., Louisa B., Charles, Loenza B., Henry H., Jonas Bailey and Sarah Sophia. His second wife was Lydia Woodbury; they had one child whose name was Levi, m. Lovisa Pratt; whose ch. were:—Lydia Elizabeth, Mason and Jason, (twins.) Mr. Richardson d. in 1815, ae. 72.
Reed, David, from Stowe, was a farmer in the south-east part of the town; he had a house burnt many years ago; being frightened, he carried out a tub of sap that was supposed to have been sufficient to have extinguished it, had he applied it to that purpose. He m. Naomi Wright; their ch. were:—1. Abram. 2. Asa, d. 3. David, m. Mary Smith; whose ch. were:—David, d., Allen, d., David, Joel and Mary Naomi. 4. Asa, m. Rhoda Brooks; whose ch. ​were:—Mary Ann, Rhoda Elizabeth and David Washburn. Mr. Reed d. in 1820, ae. 66.
Saunders, Samuel, from Ashby, was a farmer, living in the south-east part of the town, where his grand-son, Franklin Saunders, now resides. He m. Lydia Boynton; their ch. were:—1. Lydia and Sarah, (twins,) Lydia, m. Philemon Stacy; whose ch. were:—John, Philemon, and Joseph. Her second husband was William Fortiner. Sarah, m. Whitman Austin. 3. Abigail, m. Jonas Shepherd. 4. Patience, m. Oliver Clark. 5. Ruth, m. Isaac Holbrook. 6. Lucy, m. Asa Fairbanks. 7. Samuel, m. Rachel Turner; whose ch. were:—Rachel, John, Joseph and Samuel. 8. Moses, m. Sarah Underwood; whose ch. were:—Betsy, d., Cynthia, d., Amos Underwood, d., Willard, Maria, Franklin, Eunice, Amos, Isaac, Jacob Wright and Joseph Lee. 9. Jonas, m. Hannah Trask. 10. Aaron, m. Sarah Gragg. 11. Abram, m. Betsy Trask.
Stone, Samuel, from Groton, purchased a lot of wild land in the north part of the town; the same that is now the town farm; he cleared the land and erected buildings thereon; he was a very substantial man, and a great help in building up the town. He m. Martha Wilder; their ch. were:—1. Eunice, m. Israel Stone; whose ch. were:—Simon, Ausbon, Nelson and Mary. 2. Samuel, m. Susan Haynes; whose ch. were:—Martha, Reuben, Susan, Joseph, Willis and Betsy. 3. Joseph, m. Miss Stiles; whose ch were:—Harvey and Hezekiah. 4. Josiah, m. Eunice Haynes; whose ch. were:—Mary, Eunice, Susan, Martha and Ezra. 5. Martha. 6 and 7. Benjamin and Oliver, (twins;) Benjamin, m. Lucy Wheeler; whose ch. were:—Leonard, d., Ai, Calvin, Albert, Leonard, Samson, Lucy and Judson. His ​second wife was Susannah Rolph. Oliver, m. Miss Bradley; whose ch. were:—Mary, Miranda and Betsy. 8. Mary, m. Jonas Patch; they had one child whose name was Mary. 9. Abram, m. Abigail Barrel; whose ch. were:—Abigail, Lydia, Mary, Abram and Fanny. 10. Diedamia, m. Joel Walker; whose ch. were:—Miriam, Emily, Bellona, Louisa, Lucy, Raymond, Alvah, Martha and Charles. 11. Miriam. Mr. Stone d. in 1831, ae. 80.
Stone, Simon, from Templeton, was a farmer, and had a saw-mill where Ai Stone now resides. He m. Rhoda Stone; whose ch. were:—Rhoda and Simon. His second wife was Miss Boynton; they had one child whose name was Joseph Whitemore. His third wife was Keziah Kendall. Mr. Stone moved from Gardner many years since.
Sawyer, Jude, from Lancaster, bought a place in the south part of the town, now occupied by Ezekiel Gates; was a farmer and blacksmith, and was noted for making steel traps; he made one after he was ninety years of age. He m. Phebe Keyes. Mr. Sawyer d. in 1843, ae. 93.
Simonds, Elijah, from Shirley, was a farmer, living in the south part of the town. He m. Abigail ———; their ch. were:—1. Elizabeth, d. 2. Elijah, d. 3. Elijah, m. Persis Richardson; whose ch. were:—Mary, Asa and Sumner Jackson. 4. Jonathan. 5. Ezekiel. 6. David. 7. Abigail, d. 8. Asa. 9. Abigail. 10. Lucy.
Simonds, Joseph, from Boston, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and noted for his bravery and faithfulness; the sentinel's post being dangerous, but few were willing to occupy that place: Mr. Simonds was a volunteer in that department for the sake of the compensation; he used to ​tell a story of its being so dark one night that he "couldn't hold up his hand;" meaning that he could not see it were it before him. He m. Miriam Pratt.
Sawin, Benjamin, from Westminster, was a farmer, residing about a mile south of the centre of the town; the place is now owned by G. F. Parish. He m. Lucy Laws; whose ch. were:—Lucy and Benjamin.
Seaver, Ethan, from Westminster, was a farmer, in the east part of the town. He m. Lydia ———; their ch. were:—l. Luther, m. Eunice Holden; whose ch. were:—Sarah Holden, Luther, Mary Bancroft and John Holden. 2. Lydia, m. Mr. Bancroft. 3. Aaron, m. Louisa Fairbanks; whose ch. were:—Abigail, Fanny, Joseph and Lucy. Mr. Seaver d. in 1823, ae. 58.
Scollay, James, from Ashburnham, was a farmer, in the east part of the town, where John Brinkman now resides. He m. Dolly Corey; their ch. were:—1. Dolly, m. Amasa Whitney; whose ch. were:—Charles and James. 2. Sarah, m. David Parker, M. D., his first wife was Eliza Sawin; whose ch. were:—Lucy, Eliza, d., and Horace Fletcher. His second wife was Sarah Scollay; they had one child whose name was Eliza. 3. James, m. Lucy M. Young; whose ch. were:—George and Lucy Maria. 4. Charles, m. Elizabeth A. Garfield. 5. Lucy, m. Alfred H. Brick; whose ch. were:—Francis, Eliza, d., and Harriet Shattuck. His second wife was Martha C. Mahoney; whose ch. were:—George A., Henry H., Charles E. and Helen M. 6. Ezra. Mr. Scollay d. in 1852. ae. 69.
Temple, Ephraim, from Shrewsbury, was a farmer, ​residing on the place now occupied by his grand-son, Seth H. Temple. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Jacob Hinds, of Shrewsbury. His second wife was Mary Farrar; their ch. were:—l. Francis, was drowned on his way home from Maine, in consequence of a storm, and was cast away on the shore of the town of Rye. 2. Isaac, m. Elizabeth Houghton. 3. Ephraim, m. Sybil Ray; whose ch. were;—Mary, Nancy, Asa, d., and Phebe. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted as a soldier in the army, and was on duty most of the time during the Revolutionary war; he was taken prisoner by the enemy and carried to New York; after much suffering, was redeemed by way of exchange. After the war was over he spent the remainder of his days in Gardner, as a farmer, residing where his daughter, Mrs. Holden, now lives. He received a pension for many years, and d. in 1840, ae. 80. 4. Ezra, it is supposed that he died in the army. 5. Ahio, m. Elizabeth Heywood; whose ch. were:—Martha, Betsy, Francis, d., Mary, Ahio, d., Asa, Seth Heywood and Lucy, d. He cleared the land and brought it to cultivation, where his son, Seth H. Temple, now lives; he possessed an enterprising spirit, was useful and instrumental in building up the town. He d. in 1834, ae. 70. 6. Loammi. Mr. Temple d. in West Boylston, in 1789, ae. 62.
Wheeler, Josiah, from Westminster, was a farmer, in the east part of the town; was one of the first thirty of the early settlers; he was engaged in the French war a short time. This place is now occupied by Asa Smith. He m. Lucy Graves; their ch. were:—1. Priscilla, d. 2. Lucy, m. Jonathan Whitney. 3. Abigail. 4. Dolly. 5. Patience, d. 6. Richard. 7. Josiah. 8. Betsy. 9. Levi, d. 10. Reuben, m. Betsy Nichols; whose ch. were:—David, ​Calvin, Josiah Mason, Reuben, Elvira and Charles Addison. Mr. Wheeler d. in 1823.
Wood, Elijah, was a farmer, in the south-west part of the town. He m. Isabella ———; whose ch. were:—Isabella, Elijah Bixby, Susanna, Eunice, Abel, Dolly and Timothy. Nothing more could be ascertained with regard to Mr. Wood or his family.
White, John, from Lexington, was a farmer, in the east part of the town, and settled on the place now owned by John Brinkman. He m. Ruth Holden; their ch. were:—l. Betsy. 2. Abigail, d. 3. John, m. Persis Cowee; whose ch. were:—John, Louisa, Horatio Nelson, Abner and Leander. 4. Mary, m. John Parker; whose ch. were:—Lucy, d., Adaline, d., Oscar Alonzo, Frederick, Mary, Lucy White and Abner White. 5. Augustine. 6. Abner. 7. Rebecca. 8. Lucy. 9. Abigail. Mr. White d. in 1806, ae. 59.
Wilder, Josiah, from Sterling, was a farmer, in the north part of the town, where Eliam Kelton now resides. He m. Hezediah Larkin; their ch. were:—1. Azubah. 2. Katie, m. Abel Burpy; whose ch. were:—Samuel Stillman, Mary Ann, Catharine Wilder, Sophia, Relief and James. His second wife was Joanna Baker; whose ch. were:—1. Hezediah. 2. Josiah, m. Mary Wheeler; whose ch. were:—Betsy, Mary, Clarissa and Josiah. 3. David. 4. Isaac, m. Percia Jones; whose ch. were:—Homar, Isaac, Asa, Mary, Abel and David. 5. Joanna. Mr. Wilder d. in 1826, ae. 76.
Wheeler, Joel, from Concord, located as a farmer in the north part of the town; the place is now owned by his ​grand-son, Francis L. Wheeler; he built a grist and saw-mill near where John Cowee's mill now stands. He m. Dorcas Stearns; their ch. were:—1. Timothy, m. Mary Stearns; whose ch. were:—Stephen and Timothy. 2. Mary. 3. Lucy. 4. Joel, m. Martha Kelton; whose ch. were:—Horatio Perkins, Francis Lincoln, Edwin Jewett and Lucretia Ann. His second wife was Lydia Emerson; whose ch. were:—Betsy Emeline, Lucy L., d., and Mary L., d. 5. Betsy, m. Edward Lowd. Mr. Wheeler d. in 1807, ae. 58.
Whitcomb, Jonathan P., was a farmer, in the east part of the town. He m. Tamar ———; their ch. were:—1. Jonathan, m. Eunice; whose ch. were:—David, d., Eunice ———, David, Isaac, Mary and Thomas. 2. Annis. 3. Lucinda. 4. Sullivan. 5. Abram. Mr. Whitcomb left town many years since and little is known to us with regard to his family.
Wilder, Elijah, was a farmer, living in the west part of the town. He m. Azubah Larkin; whose ch. were:—Mary, Asawell, Persis, Phenice and Eri. The remainder of their history is unknown to us
Whitney, Joshua, from Harvard, was a farmer, in the south part of the town, where his son, Joseph Whitney, now resides: he was engaged in the Revolutionary war three years. He m. Vashti Knight; their ch. were:—1. Oliver, m. Rebecca Nichols; whose ch. were:—Joanna, Joshua, Benjamin, Sarah, Asa, Fidelia, William and Filetus. 2. Dorcas, m. Edmund Nichols; whose ch. were:—Joel and Betsy. 3. Dolly. 4. Joseph, m. Nancy Sawin; whose ch. were:—Joshua Avery, Fidelia, Asaph Blakely, Mary Jane, d., Marietta, Nancy Jane, Abigail, Joseph Lincoln, Harriet Newell, ​Mary Sawyer, Frederick and Harvey. 5. Dolly, m. Asa Holden; whose ch. were:—Eliza, Salome, George and Calvin. 6. Joshua, d. 7. John, m. Rachel Osgood; whose ch. were:—Elvira, Harrison, Martha, Charles, Dexter and Jane. 8. Joel, d. 9. Silas, d. 10. Ebenezer. d. 11. Silas. 12. Mary, m. John Sawyer; whose ch. were:—Annis M., Silas and Mary A. Mr. Whitney d. in 1812, ae. 58.
Wood, Jonathan, was a farmer, in the south-west part of the town, where J. P. Allen now resides. He m. Anna ———; their ch. were:—1. Jonathan, m. Betsy Bancroft; whose ch. were:—Mary Bancroft, Betsy, Almon and Smyrna. His second wife was Sarah Perley; whose ch. were:—Sarah Case and Nelson Perley. His third wife was Mrs. Morse. 2. Catharine. His second wife was Lois; whose ch. were:—Benjamin, Windsor and Oliver. Mr. Wood d. in 1818.
Wright, Joseph, from Sterling, was a farmer, in the south part of the town, where George W. Cowee now resides. He m. Rebecca Nichols; their ch. were:—1. Rebecca. 2. Joseph, m. Nancy Eaton; they had one child whose name was Charles Addison. 3. Nathaniel, m. Susan Edgell; whose ch. were:—Susan, Marcus, Thomas, Francis and Martha. 4. Lucy. 5. Ephraim, m. Cyrena Wood; they had one child whose name was William Wood, d. His second wife was Sarah W. Bancroft. His third wife was Eliza Brick; their ch. were:—William Wood, Edwin, d., Eliza, d., Edwin, Charles, Henry and Anna Eliza. 6. Martha, m. Levi Heywood; whose ch. were:—Calvin, Mary Whitney, Charles, Solon and Helen. 7. Louisa, m. Hiram Clark; whose ch. were:—Harrison Otis, Joseph Wright, George ​Damon, Cyrus Porter, Eliza M., Louisa A., James F., Mary, Martha, Frederick and Charles. 8. Edward, m. Catharine Conant. 9. David, m. Elizabeth Gay; whose ch. were:—Catharine Augusta and Ellen Elizabeth. 10. Mary, m. Abijah M. Severy. 11. Emily, m. Seth Heywood; whose ch. were:—Henry, George, Frances and Mary. Mr. Wright d. in 1824, ae. 64.
* ↑ Fitted for College at Andover and Leicester, Mass. Entered Dartmouth College in 1837; graduated in 1841. Commenced the general practice of medicine in 1845, in St. Johnsbury, Vt., and continued there till 1857, when he removed to Concord, N. H., to take charge of the N. H. Asylum for the insane as Superintendent and Treasurer, in which office he is now engaged.
* ↑ Is a Physician in Warsaw, Illinois.
* ↑ Graduated at Harvard College, was ordained at Worcester, as a Unitarian Minister in 1837, and settled soon after in Louisville, Kentucky, where he still resides.
* ↑ He had the misfortune to lose his father when a child, and, with his brothers, had to struggle with all the difficulties incident to a state of orphanage. In early life he had laid the foundation of a character for integrity and business talents seldom exceeded; and obtained an education superior to most of the young men at that time. It may be said in all his various transactions, he was high-minded and honorable, commanding the respect of a numerous acquaintance; his judgment was sound, active, and enterprising; being possessed of a candid and liberal mind, he saw things in their true and just relations, receiving the universal confidence of the community in which he lived. As a merchant he was courteous and affable, public-spirited and honorable. He was not long destined to follow in the path that opened to him so brightly; after disease had marked him for a prey, he visited a foreign clime, (Cuba) in hopes of recovery but of no avail: in his sickness be enjoyed the hopes and consolations of the gospel. He died soon after his return home, ae. 29.
* ↑ Now a practicing Physician in Athol.
* ↑ A practicing Physician in Worcester
* ↑ Is now a Physician in Barre.
* ↑ By industry and integrity Mr. Severy acquired a handsome property, a part of which he bequeathed in the following manner: $3,000 to be placed in the hands of Trustees, the income of which is to be paid for the support and maintenance of the Gospel in connection with the Baptist Church and Society. Also, $1,000, the income of which is to be paid for the encouragement of Sacred Music in said Church and Society. He left $1,000, the income to be paid for the support of a School in the south village; also, he gave in Cash to the Social Library Association of said village, $100; and left $500, the income to be paid to said Library Association. By his benevolence he has caused the inhabitants of the village in which he resided, to cherish his memory with gratitude. Mr. Severy d. in 1842, ae. 34.