Pages

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Davenport Tileston House Dorchester, MA

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1929 Tileston House by Earl Taylor



The Tileston House at 13 River Street was built ca. 1770 and ranks among the oldest houses in the Lower Mills West area. Although altered by vinyl siding, this house's distinctive 5-bay, 2-pile, gambrel roof form provides clues to its early origins. During the 19th century, this building was owned and occupied by Charles Tileston whose stove, heating, and plumbing store was next door on the very busy corner of River and Washington Streets.

Reader's comment:

When we look at architectural features evident in the photo, the gambrel roof, single room depth, and 5 bay facade especially the early gambrel roof) all suggest ca. 1740-1780 18th century English Georgian Style features, compatible with the proposed circa 1770 first build date. The gambrel roof first made its appearance in Massachusetts in the early 18th century Georgian Style buildings [such as the Derby and Cabot houses here in Salem]--and then was later re-introduced most strongly in the Colonial Revival (also called Georgian Revival) period after the 1876 U.S. Centennial.

The 6/6 windows, and nice Federal Style fence were evidently installed later, in the ca. 1780-1830 period after America won the Revolutionary War, to give the Tileston House the more up-to-date Federal Style associations, which became the most preferred fashion once the United States achieved Independence. Charles Bulfinch in Boston and Samuel McIntire here in Salem were two of the most influential architects and designers who helped introduce and popularize the Federal Style after the Revolutionary War, although of course others like Asher Benjamin, Jabez Smith, Samuel Melcher III and Alexander Parris (who typically worked as housewrights and builders as well as architects and designers) were also influential. Jabez Smith is known mostly here in Salem, just as fellow Federal Style housewright and designer Samuel Melcher III who also helped spread the new fashion north of Boston is known now mostly in Mid-Coast Maine. Several of Asher Benjamin's pattern books have been reprinted and are easily consulted. For a nice web site devoted to interpreting Parris's work, see
--John Goff, September 2005



Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 Marriage of James Davenport and Grace Tileston





Saturday, September 27, 2014

Captain Jacob Stone of Newburyport MA

Captain Jacob Stone b 4 Dec 1764 Newburyport, Essex, Ma, d 23 June 1831 Newburyport, Essex, Ma. son of John Stone and Sarah Miller John Stone b. Charlestown, 10 June, 1728, d, Newburyport, 16 Dec. 1791 and Sarah (Miller), b. Charlestown, 17 June, 1730, d. Newburyport, 2 Nov. 1804. (From Stone Family Association, 1897-1901: Catalogue of Members with Lines of Descent

Jacob married 11 June 1797 in Newburyport to Lois Gyles Parsons b 9 Feb 1765 Newburyport, d 12 Aug 1828 Newburyport.daughter of Capt. Jonathan Parsons and Hannah Gyles Parsons.
See The Giles Memorial. Genealogical Memoirs of the Families Bearing the Names Gould, Holmes, Jennison, Leonard, Lindall, Curwen, Marshall, Robinson, Sampson, and Webb; also genealogical sketches of the Pool, Very, Tarr and other families, with a history of Pemaquid, ancient and modern; some account of early settlements in Maine; and some details of Indian warfare (1864)  John AdamsVinton

Stone joined Newburyport’s Marine Society in 1801, climbing its ranks from Secretary to Vice President. His first entry at the Newburyport Custom House chronicled a cargo journey from the East Indies in March of 1805. Pictures from Michaans Auction blog 2013

  

 


An 1805 watercolor painting of the American Brig Industry of Newburyport
“Surrender the loot! A wonderful painting from my collection, vexes me to see it go.”



 Capt Jacob Stones Ledgers




 

 A group of fifty-four Chinese export Canton blue and white china pieces
Capt Stones Collection

  Essex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1638-1881







 


From American Ancestors Jacob Stone, JR  of Newburyport, Mass., b. 1805, d. 1875, cashier of First Nationa Bank many years (m. Eliza Atkins, b. in Boston, d. in Newburyport, Mass., 1890 desc. from the Atkins and Goodwin families, and had four sons and four daughters: Eliza Atkins Stone m. Capt. Charles G. Merchant, U. S. A., Louisa Parsons Stone of Newburyport, b. there Apr. 19, 1834, teacher, poetess, member of the bd. of supervisors of Boston public schools, resided in New Bedford 25 yrs. fm. 1859, John Hopkins, b. at Framingham, Mass.. music dealer of New Bedford, seventh in direct desc. from Stephen Hopkins of the "Mayflower," and had six children: Frederick Stone, lawyer in Boston, William John, electrical engineer, Louisa May, Henry Goodwin, d. young, Prescott Andrews, architect,and Helen Isabel];George Frederick Stone, sec'y of Board of Trade, Chicago ; Henry Atkins Stone, d. 1876, 1st lieut. 33d U. S. Col'd troops; Goodwin Atkins Stone, d. 1863, capt. 2d Mass. Cav.; Sophia May; Jacob, manager of Nat. Ins. Co., Minneapolis; Sarah Goodwin, d. young); son of Jacob, b. at Newburyport, d. there, ship-master, merchant (m. Lois, dau. of Capt. Jonathan and Hannah [Gyles] Parsons, she, Hannah, was dau. of John Gyles); son of John of Newburyport, desc. from the Stones of Charlestown and from John Stone, an English clergyman, who came to America with five sons.

From Marine Society 

CAPT. GILES P. STONE 
Joined the Marine Society Nov. 24, 183 1.
Died April 29, 1876, aged 77 years, 9 months.
Treasurer from Nov. 28, 1839 to Nov. 26, 1846.
Vice President from Nov. 26, 1846 to Nov. 27, 1862.
President from Nov. 27, 1862 to his death, April 29, 1876.
Capt. Stone was born Sept. 19, 1798. His first voyage was
taken when he was 18 years old. Became master of the brig Leo
when he was 21. Feb. 24, 1823, while lying in the harbor at Porto
Rico, he was boarded by prirates who tied the captain's and mates'
hands behind their backs and threatened to kill them if they did
not give up their money, breaking open the trunks and taking
$700. They then went forward and wounded two of the crew, who
made so much noise that the pirates fled, taking with money all the
captain's and mates' clothing. Capt. Stone's last voyage was in
the ship Alciope in 1836 to St. Petersburg, where he attended the
festival celebrated in honor of the birthday of the empress. His
grandfather, Capt. Jonathan Persons, was the first president of
the Marine Society.

Stone-Goodwin-Parsons papers 
Collection contains the papers of three interrelated families of Newburyport, Mass., 1739-1918. 
Letters from banker Jacob Stone of Newburyport, Mass. to his lifelong friend Hiram Knapp of St. Johnsbury, Vt. and later of Boston. The letters concern family, friends, Newburyport, banking, and economic conditions, including the depression of 1857. Collection also contains a few Stone family papers, including several letters from Goodwin A. Stone of the 2nd Mass. Cavalry stationed in Virginia during the Civil War; and a genealogical chart
The Parsons papers include a sermon (1739) and other papers of Jonathan Parsons, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Newbury, Mass., family records, including a pre-nuptial agreement (1790), and genealogical information. The Goodwin family papers include family correspondence and records, in particular their connections with the Stone family, and the will of Nathaniel Goodwin (1817). The largest part of the collection consists of the Stone family papers including those of Jacob Stone and his son, Jacob Stone, Jr., including a biographical sketch of the latter, (b. 1805); deeds and mortgages to the land in Newburyport; papers of George F.P. Stone; Henry A. Stone family letters written during his service in the Civil War; and biographical material on Goodwin Atkins Stone, who was in the Second Mass. Volunteer Calvary, and died as a result of injuries at the Battle of Aldie, near Falls Church, Va., during the Civil War, 1864. Also, various Stone family letters and genealogical information, and a copy of a letter from Oliver Wolcott to Major General Samuel Holden Parsons (1779)

The Essex Genealogist, Volumes 6-7
Ship Registers of the District of Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1789-1870
The Christian Keepsake and Missionary Annual John Alonzo Clark
Naval Documents Related to the Quasi-war Between the United States and France: Naval Operations from February 1797 to December 1801, Volume 3

Friday, September 26, 2014

Dr. Dean Robinson of Newbury MA


Dr Dean Robinson of Newbury MA, son of John Robinson and Sarah Tyler of Andover MA John Robinson son of Isaac Robinson and Dorothy Poore/Poor Isaac son of Joseph and Elizabeth Stevens Joseph son of  Joseph and Phebe Dane
From J J Currier History of Ould Newbury
April 27, 1842, Susan M. Moody, of Lowell, widow, sold to Dr. Dean Robinson, of West Newbury, one-half of forty acres of land with buildings thereon, bounded on the south by the Bradford road, on the west partly by land of Caleb Moody, deceased, and partly by the Indian River, on the north by the road at the Merrimack River, and on the east by the land of Stephen Hooper, deceased. Also one hundred and thirty acres of land on the southerly side of the Bradford road, bounded by land of Edward Bayley, deceased, on the east, by land of Caleb Moody, Abner Bailey, and Moses Brickett on the south, and by land of Moses Brickett and Caleb Moody on the west (book 331, page 48).


Samuel Moody died July 25, 1877. By his will, proved Oct. 1, 1877, he gave to his mother, Martha L. Moody, all his real estate in West Newbury, with power to dispose of the same.
Martha L. Moody died Oct. 27, 1890. Her will was proved Dec. 1, 1890, and provides for the disposal of the homestead and farm, as follows : —
All the lands and real estate, including the farm in said West Newbury on which I now reside, which were devised to my late son. Samuel Moody, and myself by my late father. Dean Robinson, ... I give and bequeath to Horace Moody, son of the late Horace J. Moody, of Yonkers, N. Y.
The house in which Tristram Dalton lived was taken down nearly sixty years ago, and the one now standing on the summit of the hill was probably erected between the years 1835 and 1840. Extensive alterations and improvements have been made in the house, externally and internally, since it came into the possession of its present proprietor, Mr. Horace Moody, of New York.
President of the N. Essex Northern Medical Society and West Newbury Fire Insurance CO.
From Historical and Genealogical Researches and Recorder of Passing Events of Merrimack Valley, Volume 1 by Alfred Poor 1858
  


See Also  Andover Townsman Historical Series EARLY OSGOOD'S
Land deeds See Parker family Early Andover 
From History of Essex County, Massachusetts with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men.

       




Saturday, September 20, 2014

A. B. Blaisdell & Co. & Other Haverhill MA Photos

From the Josiah Bartlett Chapter DOR Scrapbook Files and a recent picture sent from Ruthie Stearns from her family collection

William Dennet Stearns had a long career with the Haverhill National Bank.   His children, Howard Oliver Stearns, a Dartmouth graduate became a professor of physics at Simmons College Boston. Helen Rachel Stearns, graduated Mt. Holyoke, went on to Boston University, and then earned a doctorate from Yale in 1934. A B Blaisdell Store was located at 113 Merrimack Street Haverhill, MA

AD for A B Blaisdell Clothing Merchants.  From Clothiers' and Haberdashers' Weekly, Volume 14 1889:  C. H. Hayes and A. B. Blaisdell will soon open a clothing store in Haverhill, Mass. under the management of Mr. Blaisdell.


 C H Hayes Wagon 

 
Haverhill National Bank Photos & Staff Group 





Haverhill Flood 1936


Haverhill Armistice Day  




Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Col William Batchelder Greene of Haverhill, MA

Col William B. Greene
William Batchelder Greene (April 4, 1819 – May 30, 1878) was born in Haverhill, Ma son of Peter Nathaniel Greene and Susan (Bachelder) Greene. He married December 22, 1845 in Boston, MA Anna Blake Shaw, daughter of Robert Gould Shaw and Mary Sturgis Shaw.

Mrs Mary Sturgis Shaw 
                                                         

Robert Gould Shaw 
                                                               

W B Greene was 2nd lieutenant in the 7th infantry in July, 1839 second Seminole War, resigned in November 1841.  Attended Harvard Divinity School---graduated 1845. Pastor at a Unitarian church in Brookfield, Massachusetts
Serve in the American Civil War and was a strong abolitionist
Colonel of the 14th Massachusetts Infantry and 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery and resigned his commission in October 1862.
Greene was a fine mathematician, and was versed in Hebrew literature and in Hebrew and Egyptian antiquities. below  the publishers preface to Greene's book Mutual Banking

 
Preface

A Short Sketch of the Author of this Essay on Mutual Banking.
WILLIAM B. Greene was a prominent figure among the Massachusetts idealists during the middle of the nineteenth century. He was more than six feet high, slender, somewhat high-shouldered, but with an erectness brought from West point, where he had been a cadet though not a graduate. He had served in the Indian wars in Florida, and his whole bearing was military and defiantly self-assertive.
"Greene became a Unitarian preacher and retired to a small country parish. He was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, of 1853; later he left the ministry and went to Paris until the Civil War recalled him. Offering his services to Governor Andrew, he was made colonel of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery."
In 1849 he wrote a series of newspaper articles, which were afterwards published as a pamphlet under the name of Mutual Banking. They have been pronounced "the best exposition of finance ever written in the English language during that period". In the following pages this pamphlet appears somewhat reduced from the original. The reader is cautioned that Greene's use of the word "usury" designates not only the excess of interest permitted by law, but all interest whatsoever.
When the last edition of Greene's Mutual Banking was printed in 1895, several plans of currency reform had just been proposed by the three political parties, of. that time in U. S. A. and in the preface the question was asked of the leaders of those parties (which other followers of Proudhon had asked before). "Why is not the credit of a bank's customers as good a basis for currency as that of the bank itself?'' This question has been partly answered by that provision of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 by which Federal Reserve Currency can be issued in exchange for the re-discounted notes of the customers of member banks. “This is a distinct step forward, as it supplies the machinery for expanding mercantile credit, directly, and gives rise to, a hope that in future, a move would be made to decrease the cost of this credit.
The reader is requested to read the scheme and constitution of Proudhon's Bank of Exchange and People's Bank. Unfortunately these banks could not function because Proudhon was sent to gaol in connection with the defamation of President Bonaparte. We intend to publish these in future along with a short biography of Proudhon who is the originator of the Mutualistic idea.

From  A glimpse of William B. Greene in 1854

“For Turkey.—A Paris correspondent of the New York Tribune says, that upon the proposal of a medical student, twenty young American students volunteered in ten minutes to aid the Turks with their unpracticed skill. The same writer states that Americans were leaving every day for the Turkish camp. Among those who had gone, were Col. Macgruder, of Mexican war celebrity; Mr. Quincy Shaw, of Boston, and the Rev. William B. Greene, late Unitarian clergyman at Brookfield.” [Boston Investigator, April 26, 1854]

“We are gratified (says the Transcript,) that the Commonwealth has secured the services of Mr. William B. Greene as Colonel of the Essex (14th) Regiment. Mr. Greene is a native of Essex County, and is forty-two years of age. He left West Point at the end of two years on account of ill health, but after regaining his strength, was selected to drill troops for many months upon Governor’s Island. He then procured active service as a Lieutenant in 7th U. S. Infantry in the Florida war. He distinguished himself in that severe service, having, most of the time, the command of two companies, and at one time a Major’s command. He is not only a thorough-trained, modest, brave, and high-toned officer, but is a man of marked intellectual capacity. He has shown that he has the “born gift” of leading men. He will know how to temper strict discipline with kindness, and stern command with courtesy. Mr. Greene has resided with his family for several years in Paris, but as soon as he heard of the attack upon our troops in Baltimore, he sold his country-place, shut up his house in Paris, and came to offer his services to his native state. We congratulate the 14th Regiment upon its good fortune.” [Boston Daily Advertiser, (Boston, MA) Saturday, June 29, 1861]

 From New York Times June 3 1878 Obituary





FIELD AND STAFF
Colonels
William Batchelder Greene, 42; clergyman; Haverhill; July 5, '61; resigned Oct. 11, '62.
Born in Haverhill, April 4, '19, son of (Peter) Nathaniel Greene the founder of the Boston Statesman. He was appointed to West Point in '35 but did not graduate, though he was made a second lieut. in the 7th U. S. Infantry in July, '39, the year in which he was due to graduate. At West Point he was associated with Isaac I. Stevens, another Essex Co. boy who, at the head of his division, was killed at Chantilly, H. W. Halleck, Jas. B. Ricketts, E. O. C. Ord, H. J. Hunt, E. R. S. Canby, and others who achieved fame in the War of the Rebellion. After serving through the Florida War, Lieut. Greene resigned in Nov., '41. He then entered Harvard Divinity School, from which he was graduated in '45. As a Unitarian clergyman he held a single pastorate, that of Brookfield, Mass. Sometime between '41 and '47, Col. Greene was a member of the famous Brook Farm Experiment at West Roxbury. A radical in almost everything, he was a pronounced Abolitionist, though a Democrat in politics; and later a Free Soiler. In 1853 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention. Having gone abroad for study and improvement, he was in Paris at the beginning of the war. He returned at once, offered his services and was assigned to the command of the 14th Regiment.
After his resignation he resided in Boston or vicinity till about a year and a half before his death when he again went abroad. He died May 30, '78, at Weston-Super-Mare, England, and his body was returned to America for burial in Forest Hills, Roxbury.
Extremely scholarly in his tastes, well versed in the classics and Hebrew, a writer of note on mathematical, philosophical and historical subjects, he was above all an idealist. How much the loss of his only daughter, Bessie, in the wreck of the vessel Schiller, off the Scilly Isles, may have contributed to his somewhat unfruitful life cannot be told. His wife, Anna Blake, was a daughter of Robert Gould Shaw, and an aunt of the Col. Robert G. Shaw, who fell at the head of his 54th Mass. Regiment at Fort Wagner. His uncle, Charles G. Greene, was the founder and for many years editor of the Boston Post, with which The Statesman had been merged, and the family stock, through which he came, included Gen. Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary fame, and Judge Albert G. Greene, who wrote the noted poem, "Old Grimes."
In the Boston Advertiser, June 4, '78, soon after his death, a friend of Col. Greene gave a critical estimate of his character and intellectual life. "Mr. Greene, indeed, was one of the most powerful
in a planing mill. There he joined the Boston Fusiliers, continuing in the company until the war broke out, though he returned to Ipswich in the spring of 1857. From that time to the end of his life he made his home on the Shatswell farm and excepting when away in the civil and military service, followed farming there.
From the time he entered the service as captain of Company A, of this regiment, he was indefatigable in performing his duties and fairly won his promotion. On the fatal nineteenth of May, he was second in command, and when Major Rolfe was killed the command devolved upon Major Shatswell, the senior officer. During that battle he was severely wounded in the head by a minie ball and partly stunned. He was taken to the rear and the wound was dressed. Recovering consciousness he returned to the command of his regiment and remained until the retreat of the Rebels at dark gave him an opportunity for rest. During the fight June 16, his sword was shot away from his side. Two days later he was again struck by a minie ball in the side and thrown to the ground. But he quickly remounted his horse and continued to lead his men. A small book filled with papers and orders had saved his life, the bullet lodging in the cover of the book against his side. He had a narrow escape from capture, June 22, when he was surrounded by the enemy and remained concealed in the thicket from nine in the morning until after dark when he succeeded in rejoining his regiment. At the Battle of Boydton Road, Col. Shatswell performed one of the most difficult tactical movements successfully, changing front in line of battle while under fire. At Cold Harbor his favorite horse was killed by a Rebel shell, but fortunately the colonel was not in the saddle.
In January, 1865, he was obliged to take a leave of absence on account of illness, returning to his command March 5, 1865. Though he received his commissions as lieutenant colonel and colonel, he was not mustered into service, and remained with the rank of major, in command of the regiment until mustered out. Every man in his command regretted what they felt was lack of appreciation of his gallant service. This feeling finds expression in various contributions to this book. He had the honor of leading the regiment in the Grand Review in Washington.
Col. Shatswell was over six feet in height, of soldierly bearing, having a powerful voice and a strong personality. He was a natural leader, a discreet, brave and kindly officer. He was considerate of his men, tempering discipline with humanity and common sense, taking his share in privations and dangers. He appeared as calm under fire as on dress parade. Mention is made elsewhere of his devotion to his comrades after the war, his love for the regiment and his activity in the Regimental Association.
Returning to his farm after he was mustered out with the regiment, he tilled the soil, was in the teaming business and dealer in hay, etc. In April, 1869, he was appointed assistant superintendentof the county insane asylum and held that office until it was abolished, many years later. Afterward he was assistant master of the Essex County House of Correction. In town affairs he became a leader. He was chief of engineers, constable, chief-of-police, for many years a selectman and during his last term was chairman of the board. At that time the selectmen were also the overseers of the poor and assessors. During his later years he was curator of the Agricultural Building at Washington, D. C., until a few years before he died.
He was a member of General James Appleton Post, G. A. R.; of John T. Heard Lodge, Free Masons, of which he was Worshipful Master for five years; of Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Winslow Lewis Commandery, Knights Templar, of Salem.
As a town and country officer in civil life he displayed the same sterling qualities that distinguished him in the military service. An able executive, upright and honorable, efficient, courageous and conscientious in the discharge of every duty, Col. Shatswell was an exemplary public officer. In private life he was quiet and unassuming, social by nature, making many friends, generous in helping others. No wonder he was beloved and honored by his comrades in arms. He married June 15, 1861, Mary White Stone and had two daughters, Fannie W. and Annie L. He married, second, Sept. 3, 1899, Mrs. Susan Hobbs.

Sources:  
The roster of Union soldiers, 1861-1865, Volume 2
Massachusetts in the rebellion Gale Cengage Learning
First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery Three Years
History of the First Regiment of Heavy Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers, Formerly the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry, 1861-1865 To Read Full Text  
Vital Records Of Haverhill, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849

Monday, September 15, 2014

PLAINFIELD, MERIDEN, AND KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY by Kate J Colby

Kate J Colby had a feature article in The Granite Monthly Volume 24 1898 Kate is a direct descendant of Anthony Colby of Amesbury MA (Genealogy follows article pages) Lots of old names with great pictures Kimball Union Academy, Plainfield, and Meriden, but PLEASE NOTE Some info has been updated and please post any changes your ancestors info Thank you.  














 















Genealogy: 
Information from Ronald Colby COLBY FAMILY & OTHERS

Kate J. COLBY was born in OCT 1848 in Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother) She appeared in the census in 1860 in Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) She appeared in the census in 1870 in Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) She appeared in the census in 1880 in Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) She appeared in the census in 1900 in Plainfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Charles H. COLBY and Lydia J. CHELLIS. From New Hampshire: Births to 1901, Deaths and Marriages to 1937. (From microfilmed records. Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society

Charles H Colby (Merrill, Jacob, Zaccheus, Jacob, Thomas, Anthony)