Stoughton Town (part 2 of 2)

having removed thither in 1654. Nathaniel (2), born in England, was a ship-carpenter, settled in Boston, where he died May 20, 1662, leaving Nathaniel (3), Samuel, Mary, and Jonathan. Nathaniel (3), born 1659, settled in Braintree with his wife, Joanna, about 1675, and had fifteen children, of whom Thomas was one. Mr. Wales was a deacon in the church at Braintree, and ordained ruling elder Feb. 27, 1700. He died March 23,1718. His wife died May 11, 1704. Thomas Wales (4th gen.), born April 19, q 1741. Mr. Wales married, second, Sarah (widow of Samuel) Belcher, Dec. 7,1742. By her he had three children. Nathaniel Wales (5th gen.), born Oct. 26, 1729, married Sarah , settled in Stoughton, and, like his father, was a deacon in the church. He was a farmer, and had eleven children. He lived a quiet

His son, Joshua (6th gen.), was born Feb. 21, 1752, in Stoughton, where he always resided. He was a marketman and farmer, was three times married, was an active, energetic man, marked for his sound sense and sterling honesty, and closed a long life in the fullness of years, leaving a large family of children. By his first wife (a Porter) he had five children, the oldest being Nathaniel (7th gen.).

This Nathaniel, born Sept. 11, 1788, in Stoughton, married, Jan. 1, 1815, Phebe, daughter of Capt. William French and Mary Perkins, his wife. (Capt. French was a descendant in direct line from John French, the emigrant, who came from England to Dorchester, where he was admitted freeman in 1639. He was a well-to-do farmer of East Stoughton, and died about 1820, leaving one son, Alpha, and several daughters.) She was born Jan. 30, 1789. Mr. Wales was a manufacturer of shoes and lasts, and, in connection with that business, kept a grocery. Active in militia service, immediately after the war of 1812 he served in the various grades to captain with acceptability and credit, and resigned his commission as captain April 28, 1820. He was one of the first in this section to adopt the religious doctrines of Emanuel Swedenborg and enter the " New Church." moved from Stoughton to North Bridgewater in 1817, where he died of consumption Feb. 8, 1826. He left two children who attained maturity, - Harriet G. and Nathaniel (8th gen.), - and a business fairly successful.

added to the property left by her husband, and brought up her young children (Nathaniel being but six years old at his father's death) with great credit to herself. She died Dec. 25, 1855. From the elegant "Souvenir" of " The Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,' published in 1880, we extract this graphic sketch of Nathaniel (8th gen.) :

"Hon. Nathaniel Wales, of Stoughton, represents the First Norfolk Senatorial District. He was born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton) Nov. 25,1819, and received his education at the public academic and When quite a young man he engaged successfully in teachnormal schools of that town and Bridgewater.

ing in his native town and in other towns in that vicinity. He afterwards taught as principal in the high school in Pawtucket, R. I. As a young man he showed great enterprise and energy. Being the only son of a widow, he was in early life solely dependent In 1845 he engaged in trade in Stoughton, resigning his position in Pawtucket for this purpose, and continued in mercantile business, with others or by himself, for a period of twenty-eight years. During this time he was postmaster at Stoughton from 1860 to 1867, when he resigned, being then appointed United States Assessor of Second District of Internal Revenue, the duties of which office he discharged acceptably till its discontinuance. He also held commissions of more or less importance under Governors Banks, Andrew, Washburn, and Bullock. He was appointed commissioner to superintend the drafting of militia for Norfolk County by Governor Andrew in 1862, and afterwards was appointed by President Lincoln United States commissioner of the Board of Enrollment for the Second District of Massachusetts from 1863 to 1865. Since 1872 he has been associated with the Stoughton Boot and Shoe Company as treasurer, and has held several other positions of public and private trust."

He was a member of the Massachusetts Senate of 1879, and served on the Committees on Towns, Labor, and Prisons; also in 1880, when he was chairman of the Committee on Roads and Bridges, and also a member of Committee on Military Affairs and State-House.

Always interested and active in politics, he has been a member of the Republican party from its commencement, and it is not too much to say that during the entire period the party has had, in his section of the State, no more zealous and efficient supporter than he. The natural bias of his mind has always kept him familiar with the legal questions and decisions of the day, and developed in him habits of thought and judgment that would not disgrace the legal profession, and f{eaused his opinion and advice to be much sought after in those controversies and knotty questions usually referred to members of the bar. His religious. views are those of the " New Church."

In 1881, Mr. Wales was elected member of the Executive Council from the Second District of Massachusetts, which position he now holds. He has been twice married, first to J. Montgomery, daughter

Bridgewater, June 4, 1848. They had one son, Nathaniel S. Wales, now a resident of Des Moines, Lowa. Mrs. Wales died May 3, 1849. Mr. Wales married, second, in 1851, Susan Kingsbury Reed, daughter of Timothy and Susan P. (Kingsbury) Reed, of Barnstable. (He was a lawyer, and for a long time register of deeds and clerk of the court for Barnstable County. He held both offices at the time of his death. This Reed family is not only an old New England family, but can be traced back to Saxon England over a century before the Norman conquest. Every generation in Hngland has held responsible and prominent official positions. )

The children of this truly fortunate union were Susan R. (born in 1853, married W. O. Faxon, M.D., resides in Stoughton, and has one child, Nathaniel Wales) and Timothy Reed (born 1856). an active and promising youth, but met an untimely death by drowning while striving to rescue some companions who were capsized with him in a sailboat at Martha's Vineyard, in 1870.

She was an inplishments and culture. An indefatigable and accurate genealogist, she expended months in tracing the Reed, Wales, and other families in which she was interested, and her work is a marvel of neatness, system, and convenience. She gave freely of her time and means to relieve suffering, was beloved by all, and left to her family the recollections of a model wife and mother.

and a strong friend. advocate the higher education and progress of humanity, he has never swerved from action in accordance with his belief. ranks among the representative men of this section of

Martin Wales

Among the men of strong character, who stood high in the esteem of the people of Stoughton, and was by virtue of his originality and the wishes of the people a truly representative man in many ways, must not fail to mention Martin Wales, son of Joshua Wales. He was born in Hast Stoughton, Feb. 22, 1802, and died March 6, 1874, aged seventy-two years. His childhood was passed on his father's farm. He had the opportunities for education given by the public schools of that period, and at an early age began to show the independence and industry so marked in his whole life by learning to make shoes. After a time he was hired by his father to butcher animals for the Boston market, receiving for his labor one dollar per day. He was about eighteen, and after two years' service here, he engaged with Oliver Belcher, of Stoughton, as butchers of beef cattle. From this time (1822) he was connected with Stoughton, After a few months passed in working for others, he engaged in the same business for himself. | Continuing this a few years, he found much of his capital absorbed in debts due him, and he began to manufacture shoes in the upper part of Holbrook's (now Swan's) store. This was in a small way, and intended the business proving profitable, and there being a good demand for his goods, he entered into co-partnership with Ira Linfield, and added bootmaking to that of This partnership did not last long, each continuing to manufacture. Mr. Wales' business increased, and became very large for those days, reaching to the Southern and Middle and Western States. For many years he continued manufacturing alone, and, in company with others, accumulated wealth. In connection therewith he conducted a mercantile business from about 1840 to 1852, when he disposed of his stock to his nephew, Nathaniel Wales, whose biography is on another page. In financial matters Mr. Wales was shrewd, cautious, and conservative, and was a valuable counselor, whose advice was often sought. He was president of the Stoughton Boot and Shoe Company during its existence, and director and president of the North Bridgewater Bank from its organization until it ceased to do business. One of the strong characteristics of Mr. Wales was his A prominent business man of Stoughton, who knew him well, says, '' When he promised to do anything he would do it. His word was as good as his bond." He never sued a man during his long business life, and never wanted any trouble with any one. He was a strong Anti-Mason as the leader of that principle, was elected twice representative from Stoughton in the General Court, and to all the prominent public offices of the town. At one time he held nearly every office of importance in the town. He was chairman of selectmen many years, town clerk many years, treasurer several years, © to say nothing of minor trusts. With all this, he was a modest, unpretentious man, caring nothing for official honors and only accepting them as the representative of a principle. He wasa kind and accommodating neighbor, a good citizen, a loving husband and father, and had a large circle of acquaintances in surrounding towns and in Boston, who enjoyed his quaint and original conversation. He married Rebekah Parker, daughter of Elisha and Jerusha (Wentworth) Parker, who was born Sept. 18,1807. Their children were Mary R. (Mrs. Caleb H. Packard), Martin (deceased), Lucy M. (Mrs. Fisher Copeland), George, Seth, and Adelaide F., a young lady of great amiability, who married William Neale, and died Dee. 31, 1882. Her death was deeply felt by the entire | community. Mr. Wales was an earnest and liberal Christian. He was in full harmony with the doctrines | of the '' New Church," and a large contributor to its enterprises. He gave two thousand dollars towards the erection of the church of that society in Brockton, where he held a membership, and left a legacy in | its behalf of five thousand dollars. He was always ready to do his part in all matters of public interest, and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Wales was a worthy companion for Mr. Wales, and in advanced years, holds much of the vivacity of early life, enjoys the esteem of the best portion of the community, is endeavoring to carry out the wishes of her husband in all things, and is passing on to the twilight of life with a sincere trust in rejoining her companion of so many years on the | "' other side."

James Atherton

One of the wealthiest portions of Lancashire is confined in the area bounded thus: Beginning at Liverpool, the southwest boundary of Lancashire, and following the coast line of the Irish Sea twenty miles north, we reach the river Ribble; there going eastward fifteen miles, thence south to Manchester and down the river to Liverpool. This | section is rich in coal-mines, quarries of useful stones, | have had immense possessions, which were increased by marrying heiresses, until it became one of the richest families of the great commoners of England. In their manorial estate the town of Atherton lies ten miles northwest of Manchester ; here the family originated, and Robert de Atherton (1) lived (1199-1216) as the shreve (high sheriff) of the county under King John, and held the manor of Atherton of the barons of Warrington. William de Atherton, his son, held the manors of Atherton and Pennington (1251). (By intermarriage with the Derby family the title is now vested in that line.) William Atherton (3), of Atherton (1312), had wife Agnes (1339), whose son Henry Atherton (4), of Atherton (1316-30), married Agnes (1387), and had for second son Sir William Atherton (5), of Atherton (1351), knight. He married, first, Jane, daughter of William and sister of Sir Ralphe, Woberly, knight; married, second, Margerie, a widow (1396). In the private chapel of the Athertons, in the parish church of Leigh, is a family vault, and the arms of the family hang there. As entered in the Visitation of Sir William Dugdale Norrey, King of Arms (1664-65), they are: Gules, three sparrowhawks, argent crest ; a swan, argent, another crest ; on a perch a hawk billed, proper. By first wife, William (5) had Sir William Atherton (6), knight ; born 1381; died 1416; his wife was Agnes, sole daughter and heiress of Ralphe Vernon, Baron of Shipbroke. Their third child, Sir William Atherton (7), knight, married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir

Ashton, had Sir John Atherton (11), knight, born 1514; died 1513; married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Alexander Ratcliffe, knight. his marriage was recorded in the Visitation of 1533, where the arms were also entered; he married, second, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Caterall. He was high sheriff under three sovereigns, in 1551, 1555, and 1561, and commander of the Military Hundred in 1553. Among his children was John (12), Esq., born 1556; high sheriff 1585, who was*twice married ; first, to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Byron, knight ; second, to Katherine, daughter and co-heiress By each wife he had ason John ; the first John Atherton (13), of Atherton, who had John (14), died in 1646 ; married Kleanor, daughter of Sir Thomas Ireland, of Beansey, knight. They had numerous children ; one John (15), high sheriff, died in 1655; the second,

John Atherton, of Skelton, was heir to his mother's | large estate and title. We have thus far followed the line of heirship, the scions, all worthy representatives of the name, being found in different parts of the country. As the American branch deflected at this period, we have no need of further tracing the English

England Historical and Genealogical Register," January, 1881, as perhaps being the identical Humphrey | Atherton, major-general of Dorchester, progenitor of clearly shown by the fact that Gen. Atherton was killed in 1661, when only thirty-six years old. The other | Humphrey would have been fifty-three years old at this time. Humphrey Atherton, born in Lancashire, perhaps son of above, married Mary Wales, probably daughter of John Wales, of Idle, England, and, with three children, Jonathan, Isabel (married Nathaniel Wales, Jr.), and Elizabeth came in the ship " James" from Bristol to America in Rev. Mather, in his journal of the voyage, names but few of the one hundred passengers, among them Nathaniel Wales, whose will was witnessed by Humphrey law." They settled in Dorchester. Humphrey was married when an infant. when he was fourteen years old, and his wife thirteen. They had twelve children, those mentioned above and

Watching, and Patience. Appleton's ' American Encyclopeedia" says this of him, '"' Atherton, Humphrey, a military officer whose name is mentioned with much honor in the early annals of Massachusetts. came from England about 1636, when he signed the covenant of the church of Dorchester. He was admitted as a freeman in 1638, and was deputy in the

Jedediah Adams, the first settled pastor of Stoughton, where he ministered with great acceptability for many years (see '' History of First Parish," on another page). They had nine children, John, Jedediah, Humphrey, Mary, Rachel, Elijah, Samuel, Mary, and

He married Feb. 28, 1811, Abigail, daughter of Ralph and Abigail (Soran) Pope, of Stoughton. She came of an old New England family of repute, the first American ancestor, John Pope, coming about 1653 from the neighborhood of London, England, and settling in 1640 in " Dorchester New Grant," now Stoughton, the line being John (1), John (2), Ralph (3), Ralph (4) (a physician of great was a justice, colonel, serving in 1756 with his regidian war; was State representative .from Stoughton. In the Revolution, when the summons came to take the field he was plowing. Taking the harness from his employed in negotiations with the Indians, and made use of his influence with them in a great purchase in the colony of Rhode Island. He died by a fall from | his house, at Boston, Sept. 17, 1661. The manner of his death is made matter of comment by Hubbard as oneof the judgments of God." His wife died in 1672. In the old Dorchester cemetery is this epitaph : and supporting the family), Ralph (6) (he was born in Stoughton, 1759, and died 1797. He served through the Revolution; married Abigail, daughter of Maj. Robert and Rachel (Draper) Swan, born 1761, died 1852, aged ninety-one. (7), who married Samuel Atherton, was born in Stoughton, Mass., Dec. 5, 1785, dying March 19, 1868, aged eighty-two years, three and a half months).

Samuel Atherton was of energetic temperament, cheerful disposition, eminently social, enjoying humor, and always ready with some bright remark, pointed with He was honest, straightforward, prudent, saving, and perfectly just in all the relations of life. He had musical tastes, was a great singer, and when prevented sometimes from talking by an impediment (stammering) which afflicted him, he would sing clearly the words he wished to speak. He and his brother Nathan were among the originators of the " Stoughton Musical Society." days, and held other positions of trust.

He was selectman in his younger Although a great sufferer from rheumatism in his later years, he continued cheerful even to the time of his death. He was very fond of his brother, Nathan, four years his junior ; they lived all their lives a few rods apart; of each other; Nathan's death occurring Nov. 13, 1876, at eighty-eight. A short time previous to his death, Nathan walked to and from church for morning service, a distance of two and a quarter miles.

cast for the Hayes electoral ticket. Samuel and Abigail Atherton were six, - Mary (Mrs. William Belcher), Vashti (Mrs. James Swan), Samuel, Abigail (Mrs. Joseph Swan), James, and William. James Atherton (7) - (Humphrey (1), Consider (2), Humphrey (3), John (4), John (5), Samuel (6) - was born on the homestead mentioned above May 6, 1819. He had common-school and academic education; remained with his father on several terms of winter schools. May 5, 1853, Phebe, daughter of John and Phebe Reed, born in Boston, Feb. 9, 1831, died March 11, 1868. Her father was a civil officer of Boston for many years, and was strong, fearless, and uncompromising in the discharge of duty. His ancestors trace their origin through early New England from a period anteceding the Norman conquest by over a century, and which has, in each successive generation, held places high in the counsels of royalty.

all by his first wife, are James (8), born July 26, 1854; William (8), April 30, 1859; and Walter (8), March 18, 1863. Mr. Atherton married, second, Mary B. Marshall, of Boston, June 1, 1869. She died Feb. 5, 1880. Always in delicate health, Mr. Atherton was a man of energy, and accomplished much. In early life he was fond of discussions, and took an active part in debating societies. He was a quick and ready speaker, a clear logician, and there showed the sound judgment which distinguished him in later life. He was a great reader, and kept abreast of the current of the world's affairs, and always liked to discuss matters of thought and moment. He engaged but little in public life, devoted himself wholly to his business, which rewarded his attention with a the fraudulent devices so common in business life, but the motto, dated 1855, which, worn by long use, was found in his pocket-book after his death, furnishes the motive which actuated him through all life's changes, and is a better delineation of his character than any others should do to you under like circumstances." He sympathized with the Universalist creed, attended its services, and was active and liberal in all church matters. A good citizen, aiding much in building up the inter-

Samuel Atherton

After marriage, Mr. Atherton continued on the old - place, and there began the manufacture of boots with | his brother William, under the firm-title of J. & W..

Atherton. This firm continued in business some years, and was prosperous. It was finally merged with the firm of Atherton, Stetson & Co., a solid Boston house, the Athertons being Samuel, James, and William. James' health not being robust, after his business energies had been rewarded with a sufficient competency, he retired from active labor. This was educated at the common schools; passed the early part of his life (until twenty years of age) on homestead farm. He then went to Boston (1835) as clerk for William Capen, shoe and leather dealer, and remained with him about two years. Then taking a position as book-keeper with the firm of Prouty & Co., Commercial Street, wholesale hardware, he stayed with them for one year. He next established himself in business, as a retail boot and shoe dealer, on Washington Street, in company with Edwin Battles, under the firm-name of Battles & Atherton. After one year the connection with Mr. Battles was dissolved, and Mr. Atherton was employed by Caleb Stetson, wholesale shoe and leather dealer, corner of Broad and Central Streets, whom he served as clerk until Jan. 1, 1842, when he however, special partner, but the business was conducted as "Samuel Atherton." This relation continued three years, when Mr. Stetson again resumed active connection, and the firm-name became 8. Atherton & Co., to be changed two years later to Atherton, Stetson & Co., on the admission as member of A. W. Stetson, now president of the State Bank. From that time to 1861 the firm-name was unchanged. On the retirement of Caleb Stetson, in 1852, James and William Atherton were admitted as partners, and they continued the Stoughton manufactory as their portion of the firm work. In 1861, Samuel and James Atherton withdrew from the firm, it, however, of Boston. Their children were George Edward, Charles Francis, and Sarah Ann, who married George P. Sewal, of Boston. were Atherton and Mabel A. Mrs. Tempie Atherton died Feb. 24, 1849.

Susan M. (married W. Morton Robinson, of Lynn). Mrs. Susan Atherton died May 18,1858. Mr. Atherton married, Oct. 6, 1869, Mrs. Susan M. Holton, daughter of Joseph Bassett and Margaret Richardson. Mr. Atherton passed some years of his married life in Charlestown. He purchased the beautiful place in Dorchester where he now resides in May, 1856, and has made his home there ever since. is a director in the New England Bank, Prescott Insurance Company, Massachusetts Loan and Trust Company, president of the Dorchester Gas-Light Company, and connected with various other corporations. He is a man of great executive ability, clear intellect, By his which characterized him in business life, and has He could have won political honors, and worn them gracealways taken an active part in the " primaries." fully and with distinction, but, aside from representing Dorchester in the State Legislatures of 1867, 1870, and 1877, he has not accepted political position. In private life Mr. Atherton is marked for his eminently social qualities, his courtesy to all, his warm and strong friendships, kindness, and liberality to the unfortunate and to charitable objects. He is Unitarian in religious belief.

Leonard Hodges

Leonard Hodges, for so many yearsone of Stoughton's leading manufacturers, was born in Taunton, Mass., July 8, 1794. His father, Samuel Hodges, was a man of solidity and good repute, and for many years an "innkeeper" (a position of consequence in those days) in Taunton and Easton. He married Lucinda Austin, of Dighton, and had several children, among whom were Samuel, Lucinda, and Leonard.

| Samuel was one of the incorporators of the Gay Cotton Manufacturing Company, established in Stoughton in 1813, on the site where afterward stood Leonard Hodges' Satinet Mills. In the war of 1812 he rendered distinguished services as an officer in the army, and in 1819 was appointed United States consul at the Cape Verde Islands, where he died about 1825, aged thirty-four. Lucinda married Rev. Calvin Park, a Congregational clergyman of reputation, who was at that time pastor of the church in Stoughton.

Leonard Hodges lived in Taunton till 1820, when he removed to Stoughton, and established himself as a working jeweler and merchant of jewelry. About 1822 he began the manufacture of satinets in a small This business, conducted with care, diligence, and unswerving industry, grew steadily in importance, and after a few years, with new and improved machinery, he began to make hosiery-yarn, employing at first about twentyfive hands. Under his shrewd management the business assumed large proportions, and in 1851, after accumulating a large property, he retired from active labor, letting his mills to his nephew, Samuel W. Hodges, who, with Calvin Tuck, founded the firm of Tuck & Hodges. After five years Mr. Tuck retired, and in 1857, Mr. L. Hodges sold the mill to Charles H. French, of Canton, thus closing his connection with manufacturing.

Mr. Hodges married, Jan. 12, 1848, Jane, daughter of Elijah and Ruth (Tisdale) Atherton, of Stoughton, Their children are Anna A., born Aug. 20, 1855, married Claude Wilson, M.D., of Waterville, N. Y.; and William L., born July 13, 1858, inherited the old homestead in Stoughton, and married May 10, 1883, Lillie Gray, daughter of David M. and Lydia A. Simmonds, of Boston.

Mr. Hodges was a diligent, hard-working man, not given to boasting nor display ; but by patient industry was truly the architect of his own fortune, attending closely to business and caring not for public honor or office. He was a careful counselor in all practical matters; for many years a director of the Neponset Bank of Canton, and possessed great strength of character and steadfastness of purpose. While quiet and reserved in his intercourse with others, he had a large circle of attached friends, and was considered one of Stoughton's representative men, and when he died, March 1, 1871, in the fullness of nearly seventy-seven years, the community lost a valuable member, and business circles an honest man.

Asahel Southworth

Asahel Southworth - Constant (1), Nathaniel (2), Edward (3), Constant (4), Jedediah (5), Consider (6), Asahel (7) - was born in Stoughton, July 17, 1814; he was the youngest child of his parents, and received the education imparted at the common schools of those days. One of the features of his attending winter schools was to start with a fire-brand in mill of his father, which in 1837 they bought ; built a new dam on the site of the present one. The same year they added fourteen feet to the length of the factory and constructed a water-wheel. Their business increased until their water-supply was unable to furnish them with sufficient power. So in August, 1847, they moved to the mill in Canton, since occupied by the Net and Twine Company, where they Mr. Jedediah Southworth suddenly dying, Asahel, who while doing business in Canton had suffered extreme ill health from neuralgia, sold all the machinery of the business except that for making cords, with which he returned to Stoughton.

under the name of Morrison & Southworth. this partnership was formed, it was a condition that when Consider Southworth, Asahel's son, should be- come of age, and understand the business, he should take his father's place. This partnership continued until 1861. Feb. 1, 1861, from some unknown cause, the dam gave way, leaving a hole forty feet wide and fourteen feet deep, and shortly after this firm was dissolved. In the spring of 1861 the dam was rebuilt, a new and larger water-wheel put in, and fifteen feet added to the width of the mill, in which business was resumed by Asahel and Consider Southworth under the firm-name of A. Southworth & Son. The product of the new mill was about seventy-five pounds of yarn per day. In 1866 a brick stack was built, a boiler and engine put in, and the factory enlarged. The building is now two stories in height, with French roof, and thirty-nine by fifty-four feet on the ground ; the basement and floors affording about eight thou- In 1868, the old machinery was sold, and new of the most approved kind substituted. In 1867, printed or chinchilla yarns came into use, and the new machinery that is necessary to make this kind of goods was added. In 1872, when chinchilla yarn was most demanded, they manufactured over one hundred and thirty thousand In 1875, Mr. Asahel Southworth retired from the business. He was thrice married, first, to Harriot, daughter of Ebenezer and Mary (Wild) died Oct. 9, 1853. Their children were Consider, Mary H. (died young), Mary KE. (Mrs. J. D. Taber, of Quincy), and Harriot E. (Mrs. W. R. Blake, of Stoughton). Mr. Southworth married, second, Mrs. Sarah D. Fellows, née Rowe, of Rockport; they had one child, Elmer Kinsley ; third, to Mrs. Lydia Swift. Mr. Southworth devoted himself to business, refusing office, only accepting those of school committee and road surveyor. He was a successful and prosperous man. He was energetic, of nervous temperament, active, and cautious, social, yet unassuming, and fond of home. His moral qualities placed him ia accord with the highest society, and he was universally esteemed. With the exception of his two years' residence in Canton, he lived all his life on the homestead of his father, in Stoughton. He was a member of the Universalist Society and of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He was the first to build an ice-house and start the ice business in Stoughton. His death occurred Sept. 26, 1880.

ConsIDER SouTHWORTH (eighth generation), son of Asahel and Harriet (Kinsley) Southworth, born in Stoughton, March 7, 1840. Like many of New England's successful men, he had but common-school advantages of education, yet this was supplemented by a thorough practical knowledge of his father's manufac- in 1865, Mr. Southworth formed a partnership with George A. Cooper to manufacture bonnet wire, and since 1870 has supplied the inhabitants of Stoughton with ice. From the retirement of his father from the business of A. Southworth & Son, in 1875, Mr. Southworth continued it until Jan. 1, 1880, when his brother, E. Kinsley Southworth, became his partner, and is now associated with him. They built soon after a " picker'-house, thirty by thirty feet, and put in They could then make about three hundred and fifty pounds of yarn per day, of which one hundred was printed. In the spring of 1882 a brick addition was made to the mill, an eighty-horse steam-boiler put in, and also an additional engine, A disastrous flood in the fall of 1882 carried away a portion of the dam and injured the foundation of the mill. Owing to the general stagnation of the woolen interest, no improvements have since been made except to repair the damage of the flood. The specialties they manufacture are such yarns as are used for Cardigan jackets and by fancygoods knitters. In about three months after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Southworth commenced housekeeping in part of the homestead dwelling of his grandfather, Col. Consider Southworth, where they resided until they removed, in 1878, to the pleasant residence now In politics Mr. Southworth is a ous. ceived largely of his time and attention during its construction, and every bill connected therewith was examined and audited by him. As an evidence of

He has been elected three | years successively selectman and chairman of the - board, and during his administration the duties of | the office have been extremely responsible and ardu- | The elaborate and beautiful town hall has re- |

Their surviving children are Harvey K. (born | Jan. J6, 1867) and Martin O. (born Nov. 14, 1869). | In addition to the firm of A. Southworth & Son, | "quiet and simple, and he much prefers the society of

Stoughton, and his business ability, we give the language of one of its substantial farmers: " The town hall would have cost ten thousand dollars more had it not been for Mr. Southworth." He has only been identified with town affairs during the last ten years, previously devoting himself to his business, in which he has been fairly successful. He is Universalist in his belief, and was parish treasurer for several years, until increasing cares caused him to decline serving longer. He joined the Sons of Temperance when fourteen years of age, and has never violated his obligations or broken the pledge he then took. He is a man of positive character and convictions, yet unobtrusive and unostentatious. He seeks no public duties, but when called to perform them is faithful to the command, - ' Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." His manner of life is horticulture, and has a fine orchard of five hundred trees. Perhaps no man in Stoughton has been more earnestly devoted to its welfare than he, and surely none holds a higher place in the regards of its people.

The romantic history of Lady Alice Southworth, who married Governor William Bradford for her second husband in the infant Plymouth Colony, has been told over and over again during the last two hundred and fifty years, and of equally proud and noble descent as any of the English peerage is the Southworth family. Its transatlantic genealogy is thus given in Winsor's " History of Duxbury:" 'It was procured by Mr. H. B. Somerby, from the Herald's college, London, for Nathan Southworth, Esq., of Boston. It is not known whether the first named are to be understood as in regular lines of descent, or collateral branches of the family. [It is evidently direct line of descent. ] Sir Gilbert Southworth, of Southworth Hall, Lancaster, Knt., married Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Dayes, of Salmsbury, in Lancashire. Sir John Southworth, of Southworth Hall, married Jane, daughter of John Booth, of Barton, Esq. Richard Southworth, of Salmsbury, Esq., married Klizabeth, daughter of Edward Molineaux, Esq., of Segton, in Laneashire. Sir Christopher Southworth, of Southworth Hall, married Isabel, daughter of John Dutton, of County Chester. Sir John Southworth, of Salmsbury, Knt., married Ellen, daughter of Richard Lang-

Richard Southworth, of London, merchant, married Jane, daughter of Edward Lloyd, of Shropshire : children, - Henry, of Somersetshire, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Pillsant, of London, merchant; and Thomas, who married Jane, daughter of Nicholas Constant Southworth (if Lou-

| berly's table is understood correctly), who married _ Alice Carpenter, afterwards Mrs. Governor William | Bradford, of Plymouth Colony, New England, was son

" Pilgrim Memorials," Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, stands on "a part of the extensive estate of Mr. Thomas Southworth, in 1668, and is probably comprised within though aged, when she died, and was honorably interred, on the 29th of the month aforesaid, at New Plimouth." her sons Thomas and Constant some time later, in 1628.

Constant Southworth had by his wife, Elizabeth Collier, Edward, Nathaniel, Mercy (married S. Freeman), Alice (married Col. Benjamin Clark), Mary

(married David Alden), Elizabeth (married William | Fobes, of Little Compton), Priscilla, and William. | Nathaniel, born at Plymouth, 1648, married Desire, | daughter of Edward Gray, in 1672; had Constant, | born 1674; Mary, born 1676; Ichabod, born 1678 ; -

Elizabeth, married James Sproat; Nathaniel, born 1684; and Edward, who settled in Middleborough and married Bridget Bosworth, of Hull, in 1711, and riod, and, it is said, bought the right to peg shoes (then a new invention) in the town of Stoughton. He was prominently connected with the interests of Stoughton. As colonel of the militia, he was called into active service with his regiment in the war of 1812, but was not called into action. He held a high position in the Masonic fraternity ; was a member of the First Parish Church ; was well developed physically, of strong positive character, lived in the western part of Stoughton, and was especially fond of good horses, always owning one or two fine specimens. He was a valuable citizen, generous and hospitable in all the relations of life, and made a strong impress on the local history of his day. He was a life-long Democrat, a true patriot, and while he deprecated the agitation that led to the Rebellion, had it not been for his fourscore years he would have been found at the front battling for the Union. He had no sympathy Up to the time of the free-soil agitation his sons were in political accord with him, when

Asahel became an active worker in that cause. He died June 6,1863, much lamented. His wife was born July 22,1777, and died Dec. 6, 1856. Col.

Southworth commenced in 1823 a cotton-thread factory, which was finished in 1824, and was a wooden building twenty-four by thirty-eight feet, with eight

| Consider A., who had learned the business in Pawdied in 1749, leaving four sons, Constant, Edward, | Lemuel, and Benjamin, who, as stated by Judge | to them were born Betsey, in 1735; Nathaniel, in 1737; Ezekiel, 1739; Martha and Mary, 1741; Desire, 1742; Jedediah, 1745; Constant, 1747; Sarah, 1749, and Isabel, 1751. North Bridgewater, married Mary, daughter of Capt. Consider Atherton (see biography of James Atherton). She was born in Stoughton, where they settled and had children, - Jedediah, Consider, Polly, Betsey, and Constant.

Consider Southworth was known as colonel, and married Mary Hixon, Jan. 24, 1799, and had nine children, - Lyman, born June 6, 1800; Jarvis, born Aug. 20,1801; Lemuel D., born Sept. 7, 1802, Consider A., born May 14, 1805; Amasa ; Mira, born Nov. 3, 1810, married Alva Morrison, of Braintree ; born May 27, 1820. Col. Consider Southworth was born April 8, 1775, probably in Stoughton. He was one of the primitive shoe manufacturers of that pe- tucket, R. L., took charge of the manufacturing department for some time, being succeeded by his brother Amasa. Work was begun on this mill July 15, 1824, and forty-five pounds of thread were spun by August Ist. In August ninety-eight and a half pounds were spun ; in September one hundred and ten pounds. The total product to Jan. 1, 1825, was eight hundred and fifty-three pounds. In 1825 two thousand four hundred and fifty-three and a half pounds were _produced. About 1826 Consider A. Southworth built a cord-twister, and he began to make cotton cord of various colors, used at that time to finish the tops of boots and shoes. These colored cords were made in the Southworth family until the advent of the sewingmachine changed the style of finishing, and the man-

Amasa Southworth (2) was born March 4, 1807, in Stoughton; had a meagre, common-school education; was early inured to labor, and for most of his life worked diligently with both head and hands, His youth was passed assisting his father in farming was built on the site now occupied (1883) by the mill - About 1829 | they added a mill on the site of the present mill of | In 1857, | Amasa purchased the interest of his brother in this |

(Kent) Sherman, of Marshfield. From Marcia A. Thomas' " Memorials of Marshfield,' we copy this: " William Sherman had a garden place at Duxbury, 1637, and lands towards Green Harbor, 1640. He this describes the old homestead of her birth. father, Asa Sherman, born April 12, 1773, was a farmer of Marshfield, and owned and commanded a coasting vessel. He was a militia captain, an active and energetic man, well acquainted with many people, and held in high repute by his townsmen. He married Polly Kent, and had Polly, born Sept. 15, 1799; Asa, born Feb. 28, 1801; Wealthy, born Feb. 22, 1803; Abigail, born Aug. 15, 1806; Alice W., born Feb. 24, 1810; and William, born May 25, 1813. Social, honest, patriotic, and upright, he died April 26, 1870, aged ninety-seven. His wife, born Dec. 28,1775, died Jan. 10, 1878, aged one hundred and two years and thirteen days. She was a lady of the old school, of sweet disposition and courteous manners, and much beloved. The children of Amasa and Abigail Southworth are A. Malvina, born Dee.

25, 1866. Their children are Edwin W., born Sept. 22, 1867; Abbie D., born Feb. 10, 1877; and Chester Dean, born March 5, 1882. Amasa HE. resides in Kast Somerville, and is a member of the firm of Hyde & Southworth, wholesale grocers, Boston, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Southworth commenced housekeeping in a small house near the present mill of A. Southworth & Co., and, after several removals, they finally occupied, in 1836, the house which was Mr. Southworth's home till death, and now the residence of his widow. This house was separated by a driveway from one built exactly like it by his brother, Consider A., which has been destroyed by fire. Amasa Southworth was liberal in all things of a social nature, fond of home and domestic circle, of good judgment, strong character, firm principle, successful in business ; in politics a Democrat, and in religion a Universalist. The life of a private business good, is apt to be uneventful, as far as the purposes Such a life is business habits, and such habits mean the smooth running of affairs, when each day, though it brings its work and obligations, leaves its obligations complied with and its labor performed. Such lives are the foundation and superstructure of society, and such a life was Amasa Southworth's. The famous and eventful lives may well be considered the architectural embellishments, but they must have the solid strue- Life is not a dream is the assertion of more than one experience, and the

Hon. Elisha C. Monk

Hon. Elisha Capen Monk, son of George R. and Sarah (Capen) Monk, was born in Stoughton, Mass., April 25, 1828. From Hon. Ellis Ames, of Canton, the noted genealogist, we gather the following information: "The ancestor who came to this country was probably Christopher Monk. In past generations there have been several Christopher Monks in Boston, and several of the same name in Stoughton, one of whom was born Jan. 14, 1733, anotherin 1757. At the 'Massacre' (so called), March 5, 1770, when the British troops fired upon the inhabitants of Boston, one Christopher Monk, of Boston, an apprentice, seventeen years old, stood next to Gen. Joseph Warren, and was shot down by a bullet through one of his lungs. Gen. Warren, who every day for several years, without fee, until he finaily recovered. What relation Monks, of Stoughton, is not now known. George Monk kept a' famous tavern' on what is now Park Street, in Boston, in 1686. Another George Monk had his will proven Oct. 10, 1740. He was a shopkeeper in Boston. There were four Elias Monks, one of whom, great-great-grandfather to Elisha C., came to Stoughton about 1720, and since then the family has been quite numerous there. He settled in the southeastern part of Stoughton, was a farmer, and died in 1750. He left at least two sons, - George and William. William was a soldier in both the French and Indian wars of 1756, and the Revolution, and was at the battle of the Plains of Abrabam, at the taking of Quebec, under Gen. Wolfe. George was born Feb. 10, 1734, in Stoughton, and died about 1814. He was a farmer. His son Jacob was a farmer also. father to Elisha Capen Monk." George, father of Jacob, was a volunteer in the Revolution, receiving a bounty from the town, and Jacob married Milly Ran-

I knew him very well. He was grandserved through the war. dall, of Easton, whose mother lived to the advanced age of one hundred and four years. Their children were Nathan, George R. Stillman, Jacob, Almira (married Isaac Blanchard), Eliza (died single), and Caroline (married Charles Stone, of North Bridgewater).

The Stoughton home of the family was in the south part of the town, near the " Old Colony" line, and has been held by the family from the first occupant until now. Jacob Monk was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a large man of fine presence, quiet and unostentatious, and although very modest, was of sterling worth. He lived to be sixty- George Randall Monk, son of Jacob, born about 1799, had the educational advantages of the public schools of his day, became a manufacturer of boots and shoes in Stoughton about 1825, and continued about ten years in that business, when he removed to West Troy, N. Y., and established himself up business in consequence of a fall which produced paralysis of both legs. He then returned to Stoughton, where he died Oct. 9, 1843, aged forty-four years.

Milly (Gay) Capen. (Milly Gay, previous to her marriage, spun and wove cloth from flax raised on her father's farm at Dry Pond, and herself carried it to Boston, and sold it for money to purchase her weddingdress. Her father, Timothy Gay, was a minute-man in the Revolution, and was called out to aid in the defense of Roxbury. She wasa woman of remarkable strength of character and physical endurance, and taught school before her marriage. She lived to be ninetyseven years of age.) They had five children who attained mature years, - George H., Elisha C., Harriet (deceased; married Ephraim W. Littlefield, of Hast Stoughton, and left three children), Adelia A.

(married, first, William H. Curtis, had one child ; second, A. A. Lamb; they have had two children, and now live in Stoughton), Eliza F. (married D. 8. Tolman, lives in Brockton, and has two children). Elisha C. Monk was fifteen years old at his father's death. He had a good common-school education, liam Cornell (a successful teacher and pastor of the Congregational Church in Stoughton) in Latin, rhet- He learned the bootmaker's trade, and could He continued at the trade ten years, and alone and with others conducted manufacturing of boots for twelve years, and was fairly successful financially. He became one of the incorporators, in 1872, of the Stoughton Boot and Shoe Company, and was its agent. This continued eight years, doing an annual business of nearly a quarter of a million dollars, and although not a financial success, sti]l it gave much employment to residents of the town, distributing large amounts of money, and benefiting the community by the consequent increase of its business. In 1870, Mr. Monk went West as one of the original corporation ('* Union Colony") which established the town of Greeley, Col. He was one of the trustees the first year of the colony, and erected the first building in the new town. This colony was one of the most successful ever undertaken, and will ever be historic from the sagacity and shrewd wisdom of its founders. Mr. Monk has been financially interested in Greeley until the present year. For the last ten years, and until within a few months, he has been the senior member of the firm of Monk & Ingalsbe, transacting a mercantile business in Greeley and at Colorado Springs.

Mr. Monk has ever been in the foremost file of political progress. He was a member of the organization of Sons of Temperance in Stoughton for twenty years, and until the dissolution of the lodge. He early became connected with the Free-Soil movement, chusetts Colonies, he was representative to the General Court of Massachusetts fourteen years. In many other and important ways, he served his town and sponded to them was largely due to his exertions. As a Republican he represented his district in the Senate of Massachusetts in 1866 - 67, and served with credit on important committees. he is a Universalist.

ter of Ethan and Sarah (Wentworth) French. She was born in Stoughton, Aug. 23, 1835. Their children are Bertha L., George, and Eunice ©. Bertha worthily proud. Conservative, yet actuated by convictions, he has never been a hindrance to true prog- Pleasant and unrestrained in social intercourse, faithful in all the relations of life, those who have known him

Lucius Clapp

Thomas Clapp (1), the first American ancestor of Lucius Clapp, was born in Dorchester, England, in 1597, and came of an old Devonshire family of Danish extraction. He came to this country probably in 1633, as in 1634 his name appears on the town records of Dorchester, in which town he was admitted age. He had ten children, of whom Joseph (3) was second, and was born Dec. 14, 1668. He married and lived all his days in Scituate, where he owned land. He had twelve children. His son Joseph (4), born July 15, 1701, was deacon, inherited his father's estate ; married, first, Hannah Briggs; second, Sarah Perkins, and reared a family of fifteen children. His

1734-35, married there Eliza Turner, and spent the latter portion of his life elsewhere. He had six children, one of whom, Barnard (6), born in Scituate, married Lydia Packard and settled in Braintree, where he died in 1803, leaving two children, - Charles Charles, born in Braintree, Jan. 10, 1795, was early an orphan, his mother dying when he was scarcely two years old, and his father when he was about eight. He was taken by his uncle, Nathan Packard, a farmer of North Bridgewater, with whom he remained until his majority. He acquired sufficient education to enable him to teach several terms of school in early life, and He married Sally, daughter of Nathaniel and Betsey Manley, who was born in North Bridgewater, and shortly after set- In 1821, he came which, with additions, now is the farm occupied by his son Lucius, and was ever after a resident there. He died Jan. 16, 1838, a quiet, unostentatious man, of good repute. He held the various town offices of importance with credit, and was called out to defend the coast in the war of 1812. His children were Lucius of the poor in 1667, serving the first term of the ex- He married , had nine children, and died April 20, His third child, Samuel (2), married June 14, 1666, Hannah, daughter of Thomas Gill, of Hingham. dence ; was a distinguished man, and notably so in

Scituate, his native town, which speaks well for his ability, as it then contained some of the ablest men in the colony. He was eight years deputy of Plymouth

He was a young man of more than ordinary ability, quiet and unassuming in his manners, honorable and upright in his life, making friends of all who came in contact with him. He was a good scholar, having, beside his common-school education, studied several terms at an academy, and was engaged in a course of studies at the normal school in Bridgewater, preparing himself for future usefulness, of which he gave ereat promise, when he was prostrated by consumption.

Lucius Clapp is the eighth in direct descent from Thomas, the emigrant, and was born in North Bridge- He was educated at commov and private schools; was reared a farmer ; in business, and has used the funds Providence has given into his care wisely, and done much to make him remembered as a liberal and kind-hearted man- He married Emily, daughter of Lewis Waters, July 14, 1847. Formerly a Whig, Mr. Clapp has been identified with the most progressive political creeds. He was one of the original Free-Soilers, and chairman we write, is Richard (1), John (2), Samuel (3), Samuel (4), Joseph (5), Robert (6), Robert (7), Robert (8). John Porter (2) is mentioned in the Porter genealogy as one of the most enterprising men of his time. He had many land grants, and was a large purchaser of lands in ancient Bridgewater. In of the first Free-Soil meeting held in Stoughton. | Since its organization he has supported the Republican party. tees several years, and selectman of Stoughton seven years, and now (1883) holds that position. always been pronounced in advocacy of temperance, honored citizen, holding all the various town offices Joseph (3), born June 10,1730, lived in Bridgewater and Stoughton, moving from Bridgewater to Stoughton in 1777. He and his wife

We might write much of the esteem in which he is held by the better element of the community in which he has passed his entire life, but we forbear, fearing that we might wound a modest, retiring nature, when we only sought to do justice. We must, however, give the remark made by a prominent citizen concerning him, " He is a se/ectman in the fullest and highest sense of the term, an able man, and honest and faithful as able."

Robert Porter

Richard Porter, who with others came over from Weymouth, England, in 1635, and settled at Weymouth, Mass. In the years 1648, 1654, 1663, and 1668 grants of land were made to Richard Porter.

and upon committees ; was a member of the original church, - Brother Richard Porter" often occurs on the old records. Ruth, and he was doubtless married after arriving in inventory of his estate. The commencement of this will is quaint, and worthy a place in this history. "'T, Richard Porter, of Weymouth, in New England, being apprehensive of my near approaching departure out of this world, and being through the mercy of which his uncle, John Porter, was the minister in He was a lieutenant in the militia in the time of the Revolutionary war. Robert Porter (6), son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Burrill) Porter, born in Bridgewater, March 30, 1762, was a farmer, and resided in Stoughton ; married Elizabeth Gay, June 5, 1794; he had several children, among them Robert Mr. Porter was an active, energetic man, was captain of militia, and served his day and generation He died