Archive:Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, Volume IV
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Cutter, William Richard, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1908), Volume IV.
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Contents
LAWRENCE
[p. 1745]
(I) George Lawrence ... married first, Elizabeth Crispe, .... Children: 1. Elizabeth, born January 30, 1658; married, October 16, 1681, Thomas Whitney, born August 24, 1656, died September 20, 1719. ....
(III) John Lawrence, ... married ... Mary Hammond, .... Children: .... 2. Sarah, born July 21, 1737, married, June 15, 1762, Josiah Whitney, born November 22, 1730, died December 3, 1800, son of Ensign David and Rebecca Whitney. ....
[p. 1746]
(IV) Deacon Phineas Lawrence, ... married ... Elizabeth Stearns .... Children: .... 3. Phineas, born February 19, 1775, married, December 22, 1796, Polly Wellington, born April 16, 1776, daughter of William and Mary (Whitney) Wellington; children: i. Isaac W., baptized 1797; ii. Louisa, baptized September 23, 1798; iii. Marion, baptized April 6, 1800; iv. Adeline, baptized November 1, 1801; v. William H., baptized November 28, 1803; vi. Sybil, baptized September 8, 1805; vii. Sydney, baptized December 28, 1806. ....
WELLINGTON
[p. 1785]
(III) Benjamin Wellington, son of Benjamin [and Elizabeth (Sweetman)] Willington, born June 21, 1676, died November 15, 1738. "At towne meeting were chosen survayurs swine cattle & fences Richard Child & Benjamin Wellington". He was admitted a freeman in December, 1667. The "History of Lexington" says of him: "He was for many years one of the most popular men of the town; was assessor sixteen years, town clerk fifteen years, treasurer three years, representative three years. He was admitted to the church at Lexington, June 10, 1705. His will, dated July 13, 1708, proved January 30 following, described him as "housewright and carpenter." He married first, January 16, 1698-99, Lydia Brown, and the same year built himself a house on the family estate at Lexington; his wife died May 13, 1711. He married second, December 25, 1712, Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Phipps, and daughter of ----- Stevens, of Charlestown; she died January 17, 1729-30, aged fifty-four. He married (third) Mary Whitney. Children of first wife: 1. Benjamin, born May 21, 1702, died November 15, 1738. 2. Lydia, August 24, 1704, died August 10, 1718. 3. Kezia, born March 28, 1707. 4. John, born November 12, 1709, died September 22, 1728. Children of second wife: 5. Abigail, born July 14, 1715, married, February 19, 1734, David Munroe. 6. Timothy, born July 27, 1719, mentioned below. Children of third wife: 7. Mary, born October 20, 1732. 8. Olive, April 14, 1735.
TOWER
[p. 1792]
(VII) Oren Tower, son of Jonas [and Fanny (Parmenter)] Tower, was born at Petersham, September 25, 1794, and died there December 3, 1878. He was brought up on his father's farm, acquiring the usual common school education of a farmer's son at that period, which was mostly during the winter months. He early learned the trade of house painter, which he followed more or less during his active life. He bought of his father's heirs their shares of the homestead, and settled there. He was a progressive and successful farmer, and advanced the improved methods of agriculture. His farm consisted of one hundred acres of land one mile to the westward of Petersham Common, which netted him a handsome yearly income, depending on the raising of milk and general products. He was successful as a cattle raiser. He was active in public affairs, and identified with the temperance movement in its various phases for many years, and also with other and kindred reforms. In his earlier days he was a firm and faithful Whig, but when that party went to pieces he became a Republican, and gave his earnest support to the administration of Lincoln in the trying times of the civil war. He was chairman of the board of selectmen in Petersham many years, and demonstrated special fitness for the duties of this office.
[p. 1793]
He also served the town as highway surveyor and member of the cemetery committee. He was a member of the Petersham company in the state militia when a young man. In personal character Mr. Tower had many fine and attractive qualities, making many friends, and commanding the respect of all his townsmen. A useful citizen, upright, conscientious and capable, his life was altogether exemplary and blameless. He married first, June 1, 1823, Harriet Gleason, born June 16, 1803, baptized May 3, 1808, died April 13, 1832, daughter of Joseph and Sukey (Whitney) Gleason; second, January 5, 1836, Lucy Lincoln Foster, born at Petersham, March 4, 1814, died at Pasadena, California, September 3, 1907, daughter of John and Hannah (Lincoln) Foster, of Petersham. He father owned a sawmill and made lumber, etc. Children of first wife: 1. William Augustus, born February 26, 1824; mentioned below. 2. Harriet Ellen, born August 29, 1826; died unmarried May 28, 1855. 3. Susan Whitney, born July 22, 1828; died May 9, 1867; married January 9, 1865, Abraham G. R. Hale, of Boston; children: i. Willie Augustus Hale, born February 28, 1866, died April 4, 1866; ii. Willie Abraham Hale, born March 8, 1867, died October 11, 1867. 4. Louisa Gleason, born January 3, 1831; died unmarried July 3, 1854. Children of second wife: 5. Francis Emery, born November 30, 1836; married November 30, 1868, Ella S. Shepardson, of Petersham; children: .... 6. George Hammond, born Septeber 1, 1839; died Mary 4, 1885; married January 22, 1873, Frances E. Farrar, of Montague, Massachusetts; child: .... 7. Harriet August, born April 11, 1843. 8. John Foster, born August 1, 1845; died November 18, 1849. 9. Katharine Lucy, born September 29, 1847; married April 30 1888, Roy H. Penney, of Pasadena, California. 10. Horatio Nelson, born November 7, 1850; married December 25, 1886, Fannie Gertrude Spooner, born at Petersham, May 15, 1868, daughter of Benjamin and Fanny (Grout) Spooner; children: .... 11. Alfred Oren, born February 25, 1855, married, November 16, 1887, Clara Alice Shepardson, born December 28, 1870, daughter of Frank F. and Betsey Ann Lovell Shepardson; children: ....
(VIII) William Augustus Tower, son of Oren Tower, was born in Petersham, Worcester county, Massachusetts, February 26, 1824. He received his education in the common schools of his native town. Being the eldest of eleven children, he was thrown early upon his own resources, and at th age of fifteen years found employment in a country store in the adjoining town of Lancaster where, in 1845, when twenty years of age, he was admitted to partnership, this connection continuing until 1848, when he sold out to his partner and removed to Sterling, Massachusetts. In 1850 he came to Boston and entered the flour and grain business in Haymarket square, as member of the firm of Rice, Tower & Company, the first house in Boston market to establish direct communication with the west in the sale of cereal products. In 1852, the firm of Tower, Davis & Company succeeded the parent house. Unremitting attention to business impaired the health of Mr. Tower, so that in 1855, the same year in which he changed his residence to Lexington, he found it necessary to retire from active business for a time and seek a recuperation in rest and travel. During a trip south and west, while stopping in Chicago, he formed the acquaintance of George Watson, a native of Scotland, with whom he organized in Chicago the banking house of Watson, Tower & Company, which carried on an active and prosperous business until 1860. During this time Mr. Tower still held his position as head of the firm of Tower, Davis & Company in Boston, and also retained his interest as a silent partner in the firm of Davis, Whitcher & Company, which succeeded Tower, Davis & Company, until 1865. In 1860 he opened a private banking house on State street, Boston, in partnership with George E. Wilder, of Lancaster. Two years later Edward L. Giddings and Mr. Torrey were added to the firm and Mr. Wilder retired, the firm name becoming Tower, Giddings & Torrey. After a short time, Mr. Torrey withdrew, and in 1867 the firm name be-
[p. 1794]
came Tower, Giddings & Company, which still exists as a leading representative house. Subsequently hsi son, Augustus Clifford, who had started in business with Edward Sweet & Company of New York City, was a partner for a few years, also another son, Richard Gleason, and William Lawrence Underwood was also a member of the firm. Colonel Tower remained at the head of the firm to the time of his death. The present house of Tower & Underwood consists of Richard G. Tower, William Lawrence Underwood, Frank S. Palfrey and Charles B. Butterfield.
Railroad and banking affairs being so closely connected, naturally attracted Mr. Tower and in may of them he was prominent. From 1870 to 1873 inclusive he was president of the Concord Railroad, in New Hampshire; he was one of the founders and was a director of the National Bank of the Commonwealth since its establishment in 1871 until his death, serving as president from February, 1881, to April 4, 1882, succeeding E. C. Sherman and being succeeded by A. L. Newman; he again became president May 13, 1892, and held office for several years, and subsequently was again elected to that responsible office; during 1877-78 he was president of the Nashua & Lowell Railroad; was director of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York, of the Guaranty Company of North America, of the Shawmut National Bank, and was identified with the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and of the New England Trust Company; was vice-president of the Security Safe Deposit Company, and a trustee of the Boston Five Cents Savings Bank. He was a large stockholder and active in the management of other railroad properties.
He was originally an old-time Whig, but after the organization of the Republican party identified himself with it, entering with zeal and purpose into all the measures of the National government for the preserving of the Union. In 1863 he was a member of the house of representatives; was aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Alexander H. Rice from 1876 to 1878, inclusive, with rank of colonel; in 1882 was elected to the governor's council from the third district, and served as a member of Governor Butler's council, although himself a Republican. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Follen Unitarian Church of Lexington. At the centenniel celebration of the battle of Lexington, Colonel Tower not only acted as chief marshal of the parade but was also prominent in all pertaining to that well remembered event in Lexington.
From a small and modest beginning in business life Mr. Tower attained to a prominent and foremost position in business and financial circles, and everywhere his name was regarded as a synonym for integrity and honor in all his transactions. His record was as clean as it was successful, his judgment was sound and his ability grew as he faced larger questions. He was strong intellectually and he cultivated his mind constantly, and his advice in finance and business was eagerly sought and respected. Despite the multifarious cares of his busy life, he took much pleasure in his home and spent much time there. He was beloved by his family and neighbors who knew and loved him best. He was generous in giving to those in need, and he took particular interest in young men seeking an education or entering business. Mr. Tower entertained and cherished the traditions and associations of his home and ancestors, which fact is clearly demonstrated by his purchasing the old family homestead at Petersham, Massachusetts, and endowing it upon his nephew, the eldest son of his half-brother, Horatio N. Tower.
Mr. Tower was a man who entered heartily into the interests of any community where he made his home, and at Lexington his abilities as a leader were recognized. He was of genial temperament, though his almost courtly manner might have given another impression to one meeting him for the first time; he was a great admirer of the beauties of nature, and he loved animals. The horse was to him a source of delight, and touring about this section with tally-ho or drag was one of his chief enjoyments, while driving over the road from his home in Lexington to business in Boston was the habit of his life, winter and summer, going this way much oftener than by public conveyance. He never neglected business, but he frequently pushed important affairs aside that he might enjoy his ride and spend a few hours of daylight on the estate he had developed with intelligent foresight.
Mr. Tower married, at the homestead in Lancaster, April 2o, 1847, Julia, daughter of Captain Austin and Sally (Wellington) Davis; Captain Davis was captain of a local militia company. Thomas Davis, father of Captain Austin Davis, was of Holden, Massachusetts; he had a long and honorable record in the Continental army during the revolution. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Tower: 1. Ellen May,
[p. 1795]
born in Lancaster, February 28, 1848. 2. Charlotte Gray, born in Cambridge, February 12, 1851, died at Lexington, July 6, 1885. 3. Augustus Clifford, born in Cambridge, July 3, 1853, died at Lawrence, Long Island, December 28, 1903; he engaged in the banking business in New York City, was for a time partner in his father's firm, founded the banking firm of Tower & Sherwood in New York, which was bery successful; married, June 7, 1883, Louise Greble Dreer, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born July 29, 1858, daughter of Henry Augustus and Mary (Leavenworth) Dreer, of Philadelphia. 4. Richard Gleason, born in Lexington, October 11, 1857, mentioned below.
Mr. Tower died November 21, 1904, at his home in Lexington. The funeral was largely attended, many Boston friends and business associates being present. The Rev. L. D. Cochrane, of Follen church, conducted the services, which were extremely simple consisting only of appropriate scriptural selections and a prayer. Interment was in the family lot in Lexington cemetery. A forceful, progressive man, stern but kindly, withal. A natural leader, although modest, and even shy. A good citizen and neighbor who made the world better for his having lived in it.
(IX) Richard Gleason Tower, son of William A. Tower, was born at Lexington, October 11, 1857. He attended the public schools of his native town and Nichols Academy. When he was twenty years old he went abroad and spent a year in study and travel. Upon his return he began to work for his father's firm, and in 1885 became a partner, and also a member of the Boston Stock Exchange. In 1893, on account of ill health, he withdrew from the firm, but two years later again became a partner. In 1905 the firm name was changed to the present name of Tower & Underwood. Mr. Tower's residence on the state road, Lexington, is one of the most imposing and beautiful in the state. Like his father he is an admirer of fine horses.
He is a Unitarian in religion, a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Middlesex Hunt Club, the Somerset Club, and the Country Club. He married September 30, 19905, Henrietta Niles Lockwood, born at Charlestown, Massachusetts, January 29, 1873, daughter of Rhodes and henrietta (Niles) Lockwood, of Charlestown. Her father was at the head of the Davidson Rubber Company, of East Somerville. Child: 1. William Augustus, born Mary 6, 1907, at Thomasville, Georgia, on the old McIntyre plantation, one of the finest old places in Georgia, and now owned by Mrs. William A. Tower, and called "Boxhall."
WETHERBEE
[p. 1797]
6. David [Wetherbee], married Mercy Brown; children: i. Edward, married April 30, 1743, Hannah Whitney, and had Mary, born June 30, 1745, Ephraim, June 5, 1747, and Edward, December 20, 1752; ...; iii. Joseph, married April 16, 1748, Elizabeth Whitney; ....
(II) John Wetherbee, ... married Catherine -----. Children: .... 2. John, married, 1722, Elizabeth Whitney. ....
CUTTER
[p. 1878]
(VI) Samuel Cutter, ... married, ... Rebecca Hill .... Children: .... 6. Sophia, January 25, 1794; married Moses Whitney, October 27, 1816. ....
HALL
[p. 1888]
(VII) Edward Hall, ... married first, ... Orpah Goodell .... Children: .... 6. Josiah, born February 5, 1835; married, November 29, 1865, Delia Elizabeth Adams, born in Montague, Massachusetts, November 12, 1846, fourth child of Amos and Sarah (Whitney) Adams; children: George Warren, born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, December 25, 1866; Carrie Luella, born in Greenfield Massachusetts, September 25, 1868. ....
PRIOR
[p. 1938]
.... Daniel [Peterson], married Phebe Moore; children: ...; viii. Elizabeth, married a Mr. Whitney, one daughter Mattie Whitney. ....
MORRELL
[p. 1969]
(IV) Peter Morell, .... He was a lawyer and farmer at North Berwick [Maine]. He married ..., Hannah Winslow, .... Children: .... 11. Peter Winslow, born March 12, 1797; married first, Lois Whitney; second, Ruther (Hersey) Frothingill, widow. ....
BEMIS
[p. 1993]
Joseph Bemis, ....
[p. 1994]
.... Children: ..... 2. Mary, born September 10, 1644; married Samuel Whitney. ....
(III) John Bemis, son of John [and Mary (Harrington)] Bemis, born in Watertown, October 6, 1686; married first, May 8, 1710, Hannah, born January 25, 1690-1, daughter of Daniel Warren, born October 6, 1563, and his wife, Elizabeth (Whitney), born June 9, 1656. He married second, April 2, 1713, Anna, born June 9, 1690, daughter of Samuel Livermore, born 1640, died 1690, and his wife, Anna (Bridge) who was born 1646 and died August 28, 1727. After John Bemis died, his widow married, December 5, 1769, Josiah Smith. Child of John and Hannah: 1. John. Children of John and Anna Bemis: 2. Anna, born April 29, 1714; married Samuel Fiske and second Hopestill Bent. 3. Josiah, born February 9, 1715-6. 4. Abraham, born December 27, 1717. 5. Grace, born November 5, 1719. 6. Lydia, born April 5, 1721; married Capt. Jonas Dix. 7. Abijah, born March 16, 1722-3; died at Paxton, June 19, 1790. 8. Elisha, born March 20, 1725-6. 9. Elizabeth, born Mary 23, 1727-8. 10. Nathaniel, born May 6, 1730. 11. Susanna, born April 3, 1732; married Elisha Garfield. 12. Phinehas, born March 24, 1734.
(IV) John Bemis, son of John Bemis, born at Watertown, February 11, 1711-2; married February 16, 1731-2, Hannah, born April 28, 1715, daughter of Capt. Daniel Warren, born April 30, 1686, and wife, Hannah (Bigelow). He was surveyor of highways, and a soldier in the French war, 1656. Children, born in Watertown: 1. John, born August 28, 1732. 2. Timothy. 3. Anna, September 30, 1736. 4. Elizabeth, born January 17, 1738-9; died July 16, 1750. 5. Lydia, born June 10, 1741. 6. Abigail, born September 1, 1743; died July 25, 1750. 7. Nathaniel, born March 12, 1745. 8. Sarah, born September 27, 1748; married Elisha cox. 9. Henry, born January 28, 1750-1. 10. Jeduthan, born June 10, 1753; married Polly Staples, of Sudbury. 11. Mary, born May 16, 1755; married William Corey. 12. Daniel, born March 5, 1758; married Patty Winch.
(V) Nathaniel Bemis, son of John, was born in Weston, March 12, 1745. He was a soldier of the revolution, private in Capt. Miles' company of Col. Jonathan Teed's regiment, October 4, 1743. H married a daughter of Elisha and Anna Cox of Weston. They had six children: Lucy, born August 5, 1766; married, Jonas Billings. 2. Nathaniel, May 8, 1770. 3. Lot, August 5, 1772. 4. Polly, November 22, 1777. 5. Elisha, January 22, 1780. 6. Charles, January 9, 1785, ... married, December 20, 1807, Betsey Jones, ....
[p. 1995]
(VIII) John Leman Bemis, son of Eli Emery and Eliza (Leman) Bemis, was born on the old home farm in Weston, July 28, 1844, lived there until he became of age, then bought a farm of his own and occupied it until 1872, when he removed to Winthrop, Massachusetts, where he now lives. When he settled in Winthrop he purchased a small tract of land near the center of the town and set up in the milk business, but after a few years sold out his milk route and removed to Chicago to take the position of purchasing agent for the Swift Packing Company, with which concern he was connected in one way and another and in one place and another for the next ten years, four years of which time was spent on the Pacific coast, when he had intended tobegin business on his own account. However, having spent about twenty years in Chicago and the west, Mr. Bemis returned to Winthrop in 1891, and has since devoted his attention to the milk business, seeling his product in bulk. He has a very pleasant home and with his family enjoys the comforts of life and the fruits of years well spent. On November 27, 1866, he married Frances Underwood, born in Lincoln, Massachusetts, april 27, 1847, daughter of Moses and Sophronia (Whitney) Underwood, both born in Lincoln, her father in 1789 and her mother December 13, 1808. They lived and died on the old Underwood house farm, which had been settled by the Underwoods during the time of the colony. Moses Underwood was asoldier of the war of 1812-15, and a man of great physical strength; and it is said of him that such was the power of his voice that he could make himself heard a full mile away. It is said too that when the custom house in Boston was in process of erection he was selected to drive the great team of eighty yoke of oxen required to haul the large granite columns from the quarries in Quincy to the site of the building.
Mr. Underwood's father, Moses Underwood, .... His wife was Sarah Pierce, ....
The children of Moses and Sophronia (Whitney) Underwood: 1. Martha, died young, result of accident. 2. Mary, married Albert McLeary, and is now a widow. 3. Moses, lives in Waltham, Massachusetts, retired; married first, Mrs. Mary A. Warren,
[p. 1996]
whose family name was Hill; married second, Tilley Crane. 4. Lydia, married Hiram Garfield of Weston, and died by accident. 5. Sarah, married William Harrington and now is a widow, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 6. Sophronia, married Frank Farnsworth and lives in Waltham. 7. Frances, wife of John Leman Bemis. 8. Addie Sophronia, died at the age of six years.
John Leman and Frances (Underwood) Bemis have two children. Their son, Clarence Leman, born in Winthrop, September 6, 1869; lives in Chicago and is employed by the Swift Packing Co.; married Belle Byrnes, born Chicago, October 23, 1871, and has two children, Clarabelle, born September 7, 1893, and Ruth Leman, born August 4, 1896.
RAWSON
[p. 1997]
(IV) Wilson Rawson, ... married Abigail Temple ...
[p. 1998]
.... Children: .... 3. Abigail, born June 9, 1743, married ----- Whitney. ....
CLOUDMAN
[p. 2072]
(IV) Timothy Cloudman, .... He married, July 24, 1766, Catherine Partridge, .... They settled on the farm at Gorham [Maine], .... Children: .... 8. William, born September 16, 1780, married, 1804, Sarah Hamblen, daughter of Hannah (Whitney) Hamblen. ....
CHILD
[p. 2136]
(III) Daniel Child, son of John [and Mary (Warren)] Child (2), was born June 5, 1677, and died in 1724. He married January 29, 1702, Beriah Bemis. She married second, August 12, 1736, Joseph Pierce, and died aged eighty-eight. Children: .... 10. Mary, born June 10, 1722; married March 11, 1743, Joseph Whitney of Weston.
Copyright © 2007, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group
