Archive:History of Westminster, Heywood, S-T

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Heywood, William Sweetzer, History of Westminster, Massashusetts (First named Narragansett No. 2), From the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893, with a Biographic-Genealogical Register of its Principal Families, (Vox Populi Press: S.W. Huse & Co., Lowell, Mass.: 1893); New England Historic Genealogical Society Call No. F/74/W72/H6.

SEAVER - SIMONDS - SMITH - SPALDING - STEARNS - TITUS

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[p. 863-867] SEAVER

[snip] The first N.E. immigrant by the name of Sever (as it was spelled for three or four generations), so far as is known, was Robert1, who came hither in the ship Mary and John, in 1634, and located at Roxbury. He had a s. Shubael2, the father of Joseph3, who m. Mary Reed, Dec. 10, 1750, and who, after residing awhile in Dorchester, rem. to Framingham, or what was then prob. Sudbury. He had a large number of chn., two of whom found their way to Westminster at an early period of its history. [snip]

[5.] Seaver, Norman5, the s. of Robert4, and Eunice (Raymond) Sever, b. according to tombstone, in 1734 or 5, either at Fram. or Sudbury. He seems to have come to Nar. No. 2 with his f., money being paid him for work for the Proprietors in 1751. After his f.'s death he returned to Sudbury, where he m. March 14, 1755, Sarah, dau. of Jacob and Experience Reed, and lived for a few years, rem. thence to Shrewsbury (now Boylston). Early in 1773, prob., he came again to W. and purchased lots Nos. 76 and 122, 3d Div., of Heman Kendall. The estate was the same so long occupied by his gd.s., Isaac Seaver, lying between Prospect and Beech Hills. He was a carpenter by trade, and took the contract for a certain portion of the work on the second meetinghouse of the town. At the time of the "raising", July 31, 1787, he fell from the frame, receiving injuries which proved almost immediately fatal. His wid., Sarah (Reed) Seaver, d. in 1808. They had a large fam., as set forth in the register below:
8. Eunice6, b. May 3, 1755; m. Elisha (9) Whitney; res. W.; sev. chn.
9. Benjamin6, b. April 21, 1757; m. Martha (13) Whitney; res. W.
10. Sarah6, b. Jan. --, 1759; m. Josiah Cutter; res. W.; 4 chn.
11. Joseph6, b. March 13, 1761; d. in Rev. war.
12. Isaac6, b. Feb. 18, 1763; d. in Rev. war.
13. Ethan6, b. Sept. 24, 1765; m. Lydia ----; res. Gr.; 3 chn.
14. Daniel6, b. June 18, 1767; res. Batavia, N. Y.
15. Heman6, b. May 6, 1769; m. twice; res. Montreal; 4 chn.; d. Dec. 19, 1835.
16. Luther6, b. April 13, 1771; res. Gr. and Temp.; m. and had sev. chn.
17. Relief6, b. Sept. 25, 1774?; d. Aug. 20, 1795.
18. Asahel R.6, b. Oct. 2, 1775; m. Hannah Gager; res. W.
19. Faithful6, b. Aug. 2, 1777; m. Isaac Brooks; res. Ash.; 3 chn.
20. Lucinda6, b. March 23, 1780; m. ---- Frost; res. Montreal; 2 chn.
[9.] Seaver, Benjamin6, s. of Norman5 and Sarah (Reed) Seaver, was b. in Sudbury, April 21, 1757; m. Martha (13), dau. of Samuel and Abigail (Fletcher) Whitney (pub. May 15, 1783), and set. upon the homestead of his f. He d. July, 1816, a. 59. She d. Sept. 2, 1832, a. 70. Chn.:
26. Achsah W.7, b. Dec. 30, 1784; m. Abrah (10) Mosman; res. W.; 11 chn.
27. Abigail7, b. Dec. 2, 1786; m. Jabez Fairbanks; res. Gr.; 2 chn.
28. Job7, b. May 1, 1789; d. July 4, 1868; a. 79; unm.
29. Benjamin7, b. Nov. 15, 1791; m. Abigail Gates; res. W.
30. Susannah W.7, b. July 27, 1794; d. ab. 1880.
31. Martha7, b. Feb. 10, 1797; m. Amasa Leland; res. Gr.; 8 chn.
32. Silas W.7, b. Nov. 24, 1799; m. Rhoda Leland; res. W. and Sud.; large family.
33. Isaac7, b. Dec. 20, 1802; m. Abigail, wid. of Benj.; res. W.
34. Rosilla7, b. March 16, 1806; d. Sept. 18, 1825.
35. Mary Jane7, b. April 14, 1812; m. Charles (56) Harrington; res. Pn.; sev. chn.; d. 1892.
[29.] Seaver, Benjamin7, s. of Benjamin6 and Abigail [should be Martha], m. Abigail, dau. of Nathan and Abigail (Knowlton) Gates of Gr., March, 1817, and succeeded to the estate of his f., who had d. the previous year. His life was brief, terminating May 25, 1825, when he was but 33 years old. His w. m. (2) his bro., Isaac, as noted below. Chn.:
45. Abigail8, b. Aug. 7, 1817; m. Samuel A. Monroe; 2 chn.; l.
46. Lucinda8, b. Oct. 18, 1821; m. James R. (6) Bruce; res. W.
47. Isaac8, b. Oct. 16, 1823; m. Lucretia T. Smith; res. W. and Leom.; 5 chn.
48. Benjamin8, b. Feb. 21, 1825; d. by an accident, Aug. 26, 1836.
[33.] Seaver, Isaac7, bro. of the last, was m. to his wid. Abigail (Gates), Nov. 13, 1832, and set. on the same estate. He d. March 1, 1870, a. 67. His wid. d. Jan. 4, 1867, a. 69. They had:
49. Lyman8, b. April 23, 1834; m. Ann S. Gordon; res. W.; 1 chd.; d. July 19, 1888.
50. Loring H.8, b. Nov. 15, 1837; went Cal. and m.; no chn.; d. Nov. 10, 1884.
[47.] Seaver, Isaac8, s. of Benjamin7 and Abigail, m. (1) Juliette, dau. of Reuben Glazier of Rutland, but she seems to have d. Sept. 21, 1847, a. 31, s.p. He m. (2) Lucretia T. Smith of Medfield, by whom he had 2 chn. He served in the Civil war. (See p. 412) Chn.:
63. Lizzie Lucinda9, b. March 26, 1858.
64. Ellen Mona9, b. Oct. 16, 1861.
[49.] Seaver, Lyman8, half-bro. of the last, m. Ann Sophia Gordon and had 1 chd.:
65. Emma Estelle9, b. May 3, 1859; m. Hubert T. Clark; no chn.; living.

[p. 870] SIMONDS

1. Simonds, Charles A., s. of Albert G. and Sarah (Woodcock) Simonds of Athol (lineage unascertained), wa. b. Nov. 13, 1842. He m. Nov. 13, 1866, Martha A., dau. Greenwood and Emily Partridge of Winchendon, and after living awhile in that tn., and later at Athol, came here in 1877 and located at So.W., where he entered the service of A. (100) Merriam as a mechanic. Chn.:
2. Ida E., b. Winch. Sept. 12, 1867; m. F. A. (119) Merriam; res.W.
3. Leon M., b. Athol, July 17, 1871.
4. Simonds, S. Dwight, bro. of the last, was b. Athol, Feb. 4, 1846, came to W. in his early manhood, and m. Ida E. (125), dau. of Aretmus and Salome (Holden) Merriam, Dec. 15, 1875. He is a bookkeeper in the counting-room of his father-in-law, and res. at So.W. He is active in public affairs, and has been honored with an election to the office of Selectman for four successive yrs. He also represented (in part) the District to which W. belonged in the Legislature of 1888. Chn.:
5. Ralph Merriam, b. Oct. 24, 1878.
6. Ernest Winifred, b. May 28, 1880; d. infancy.
7. Donald Dwight, b. Oct. 20, 1885.

[p. 871-872] SMITH

4. Smith, Sidney, bro. of the last [son of Silas and Hannah (Burgess) Smith], m. (1) Harriet, dau. of Joel and Thirza (Wheeler) Page, in 1827, and set. on the place now owned and occupied by J. Hervey Miller. He sold out in 1836, and rem. to Sterling, where his remaining days were spent. His w., Harriet, d. by her own hand, Aug. 6, 1843, a. 34, leaving 4 chn. He then m. (2) Wid. Abby W. (Houghton) Whitney, by whom he had 9 more chn. He d. May 19, 1871, a. 72. His wid. d. March 1, 1880, a. 61. Chn. by ist w. :
21. Harriet M., b. W., June 30, 1830; m. Henry Babbitt, Boston; 5 chn.; living.
22. Jane W., b. Sept. 9, 1834; m. John W. Kendall; res. Camb.; 1 chd.; living.
23. Charles S., b. June 30, 1838; m. Elvira Raymond, etc.; res. W.; 6 chn.; l.
24. Elizabeth M., b. May 20, 1840; m. Wm. Hartwell; no chn.; living.

[p. 875-878] SPALDING

Few names in English annals can boast a more ancient origin than this. It was used to designate a township or borough in Lincolnshire as early as the reign of Ethelbald, A. D. 716-757, and is found to have been employed as a patronym in Henry III.'s time, 1267. It has existed in Germany for a long time, and some antiquaries suppose it was transplanted thence to England by the Anglo-Saxons or some of their contemporaries. Both there and on the continent it is still to be found.
The Spaldings of America, with few exceptions, are the descendants of three early immigrants, one of whom set. in Georgia, another in Maryland, and the third in Mass. The latter, whose Christian name was Edward1, was here soon after the Mass. Colony was founded, becoming a permanent res. of Braintree, where his first w., Margaret, d. Aug., 1640, and where he was made "freeman" the same year, showing him to be of the true Puritan faith. About the year 1654 he rem. to Chelmsford as one of the early settlers, being elected Selectman at the first town meeting, Nov. 22, 1654, an office which he held for several years. Of his 7 chn., Andrew2, the youngest, b. Nov. 19, 1652, m. Hannah Jefes of Billerica, and was made Deacon of the church. His s. Andrew3, b. March 25, 1678, m. Abigail Warren, and succeeded his father in the same ecclesiastical office. Jacob4, of the next generation, m. Susannah Pierce and had 11 chn., two of whom became res. of W. One of these, a dau. Susannah, m. Benjamin Butterfield, and lived here several years before rem. to Vt., as shown in the proper place.
The Spalding family has been a somewhat noted one in the history of this country. It had, up to the year 1872, no less than 13 representatives among the graduates of Harvard College, 12 of Yale, 20 of Dartmouth, and over 40 of other similar educational institutions. It has given a goodly number of men of distinguished ability and repute to the several professions, and has been represented on the floor of Congress and in military circles of high degree. One of the descendants of the Maryland branch, which was not of Puritan, but of Roman Catholic faith, was the Most Rev. Martin John Spalding, D. D., Archbishop of Baltimore.
1. Spalding, Joseph5, s. of Jacob4 and Susannah (Pierce) Spalding, was b. May 1, 1737, in that part of Westford which had been set off 8 yrs. before from the old town of Chelmsford. He was in Nar. No. 2 as early as July 5, 1758, at which date the Propriety allowed "Twelve pounds Fifteen Shillings, Old Tenor," for his labor as a carpenter on the meetinghouse. On the l0th of Nov., 1759, he purchased of Wm. Brattle of Camb. lot No. 25, 2d Div., on Beech Hill, soon built a house, and made sundry other improvements thereon. A road to the Winship place was laid out for his convenience, March 2, 1761. He m. Bridget Crosby of Westford, being pub. to her Jan. 6, 1764. He d. by suicide in a fit of mental aberration, at an unkn. date. His w., Bridget, d. Jan. 15, 1831, a. 88. Their chn. were:
2. Jesse6 b. June 8, 1765; d. Aug. 14, 1796; unm.
3. Merari6 b. March 16, 1767; m. Betsey Heald; res. W.
4. Joseph6, b. March 6, 1769; m. twice; res. Carritunk, Me.; 20 chn.; d. March 16, 1836.
5. Zebina6, b. Sept. 16, 1771; m. Fanny Spring; res. W.
6. Bridget6, b. June 23, 1774; m. Ephraim Heald; res. Goshen, Me.; d. Jan. 15, 1831.
7. Mehitabel6, b. June 3, 1776; m. Asa W. Rand; res. W.; chn.; d. March 21, i860.
8. Jonah6, b. Nov. 9, 1778; m. Betsey Hardy; res. Me.; 3 chn.; d. Nov. 6, 1870.
[3.] Spalding, Merari6, s. of the last, m. (1) Betsey, dau. of Maj. Ephraim Heald of Temple., N. H., Nov. 26, 1789. He first set. on a part of his f.'s farm, building the so-called Divoll house, and living there some years. He sold to Ezekiel Flint and left town, but ere long returned and located on lot No. 94, purchased of Lieut. Benj. Flint, where he res. ever afterward. He was a public-spirited citizen, active in public affairs, and shared the respect and confidence, as he did the honors, of his fellow-townsmen. He served in all the important offices of the town excepting that of Treasurer, and was Rep. to the Gen. Ct. in 1834. He did an extensive probate business in addition to farming, which was his chief occupation, and was often entrusted with the guardianship of orphan chn. In politics he was a staunch Whig, and in religion an earnest and devoted Universalist of the Restorationist school, and was for many yrs. Dea. of the church of that form of Chn. faith. His w., Betsey, d. May 21, 1845, a. 78, and he m. (2) June 11, 1846, Mrs. Lettice Newhall of Leom., who survived him. He d. Oct. 11, 1853, a. 83. Chn.:
9. Merari7, b. Jan. 19, 1791; m. Lucy Clark; res. Concord, Me.; 3 chn.; drowned July 13, 1834.
10. Betsey7, b. April 11, 1792; m. Israel Dickinson; res. W.; 4 chn.; d. May 23. 1873.
11. Ephraim7, b. June 3, 1794; m. Mary Weston; res. No. Anson, Me.; 11 chn.; d. Nov. 25, 1851.
12. Jesse7, b. Nov. 18, 1796; m. Polly Smith; res. W.
13. Sarah7, b. Jan. 19, 1799; m. John Pierce and A. C. Everett; chn.
14. Walter7, b. Jan. 20, 1801; m. Lydia Spalding; res. No. Anson, Me.; 8 chn.; d. Dec. 8, 1857.
15. Rowena7, b. March 5, 1803; m. Asa C. Everett; res. Ashbv; 2? chn.; d. Sept. 23, 1865.
16. Anson7, b. Feb. 11, 1805; d. July 13, 1806.
17. Hannah7, b. Jan. 4, 1807; m. Jacob Colburn; res. Leom.; chn.
i8. Adelia7, b. Feb. 24, 1809; m. Alexander H. Brown; res. Leom.; d. July 27, 1842.
19. Anson7, b. Jan. 6, 1812; m. Harriet Rugg; res. W.
[4.] Spalding, Joseph6, bro. of the last, m. (1) Sarah, dau. Zachariah and Abigail (Wood) Whitman, June 20, 1797, and lived in W., where 5 chn. were b., until Sept., 1803, when he rem. to Carritunk, Me., and spent there the remainder of his life. His w., Sarah, d. March 13, 1816, a. 40, and he m. (2) Olive Felch of Wilton, Me., Nov. 2, 1817. He d. March 16, 1836, a. 67. Each of Mr. Spalding's wives bore him 10 chn., making 20 in all, a larger family, it is thought, than any other son of W. could boast. Only the names of those native here are given.
20. Joseph7, b. May 31, 1798; m. twice; res. Richmond, Me.; 13 chn.; d.
21. Zachariah7, b. Nov. 13, 1799; m. Asenath Wood; 8 chn.; a physician of Bingham, Me.
22. Sarah7, b. Dec. 30, 1800; m. Thomas Houghton; res. Madison, Me.; d. Oct. 22, 1865.
23. Jonathan7, b. Jan. 23, 1802; m. Harriet Baker; res. "The Forks," Me.
24. Abigail7, b. June 28, 1803; d. unm. Dec. 18, 1826.
[5.] Spalding, Zebina6 bro. of the last two, m. July 2, 1794, Fanny Spring, said to be "of W.," and perhaps dau. of Amos, a Rev. soldier. He lived awhile in the E. part of the town and run a distillery located on the turnpike below the present Wachusettville and Depot road, but finally set. on the farm of his father, where he d. June 12, 1848, a. 46. He served the town for sev. years in the respective offices of Selectman, Assessor, and member of the Sch. Com. Fanny (Spring) Spalding d. Jan. 10, 1859, a. 85. Chn.:
25. Bridget7, b. Oct. 26, 1795; m. Ezra Hudson; res. Temp.; d. Feb. 12, 1847.
26. Zebina7, b. Aug. 10, 1799; d. Oct. 5, 1905.
27. Frederick W.7, b. Jan. 28, 1804; d. Oct. 25, 1805.
28. Asenath7, b. Aug. 10, 1806; m. Levi Sherwin; res. Fg.; d. Jan. 12, 1862.
29. Zeeb p.7, b. May 17, 1809; m. Sarah S. Paine; res. Boston; t. chn.; d. Nov. 28, 1859.
30. Fanny M.7, b. July 25, 1813; m. twice; res. W.; 5 chn.; d. Aug. 5, 1880.
31. A. Person7, b. July 9, 1817; m. Dolly Gates; res. W.
Jonah6 (8), the youngest son of Joseph and Bridget (Crosby) Spalding, studied medicine and commenced practice in Wilton, Me., in 1805. He rode far and wide among the upper settlements of the Kennebec River, which at that day were sparsely populated, and maintained an honorable standing in the community at large as a physician and as a citizen. He held important public offices, and was the author of two published works treating of subjects germane to his profession. He d. Nov. 6, 1870, at the age of almost 92.
[12.] Spalding, Jesse7, s. of Merari6 and Betsey (Heald), m. Polly, dau. of Charles and Polly (Burgess) Smith, Dec. 13, 1822, and set. on his father's place, in a house built for his occupancy. He was a carpenter by trade, a Whig in politics, a Universal Restorationist in religion, and a reputable member of society. He was Selectman for some years, and in other ways served the public needs and the general welfare. He d. March 6, 1850, a. 53. His w., Polly, d. -----. Chn.:
32. Unnamed8, b. Sept. 2, 1822; d. Sept. 3, 1822.
33. Unnamed8, b. June 12, 1823; d. same day.
34. Charles H.8 b. Dec. 31, 1826; m. Marietta Palmer; res. Shirley; d. July 19, 1866.
35. Unnamed8, b. June 10, 1828; d. same day.
36. Mary M.8, b. Feb. 19, 1830; m. Hulbert L. Harris; res. Leom.; chn.; dec'd.
[19.] Spalding, Anson7, youngest s. of Dea. Merari6, m. Harriet, dau. of Joseph and Mary Rugg, July 3, 1834. He was somewhat of a scholar, and devoted his winters for some yrs. to teaching, as a change from his ordinary occupation of farming. He was a member of the Sch. Com., 1835, 1836, 1840, 1841, 1857, 1858, and also Assessor during the last 2 yrs. He d. June 5, 1866, a. 54. His wid. is still living, having a home with her daus. in Leom. Their chn. were:
37. Harriet M.8, b. April 5, 1835; m. Andrew B. Derby: res. Petaluma, Cal.; has 4 chn.
38. Eliza8, b. June 17, 1838; m. Edwin Moore; res. Petaluma, Cal.; has 4 chn.
39. Julia Ann8, b. Aug. 4, 1840; m. Charles J. Smith; res. Stockton, Cal.; has 5 chn.
40. Henrietta M.8/sup>, b. Feb. 9, 1843; m. Jonas W. Gates; res. Leom.; no chn.
41. Francillia8, b. Oct. 18, 1844; m. Harrison B. Whitney; res. Leom.; 4 chn.
Mrs. Henrietta M. Gates8 (40), of this family, is a woman of culture, refinement, moral worth, executive ability, pleasing address, etc., — qualities generally recognized and gratefully appreciated in the community where she resides. She has been for some years a member of the Board of Trustees for the Public Library of Leom., also of the Sch. Com., — in both of which positions she renders most efficient and acceptable service. She is, moreover, an active worker in the Unitarian chh. of the town, to the interests and faith of which she is intelligently, conscientiously, and earnestly devoted.

[p. 879-881] STEARNS

A multitude of persons in N. E. and elsewhere bearing this familiar name trace their descent from two kinsmen, Isaac1 and Charles1 both of whom were among the early settlers in Watertown, and both of whom have been represented by families here. The first of these, Isaac1 came from the old country with Gov. Winthrop in 1630, a fact which vouches for his staunch Puritanic principles and love of civil and religious liberty. Charles1 arrived a few years later, and set. near his predecessor. They are sup. to have been b. in Nayland, Suffolkshire.
Isaac Stearns1 had a s. Samuel2, who married Hannah Manning and by her had a large family. Among the sons was John3, whose w. was Abigail Fiske of Watertown. Of this union came the first of the name in W., as did also Rev. David Stearns4, minister of Lunenburg, and Abigail4 w. of Benjamin Bellows, an early res. of Nar. No. 2. as heretofore stated.
1. Stearns, John4, s. of John3 and Abigail (Fiske), abovenamed, was b. Watertown, Nov. 18, 1702. He m. Anne Coolidge of the same place, Feb. 15, 1725, and lived there some years, where at least 4 of his chn. were b. June 5, 1741, he purchased lot No. 41, now occupied by the wid. and daus. of Nathan Howard, on which he very soon located. (See A. H.No. 40.) He sold his farm Dec. 20, 1775, to Benjamin Howard, and, as no further record of him is found, it is presumed that himself and wife went to live with some one of their children elsewhere. They had:
2. Moses5 b. May 29, 1728; m. Ruth Houghton; res. W.
3. Jerusha5, b. Nov. 5, 1730; m. Darius Houghton of Lunenburg.
4. Anna5, bap. March 3, 1736; prob. d. young.
5. Abigail5 bap. Oct. 13, 1739; m. Roger Wellington, Lexington.
6. Hepzibah, bap. Nov. 12, 1741; m. Benjamin Stratton, Waltham.
7. Aaron5, b. Feb. 2, 1746; m. Esther Glazier; res. W., etc.
8. Elias5, b. Sept. 30, 1753; m. Sarah Keyes; res. Haverhill. N. H.; 9 chn.; d. 1845.
[2.] Stearns, Moses5 s. of the last, m., June 13, 1754, Ruth Houghton, prob. of Lanc. He seems to have lived on lot 6S, the Williams place, near No. 7 Sch. Ho., which he sold to James Walker in 1760, removing not long after to Walpole, N. H., where he d. Sept 29, 1808, a. 80. Ruth, his wid., d. Feb. 27, 1815, a. 82. Chn.:
9. Ephraim6, b. April 6, 1755; m. Molly Gilman; res. Walpole, N. H.
10. Esther6, b. April 11, 1757; m. James Eastman; res. Newfane, Vt.
11. Reuben6, b. Sept. 1, 1759; unm.; res. Walpole, N. H.; d. 1791.
12. Relief6, b. March 8, 1762; m. Simon Farrer; res. Herkimer, N. Y.
13. Elizabeth6, b. Sept. 4, 1764; m. John Adams; res. Walpole, N. H.
14. Lois6, b. Aug. 4, 1766; m. James Knapp; res. unkn.
15. Benjamin6, b. Oct. n, 1768; m. Esther Simonds; res. N. H.; 10 chn.; an M. D.
16. Lucy6, b. Jan. 14, 1771; d., prob. unm., Nov. 29, 1796.
17. Abigail6, b. Feb. 27, 1775; m. Isaac Gibson; res. Grafton, Vt.
[7.] Stearns, Aaron5, bro. of the preceding, was pub. to Esther Glazier of Lancaster, Feb. 4, 1766. They lived in town some years (locality unknown), but rem. to Walpole, N. H., ab. 1772, and thence soon after to Langdon, N. H., where both he and his w. are supposed to have d. Chn.:
18. Jesse6, b. Aug. 3, 1766; m. Betsey Gibson; res. Walpole; 10 chn.
19. Levi6, b. Dec. 29, 1767; m. twice; res. Walpole; 11 chn.
20. Lydia6, b. Feb. 21, 1770; m. Jonathan Martin; res. Bradford, Vt.; no chn.
21. Zenas6, b. June 3, 1772; m. Betsey Heath; res. Newbury, Vt.; 9 chn.
22. Esther6, b. June 24, 1775; res. Walpole; nothing further.
23. John6, b. July 16, 1777; m. and res. N. Y. State; 9 chn.
24. Aaron6, b. Feb. 11, 1780; twins; prob. d. young.
25. Rhoda6, b. Feb. 11, 1780; twins; m. and went to Kingston, Canada.
26. Stearns, Thomas4 another s. of John3 and Abigail, was b. Watertown, Oct. 8, 1711. He came to Nar. No. 2, as is understood, in 1740, the 5th permanent settler in the place, and established himself on lot No. 42, the late Job Seaver farm, where he res. through life. He became one of the most active, influential, and honored citizens of the township, holding important public offices, and being elected Dea. of the church upon the death of Dea. Joseph Holden in 1768. He m. Aug. 9, 1744, Hannah Clarke of Newton, but had no chn. He d. April 2, 1785, a. 75. By will he gave his wid. £10 and the use, while she lived, of one-third of his real and personal estate, which was considerable for those days. He bequeathed £13 6s. "to the Church of Christ in W., on condition that Rev. Mr. Rice have the interest upon the same while he continued the minister." The remainder was to go finally to his bros. and srs. who were living, and the heirs of those dec'd, — the bulk of his lands being assigned to his nephews, Phineas of Watertown, and James of Lunenburg, who were his executors. His wid., who evidently deemed them faithless to their trust, commenced suit against them for property in their possession in 1788, but with what result does not appear. She became finally a public charge, giving up what little property she had to the town in 1794, and receiving support thereafter from the public treasury. She d. Aug. 11, 1799.
27. Stearns, Josiah5, s. of Josiah4 of Watertown, who was bro. of John4 and Thomas4 above named, and Hannah (Ball) Stearns, was b. July 11, 1730, and m. in 1765, Abigail Emerson of Plum Island, opposite Newburyport. He bought lot No. 91, lying S. E. of the Jackson, recently Lyman Allen, farm, Nov. 4, 1756, and subsequently became a permanent resident thereon. (See A. H. No. 36.) Later in life he was partially insane and had a guardian appointed. In 1773, on petition of his w. and the Selectmen, who certified to his recovery, the guardian was rem. Some yrs. after, he went to Wilmington, Vt., where he was afflicted with his old malady, and d. Jan. 31, 1802, a. 71. His wid., Abigail, d. in W., Sept., 1803. Chn. :
28. Abigail6, b. Feb. 6, 1766; m. James Miller; res. Wilmington, Vt.; 7 chn.
29. Susannah6, b. Feb. 18, 1768; unm.; insane after 15 yrs. of age.
30. Elizaiseth6, b. Aug. 1, 1770; m. John Whitney, etc.; 6 chn.; d. 1838.
31. Josiah6, b. May 25, 1773; m. Lucy Allen, Pn.; res. Wilmington; 9 chn.
32. Daniel6, b. May 18, 1776; m. Elizabeth Heywood; res. W., etc.
[32.] Stearns, Daniel6, son of the last, m. Aug. 7, 1800, Elizabeth, dau. of Timothy and Patience (Stebbins) Heywood. He res. here some 4 or 5 yrs., when he followed other members of his family to Wilmington, Vt. Ab. the year 1814 he rem. to Brattleboro', thence, in 1818, to Gerry, Chatauqua Co., N. Y., and finally to Freeport, Ill., where himself and w. d. some 30 yrs. since. The common affliction of the family, insanity, characterized the last years of his life. Three chn. were b. here:
33. Louisa7, b. Nov. 14, 1800.
34. Phineas7, b. Aug. 1, 1802; d. Sept., 1803.
35. Mary7, b. May 25, 1804; d. Aug., 1806.
After leaving W. they had Phineas7, Daniel M.7, Isaac N.7, Horatio N.7, and Mary7, b. Wilmington, Vt.; Charles7 and Elizabeth7, b Brattleboro'; and Alvalina7, Elmira7, and William7, b. Gerry, N. Y. Two of these studied divinity and became ministers of the Methodist denomination.
36. Stearns, Stephen B.7 s. of Samuel6 and Polly (Bennett) Stearns, was b. in Fg., Nov. 2, 1805. He was a descendant of the immigrant Charles1 mentioned in the first paragraph relating to the family, by the following line, — Shubael2 of Lynn, Samuel3, also of Lynn, Timothy4 of Wilmington and Leominster, Samuel5 of Leominster, Samuel6 of Fitchburg. He was a painter by trade and worked in town a few years, when he rem. to Concord, N. H., where he d. June 25, 1835, at the age of 29. He m. in 1833 (pub. Jan. 19), Mary, dau. of Asa and Lucena (Puffer) Merriam, who bore him one s. and d. Aug. 19, 1851, a. 45. The s. was:
37. Charles Hudson8, b. June 12, 1833; m. twice and res. Worc.; 1 chd.; living.

[p. 889] TITUS

Robert Titus1 came from Stanstead Abbey, Hertfordshire, Eng., in 1635, and set. first in Weymouth, but no long after rem. to Rehoboth, then called by its Indian name, Seconet. His s., John2, born in 1627, accompanied his father and prob. succeeded him in the occupancy of his estate. John2 had Samuel3, b. 1661, the f. of John4, b. 1703, whose s. Simeon5, m. Hannah F. Allen, and res. in Attleboro', as prob. some of his ancestors did before him.

1. Titus, Otis6, s. of Simeon5, was b. in Attleboro', May 15, 1779. When a young man he came to Pn. (Everetteville) to learn the art of tanning of Joshua and William Everett, whose mother was aunt to him. Having served his apprenticeship he worked awhile in Fg., then rem. to this town, and, Nov. 27, 1813, purchased lands of Timothy Doty, upon which he erected the dwelling house now occupied by his dau. Mrs. Augustine Whitney and her husband, and also suitable buildings for carrying on business, which he at once started and continued until far advanced in life. He acquired a handsome competency, was a reputable citizen, and lived to great age. He m. Oct. 15, 1812, Sally (6), dau. of Jonathan Minott, a woman of character, executive ability, and of great usefulness in many ways. His death occurred Oct. 9, 1873, at the age of 94. His wid. d. June 15, 1883, a. 93. Their chn. were:
2. Otis Walcott7, b. April 1, 1814; went to Ohio, where he d. by drowning; unm.
3. Sally Ann7, b. Feb. 17, 1817; m. Aaron Smith; 1 chd.; res. Brooklyn, N. Y.
4. Crawford A.7, b. May 7, 1820; m. Isabella Mann; no chn.; d. many yrs. since.
5. Albert7, b. May 15, 1826; d. Aug. 7, 1828.
6. Mary A.7, b. Dec. 4, 1828; Augustine (116) Whitney; 2 chn.; living W.
7. Frances C.7, b. Sept. 5, 1830; d. Aug. 26, 1854.

Copyright © 2000, 2006, 2011, 2017, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group.

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