Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

HUMPHREY This name, with the orthographic variations of Umphrys or Humphries, appears in New England Colonies in 1634. From that time until the present the descendants of the immigrant of this date and of other later comers have contibuted to the development of the country and its people. Works of biography tell of many prominent men in Britain, one of them a Duke of Gloucester, bearing this cognomen; and the origin of the name has been traced by some writers to the invasion of Britain by William the Conqueror, in whose retinue were persons bearing this name or one like it; but the immediate subjects of this sketch attach no credence to the deductions from records of a misty past, but claim descent from no one more remote than good old Jonas Humphrey, whose antecedents seem to be unknown, and whose descendants, like him, have always depended upon their own acts for their reputations and their training and inherited proclivities for their characters. (I) Jonas (1) Humphrey, immigrant ancestor of this family, was born in the town of Wendover, county of Bucks, England, as is proved by an affidavit found in the Massachusetts archives. In his native land he was evidently a citizen of character and repute and held of the office of constable, no mean position at that day. Among his papers and documents was a treatise upon the duties of his office, which has been preserved. He removed with his family to New England in 1634, landing at Dorchester where they lodged the first night in a house belonging to William Hammond, standing upon the spot where the house of Deacon James Humphrey was later erected. The following morning Jonas Humphrey began his work as a new settler by the purchase of the house in which he had lodged and the land about it. This has continued in the possession of the family for nine generations, the various members carrying on the same line of business. It is located in that part of Dorchester known as Harrison Square. Tradition says that Jonas was a glove maker by trade in England, but after settling in Dorchester turned his attention to tanning as proving more profitable in the new colony. His age at the time of emigration is not known, but he was probably well advance in years as his eldest son James was at that time twenty-nine years of age. He seems to have been a man of standing and repsectability, and united with the church of Dorchester in 1639. The church record reads: "Jonas Humphrey laid hold of the covenant the 6th day 9 mo. 1639, as also his wife." He was a grantee of Necklands in 1737 [trans. note: he died in 1662, so is this a typo and it should read 1637?]; was made a freeman, May 16, 1640; and proprietor in the great lots in 1646. His death occurred in Dorchester March 19, 1662, and his will is recorded and dated March 12, 1662, but seven days prior to his death. This document reads as follows: "The Last Will and Testament of Jonas Humphrey, being weake in body by reason of old age and other infirmities, but of perfect understanding and memory. Blessed be God therefor, I dispose of my outward estate as followeth: First, I give to my beloved wife all yt good that is now in being which she brought with her. Also I give my wife a third part of yt four acres of land that lyeth in the great lott, & a third part of seven acres & a half in the 20 acre lott, & a third part of 2 acres at yt 8 acres lott, during her life, and after her decease all these parcels of land to return to my son James Humphreys. Also I give my wife one cow, one new chest, one blanket, one pair of Sheets, and half the hemp. Also, I give my son Jonas Humfrey one bed, one coverlid, one flock Bolster, also my cloake and my great coat . . . . Also I give to my grand child Elizabeth Price four pounds & yt chest yt was her grand mothers. Also I give my daughter Susanna White, wife to Nicholas White ten shillings. All the rest of my Estate both land and goods I give to my loving son James Humfrey whom I make my whole Executor." It is uncertain whether or not the wife of Jonas, by name Frances, was living when he came to New England, as no mention is made of her. He married (second) Jane Clapp, born in Salcombe Regis, England, died in Dorhcester Aug. 2, 1668. She was a niece of Richard Clapp, of Dorchester, and widow of George Weeks, one of the first colonists, who died Oct. 27, 1659, and by whom she had children: William, Amiell, Jane and Joseph. Chldren (all by 1st m.): 1. James, born in Wendover, England, 1608, died in Dorchester, May 12, 1686; married Mary _____< who died May 7, 1677; children: Hopestill, baptized June 10, 1649, married (first) Elizbeth Baker; (second) Jan. 5, 1719, Hannah, widow of John Blake; children: James, Mary, Ruth, Sarah, John, Samuel Jonas and Elizabeth; ii. Isaac, married Patience, bap. April 2, 1654, dau. of Humphrey Atherton, and had children: Isaac, Jacob, Relief and Ruth; iii. Mary, who died April 21, 1676, married Obadiah _____, b. about 1635, son of Richard and Ann Hawes. 2. Jonas, see forward. 3. Elizbabeth, married _____ Frye or Foye or FFrie or Frie. 4. Susanna, married Nicholas White. 5. Sarah, buried in Dorchester Sept., 1638. (II) Deacon Jonas (2), second son of Jonas (1) and Frances Humphrey was born in Wendover, England, about 1620. He removed with his father to Dorchester and after several years went to Weymouth, a few miles to the eastward of the bay. The date of this removal is uncertain as he appears to have held a residence in both places at the same time. He was chosen to a town office in Weymouth in 1648, while his two eldest children were born in Dorchester at a later date. He does not appear to have settled permanently in the fomer town until 1653 or 1654. His residence was in the northern part of the town, commonly called "Old Spain," and the old homestead on Neck street remained in the family for nearly two centuries. He was a man of great capacity and influence and one of the leaders of the town, serving many years as selectman, a part of the time as chairman of the board, and was deacon of the church a long time prior to his decease, which occurred Feb. 11, 1698-99. He was made a freeman in 1653. His will, dated Aug. 6, 1692-93, and proved March 30, 1699, is recorded in Suffolk probate. His wife, Martha, and children John and Sarah, probably died before his will was made, as there is no mention of them. His marriage probably took place in Dorchester, and his wife is only known by her name of Martha; one account, however, says she was living June 22, 1712. Children: 1. Samuel, born in Dorchester, 1649, married Mary, dau. of James and Ann (Hatch) Torrey, of Scituate, and had children: Sarah, Samuel, John and Josiah. 2. Nathaniel, born in Dorcheter, 1652, died Jan. 17, 1701; married Elizabeth ____ and had children: Elizabeth, Ruth, Sarah, Hannah, Susannah and Abigail. 3. Jonas, see forward. 4. John, born in Weymouth Aug. 31, 1658. 5. Sarah, born in Weymouth May 16, 1661. 6. James, born in Weymouth Sept. 10, 1665, died Aug. 17, 1718; married (first) Thankful _____, who died Jan. 1, 1699, leaving one child: Silence; married (second) Margaret, born June 19, 1675, died April 16, 1752, dau. of Micajah and Susanna Torry; they had children: James, Nathaniel and Margaret. (III) Jonas (3), third son of Deacon Jonas (2) and Martha Humphrey, was born in Weymouth, Feb. 24, 1655, died Oct. 30, 1689. He was the first child born after the family removed to Weymouth and always resided in that town. He took part in the Indian campaign of 1675, against King Philip, being a member of Capt. Johnson's company. He was an industrious and provident man and left an estate valued at one thousand three hundred and fifty pounds, which was administered by his widow. He married Mary, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Phillips, of Weymouth, and his widow afterward became the second wife of Peter Newcomb, of Braintree. Children: 1. Jonas, see forward. 2. James, born in Weymouth, is mentioned as married in the will of his grandfather, and in a deed of 1710 is styled of Boston. 3. Mary, born in Weymouth April 18, 1688. (IV) Jonas (4), eldest child of Jonas (3) and Mary (Phillips) Humphrey, was born in Weymouth Sept. 3, 1684, died in 1761. He was a weaver by occupation and also a tanner and very accurate in the mangement of his affairs. In farming matters he made many improvements. "He began with the potato crop, which was nearly new in the new settlement at the time, and raised in one year a bushel and a half, which was a wonderment to all about him what he could do with so many potatoes." He resided in Weymouth all his life. He married (first) Martha _____, who died June 22, 1712. Child: John, see forward. He married (second) Mary Neal who died in 1766. Children, b. in Weymouth: 1. Mary, born Feb. 26, 1716, married March 25, 1745, John, son of John and Patience Green, and had children: Rachel, Mary and John. 2. Martha, born April 5, 1717, married Jan. 16, 1734, Matthew, son of John and Dorothy (Pratt) Whitman, and had children: Joseph, Hannah, Jesse, Sarah and Mary. 3. Samuel, born Feb. 24, 1719, died May 16, 1725. 4. Hannah, born Feb. 10, 1720, died April 8, 1725. 5. Samuel, born June 7, 1728, died Nov. 10, 1800; he married (first) Nov. 7, 1751, Sarah, b. Aug. 31, 1727, d. in 1772, dau. of Samuel and Mary Phillips; children: Sarah, James, Samuel, Samuel, Joseph and Sarah. He married (second) April 7, 1774, Sarah, born Aug. 24, 1730, died Sept. 17, 1811, dau. of John and Deborah (Whitmarsh) Tirrell, and widow of Ebenezer Bicknell Jr. 6. James, born April 18, 1732, died about 1852. (V) John (1), only child of Jonas (4) and Martha Humphrey, was born in Weymouth, Mass., Feb. 17, 1710, died Feb. 24, 1782. Little is known of him beyond the fact that he was not in affluent circumstances. He married (published Oct. 15, 1738) Mary Penny. Children, b. in Weymouth: 1. Hannah, born May 17, 1740, died young. 2. Betty, born July 3, 1742, died 1835; married (pub. March 7, 1767) Jonathan, born Aug. 23, 1739, died in 1816, son of Jonathan and Rebecca (Derby) Blanchard; children: William, Elizabeth, Lydia, Rebecca, Mary, Anna, John and Hannah. 3. John, see forward. 4. William, born March 22, 1747, died probably about 1751. 5. James, born June 17, 1750, died Sept. 12, 1836; married (first) Mary Twitchell, b. in 1752, d. July 7, 1787; children: James, William, Rachel, Mary, Rebecca, Martha, James, Hannah and Jerusha. He married (second) Jerusha Hayden; children: Jonas, John, William, Jerusha, Clement, Shadrach, Meshach, Shadrach, Abigail Libby and Azariah. 6. Eunice, born Dec. 11, 1752, married Samuel Brimhall; children: Samuel, Polly, Mehetabel, Hannah, Betsey, Elisha, Eunice, Joshua, Jonas and Joel. 7. Jonas, born Nov. 18, 1754, was in Arnold's expedition to Quebec and afterward re-enlisted and was killed in battle of White Plains, New York, during the revolutionary war. 8. Mary, born March 14, 1757. 9. Hannah, born March 18, 1759, married Benjamin, son of Moses and Kezia (Cady) Winters; children: Amanda, Jonas and Tirzah. 10. Martha, born Feb. 24, 1761, married July 9, 1783, Nathaniel Belcher; children: Martha, Annie, John, Nathaniel, Jonas and Joseph. 11. Silence, born March 30, 1762, married James Bailey; children: Hannah, Betsey, John, James, Lucretia, Solomon, Levi, Baxter and David. (VI) John (2), third child and eldest son of John (1) and Mary (Penny) Humphrey, was born in Weymouth Dec. 21, 1744, died in Gray, Maine, Sept. 14, 1833. He moved to Gray (then New Boston) in 1771. He became one of the leading citizens of the town and was chosen deacon in the Congregational church. He married (first) Mary Hayden. Children: 1. Oliver, see forward. 2. Moses, a deacon, married Annie Westcott. 3. Aaron, born in 1770, died Oct .10, 1858; he was a clergyman and home missionary, and was first connected with Methodism, afterward taking orders in the Episcopal church; he was engaged in ministerial work for more than fifty years; married Ashure, dau. of Asa and Abigail (Colbroth) Libby, of Gray, Maine. 4. Olive, married ____ Crockett. 5. Hannah, born in Gray, April 5, 1777, married Feb. 1, 1802, Samuel A., born in Gray Feb. 21, 1779, son of John and Elizabeth (or May) (Andrews) Nash; children: Ari H., David, Barzillai, Lewis, Sarah and Mary J. John Humphrey married (second), Rachel Twitchell. He married (third) when very old, Widow Ruth (Lord) Doughty. Children (must be from 2d m.) : 6. Mary, married ____ Daniels; she removed to Ohio and died there. 7. Annie, married ____ Fergeron, and lived in Gray, Maine. (VII) Oliver, eldest child of John (2) and Mary (Hayden) Humphrey, was born in Gray, where he was a deacon in the Methodist church. He married Betsey, daughter of Asa and Abigial (Colbroth) Libby. Children: 1. John, born in Gray, removed to Hampden; married (first) Sally Young, (second) Sally Batchelder; his children, the first five born in Gray, were: Cyrus, Lydia, Louisa, Aphia, George and Joseph. 2. Asa, see forward. 3. Mary, married John Batchelder and lived in Hampden, Maine. 4. Sally, died May 29, 1858; married March 16, 1817, Isaac, born in Falmouth, Maine, April 1, 1794, son of Arthur and Mary (Allen) Libby; children: Mary, Betsey, Catherine, Lucinda, Elbridge, Asenath, Susan, Isaac, Joseph, Caroline and Daniel. 5. Aaron, married Louisa Fogg, and resided in Portland, Maine. 6. Moses, married Harriet Batchelder, and resided in Hampden, Maine. 7. Elias, married ____ Noble and and resided in Pittsfield, Maine. (VIII) Asam second son of Oliver and Betsey (Libby) Humphrey, was born April 13, 1792, in Gray. He was taken prisoner by the British during the war of 1812 and lay in Dartmouth prison for two years, when he was released and returned to Gray. There he resided until within five years of his death, at which time he removed to Windham, Maine, where he died March 29, 1870. He married, May 24, 1818, Asenath, who died Feb. 1, 1879, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Rounds) Fogg, of Portland, Maine. Children: 1. Ira, born in Gray, July 4, 1819, resided in Cumberland, Maine; married March 14, 1844, Cynthia Jane, b. Feb. 18, 1824, dau. of Ephraim and Carrie (Hicks) Morrison; children: John B., Oliver and Eunice. 2. Hiram, born in Gray, May 12, 1821, resided in Boston from whence he went to New Mexico and engaged in the selling and setting up of brick machines; married Dec. 25, 1846, Aurelia, b. Oct. 4, 1824, dau. of Alexander and Barbara (Winslow) Whitney; children: Melville, Augustus, Nelson Fogg, Ada, Mary and Ellena. 3. Lavinia, born in Gray, Oct. 31, 1824, married, 1846, William F., born in Windham, Maine, April 5, 1821, son of James and Hannah (Lowell) Hall; children: Alfreda H., James A., Albina C. and Georgia A. 4. Henry Pennell, see forward. 5. Lucinda Russell, born in Portland, Maine, May 31, 1830, married Feb. 28, 1860, Joseph, b. in Windham, Maine May 17, 1836, son of John J. and Sarah (Perley) Hussey; no children. 6. Aaron, born in Portland, Jan. 14, 1833, was a miner, unmarried, and resided in Colorado. 7. Nelson Fogg, born in Gray, March 20, 1835, was a seaman, and died unmarried. (IX) Henry Pennell, third son and fourth child of Asa and Asenath (Fogg) Humphrey, was born in Gray, Maine, July 9, 1827, and died January 1891. His occupation was that of shoemaking and he resided in Lowell, Mass. He married (first) Jan. 9, 1845, Augusta Moody, b. Dec. 29, 1816, d. Aug. 13, 1853, dau. of Rev. Daniel and Susan (Buxton) Weston, of Gray. Children: 1. Susan Weston, born in Yarmouth, Maine, died Sept. 18, 1846. 2. Susan Augusta, born in Yarmouth, March 5, 1847, married Oct. 31, 1869, Melvin Porter, son of Alpheus and Naomi (Stimson) Frank.