A HISTORY OF THE TOWN
OF MIDDLEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,
1670-1850
Edward Church Smith.
Menasha, Wis. Priv. print. 1924



[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]




GAMWELL

Samuel Gamwell. A resident of Northboro, 1730, m. 1st Margaret, who d. 6-18-1734. m. 2d. 3-11-1735, Ann, dau. of Patrick and Ann HABLETON, Hopkinton. m. 3d Mrs. Eunice DUNSMOR, 10-11-1757. Lancaster. (Last marriage may possibly have been with Samuel Jr.)

Children:

Margaret, b. 11-1-1730, m. Wm. BROWN of Groton, 3-16-1754.
Mary, b. 7-7-1732, m. 1-10-1764, John MAHAN of Worcester.
Samuel, b. 4-4-1736, m. 1-10-11764, Jane CROOKS of Hopkinton. was probl the man of this name in Chester, 1800, and the Mr. Gamble who d. there 9-4-1825, age 91. A Mrs. Gamble d. there 5-2-1821, age 80.
Abigail, b. 3-26-1738, m. int. 1-10-1764, John CANADA of Worcester.
John, b. 9-7-1742, See Fam. 1.
Ann, b. 1758.
James, b. 8-23-1761. See Fam. 2.

FAMILY 1

John Gamwell, son of Samuel and Ann, b. at Northboro, 9-7-1742. The Gamwells were apparently from the North of Ireland as they lived and married in the Scotch-Irish communities. John Gamwell m. 2-12-1765, Elizabeth ELDER of Worcester. He m. 2nd 11-11-1779, at Worcester, Jane, dau. of James and Margaret HAMILTON, whose family moved to Chester.
In 1777 John Gamwell served in the Revolution seven days in a Northboro company. He was in Chester by 1785 where he was assigned to a pew in the meetinghouse. He d. there 4-10-1813, age 70. ____ w. of "old John" d. there 2-18-1813, age 49(?).

Children:

By Elizabeth, in Northboro:
Rebecca, bp. 11-16-1766.
John, bp. 6-18-1769. See Fam. 2.
Samuel, bp. 9-6-1773.
Elizabeth, bp. 9-4-1775.

By Jane in Northboro:
Betsey, b. 8-23-1780.
Moses, b. 4-16-1782. See Fam. 3.
Samuel, b. 1-20-1784, m. int. 9-19-1810, Clarissa MOORE, of New Marlboro.
William, b. 9-5-1786.
James, b. 7-6-1789, m. Sally CHAPIN of Sheffield. Moved to Springfield Center, N.Y.
Born in Chester:
Jane, b. 6-19-1790.
Anna, b. 1-11-1792.
Sewall, b. 10-30-1793. See Fam. 4.
Aaron, b. 4-17-1796.

FAMILY 2

John Gamwell, son of John, bp. 6-18-1769, Northboro. He was a resident of Chester in 1800, but in 1801 he purchased of Daniel Alderman, in Mid. East End of Lot 52, I Div. Mur., and dwelling house, later he bought the northern part of this lot and part of Lot 116. He sold out, in 1809, to Stephen Parsons.
He was set off to Captain Nathan Wright's school district in 1803. He m. 2-21-1793, Marjory, dau. of James and Sarah HAMILTON, who was b. 9-12-1769 and d. in Palmer 10-27-1825. He d. there 7-21-1855.

Children, born in Chester:

Absel, b. 7-23-1793, d. 1826.
James, b. 19-24-1798.
Sarah, b. 7-31-1803.
Samuel, bp. 1807, d. 2-23-1826.
There were other children b. in Pamer.

FAMILY 3

Moses Gamwell, son of John and Jane (Hamilton) Gamwell, b. Northboro, 4-16-1782; d. Mid. 7-19-1865, m. Chester, (int.) 3-4-1805, Martha BELL who was b. 6-23-1781; d. 11-18-1868, Cen. 1840, 1850, 1860.
He was deacon in the Baptist Church. Lived about 1840 at the "old Cottrell" place, so called, near the southern end of Ridgepole Road. In his later years he lived in the old William Wheeler house, just east of the Willis Graves place, on the West Hill. He lived in Peru in 1810.

FAMILY 4

Sewall Gamwell, son of John and Jane (Hamilton) Gamwell, b. Northboro 1-30-1793, m. Amanda, dau. of William and Clarina CHENEY of Tyringham, who was b. 12-22-1798. Cen. 1840, 1850. Moved to Chester. He was living in Mid. about 1840, at the Warner place, so called, previously occupied by Jesse Johnson, near the lower end of Ridgepole Road.

Children:

William H., b. 6-12-1823, m. Olive GRAY, b. Ashfield, Aug. 1832. Children: Clara; and Ellen, who m. Chas. H. MEACHAM of Mid.
Clarina A., b. 2-19-1825, m. 6-6-1843, Amos W. CROSS.
Esther A., b. 8-27-1826, m. J. C. CROCKER, wdr. lumber merchant of Albany, N.Y.
John C., b. 12-13-1827.
Jane, b. 7-26-1829, Chester.

FAMILY 5

James Gamwell, son of Samuel and Eunice Gamwell, was b. Northboro, 8-23-1761; d. Hinsdale 4-3-1830, m. 1st Mary _____ b. 1761, d. Mid. 11-19-1795, m. 2nd 6-26-1797, Polly KINGSTON. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. He bought in 1788 from Ebenezer Babcock the East part of Lot 42 II Div. Chester. Pew 19, 1792. Cen. 1800.

Among their children were:

Lydia, b. 1798. See Fam. 6.
Sophronia, b. ____, m. Samuel ROBBINS, had dau. Mary. Lived in Michigan.
Sawyer, b. ____ See Fam. 7.
Morgan, b. ____ See Fam. 8.

FAMILY 6

Lydia Gamwell, dau. of James and Polly Gamwell, b. 1798, d. Becket 9-10-1875, m. 1st Captain Alexander DICKSON. m. 2nd Hiram, son of Oliver PARISH, of Worth., who was b. 1789, m. 3rd Becket, 11-18-1871, Lyman, son of Esther and Israel FRINK of Peru, b. 1792.

FAMILY 7

Sawyer Gamwell, son of James and Polly Gamwell, b. _____. Lived with Captain Alexander Dickson in Mid. but went to New York State, married and lived in Rochester several years. He was an axemaker. Had a son.

Family 8

Morgan Gamwell, son of James and Polly Gamwell, b. _____; m. 1st (int.) 11-4-1826, Julia SPRING of Wash., who d. 9-5-1844, age 39. m. 2nd widow Amanda CHAPEL, 10-10-1844. He lived in Hinsdale most of his life.

' Children, born in Hinsdale:

Marcus, b. 11-17-1827.
Mary, b. 7-19-1829.
James, b. 7-1-1831.
Harlow, b. 10-30-1832. He was a physician in Westfield, m. 2d Sarah DE WOLF of Chester, Children, Cornelia, Grace.
Herbert, b. 4-25-1834, d. 12-16-1920, in Northamp. m. Helen Eliza, dau. of Harry MEACHAM of Mid. He was a machinist at the Williams Basket Shop in Northampton.
Rosetta, b. 2-28-1836.
Charlotte, b. 1-26-1838.
Alexander, b. 10-17-1839.
A son, b. 1-8-1847.


GEER

John Geer (Ezra, Joseph, George), b. in Kent, Conn., 4-2-1759; d. 12-25-1840 in Peru, Mass.; m. in 1780 Onorah, dau. of Obadiah and Zeruiah (Balch) ABBE, b. in Ashford, Conn. 9-26-1766. He settled on the Jewett Geer place about 1780. His children were:
Alpheas (See Fam. 1).
Luther
John (See Fam. 5).
Susannah.
Elizabeth.
Obadiah
Peter
Ira
Lyman.
Calvin.

FAMILY 1

Alpheus Geer, son of John and Onorah Geer, was b. Peru, 9-19-1783, m. (int.) 1-1-1805, Casiah JUDE. Lived in Peru. Had a son, Royal D. Geer, the youngest of nine Children. (See Fam. 2).

FAMILY 2

Royal Dwight Geer, son of Alpheas and Casiah (Jude) Geer, was. b. Peru, 7-19-1826; d. Mid. 10-18-1892, m. Jan. 1856, Lydia Jane, dau. Franklin STOWELL, Peru, b. 10-9-1834; d. 1-9-1899.
He moved to Mid. in 1856 and served many years as a carpenter and operator of a sawmill for S. U. Church & Bros. He lived first at the center, but later moved to Blush Hollow. In 1884 Franklin Stowell deeded to Mr. Geer the house in the center which had been Church Bros. store, and there Mr. and Mrs. Geer spent the rest of their lives.
Mr. Geer was a loyal and active member of the Cong. Church. Mr. Geer sang in the choir and was janitor of the church for many years serving faithfully though his salary was but $10 a year when he took the job.

Children, b. Mid.:

Emma J., b. 10-21-1856 (See Fam. 3).
Willie D., b. 11-3-1858, m. 5-7-1884, Carrie KERSHAW, no children. Lives in W. Warren.
Vara V., b. 1-24-1861 (See Fam. 4).
Frank R., b. 5-7-1868, d. 8-7-1868.
Lilliam M., b. 9-26-1874, d. 4-30-1875.

FAMILY 3

Emma J. Geer, dau. of Royal Dwight and Lydia J. (Stowell) Geer, was b. Mid. 10-21-1856, m. 6-3-1896, George E. LEADBETTER, who was b. 3-28-1863. They live in Orange. (South Road, Parker Farm). Mrs. Leadbetter studied nursing in Pittsfield where she graduated in 1889.
One son:

Ellsworth D., b. 2-17-1898, m. 12-21-1819, Alice MICHAND, who was b. 9-19-1900. They have one child, Rosamond A., b. 4-10-1921.

FAMILY 4

Vara V. Geer, dau. of Royal Dwight and Lydia J. (Stowell) Geer, was. b. Mid. 1-24-1861; m. 1-30-1879, Arthur D. JUDD, b. 7-31-1851. They live in San Diego, Cal. (1832 Irving Ave.).
Their son, Ernest A. Judd, b. 9-20-1899, m. 9-2-1920, Irena M. JACKSON, b. San Diego, Cal., 6-17-1900. One child: Cecille Vara, b. 7-30-1921.

FAMILY 5

John Geer, son of John and Onorah Geer, was b. Peru, 3-30-1789, d. 11-26-1891; was living in Worth. when he m. 1st 11-28-1810, Polly, dau. of David and Nancy CROSS of Mid. He lived in Mid. on lot 116, I Div. Mur., which he bought of his father-in-law. Here he lived on farm known as the "Jesse Wright" place in the Den until he sold it to Wright in 1835 and moved back to Peru.
His wife d. 2-18-1831, age 44. He m. 2nd Charlotte, dau. Simeon and Rebecca WOOD of Mid. She d. 1-29-1847, age 27. He m. 3rd Mrs. Lois WORDAN. Lived in Wash.

Children:

William Matthias, b. Mid. 7-2-1812 (See Fam. 6).
David Howard, b. Mid. 4-9-1815 (See Fam. 7).
Betsey Samantha, b. 12-20-1817, m. Charles CROSIER of Wash.
Calvin, b. 6-7-1820, d. Becket, 1893.
Jarvis, b. ____, d. Medford.
John Wesley, b. abt. 1825, m. 8-8-1849, Eliza Ann EAMES in Wash.
Willard, b. in Wash. Lived in Wash. and Becket.
Sarah Emily, b. Wash., m. Orrin HULL.
Edward Thomas, b. 2-7-1843, m. Sarah J. K. EMERSON.

FAMILY 6

William Matthias Geer, son of John and Polly (Cross) Geer, b. Mid. 7-2-1812, d. Becket, 12-5-1894, m. 1st Charlotte CROSIER of Wash., who d. 3-13-1887. He m. 2nd, Canaan, N.Y., 12-31-1887, Mrs. Lydia P. (THRASHER) Drake TAYLOR, b. Chesterfield, 1833. He was a well-known storekeeper in Becket.

Children, b. in Wash.:

Emerson, b. 1835, d. Chicopee, 11-13-1886, m. Mar. 1858, Mary F. CUSHMAN, who d. 12-6-1891.
Sarah Ann, b. 9-1-1836, d. Mitteneague 2-23-1908, m. Becket, 6-24-1855, Rufus AMES, he d. Northampton.
Adaline, b. 1843, d. Mitteneague, 1908, m. 6-2-1870, Charles J. ALDERMAN.

FAMILY 7

David Howard Geer, son of John and Polly (Cross) Geer, b. Mid. 4-9-1815, m. Emily DUNHAM of Wash.
Children, b. Wash.:

Arabella, b. 3-10-1848.
Charles Wesley, 10-20-1849.


GILBERT

Chalres Gilbert was among the first to settle in the sparsely settled region northeast of the Den. He may have been the Charles Gilbert who was living in Hartford, Ct. in 1790. In 1799 he bought Lot 135 Worthington, some distance northwest of the farm of Mr. C.B.Wright. Roads were laid out in this region in early days which can still be traced. The cellar hole can still (1924) be found. Gilbert was living here in 1800 and 1810. He had left tgown by 1820 and his farm was probably owned at that time by Ezra Phillips who was living in the neighborhood. Gilbert's wife was Lydia _____.

Children, b. Mid.:

Fanny, b. 11-21-1796.
Polly, b. 5-18-1798.
Warner, b. 1-16-1801, d. 12-18-1804, killed by the fall of a tree.
Lydia, b. 6-22-1803.
Patty, b. 4-23-1806.
Maryetta, b. 7-30-1808.


GILLET

Russell Gillet (Aaron, Jonathan, Josiah, Jonathan), son of Aaron and Anna (Pratt) Gillet, was b. 8-31-1769; d. 8-11-1811; m. 3-26-1794, Elizabeth, dau. of James and Margaret (Gaston) DICKSON. He was probably the man of that name listed in the poll list for Colchester, Conn in 1787.
He moved to Middlefield between 1792 and 1794. In 1793 he had an innholders license and kept tavern after Elijah Bartholomew at the Enos Blossom place. He sold out to Daniel Alderman in 1804.

Children:

Betsy, b. 3-6-1795.
Wealthy, b. 6-7-1797.
Russell, b. 10-19-1799.


GLEASON

Isaac Gillette Gleason (Isaac, Isaac, Isaac, Thomas), b. Enfield, Conn. 9-25-1747; m. Azubah PEASE. Moved from Enfield to Mid. about 1796, where he bought land in lost No. 200 and 213 Worthington Section. Lived in old Wood house nroth of the Cottrell place.
By 1820 he had moved to the house west of the center whiere Enoch Crowell first lived. He was a hand loom weaver, and did weaving at his home for Uriah Church, using wool and warp obtained from him. He moved to Worthington between 1830 and 1840.

Children:

Azubah, b. 1775, d. 1776.
Azubah, b. 9-1-1777, d. 5-6-1808; m. 1802, Hezekiah ALLEN.
Isaac, b. 9-2-1779 (See Fam. 1).
Martha, b. 8-9-1781, m. 4-30-1806, John DICKSON. Lived in Mid. for several years. Moved to Liverpool, N.Y. and in 1865 to Beloit, Wis., where they died.
Ariel, b. 1783; d. 1785.
Aurelia, b. 2-26-1786.
Horace, b. abt. 1785; d. Chester abt 1880, m. (int.) 9-11-1814, Huldah GILLETT, was shoemaker. Moved to Worthington.
Ira, b. April 1789, m. Mary FLINT; moved to Suffield, Conn. in his youth. Moved in 1812 to Liverpool, N.Y. Was salt manufacturer, farmer and boatman. 11 children.
Persis, Bap. 5-19-1806; m. Isaac FOLLET. Lived in Mid. in Gleason place north of Cottrell farm. Moved to Worthington.

FAMILY 1

Isaac Gleason, s. Isaac Gillett and Azubah (Pease) Gleason; b. 9-2-1779; m. Mid. 11-24-1805, Sally, dau. James and Margaret (Gaston) DICKSON. He lived for some years on Ridgepole Road. He was a musician and played the bass voil in the Cong. Ch. for years. He lived in Worthington after 1830 until 1850 when he moved to Liverpool, N.Y., where he lived a number of years. Moved to Hinsdale, where he died.

Children:

Harry Dickson, b. 6-17-1807.
Isaac Gillett, b. 10-15-1810, m. 12-17-1855 Amanda, dau. Green and Alice (Root) CHURCH. He was a musician and a good tenor singer.
Independence, b. 8-17-1812.
Monroe, b. 8-16-1814 was a butcher in Hinsdale.
Darwin, b. 5-23-1816, was a butcher in Hinsdale.
Harmony, b. 2-29-1819; d. 9-5-1821.
Alonzo, b. 12-2-1820, d. 9-18-1821.


GOODWIN

Zebidee Goodwin, may have been the man of that name who served in the Revolutionary War from Hebron, Conn. Since signed the Pet. Inc. in 1782, it is assumed that he had been a resident. In Nov. of that year he sold twenty-five acres of land in the northwest corner of Lot 40, II Div. Murrayfield, to Ephraim Sheldon. In 1790 he was living in Becket, where he was dwelling as early as 1782. He. m. Caroline BIRCHARD, at Becket, 11-5-1783.


GODDARD

Aaron Goddard (Aaron, John), s. of Aaron and Mary (Huxley) Goddard, was. b. Simsbury, Conn., 5-2-1744; d. before April, 1784; m. Lorohama _____.
In 1779 he bought from Thos. Spring, Lot 30, III Div. Becket, located in Blush Hollow south of the bridge over Factory Brook at Boyers sawmill. He had been a soldier in the Rev. War. He signed Pet. Inc. 1781.
He died early and widow Goddard was enumerated as head of the family in 1790. Seats were provided in the meetinghouse for her and for Sarah, Aaron, Susannah, and Desire Goddard, who were probably her children. As none of the family was mentioned in the pew list for 1794 and as their property came into the possession of Moses Herrick and others it is evident that the family left town before that date.


GOOLD

Samuel Goold was a very early settler in the Den region of Mid., having been a new tax payer in Murrayfield in 1774. He was appointed hog reeve in Mid. in 1783 and his house is mentioned in a road survery that same year. He was probably the same man, husband of Olive, whose children Pattey and Mollley were born in Chester in 1777 and 1779 respectively. He left town before 1790.


GOWDAY

Samuel Gowday, who lived for a few years in Mid. was probably the son of Samuel and Abiah (Pease) Gowday of Enfield, Conn., b. 6-10-1760. He m. 1-29-1784, Alice GLEASON. In 1796 Gowday purchased of Noadiah Root of Westfield, Lot 11, Ist Div. East, Precott's Grant, at the brow of the hill west of the Center near where the road turns to go to the farm of Harry Pease.
Goday served on the school committee in 1796. Gowday probably sold out to Samuel Taylor Jr., who was living on this farm in 1804.
He was a soldier in the Rev. War.

Children, b. Mid.:

Calvin, b. 5-31-1796; d. 7-14-1796.
Calvin, b. 2-17-1799.
Norman, b. 6-12-1861.


GRAHAM

William Graham, son of John and Jane Graham, was b. Spencer, 8-28-1753, m. Hannah HATCH, 9-6-1778, Hanover. He is mentioned as a citizen of Mid. as early as 1785. His wife joined the Cong. Ch. in 1794.
He owned Lots 41 and 52, V Div. Becket which he sold to Joseph Cary and Lot 51 which he sold to Robert Bissell. Graham appears to have owned the mills on Factory Brook since "Graham's Mill{" is mentioned between 1797 and 1802. He was enumerated in the census lists of 1790 and 1800 but left town by 1810. Transactions with Oliver Bissell are recorded in the latter's ledger up to 1803.
Graham lived in the region of the mills where the old Becket road crossed Factory Brook, perhaps in "Taylor's Pasture."

Children:

Hannah Randal, bap. 11-30-1794.
Jenny Thompson, bap. 11-20-1794.

Jesse Graham, son of John and Jane Graham, was b. Spencer, 3-31-1760; m. Anna PARKER, 5-12-1785. A Jesse Graham d. in Spencer 2-18-1818. Jesse Graham lived in Mid. for a few years and may have been a partner with his brother William in the mill on Factory Brook. He lived in the same neighborhood. He was in town in 1790. His wife joined the Cong. Ch. in 1794. He was one of those persons warned to leave town in June, 1791. He was not in town in 1800.

Children:

Chloe, bap. 10-23-1794.
Jenny, bap. 10-23-1794.
John, bap. 10-23-1794.
William, bap. 10-23-1794.

A Jenny Graham m. Ozem MERRIFIELD, 4-17-1798.
A Samuel Graham was drowned in Mid. in 1792.


GRANGER

James Granger (Henry, Jeremiah, Jeremiah, Samuel, Launcelot), was b. at Sidney, N.Y. 11-3-1822; d. Mid. 12-7-1897; m. 9-24-1846, Lucy, dau. John and Armidda (Combs) DAMON of Mid., b. 8-25-1823; d. 4-6-1865. He lived on the farm previously owned by John Ward, just north of the farm of Mr. E. H. Alderman. The farm is still (1924) familiarly called the "Granger Place."

Luther Graham, son of Abraham Granger and a descendant of Launcelot Granger, was. b. at Suffield, Conn., 2-11-1753; d. Worthington 6-1-1826; m. 1st 1-11-1776, Miriam WAIT, b. 9-5-1755; d. 4-22-1790. He m. 2nd 9-11-1790 Ruth GOODWILL of Wilbraham, b. 1759; d. 1851.
Luther Granger was among the residents of Chester in 1790. In 1794 he sold to Simpson Bell a part of Lot 40 and moved to Mid. He was assigned to Pew 18 in the meetinghouse that year. He was one of the first settlers in "Smith Hollow" his house being near the bridge over Tuttle Brook. He was enumerated in Mid. in the census of 1800 and 1810, but had moved to Worthington by 1820.
"Granger Hill," one of the heights overlooking "Smith Hollow" still (1924) bears the name of this early settler. This hill is distinguished as having one of the steepest roads in the state leading down its precipitious slope into the valley of the Middle Branch of the Westfield River.

Children:

William, b. 3-15-1778; d. Rupert, Vt., Jan. 1825. He was listed on the minister tax list in Mid. in 1799.
Clarissa, b. 6-17-1782; d. 7-30-1828; m. (int.) 3-18-1804, Noah LYMAN, 10 children. Lived in Columbia, N.H.
Lydia, b. 12-24-1785; d. 8-21-1860; m. 4-2-1807 Edward HAYWARD. 3 children. Lived in Lebanon, N.Y.
Sally, b. 6-13-1788; d. 1-26-1824, m. Gen. Walter MARTIN of Martinsburg, N.Y. 1 child.
Luther, b. 7-8-1791; d. 4-10-1876; m. Susannah GEER of Worthington who d. 8-29-1832, age 40 yrs. He lived for a while on Granger Hill. He had 7 children by 1st wife; by 2nd, Cornelia, b. 6-25-1837, who m. 5-1-1861, Richard PARISH of Mid. They lived in Worthington.
Miriam, b. 7-28-1793; d. 10-9-1877; m. Lathrop EDWARD and then Holland MOORE. Lived in Canada.
Ruth, b. ___ 1793; d. ___, 1853; m. James BALDWIN. 4 children. Lived in Theresa, N.Y.
Anna, b. 1795; m. Lyman WHITE, 8 children. Lived in Worthington and Hinsdale.
Polly, b. ___, 1797; m. Adam MARTIN, son of Gen. Walter Martin of Martinsburg, N.Y.
Abraham, b. Mid. 1799; d. Hinsdale 5-23-1836; m. Jane ADAMS of Newbury, Mass. Lived in Worthington where he had a fine farm. 4 children.
John, b. 1801.
Samuel, b. 1802.


GRAVES

Amasa Graves (Nathan, John, John, John, Thomas), son of Nathan and L___ (Scott) Graves, was. b. 6-26-1743; d. Mid. 11-17-1820, m. Phebe, dau. Joseph and Phebe (Mack) CARY of Williamsburg, b. 1-17-1749; d. 7-13-1815. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. Tradition says he came to Mid. shortly after 1775. He deed for lots 15 and 16 III Div. Becket, where he settled is dated 1781, but since he did not sign Pet. Inc. that year he may not have moved until 1783 when he was chosen tithingman. He was selectman 1790-91.
The Graves homestead is located over a mile southwest of the Center where Mr. Harry Pease now (1924) lives. He joined Cong. Ch. 1802. (See "Graves Family Genealogy," p. 84).

Children:

Anna, b. Hatfield, 1770, m. Jonah WILLIAMS of Goshen.
Erastus, b. Williamsburg, 9-23-1774. (See Fam. 1).
Phebe, b. 10-6-1776; d. Mid. 9-12-1834. m. 11-12-1795, Pain LOVELAND.
Nathan, b. 2-18-1779, d. Nelson, N.Y. 1866, m. 2-1-1801, Lydia BIRD of Whately, who d. 1852. Children: Sally, Stephen, Phebe, Asa, John, Lucretia, Nathan who m. Phebe GRAVES of Mid. 9-30-1839; Lydia.
Lydia, b. 11-24-1780, m. Timothy GRAVES of Hatfield.
Amasa, b. 10-1-1783. (See Fam. 2).
Stephen, b. 8-3-1785. (See Fam. 3).

FAMILY 1

Erastus Graves, son of Amasa and Phebe (Cary) Graves, b. Williamsburg, 9-23-1774; m. Melinda, dau. of Zebina LYON of Whately. He probably came to Mid. when his father settled. In 1797 he bought of his father lot 205 Worth. and was living there in 1800. The farm was at the lower end of Ridgepole Road on or near the "Warner Lot," where Jesse Johnson lived later.
By 1810 he had moved to New York State. Later he moved to Michigan. He was a great hunter and is said to have died alone in camp.

Children:

Melinda, b. 4-4-1801.
Amasa, bap. 12-17-1805.
Sevila, bap. 12-17-1805.

FAMILY 2

Amasa Graves, son of Amasa dn Phebe (Cary) Graves, was b. Mid. 10-1-1783; d. Mid. 1871, m. 12-1-1803, Sally BIRD of Whately, who d. 1868. He lived at the Graves homestead and on Walnut Hill. He was selectman 1854-55.

Children, b. Mid.:

Lydia, b. 11-8-1804; d. 1835, m. 9-9-1830, Franlin STOWELL of Peru.
Amasa, b. 8-3-1806 (See Fam. 3).
Nelson, b. 6-16-1808 (See Fam. 7).
Sarah, b. 11-5-1810, m. 2-26-1833, Barton BISBEE. Moved to Illinois.
Laura, b. 7-21-1815, m. 4-7-1836, Alanson BALLOU of Peru. Lived in Florence, Mass.
Emerancy, b. 4-2-1817, m. 9-28-1843, Jarvis NORCOTT of Becket.

FAMILY 3

Amasa Graves, son of Amasa and Sally (Bird) Graves, was b. Mid. 5-3-1806; d. Mid. 5-17-1891, m. 1st Celina BISBEE of Whately, 10-13-1825; m. 2nd 1-24-1869, Mrs. Malina (WING) Geer. (She m. 3rd Bordyce BATES of Worth.)
He lived on several farms on the west slope of Walnut Hill, where they still lived in 1820. By 1830 he had moved to the fine farm at the head of the reservoir meadows. In 1840 he bought the Eli Crowell house on the West Hill where his grandson, Willis Graves still (1924) lives.
At one time he lived at Leach's mill on Factory Brook, and at another at the Amos Cross place, Taylor's Pasture. He was appointed a deacon of the Cong. Ch. 6-2-1851. For many years he drove the stage which carried the mail from Bancroft to the Center. He lived during his later years at the Center in the home now (1924) owned by Miss Sarah Chamberlain.

Children, b. Mid.:

Henry Orestes, b. 10-29-1826.
Maria Levina, b. 1-4-1829; d. 4-15-1835.
Barton Bisbee, b. 3-10-1832 (See Fam. 4).
Amasa, b. 8-25-1840; d. Florence, 9-8-1871, m. 12-4-1865, Annette H., dau. of Austin and Luthera WAITE of Williamsburg. Child: Fannie Celeria, b. 2-10-1871.
Arthur Clayton, b. 6-26-1862; m. 9-27-1883 Fannie Louise COBB, of Suffield, Ct. Lived in Pittsfield. Six children.

FAMILY 4

Barton Bisbee Graves, son of Amasa and Celina (Bisbee) Graves, was b. Mid. 3-10-1832, d. Mid. 2-13, 1909, m. 9-27-1852, Lucy, dau. of Daniel and Lucy CONE of Peru, Mass., who was b. 2-16-1832, and d. Mid. 11-14-1914. He lived six years in the West, two years in Northampton, two years in Hatfield, but made his home in Mid. the rest of his life.
He was a painter as well as a farmer. He joined the Cong. Ch. in 1858. He was a deacon for 13 years, always taking an active part in church affairs.

Children:

Lucy Maria, b. 12-14-1853, d. Mid. 3-28-1919. m. 2-3-1877, Edwin S. McELWAIN.
Willis Barton, b. 10-13-1855. (See Fam. 5).
Cooley Wing, b. 9-7-1862 (See Fam. 6).

FAMILY 5

Willis Barton Graves, son of Barton Bisbee and Lucy (Cone) Graves, was b. 10-13-1855; m. 10-18-1882, Clara, dau. Henry FERRIS, who was b. 2-27-1859. He followed his father on the West Hill, where he still (1924) dwells in the fine old gambrel-roofed house built nearly 125 years ago by Eli Crowell.

Children:

Winifred May, b. 9-19-1883. Lives in Lee, Mass.
Agnes Malina, b. 3-21-1887, d. 12-30-1914, m. 10-1-1913, Homer BUSH.
Ethel Lucy, b. 8-5-1892, m. Paul NICKERSON, 5 children.
Amasa, b. 2-8-1896.
Olive, b. 3-7-1904.

FAMILY 6

Cooley Wing Graves, son of Barton Bisbee and Lucy (Cone) Graves, was b. 9-7-1862; m. 12-28-1887, Katie Helena, dau. Thomas BRYAN of Worthington, who was b. 9-14-1865. He lives in Factory Village and is a painter by trade.

Children, b. Mid.:

Roy Eugene, b. 1-10-1889, m. 6-28-1919, Dorothy Grey SAMPSON of Huntington.
Edna Zell, b. 4-26-1890, m. 2-19-1916, Homer BUSH of Westfield. Children: Barbara, b. 12-14-1916; Everett, b. 4-18-1819.

FAMILY 7

Nelson Graves, son of Amasa and Sally (Bird) Graves, was b. Mid. 6-16-1808; d. Mid. 10-22-1848, m. 1st (int.) 3-5-1836, Amanda BALLOU of Peru, who d. 9-26-1843, aged 28 yrs., m. 2nd Mary BURGHARDT of Stockbridge, (int.) 6-14-1845. Lived in Mid.

Children:

Julia, b. 1839, d. 1840.
Nelson Amariah, b. 6-10-1841. He was a soldier in the Civil War and was incapacitated by wound from a shell.
Sarah, b. 10-15-1846, d. 4-26-1847.
Selden, b. ___ 1847, d. 1848.

FAMILY 8

Stephen Graves, son of Amasa and Phebe (Cary) Graves, b. Mid. 80301788; d. 1-1-1876, m. (int.) 9-23-1809, Waitie BIRD of Whately, who was b. 1788; d. 12-25-1836. He m. 2nd (int.) 11-11-1837, Julia FERGUSON of Peru, who was b. 1795; d. 3-10-1876. He lived at the old homestead and carried on his father's farm.

Children, b. Mid.:

Irene, b. Sept., 1812, d. 8-3-1894, m. 9-23-1834, Seldon ROOT.
Ambrose Stephen, b. 7-9-1813, d. 11-25-1830.
Phebe, b. 6-1-1815, m. 9-30-1839, Nathan GRAVES of Nelson, N.Y.
Roxanna, b. June, 1817, m. Steven PETERS, d. in Wisconsin.
Enoch Dwight, b. 9-5-1824 (See Fam. 9).

FAMILY 9

Enoch Dwight Graves, son of Stephen and Waitie (Bird) Graves, was b. Mid. 9-5-1824; d. Mid. 1-21-1885, m. 7-4-1843, Mariette, dau. Selden and Mary (Hubbard) ROOT. He followed his father at the Graves homestead. He was a man of unusual musical talent, being connected with the Cong. Ch. for 40 years, for most of the time as leader and director.

Children, b. Mid.:

Edward Dwight, b. 6-19-1844, m. 11-21-1864, Addie J. HUMASON of Suffield, Conn. Was a grocer in Worcester. Played the bass biol and was a successful teacher of music when singing schools were common in farming communities.
Henry Stephen, b. 9-19-1845, m. 1-1-1867, Emma S. BRAITHWAIT. Was superintendent of the farm at the Hospital for Insane, Worcester.
Albert Nelson, b. 5-21-1856. Was a butcher in Suffield, Conn. Was prominent in Windsor Locks, Conn., where he was successful in livery and coal business. He dealt in high bred horses; was at one time the largest individual tobacco grower in New England, having the largest tobacco barn in New England on his farm.
Charles Corr, b. 2-13-1850, m. 12-27-1883, Emma, dau. Francis and Susan WEDEMEYER, b. 3-5-1861. Lives in Suffield, Conn. One child: Frank Wedemeyer, b. 10-4-1885.
Elmer Clifton, b. 5-8-1863, m. 3-25-1884, Jennie Louisa, dau. Alfred and Eliza G. BEERS, of Windsor Locks, Conn., who was b. 4-15-1862. Lives Hartford, Conn. One child: Frank Elmer, b. Suffield, 4-1-1885.


GRAY

Samuel Gray, of Becket, appears in Mid. between 17990 and 1792. He was not in town when the census of 1790 was taken but was assigned to Pew 23 in the Mid. meetinghouse two years later. He lived on Lot 13, 2nd Div. East Prescott's Grant, which is located in Blush Hollow just north of where Boyer's sawmill now (1924) stands. This land Gray sold in part to Amasa Blush, and the remainder to Cyrus Cone in 1880.
Samuel Gray and his wife joined the Cong. Ch. March 16, 1794, by letter from the church in Becket. He was included in the northwest school district in 1794. He probably left town after selling out in 1800.
Samuel Gray joined the Becket Church in August, 1787. A Merillah Gray joined in 1786. He bought land in Lenox in 1802 and died there 2-25-1825.


HAMILTON

James Hamilton, an early resident of Worcester, of Scotch-Irish descent, was perhaps the son of the James Hamilton who settled there in 1718; m. Margaret _____, who d. 2-14-1761, aged 35. He m. 2nd 8-20-1761, Margaret MAHAN, who was probably the Mrs. Hamilton who d. Chester 5-20-1808, aged 83.

Children, b. Worcester:

Moses, b. 8-26-1750.
Samuel, b. 3-29-1752; d. young.
Jane, b. 11-25-1753; m. John GAMWELL.
John, b. 4-10-1757, d. 1816; m. 1-27-1779, Katherine, dau. James and Isbael QUIGLEY, who d. 6-23-1848. Their son, Samuel, m. Harmony EMMONS of Mid. He bequeathed $2,000 to the Mid. Cong. Ch. and $1,000 to the Mid. Bap. Church.
Samuel, b. 2-11-1759 (See Fam. 1).
Margaret, b. 7-4-1762.
William, b. 4-1-1764 (See Fam. 3).
David, b. 10-15-1769. He was probably the man of this name whose farm consisted of parts of lots Nos. 116 and 51 (Mur.) where he was living in 1793. His name is on Oliver Blush's ledger until 1808.

FAMILY 1

Samuel Hamilton, son of James and Margaret Hamilton, was. b. Worcester, 2-11-1759; d. Mid. 12-15-1826; m. 1st Worcester 1-20-1785, Elizabeth KINGSTON, who was b. about 1767, d. Mid. 1-27-1814. He m. 2nd Mid. 1-4-1815, Patty HENRY, who was b. 1767; d. Mid. 12-20-1824.
He came to Mid. about 1789, settling in the southeastern part of the town in the Murrayfield section. His house stood on the sand knoll where the new cemetery is located on the road to the Den. He served on the School Com. in 1794 and 1799. He was a soldier in the Rev. War.

Children:

William, b. ____; m. Rachel MARKS. d. Cleveland, N.Y. in 1858.
Betsy, b. ____; m. 3-23-1809, George PRATT, who d. Mid. 9-30-1813. He was probably the son of Jacob Pratt, who d. Mid. 10-27-1813, and brother of Thomas Pratt who d. Mid. 8-29-1813.
Mary, b. Mid. 12-2-1789, d. 10-8-1813.
Samuel, b. 3-18-1792 (See Fam. 2).
John, b. 5-23-1794.
Dolly, b. 2-18-1797; m. 2-12-1816, William MAHANNA of Chester.
Moses, b. 11-14-1799; m. 5-9-1822, Peggy MAHANNA. Settled in Oswego, N.Y.
Jane, b. 4-3-1802; m. Andrew TAYLOR.
Ezra, b. 1-10-1805; m. Becket, 11-29-1827, Melissa BIDWELL.
Chrystina, b. 9-15-1807; m. Dennison GROSS. Settled in Middlefield, N.Y.

FAMILY 2

Samuel Hamilton, probably son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Kingston) Hamilton, was b. 3-18-1792; m. Amanda.

Children:

Mary, b. 5-12-1821.
Alviras, b. 8-5-1822.
Ariel, b. 6-14-1824.
Electa, b. 11-14-1825.

FAMILY 3

William Hamilton was probably the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Kingston) Hamilton, who was b. 4-1-1762; m. Holden, 8-10-1789, Elizabeth SMITH of Worcester. He was living in the Worth section of Mid. in 1800. Two of his children d. in 1799 and 1800. His wife d. 8-10-1804. He was of Chester when he m. 2nd in 1807, Tabitha BABCOCK of Mid.

A Sarah Hamilton, widow of John, farmer, d. Mid. 2-8-1847, aged 85.


HAMILTON

Thomas Hamilton of Pelham was perhaps brother of James Hamilton Worceter. Probably came with his brother John of Pelham, with their parents from the North of Ireland in 1716. Had a son James. (See Fam. 1).

FAMILY 1

James Hamilton, son of Thomas Hamilton of Pelham, was b. 1729, d. Chester, 7-28-1758, Sarah, prob. dau. John and Margaret LUCOR of Pelham, b. 5-6-1732; d. Chester, 3-26-1813. Moved to Mur. about 1765. Was a soldier in the Rev. War. Had a son John. (See Fam. 2).

FAMILY 2

John Hamilton, son of James and Sarah (Lucor) Hamilton, b. Pelham, 11-18-1760, d. Mid. 3-4-1847; m. (int.) 1-25-1789, Sarah, dau. David and Sarah (Loughead) FLEMING of Palmer, who was b. 12-25-1760; d. Mid. 2-8-1847. They lived in Chester where their children were born.

Children:

Sally, b. 12-25-1789; was perhaps the one who m. George SMITH in Becket 8-19-1827.
Polly, b. 1-21-1791; was probably the Mary, of Wash. who m. 6-2-1814 Dudley TAYLOR of Mid.
Peggy, b. 1793; d. 1796.
Siny, b. 2-11-1795.
John, b. 10-15-1795. The birth of Asenath and Justin Orton, children of John Jr. and Mary Hamilton, are given in Becket records.
David, b. 1-3-1800 (See Fam. 3).
Asa, b. 2-7-1802; m. (int.) at Wash. 10-23-1831 Lemina LAMB.

FAMILY 3

David Hamilton, son of John and Sarah (Fleming) Hamilton, was. b. Chester, 1-3-1800; d. Mid. 5-6-1857; m. 4-26-1827, Abigail, dau. Philip and Nabby (Leland) MEACHAM, who was b. Mid. 5-16-1803, d. Rantoul, Ill. 18-8-1894.
After living awhile in Wash. he moved to Mid. between 1828 and 1830. He was a farmer. He built a house on the road north from the Center near the Peru line, next to his father-in-law, Philip Meacham who lived across the road a short distance further south. Here he made a home for his aged father and mother, who were natives of Pelham and had lived in Chester.

Franklin David, b. Wash. 6-29-1828 (See Fam. 4).
Ebenezer Cutler, b. Mid. 4-22-1830 (See Fam. 5).
Thomas Clark, b. Mid. 4-20-1832 (See Fam. 6).
Henry Leland, b. Mid. 1-17-1835 (See Fam. 7).
John Meacham, b. Mid. 3-7-1837 (See Fam. 8).
Charles Wesley, b. Mid. 10-21-1839 (See Fam. 9).

FAMILY 4

Franklin David Hamilton, son of David and Abigail (Meacham) Hamilton, was b. Wash. 6-29-1828; d. Titusville, Pa., 1886, m. 1st 2-22-1856, Mary E. GRAY, m. 2nd Hattie GODWINE. He spent most of his life in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, where he is said at one time to have amassed quite a fortune. No children.

FAMILY 5

Ebenezer Cutler Hamilton, son of David and Abigail (Meacham) Hamilton, was b. Mid. 4-22-1830; d. 9-14-1909, Rantoul, Ill., m. Brooklyn, N.Y. 6-16-1858, Cecelia Jane HIGGINS. He was in mercantile pursuits in Brooklyn many years, going west in 1876. Was manager of a lumber yard in Penfield, Ill. for twelve years. Moved to Rantoul, Ill., where he was for a while engaged in the hardware business and later in the insurance business.

Children:

Charlie, d. young.
Franklin David, b. 6-24-1861.
Edward Leland, b. 12-23-1872.

FAMILY 6

Thomas Clark Hamilton, son of David and Abigail (Meacham) Hamilton, was b. Mid. 4-20-1832; d. Huntington, L.I., 9-11-1919, m. Marion WATKINS. For many years a prominent physician in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Children:

Bertie, b. 1875, d. 1909.
Harry, b. 1885.

FAMILY 7

Henry Leland Hamilton, son of David and Abigail (Meacham) Hamilton, was b. Mid. 1-17-1835; d. in Georgia, 10-29-1904, m. in Georgia 2-13-1867, Cynthia KENNEDY. He enlisted in the 22nd Georgia artillery under General Johnson. He was an ordained Baptist minister, a large land owner and a man of considerable influence in his community.
Ten children:
Ada, Anna, Charles, John, Clark, Parsons, Beula, William, Clarence, Vergil.

FAMILY 8

John Meacham Hamilton, son of David and Abigail (Meacham) Hamilton, was b. Mid. 3-7-1837; d. Rantoul, Ill., 9-30-1899, m. Mid. 10-29-1868, Helen Samantha, dau. Levi and Emily (Meacham) OLDS. He was in the lumber business at Rantoul, Ill. fron 1872 to 1892, part of the time with his brother Charles. He operated yards at Rantoul, Gifford and Penfield. He served as Village trustee, a police constable, as village clark and in 1894-95 as president of the village board.
He helped organize the Baptist Church at Rantoul in 1867; was clerk of the church from its organization until his death, and deacon for over twenty years.

David, d. young.
Abbie, d. young.
Lawrence, d. young.
Homer Willis, b. 7-31-1874.
Oscar Olin, b. 3-28-1878.

FAMILY 9

Charles Wesley Hamilton, son of David and Abigail (Meacham) Hamilton, was b. Mid. 10-21-1839, m. 1st 1-3-1859, Mrs. Eliza M. (GOLDWAITE) GEER, m. 2nd Rantoul, Ill., 6-4-1908, Mrs. Emma (BOOTH) LUCKEY. He was in the lumber business with his brother John, at Rantoul, Ill., for ten years, when he moved to Creighton, Neb., where he started a lumber yard. Later engaged in real estate in Garden City, Kan., and McCook, Neb.

Children:

Frank C., b. 1-7-1860.
Fred, b. 3-28-1868 or 1869.
Clinton, b. 3-26-1873.
Mae, b. _____.


HAWES

Ebenezer Hawes, m. Celina, dau. Enoch and Celina (Lyon) BIRD, who was b. Cummington, 6-8-1786; d. Mid. 7-19-1849. They lived in Central, N.Y. and Tioga, Pa. He d. at Tioga and his widow moved with her childrfen to Mid. and became second wife of Andrew MEACHAM, 9-7-1813.

Children:

Henry, b. March, 1807 (See Fam. 1).
Jacob, b. Central, N.Y. 12-25-1808 (See Fam. 2).
Charles, b. May, 1811, d. Mid. 8-29-1814.

FAMILY 1

Henry Hawes, son of Ebenezer and Celina (Bird) Hawes, was b. March, 1807; d. Mid. 2-1-1880; m. Mid. 10-29-1829, Emerancy, dau. Pain and Phebe (Graves) LOVELAND. They lived at the Loveland farm and later at the Solomon Ingham place, and at one time at the Green Church place west of the Center.
By 1860 he had purchased the house built by Dr. Warren at the Center where he lived until his death. he was prominent in local affairs. He was selectman 1842, 1849-50, 1852-53 and in 1869. He is remembered as being particularly efficient as a moderator at town meeting, and as often filling the position of funeral director most acceptably. He adopted a dau. Lida Belle, b. 6-26-1808; d. April, 1888; m. Myron L. CHURCH.

FAMILY 2

Jacob Hawes, son of Ebenezer and Celina (Bird) Hawes, was b. Central, N.Y. 12-25-1808; d. Chester, 10-7-1851, m. Sept. 1837, Sarah Ann HAZELTON of Central, N.Y. He moved to Mid. living at the Dyer Place. He managed the farm of Andrew Meacham for 3 years. After living three years in Chester, upon urgent request of his mother he lived at the Andrew Meacham place until her death. Returned to Chester where he died 2 yrs later.
His widow m. 2nd, 1-1-1856, Ebenezer SMITH. She m. 3rd 6-4-1873, Harvey ROOT.

Children:

Jacob Henry, b. Mid. 8-17-1838, m. Larua BLISS of West Stockbridge.
Sarah Jane, b. Mid. 10-16-1840, m. 4-29-1863 Daniel ALDERMAN.
Seraph Ann, b. Mid. 11-18-1842.
Helen Amanda, b. Chester 8-30-1844.
Maria Sophronia, b. Chester 2-14-1847.
George Hazelton, b. Mid. 12-4-1849. Lived in Mid. until 18 yrs. old. Learned "phonography" or shorthand of Marvin Robbins. Became court stenographer at San Francisco, Calif., where he d. Oct. 1901.


HENRY

Jonas Henry, son of Andrew Henry, bapt. in Rutland bet. 1747-49; m. in Blandford in May, 1771, Margaret HENRY and kept tavern there for three years beginning 1782; Bet. 1775 and 1777 he purchased Lots 7, 8 10 and part of 11 in the n.e. corner of Becket, and perhaps a small parcel in the adjoining Lot 40 in Murrayfield.
He is mentioned as one of the creditors in John Ford's will 1783, and it seems likely that he lived here a short while before selling out of Enos Blossom. As he was a tavern-keeper, he he may have built the Arthur D. Pease house prior to selling to Blossom who kept tavern here 1780-86. He d. at Martinsburg, N.Y. October 10, 1821, aged 75.


HERRICK

Isaac Herrick, of Worthington, m. Prudence (Avery) STARKWEATHER. Among their children were:

Avery, b. 11-21-1785 (See Fam. 1).

FAMILY 1

Avery Herrick, son of Isaac and Prudence (Avery) Starkweather, b. 11-21-1785, d. Westfield, 7-12-1860, m. 6-11-1812, Mary CHAPIN of Springfield, who d. 1863. He was living in Mid. in 1820 and 1830. His home was located in what has been called "Taylor's Pasture," the region north of the railroad at Mid. "Switch" where the cellar of the house stands west of Factory brook, some distance from the tracks.

Children:

Moses, b. 8-23-1817.
William Avery, b. 3-2-1820.
Lucina, b. Mid. 1-28-1822.
Henry Dwight, b. Mid. 12-13-1823.
George, b. Mid. 11-26-1825.
Edward Mercer, b. Mid. 1-19-1828, d. Chester, 6-30-1898, m. Sarah Mack CONE, 1-30-1854. Lived in Westfield many years.
Esther Maria, b. Mid. 4-10-1830.
Alonzo Chapin, b. Mid. 8-15-1832, d. 5-2-1833.

Elijah Herrick was living on Ridgepole Road in 1790 probably north of the farm now (1924) owned by Mr. Cottrell. He was assigned Pew 1 in the gallery of the meethinghouse in 1792. He was a soldier in the Rev. War.

Elisha Herrick bought part of lot No. 134 Worthington of Nathaniel Paine in 1802. He also bought a part of lot 128 of Isaac Herrick in 1803. He may have lived in the Den region where these lots were located.

Ezra Herrick, who may have been the Ezra who was a son of Ebenezer Herrick of Preston, Conn. (brother of Isaac Herrick of Worthington) was living in the Den region of Middlefield in 1820 probably on the River Road at the foot of Glendale Falls. Ezra Herrick m. 11-6-1806, Nancy, dau. David WARD of Worcester.

Children:

Ward, b. Worthington, 6-21-1807.
Want, b. 1808, d. 1-21-1816.
Almira, b. Worthington, 6-24-1810.
William, b. Worthington, 11-30-1814.
Alonzo, b. Middlefield, 6-2-1818.
Eunice, b. Mid. 8-17-1820.
Olive, b. Mid. 1-12-1823.
Nathan, b. Mid. 3-2-1825.

Joseph Herrick's lot line is mentioned in a survey of Ridgepolr Road in Mid. in 1788, located north of Simon Huntington. Herrick was assigned to Pew 1 in the gallery of the meetinghouse in 1792.

Moses Herrick (Jonathan, Edward, Stephen, Ephraim, Henry), son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Clark) Herrick, was. b. Preston, Conn. 4-7-1774; d. Norwich, 1819, m. abt 1792, Polly _____. About 1792, at the age of 18, Moses Herrick moved to Mid., where he engaged in woolen manufacture. He may have learned the fulling business there under William Church, and later erected a fulling mill on Factory Brook, which was located somewhere east of where the Blush Hollow Schoolhouse now (1924) stands.
In 1794 he purchased land in Lot 30, Becket section. In 1799 he sold his land and plant to Amasa Blush, who operated the mill for some years. Herrick was assigned to Pew 27 in the meetinghouse in 1794 and was included in the West School District in that year. He served on the School Committee in 1798. As his name is not on the Minister Tax List for 1799 he probably left Mid. that year.
He moved to Huntington, Mass. In 1802 he purchased Isaac Mixer's house, mill yard and dam near Norwich Bridge. The grist mill may have been the plant he afterward operated as a clothing and carding works. Herrick was living in Norwich in 1810 where he continued to live until his death in 1819. The clothing works passed into the hands of Samuel Henry, 2nd, an heir-at-law, and afterward was owned by Clapp and Taylor. A Moses Herrick, m. (int.) 8-4-1820, Electa THOMAS.

Children:

Polly, b. Mid. 3-14-1793; m. Mark SACKET.
Anna, b. Mid. 9-25-1794; m. Samuel HENRY.
Martha, b. Mid. 12-16-1796; m. (int.) 11-8-1817, James, son of James and Sarah WRIGHT, b. Montgomery, 1793.
Daphna, b. Mid. 9-27-1798; m. Montgomery (int.), 8-18-1818, Marvin WRIGHT, brother of James Wright. He was b. in Montgomery 1792.
Betsey, b. ____, m. David THOMAS.
Moses, b. ___, 1807.
Aaron, b. _____.
Henry, b. _____.
Eunice, b. ___ 1818.


HOLLAND

James Mulholland Holland, b. 1733, probably in Ballygauley, county Tyrone, north of Ireland, d. Oswego, N.Y., 1820. Came to America and settled at Oakham, m. Oakham 6-19-1755, Mary, dau. James and Martha (Crawford) BELL, who d. 12-25-1809, age 72.
About 1769 he moved to Murrayfield, settling on Holcomb Hill. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. He was a man of strong religious and political convictions and was accustomed to speak his mind freely. After the death of his wife he moved to Oswego, N.Y. with his son-in-law, Daniel Falley.

Children, b. Oakham, and Murrayfield:

Simon Elliot, b. ____; m. (int.) 12-25-1783, Olive FELLOWS, served in the Rev. War. Became a merchant in Albany.
James, b. 1762, d. Westfield 6-18-1840, m. (int.) 9-26-1798, Lydia STONE of Blandford. Studied medicine with Dr. Brewster of Beclet and practiced in Huntington, Worthington and Westfield and became a famous physician and surgeon. He was probably the James Holland living in Mid. 1800. Had ten children, four of whom became physicians.
William, b. _____; m. 2-24-1791 Polly MOORE. Was a physician and practiced in Belchertown. Moved to Canandaigua, N.Y. in 1832 where he died.
Nancy, m. David CROSS.
Polly, b. 1768, d. 5-18-1828, m. 6-12-1789 Hugh QUIGLEY, ancestor of the Chester Quigleys.
Thankful, b. _____; m. 6-21-1792, Orindatus SNOW.
George, b. 1774; d. Warren, 10-3-1809, m. 3-1-1798, Nancy CULVER. She m. 2nd 11-23-1813, Col. Wm. TAYLOR. He was living in Mid. 1800 in the Den region. He was a physician in Warren.
Betsy, b. _____; m. (int.) 1-5-1795, Daniel FALLEY. Moved to Oswego, N.Y.
Aaron, b. 1778, d. Chester 4-13-1813, m. Sally KENDALL of Suffield, Conn., d. Warren 1-26-1811. He was a physician in Warren.
Abraham, b. 1782, d. 5-23-1806.

Holcomb Hill, so-called from George Holcomb who lived upon its summit, was first settled by James Mulholland. All the family dropped the "Mul" from their names. James was the progenitor of Dr. James Holland who was surgeon in the Spanish War; also of Henry Holland, a prominent druggist of Westfield.


HOLMES

Joseph Holmes, of Chester, was b. abt. 1780, m. there 10-5-1808, Polly, dau. of Reuben and Rachel WHARFIELD who was b. in Blandford, 1-22-1782. After living in Worth. they came to Mid. about 1820, locating apparently in the Pesse District, but possibly on the River Road where they were subsequently living. He d. in Mid. 10-13-1839, aged 59.

Children:

Alvin, b. Worth. 9-2-1809 (See Fam. 1).
Sanford, b. Worth. 2-25-1812.
Mary, b. Worth. 3-25-1815. She was perhaps the Maria who m. Mid (int.) Oct. 1837, Diodate DICKSON of Mid.
Emeline, b. Worth. 10-14-1817; d. Mid. 3-24-1847, age 29.
Loren, b. _____, prob. son of Joseph. (See Fam. 2).
William, b. _____, prob. son of Joseph. Was living in Smith Hollow in 1850.

FAMILY 1

Alvin Holmes, son of Joseph and Polly (Whatfield) Holmes, b. in Worth. 9-2-1809; m. (int.) 11-27-1831, Roxanna GEER of Worth. He was living in Smith Hollow by 1840, but had moved away before 1870.

Children:

Mariah Delight, b. Becket 2-2-1832.
Matilda Joanna, b. Becket 7-1-1835.
Isaac Levi, b. Mid. 7-3-1836.
Julia Roxanna, b. Mid. 10-6-1840.
Dolly Ann, b. Mid. 1-5-1845.

FAMILY 2

Loren Holmes, probably son of Joseph and Pollyh (Wharfield) Holmes. He m. (int.) 5-3-1845, Clarisa M., dau. of Alanson and Mary KNOX of Blandford. She d. 6-29-1846, aged 19 yrs. He m. 2nd Letitia Caroline ____, of Blandford. He was living in Smith Hollow in 1850, but had moved away before 1860.

Children:

Eugene Loren, b. Mid. 6-27-1846.
Joseph Alanson, b. Mid. 10-10-1849.


HUNTINGTON

Simon Huntington (Jonathan, Nathaniel, Joseph, Simon, Simon) son of Jonathan, the first pastor of Worthington, was b. Windham, Conn. 4-15-1762, d. 1836; m. 11-6-1783, Priscilla BENJAMIN of Worthington. Moved to Mid. where he was living in 1788 on Ridgepole Raod 100 yards north of Rufus Marsh's house, which was somewhere north of the present (1924) Cottrell farm. Moved away before 1790 and became a substantial farmer and useful citizen in Hinsdale. He represented that town in the General Court.



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