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

READ to RUSSELL

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

READ Christopher Read was living in Middlefield in 1799 for his name appears upon the minister tax list for that year. But we know nothing more about him. RHOADS John Rhoads, son of Obadish Rhoads of Voluntown, Conn., was probably the John Rhoads who m. at Voluntown, 1744, Dorothy GALLUP. He purchased from his father in 1772 lots 129 and 131 Worthington at the head of Glendale Falls. He established a Grist Mill on the Den Stream at the head of the falls, which by 1775 had become such an important industry that it was made accessible to the dwellers in Worthington by the laying out of a highway to it from a road which led to the meetinghouse in that town. He purchased Lot 55 I Div. Murrayfield and 38 in II Div., which he sold to Joseph Rhoads in 1776. He signed the Pet. Inc. 1782, and also the Baptist petition in 1790. He was a soldier in Rev. War. Some time after his fortunes appear to have sunk to a low level for on 8-17-1796 the town of Mid. voted "to select a committee to take the prundentest steps to protect the town against cost for the support of John Rhoads," and they were instructed to determine whether he had any property which might be sold to pay for his support. In 1793 he had sold his interest in the mill and water privilege to James Nooney. Like the rest of the Rhoadses he had left town by 1799. Rhoads is said to have built the house where James Nooney and Capt. Nathan Wright lived, which stood on the site now (1924) occupied by the house of Mr. Clark R. Wright. Rhoads is known to have had a son William. The other individuals are supposed to have been his children: William, m. Mary NIELLS of Chesterfield (See Fam. 1). Mary, m. (int.) 10-10-1784, Jeremiah RIDER who became a partner in the gristmill business. Joseph, m. (int.) 12-8-1789, Rhoda WHEELER. Bought lot 55 in I Div. and 38 in II Div. Murrayfield. He appears to have acquired lot 54, which he sold to Edward Little in 1796. He signed the Baptist petition in 1790. He had left town by 1799. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. Silas, m. (int.) 5-28-1790 Lydia WARD. He bought 85 acres in Lot 129 Worth. in 1791. In 1793 he sold to Nooney, Rider and Talcott his portion of the lot, together with a "brick down" and his privilege of pondage on the lot. He signed the Baptist Petition in 1790. He had left town by 1799. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. Joanna, of Preston, Conn., m. (int.) 7-1-1791 Benjamin THOMAS who was a partner in the Gristmill at one time. Isaac C., m. Cynthia SNOW (See Fam. 2). Obadiah, probably the one b. Worth, 12-10-1770, m. (int.) Mid. 1-10-1796 Lydia CONANT of Oxford. Elizabeth, b. Worthington, 4-9-1773. Martha, m. Worthington, 4-11-1773 Thomas ARMS. FAMILY 1 William Rhoads, son of John Rhoads of Worthington and Mid. m. Mary NIELLS of Chesterfield. He purchsed Lots No. 53, 54 and 55 in I Div. and No. 38 in 2nd Div. Murrayfield. His house was probably located at the top of Churchill Hill where Edward Little lived later. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. He signed Pet. Inc. 1781. He served on school committee 1790-92 but had moved away by 1799. Children, b. Mid.: Susannah, b. 6-12-1783. Naham, b. 9-16-1785. Katy, b. 8-10-1789. William, b. 7-18-1791. Justus, b. 8-28-1793. FAMILY 2 Isaac Cady Rhoades, probably a son of John Rhoads, d. Mid. 1796, m. 82-1790, Cynthia, dau. Sylvanus and Rebecca SNOW, b. Ashford, Conn. 8-12-1758; d. 2-12-1829. He was mentioned in Mid. Town Records as early as 1785. He signed the Pet. Inc. 1781 and the Baptist Pet. 1790. Children: John Ester, b. 10-11-1784 (sic) Henry, b. 3-20-1791. Eli Truman, b. 9-11-1792. Katherine Sibble, b. 2-11-1794. Sarah Snow, b. 6-11-1795. RIDER Jeremiah Rider, m. (int.) 10-10-1784, Mary RHOADS. He m. 2nd (int.) 3-29-1792, Mehitable LUCAS of Becket. A Jeremiah Rider of Stafford, Conn., answered the Lexington Alarm in 1775 and served 2 days. He appears to have come to Mid. about 1783. He had some dealings in connection with the Rhoads Mill property that year and later was one of the partners for the mill of Major Thomas, Rider and Talcott, mentioned in a road survey in 1789-90. Rider lived in the Den and was one of the signers of the Baptist petition in 1790. He was assigned Pew 16 in the meetinghouse 1792 and 1794. Rider had moved away from Mid. by 1800. A widow Rider, d. Mid. 1-7-1794 aged "more than 90." ROBBINS William Robbins, b. 1650, m. Priscilla GOWING. He was a soldier in King Philip's War, 1675. He settled in Walpole then a part of Dedham in 1691. Among his six children was John, b. 1688. John Robbins, son of William and Priscilla (Gowing) Robbins, was b. probably in Reading, Mass., 1688, m. Hannah CLARK. Lived in Attleboro. Among their 13 children was David, b. 1717. David Robbins, son of John and Hannah (Clark) Robbins, was b. Attleboro, 7-21-1717, d. Mid. 9-2-1799, m. Catherine TYLER, b. about 1719, d. 8-4-1810. They lived first in Attleboro but moved to Ashford, Conn., just before the Rev. War. About 1782 they moved to Mid. with their son Job. Among their 13 children was Job, b. 5-27-1743. Job Robbins, son of David and Catherine (Tyler) Robbins, was b. Attleboro, 5-27-1743, d. Mid. 4-23-1828, m. 1st Attleboro 4-2-1767, Cynthia CUSHMAN, who was b. 1746, d. Mid. 9-18-1807. He m. 2nd 3-23-1808, Mrs. Martha GATES, who was b. 1748, d. 11-16-1818. He was a solider in Rev. War. Coming to MId. from Ashford, Conn. about 1782 he settled in the northern part of the town on Lots 92 and 93 Partridgefield. The original Robbin house stood some rods south of the present (1924) house East of the road near its junction with the old highway to Peru and was built about 1782. Between 1820 and 1830, Jacob, son of Job, built the present house further up the road. It was originally a one-story structure but in 1833 was reconstructed and a second story added. The first house was torn down and put up as an ell to the new house. Job Robbins was an influential citizen of his day, being made one of the first Board of Selectmen. He served for two years. He was on the school committee 1784 and 1798. He was one of the charter members of the Cong. Ch. 1783. Children: Jacob, b. 1-7-1768, d. Warren, N.Y. 2-22-1855, m. 9-17-1794 Lois, dau. David and Mary (Talcott) MACK of Mid. Ebenezer, b. 11-24-1769. (See Fam. 1). Elizabeth, b. 8-1-1771, d. Euclid, Ohio, Feb. 1871, m. Mid. 4-10-1794 Elihu RICHMOND of Partridgefield (brother of Asenath Richmond, wife of Ebenezer Robbins) b. 6-22-1770. Moved to Euclid, Ohio. 6 children. Cynthia, b. 1-25-1773, m. Mid. 1-20-1801, Benjamin PINNEY of Becket. 4 children. Polly, b. 6-23-1775, m. 1st Mid. 3-26-1801 Jonathan PARKER of Partridgefield, m. 2nd Mr. BRETT. Two children. David, b. 5-6-1777, d. 10-1-1828, m. Mid. 6-3-1802, Sally SKINNER. Moved to Madison, Ohio. Children: Ambrose, Stillman and others. Job, b. 5-24-1779 (See Fam. 2). Samuel, b. 7-8-1782, d. Apr. 1785. Joseph, b. Mid. 3-3-1785, m. 10-29-1807 Polly WITT. Lived in Bethlehem, Albany Co., N.Y. Children: Alvin, b. 7-5-1816. Was a M. E. Minister; Alvah. Sarah, b. Mid. 8-31-1788, m. 11-10-1811 Isaac CODY of Schenectady, N.Y. FAMILY 1 Ebenezer Robbins, son of Job and Cynthia (Cushman) Robbins, was b. 11-24-1769, d. 8-2-1850, m. 11-6-1793, Asenath, dau. Edmund and Abigail (Wood) RICHMOND, b. 7-13-1775, d. 9-15-1844. He lived in Mid. and Peru until about 1805 when he moved to Newark Vally, Tioga Co., N.Y. He was a blacksmith. Children: Samuel, b. Mid. 1-12-1794, d. 1-14-1794. Catherine, b. Peru 1-26-1795. Cynthia, b. Peru 10-21-1797. Dorothy, b. Peru 8-18-1799, d. 1842, m. 11-13-1816 Joseph, s. of Jesse and Elizabeth PRENTICE. Ebenezer, b. Peru 5-4-1801. Lydia, b. Peru 11-12-1802, d. young. Orlando, b. Peru, 1-16-1805. Harley, b. 9-16-1806. Joseph, b. 10-26-1808. Lydia, b. 4-22-1811. Samantha, b. 9-25-1816, m. Sylvester SHELDON. Asenath, b. 7-8-1820. FAMILY 2 Job Robbins, son of Job and Cynthia Robbins, was b. 5-24-1779, d. Mid. 3-1-1865, m. 10-7-1802, Polly, dau. Nathan and Polly (Whittemore) WRIGHT of Mid. He was a farmer and carried on his father's farm on Windsor St. Children b. Mid.: Job, b. 8-14-1803 (See Fam. 3). Samuel, b. 2=28-1805, d. 7-23-1846, m. (int.) 4-16-1834 Sophronia GAMWELL. Had a dau. Mary. Amos, b. 1-20-1807, d. 1-26-1810. Nathan W., b. 2-3-1809, d. 5-19-1879, m. (int.) 9-11-1830 Lucy E., dau. Nathan and Hannah (Branch) PRENTICE of Chester, b. 2-10-1811. He m. 2nd Mary GIFFORD. Children: Mary, m. Thos. B. JACOBS, Fostoria, Ohio; Nathan, m. Celestia PROUTY; Hannah, m. John RICE, West Salem, Ohio. Lorenzo, b. 1-25-1811, d. 2-5-1899, m. 9-14-1841 Dorothy Ann GIBBS. Lived in Becket. Children: Joseph Gibbs, m. Ella EGGLESTON; Lorenzo Ambrose, m. Caroline PINE; Lydia Maria, m. John T. SENNOTT. Marvin S., b. 4-15-1813, d. 12-11-1872, m. 1-19-1865 Sarah, dau. Joseph and Jane KEELER. Lived in Mid. and Becket. He was an invalid from early life, but was a student and became skilled in many things. He was an early student of Phonography or Shorthand and was a teacher of the subject. George Hawes who at one time was a court stenographer learned of him. Robbins worked at photography and produced some very creditable daguerreotypes when that art was first introduced. He was also a portrait painter. Several of his works are still to be seen in Mid. homes. Jesse, b. 4-24-1815, m. 4-14-1841, Frances, dau. Josiah and Sarah NETTLETON, who was b. 3-16-1822. Lived in Russell, Ohio. Children: Luna, m. John MARSHALL; Myron, m. Libby KAHL; Martin, m. Mary WHITELL; Edwin, m. Phebe HUNT; Lettice, m. C.S. COLLINS; Agnes, m. J.W. McFARLAND; Katherine. (3 others died young). Jacob, b. 10-8-1817 (See Family 1). Mary, b. 8-19-1819; d. 8-14-1833. Thomas D., b. 5-15-1821, d. Lanesboro 5-30-1876, m. (int.) 12-2-1843, Mary LITTLE of Lee. Children: Charles Wright, he was a soldier in Civil War, d. Louisville, Ky. 1864; George King; Allan Kingsley, m. Sarah YOUNG; Isadore, m. Cas. GRAVES; Henry Wadsworth, d. age 14. Ambrose, b. 1-3-1825 (See Fam. 5). FAMILY 3 Job Robbins, son of Job and Polly (Wright) Robbins, was b. Mid. 8-14-1803; drowned 4-7-1869 in the sinking of a grain ship on Lake Erie; m. 3-15-1825, Sally GATES, who was b. 10-3-1802. He lived for a while in Factory Village, Mid. but moved to Deerfield about 1834. Children: Sarah, b. Mid. 1-31-1826, m. Wm. W. CLEVELAND. Alfred Alexander, b. Mid. 10-14-1827, d. 11-5-1827. Samuel, m. Belinda BELKNAP. Amanda, m. James BARNES. Henry, m. Harriet HEWITT. Mary. Benjamin, m. Josephine COWELL. FAMILY 4 Jacob Robbins, son of Job and Polly (Wright) Robbins, was b. Mid. 10-8-1817, d. 9-16-1904, m. 2-26-1843 Mary Jane, dau. John and Sarah SCHOFIELD who d. 1905. He was for years a prominent resident of Mid. carrying on the old ancestral farm as his father had before him. He lived for a while in Suffield, Conn. He came back to Mid. and during the latter part of his life at the Center in the old Timothy Root house for a while he was assistant postmaster. He was selectman in Mid. 1854-62. Children: William Earl, b. Mid. 2-8-1845, m. 1st Harriet ELDER, m. 2nd Amanda MARKHAM, m. 3rd Mary PAYNE widow of Mr. McBride. Edward Clark, b. Mid. 6-10-1848, d. 9-13-1872. Sarah Augusta. Edson Day, m. Emma CHAPPELLE. Myron Lawrence, m. Matha ROWEN. He kept the store at Mid. Center for several years and drove the stage which brought the mail from Bancroft. Florence Emma, m. Robert ROWEN. FAMILY 5 Ambrose Robbins, son of Job and Polly (Wright) Robbins, was b. Mid. 1-3-1825, d. 1-20-1881. Killed by a falling tree, m. 1st 10-3-1848 Julia A., dau. John and Sarah SCHOFIELD, who was b. 3-17-1825, d. 10-16-1863. He m. 2nd 6-26-1864 Jane E., dau. Milton and Amanda SMITH. He lived in Mid. where he was selectman from 1856 to 1858. Children: Julia, m. Clarence KENT. Frank, m. Frances GOODRICH. Grace. ROOT Noadiah Root, of Westfield, appears to have owned the Erastus Ingham farm, west of the Center, which included Lot 11, I Div. E. Prescott's Grant, and 12 acres in northwest corner of Joseph Blush's farm on Lot 207 Worthington, adjoining. Root sold this property to Samuel Gowdy Jr. in 1796. Thomas Root (Timothy, Thomas, John), son of Timothy and Sarah (Pease) Root, was b. Somers, Conn. 3-28-1726, d. mid. 3-15-1821, m. 1st Ann _____, m. 2nd 11-8-1764 Alice, dau. Israel and Sarah (Booth) PEASE, who d. 12-30-1821, age 85. He is said to have come to Mid about 1783 from Enflield, Conn. He seems first to have located in the Pease district, not far from Metcalf's Tannery (Lot 14, III Div. Becket). Later about 1790 he bought land in "the Gulf" in the valley of the Westfield River at the foot of Mt. Gobble, and built a house west of the old road which wound down the mountain south of the Alderman farm. Children: Thomas, b. 7-14-1756. Ann, b. 9-8-1758. Solomon, b. 7-11-1765 (See Fam. 1). Alice, b. 9-19-1766, d. 10-11-1768. Daniel, b. 1-4-1769 (See Fam. 7). Alice, b. 6-2-1771, d. 10-8-1821, m. 7-10-1801 Green H. CHURCH. Lucina, b. 12-18-1773, d. 12-19-1830, m. 9-28-1795 John METCALF. Sarah, b. 3-15-1776, m. 11-23-1800 John SPENCER. Rhoda, b. 3-19-1780, m. Nial LITTLE 9-13-1803. FAMILY 1 Solomon Root, son of Thomas and Alice (Pease) Root, was b. Enfield, Conn. 7-11-1765, d. Mid. 8-8-1831, m. 4-2-1789, Mary, dau. Ebenezer and Mary (Talcott) SELDEN of Mid. (1771-1862). He came with his father to Mid. and after his marriage lived in the double log house in "the Gulf" which his father built for him and lived in the house built by Ebenezer Selden on the site of the dwelling of Mr. Alderman. Mr. and Mrs. Root were constituent members of the Baptist Ch. in 1817. Children, b. Mid.: Solomon, b. 2-8-1791 (See Fam. 2). Timothy, b. 12-4-1792, d. 3-1-1856, m. 5-4-1818 Amanda, dau. Ebenezer and Mary (Mack) EMMONS. He lived for some years in Mid. acting as partner to his brother Solomon in his store at the Center. It was to accommodate him that the house which formerly joined the store on the south side was built. He was selectman in 1844. Harvey, b. 4-26-1795 (See Fam. 5). Selden, b. 9-27-1797, b. 6-18-1873; m. (int.) 10-14-1821, Mary HUBBARD of W. Springfield who d. 7-25-1832. He m. 2nd 9-23-1834, Waita Irene GRAVES. Lived a quarter of a mile west of the Center. Joined Baptist ch. 1829. Children of Selden: Mariett, b. 9-3-1822, m. 7-4-1843, Enoch Dwight GRAVES; Emiline, b. 8-24-1823, m. (int.) 11-7-1846, Chas. COIT of Worthington; Charles Selden, m. in Wis. and settled in Texas. Mary, b. 2-16-1800, m. (int.) 2-27-1825, Dan PEASE Jr. Nathan, b. 4-11-1806, d. 6-28-1894, m. (int.) 10-20-1832 Mary ABBOTT of Chester. He moved to Chester in 1831, where he was a merchant. When the railroad was built he opened his house as a hotel, known as "Railroad House." Their golden wedding was celebrated 11-24-1882. Two children: Janett, m. George KNOWLES; Mary, m. 2-24-1864, Talmadge B. CHURCH. Julia, b. 3-11-1812, m. Apr. 1836 Geo. N. ELDER, Ohio. FAMILY 2 Solomon Root, son of Solomon and Mary (Selden) Root, was b. Mid. 2-8-1791, d. Mid. 12-24-1874, m. 3-16-1815, Laura, dau. David and Mary (Talcott) MACK of Mid. For many years he was prominent in public affairs, serving as selectman in 1824-30, 1832-34. He was town treasurer 1835-52 and represented the town in the General Court in 1834. He was postmaster at the Center 1833-57. He kept a button shop making buttons for the Willistons of Easthampton. For many years he was storekeeper at the Center, being especially popular with the school children because he would give more raisins for a penny than the other merchants in town. He and his wife were staunch members of the Baptist Church. Children b. Mid.: Laura Mack, b. 3-11-1816, d. Newton, Mass. 10-4-1886, m. 2-25-1839 Lewis D. BOISE, who was a tailor by trade and lived in Mid. He was a retail clothing merchant in Lowell and Boston. Maria Delight, b. 12-31-1817, d. Huntington 3-14-1883, m. 3-15-1840 Matthew SMITH. Lived in Mid. Elvira, b. 9-24-1819, d. Hartford, Conn. 4-10-1903, m. 5-19-1841 John SMITH. Solomon Francis, b. 8-31-1826 (See Fam. 3). FAMILY 3 Solomon Francis Root, son of Solomon and Laura (Mack) Root, was b. Mid. 8-31-1826, d. 7-2-1915, m. 1st 1-1-1850 Anna, dau. Samuel and Lucina (Metcalf) SMITH of Mid. She d. 3-24-1874. He m. 2nd 4-13-1876, Amanda LANE, d. Oct. 1918. He was for many years a merchant in Mid. at the Center and "the Switch." He was a partner in the firm of Boise, Smith & Root, who for a few years operated the Wm. Blush mill making satinet, until it was burned in 1851. He was Town Clerk in 1855 and Town Treasurer 1863-65. He joined the Baptist Ch. in 1842. He was also Justice of the Peace. He lived in Russell, Newton, Hinsdale and Dalton. Children: James Francis, b. 9-24-1850, d. 5-23-1866. Azariah Smith, b. 3-3-1862 (See Fam. 4). Martha Lane, b. 2-22-1877, m. 10-10-1900, Waverly Tillinghast WONSON. Francis Solomon, b. 5-5-1879, m. 6-15-1901 Florence Mae LEWIS. FAMILY 4 Azariah Smith Root, son of Solomon F. and Anna (Smith) Root, was b. Mid. 2-3-1862; m. 4-30-1887, Anna Mayo METCALF, dau. Isaac Stevens and Antoinette Brigham (Putnam) Metcalf. She graduated from Oberlin College 1884. Mr. Root was educated at Mikd., Hinsdale, Pittsfield, and Oberlin, graduating from Oberlin College in 1884. He lives in Oberlin where he is active in local affairs. He has been librarian of Oberlin College since 1887. He has also been president of the American Library Association. Children, b. Oberlin: Francis Metcalf, b. 9-24-1889, m. North Haven, Conn. 12-1-1917, Barbara BRADLEY. He is a graduate of Oberlin and Johns Hopkins Univ. He is a teacher of medical entomology in the Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Hygiene and Public Health. Child: Vernon Metcalf, b. Baltimore, Md. 2-11-1923. Marian Metcalf, b. 1-2-1896. Graduated from Oberlin. Is engaged in library work in New York City. FAMILY 5 Harvey Root, son of Solomon and Mary (Selden) Root, was b. Mid. 4-26-1795; d. Mid. 2-1-1887; m. 1st 1-24-1822, Sally, dau. Dan PEASE of Mid. who d. 11-26-1871. He m. 2nd Sarah A., dau. Alpheus HAZELTON of Madison Co., N.Y. She was a widow of Ebenezer Smith, d. 11-5-1900. He worked for a contractor Geo. Blake in Springfield. Became an expert at laying stone walls at Danbury, Conn. In 1845 he bought the Israel Pease farm on Ridgepole Road in Mid. and engaged in raising fine stock. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. Children: Franklin H., b. 11-5-1822, d. 4-19-1843. Sarah Ann, b. 4-5-1827, d. 3-18-1852. Mary Ann, b. 4-5-1827, d. 2-29-1852. Solomon, b. May 1828, d. 9-9-1828. Lester, b. 9-15-1829, d. Mid. 12-22-1908. He was a life long resident of Mid. living on the farm first cleared by William Skinner, a mile and a half north east of the Center. He was unmarried. Corinth, b. 2-13-1822; d. 12-9-1839. Amanda, b. 9-15-1834, d. 3-10-1843. George, b. 2-26-1837, d. 3-13-1843. Harriet, b. 5-27-1839, d. 3-9-1843. Judson, b. 4-8-1842, d. 3-16-1843. Laura, b. 1-15-1844 (See Fam. 6). FAMILY 6 Laura Root, dau. Harvey and Sally (Pease) Root, was b. 1-15-1844, m. 1-27-1870, George, son of John and Jerusha (Shaw) CHIPMAN, b. Cornwall, Conn. 7-19-1832; d. Mid. 8-15-1899. The family have lived for many years on the farm once owned by Thomas and Bartholomew Ward on Ridgepole Road. Children: Harvey, b. 1-5-1871, d. 3-11-1896. Wesley, b. 12-8-1871. He carries on his father's farm and is prominent in the Mid. church. He was selectman 1899, 1917, 1919. Frank, b. 12-8-1872. He cultivates the farm once owned by his grandfather, Harvey Root. Ella, b. 5-29-1882. She is prominent in church and local affairs and has been local correspondent for the Springfield Republican. FAMILY 7 Daniel Root, son of Thomas and Alice (Pease) Root, was b. Enfield, Conn. 1-4-1769; d. Mid. 10-7-1850; m. 1st (int.) 3-8-1790, Electa WARDWELL, who d. Mid. 11-7-1810; m. 2nd (int.) 10-10-1815, Wid. Sarah SHEPARD, who d. Mid. 3-12-1824; m. 3rd 6-9-1826, Mrs. Anna (SMITH) MARTIN. He succeeded his father in the ownership of the farm in the "Gulf" in Mid. and built the dwelling known as the "Eliakim Root place." He was prominent in local affairs, serving as selectman 1811-18, and as Representative to the General Court in 1816-17 and 1835. Children, b. Mid.: Sally, b. 8-19-1790; d. 9-3-1836; m. Asa SMITH. Daniel, b. 4-7-1793; m. (int.) 8-15-1819, Susannah CHURCH. Moved to Rockdale, Crawford Co. Pa. about 1820. Fanny, b. 6-14-1795; m. 9-10-1816, Oliver SMITH. Sylvester, b. 5-11-1797; m. 19-5-1824, Mercy THOMAS of Worthington. Lived at Rockdale, Pa. Justin, b. 7-23-1799; d. 4-1-1863; m. Susan MOORE. He was living in Mid. as late as 1823. Electa, b. 11-26-1801; m. (int.) 4-13-1823, Daniel ALDERMAN. Eliakim, b. 10-26-1804; m. Myra RAYMOND. He lived for many years on the farm owned by his father at Mid. in "the Gulf." Laura, b. 2-4-1807; m. Charles COLLINS. Independence, b. 5-9-1819; m. William FAY. RUSS Joseph Russ was probably connected with the Russ families of Andover, in which Joseph and Hezkiah were common names. A Joseph Russ m. Priscilla MOORE in 1709 and had a son Joseph Jr., b. 1710. A Hezekiah Russ, m. Deborah WILSON, 4-10-1710, and had a son, John, b. 5-27-172?, Leicester. Joseph Russ of Mid. was b. about 1732; d. Mid. 10-18-1796; his first wife d. Mid. between 5-1 and 10-31-1792. He m. 2nd 11-26-1792, Mrs. Elizabeth BLUSH, widow of Jsoeph Blush of Mid.; she d. 7-3-1822. Mr. Russ came to Mid. early enough to sign the Pet. Inc. 1781. In 1782 he purchased the northern portions of Lots 92 and 93, Partridgefield, bounding north on the line between Mid. and Peru, which lay north of the Robbins farm. The old house where Diodet Dickson and Henry Hendricks lived was originally the Russ place. Children: Amasa, b. 6-10-1758; mentioned in his father's will as his oldest son; d. Waitsfield, Vt. 7-23-1828; m. Phebe JENNINGS who d. 6-18-1831, aged 77. Moved from Peru to Sharon, Vt. and thence to Waitsfield, Vt. in 1810. Children: Eunice, b. 1788, d. 1824; Sally, b. 3-10-1790; Joseph, b. Peru 11-6-1795, he may have been the Joseph Russ who d. Hinsdale 11-21-1824. Hezekiah, m. 11-18-1800, Mrs. Melody HARDY of Washington. She must have died soon for he m. 2nd 12-19-1803 Ruth WRIGHT. He became head of the household after his father's death, carrying on the farm until 1813 when he sold Lot 92 to Elias Wares, who was the next occupant of the farm. The next year he sold part of Lot 93 to Matthew Smith. This lot was called "the upper lot" of the Smith farm. Russ was living in Peru in 1814. A dau. of Mr. Russ d. Hinsdale, 5-18-1820. An Ebenezer Russ, m. (int.) 10-15-1787, Hannah HOVEY of Dalton. An Ebenezer Russ d. Hinsdale 1-13-1810. A dau. Polly was b. Mid. 7-22-1788. A Benjamin Russ of Partridgefield, m. 11-14-1789, Electa CLARK of Deerfield. RUSSELL William Russell d. Cambridge, 2-14-1661. His wife Martha d. 1694. He came from England, 1636, and in 1645 settled at Cambridge. Had a son William b. 4-28-1655. William Russell, son of William and Martha Russell, was b. Cambridge, 4-28-1655; d. Andover 4-22-1753; m. 3-18-1683, Abigail, dau. Edward and Elizabeth WINSHIP, b. 2-13-1656; d. 7-31-1727. Had a son William b. 4-5-1687. William Russell, son of William and Abigail (Winship) Russell, was b. Cambridge, 4-5-1687; m. Andover 2-7-1731-2, Sarah, dau. Joseph and Mary (Webster) EMERY. Lived at Andover, where several children were born, including Gideon (b. 4-1-1735) and Alpheus (b. 1737). Moved to Somers, Conn. Gideon Russell, son of William and Sarah (Emery) Russell, was b. Andover 4-1-1735; d. Mid. 1-8-1818; m. about 1760 Mary PARSONS, b. abt. 1732; d. Mid. 6-21-1801. He moved from Somers, Conn. to Mid. about 1783 when he purchased of David Taylor the eastern part of Lot 4 and 5, II Div. East, Prescott's Grant. He later added to his farm part of Nathan Mann's lot No. 3 on Dickson Hill. The Russell house stood about 100 rods from the highway, where a cellar hole can be found in the lot across the road from the James Church place now (1924) owned by Mr. Gardner. The old road leading up over the hill to the Lamberton Farm passed this place. Russell served on the school committee for a time. Children, b. Somers, Conn.: Gideon, b. 12-26-1760 (See Fam. 1). Alpheus, b. 10-10-1762 (See Fam. 2). Abel, b. 2-13-1765 (See Fam. 3). Mary, b. 10-13-1767, m. (int.) 4-30-1787, Benjamin TAGGART. Eunice, b. 11-18-1770. FAMILY 1 Gideon Russell, son of Gideon and Mary (Parsons) Russell, was b. Somers, Conn. 12-26-1760; m. 2-9-1786, at South Hadley, Jemima, dau. Gideon and Sarah (Montagne) ALVORD. He was a soldier in the Rev. War. He lived at first with his father north of the Center but about 1797 bought Lot No. 145 of Abel Russell in the Worthington Section and was living on his farm in 1800 according to the census of that year. The farm was located at the foot of Smith Hollow Hill. Since his father sold his farm to Uriah Church in 1803 it is probable he made his home with Gideon Jr. until his death. Gideon Jr. joined the Congregational Church in 1802. His wife had joined by letter from South Russell Township later called Huntsburg, Ohio. The history of Geauga Co. Ohio states, "A family of Russells came in 1818 in what was late Russell Township. William Russell came and took up 225 acres. Ebenezer Russell and family moved in 1818. Also Alpheus Jemima and Sarah. They were from Massachusetts and were Presbyterians." Children, b. Mid.: Alpheus Russell, son of Gideon and Mary (Parsons) Russell, was b. Somers, Conn. 10-10-1762; d. Mid. 10-26-1802, being killed at a raising of a barn, m. (int.) 5-6-1794 Rebecca CLARK of Becket. She m. 2nd (int.) 6-29-1803 her next door neighbor, Rev. Jonathan NASH. He was a carpenter by trade and was one of the carpenters in charge of building the Middlefield meetinghouse in 1791. He followed Daniel Chapman on the farm now (1924) owned by G.E. Cook, north of the Center. It is said that he built the present house. Children b. Mid.: Alpheus Clark, b. 4-17-1795; m. 5-28-1818 Kirtland, Ohio, Elizabeth, dau. Geoge CONANT, b. 9-19-1792. Her father was b. in Barnstable 1762 and moved to Becket 1779. He was a brother of Thatcher Conant, organizer of the Becket Land Co. Rebecca, b. 3-13-1797, m. 2-20-1823, Nored ELDER of Chester. Mary, b. 9-11-1799, m. Samuel BILLINGS. FAMILY 3 Abel Russell, son of Gideon and Mary (Parsons) Russell, was b. 2-13-1765; m. Silence ATCHISON. He came to Mid. with his father Gideon and appears to have owned at one time the land which became the farm of his brother Gideon Jr., in Smith Hollow. He also owned land near Alpheus Russell in 1791. He was living at his father's in 1800 but is mentioned in the road survey of 1805 as living near Factory Brook west of Philip Meacham. He probably took up a farm there after his father sold his place to Uriah Church in 1803. Russell was a cabinet maker by trade. He was living in town in 1810 but had gone by 1820. He served on the school committee in 1799 and 1806. Children, b. Mid.: Lillis, b. 10-11-1793. Abel, b. 9-30-1795. Lyman, b. 11-19-1797. John, b. 4-4-1800. Maria, b. 5-31-1804. Milton, b. 7-31-1811.