Biographies

William was born In Jonesborough, TN on October 25, 1855 to James C. and Sophia Eliza (Byers) Cox. James was a farmer and merchant in Jonesborough, and they lived in the same household as Sophia's father, step-mother, and step-siblings. Sophia's father, Col. Charles Potter Byers, was the editor of The Vindicator, and her mother, Elizabeth Conway Sevier, was the granddaughter of John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee. William had one older brother named Hugh Aiken, tho

Robert Gray was born in Worcester to Robert Gray and Sarah Wiley on December 23, 1734. His parents were among Scots-Irish (Presbyterian) families who came to Worcester in 1718, becoming some of the earliest white settlers of the town. Most of the Scots-Irish left Worcester in 1740 after the Congregationalist population of Worcester demolished the Presbyterian meeting house that was under construction, but they Grays were among those who stayed. They eventually converted an

Jedediah Healey was born in Dudley, MA on September 18, 1757. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Whitmore) Healey. Jedediah came to Worcester around the time of the American Revolution. After the War he owned and operated a small carpentry shop at what is now the Burnside Building on Main Street. By trade he was a cabinet maker, and was famous for his humor and wit. During the Revolutionary War he served as a Matross in Colonel Craft’s Artillery Company in 1776 and 1777.

Nathaniel Curtis was born to Zacheus and Lydia (Thomas) Curtis on March 26, 1756 in Plymouth, MA. He was the fifth of their six children, and the fourth to survive past childhood. His father was from Plymouth, and his mother from Dartmouth, MA. On April 20, 1775 Nathaniel marched to Marshfield with Captain Jesse Harlow's company of Minutemen in response to the Lexington Alarm that went out the revious day. He stayed with the company for seven days before they were dismissed

Dennis Hartwell Jones was the oldes of six children born to Samuel H. and Minerva (Jewell) Jones, born in Winchester, NH on February 8, 1846. His father was a piano maker, and they moved to Brattleboro, VT and then to Boston, MA where Samuel had found work. The family made their home in the West Roxbury neighborhood. Living with them in 1860 was musician George Graves, who would later form the Boston Musical Instrument Company. Aged only 17 Dennis (with his parents' blessin

Mary was born in Sudbury, MA on September 16, 1707 to Nathaniel and Patience (Brown) Rice. Her parents had both been married previously. Mary was the second of their three children as a couple, and had older siblings from her mother’s first marriage (and likely her father’s as well). She married Paul Brintnal on November 10, 1724. They had four sons: Nathaniel in 1724 (born a little over a month after their marriage), Joseph in 1727, John in 1729, and Collens in 1731. Paul

Captain William B. Crowell was born in July 1836 on Martha's Vineyard, one of the large islands off the coast of Massachusetts. His parents were Hebron Crowell, a mariner, and Sarah Luce, who was called "Sally". William was likely born in the town of Tisbury, as that is where his parents lived but nearby Edgartown is also possible as that is where his mother was from. In the 1850 US Census William is living in Tisbury in a nine-person household along with his parents, a youn

Aaron Hosley was born in Westford, MA on April 22, 1742 to Samuel and Elisabeth (Keyes) Hosley. His father was originally from Billerica, MA and moved to Westford after the marriage. Aaron was their oldest child; eleven more would follow. The births of all of their children was recorded in Westford. Beginning in 1756 the Hosleys were given as living "in the Destrect of Pepperral", which was in the process of becoming its own town. His last name has various spellings (spel

Benjamin Flagg was born in Worcester, MA on March 10, 1746 to Benjamin and Abigail (Chadwick) Flagg. Both the Flaggs and the Chadwicks (also spelled "Chaddick") were among the earliest families to settle in Worcester. Benjamin was the eldest of his parents' eleven children. Both Benjamin's father Benjamin and his grandfather Benjamin lived in Worcester. Benjamin's uncle Asa Flagg also had a son named Benjamin. This man was born in Worcester (of course!) in 1751 but moved t

Be ye followers of them who through faith & patience inherit the promises. Here rests the mortal part of Mrs. RUTH BROOKS Consort of Mr. ASA BROOKS who died Decr. 14th 1791 Aged 45 Years. Bless'd are the dead, the happy dead who die in Christ their living head; They from their painfull labour cease, And enter into perfect peace. The life story of the owner of this lovely gravestone has mostly me eluded so far. I have found very little record of her besides her gravestone. If

Asa Ward was born in Worcester, MA on February 17, 1747/8 to Daniel Ward and Mary Stone. He was the eighth of their nine children. His father had been married previously, though only one of his two step siblings lived long enough to meet him. Daniel Ward came to Worcester around the time it was established as a town in 1722 and had a house and farm on the west side of Main Street close to the town common. He held many public offices including Town Selectman and keeper of

John Moore was born in Worcester, MA to Asa and Sarah (Heywood) Moore on May 3, 1746. His mother was one of the first white children born in Worcester, and her family was among the earliest white families to settle there. John was the second of his parents' eight children. He was one of three John Moores living in Worcester during the American Revolution and is difficult to figure out which man did which service in some cases. Adding to the fun are the many different spelli

Benjamin Newton was baptized in Worcester, MA on April 6, 1755. He had likely been born a week or so before to Phineas and Abigail (Drury)Newton. Benjamin had two older brothers, one older sister, three younger brothers (one of whom died as an infant), and 5 younger sisters. Having twelve children was not uncommon for the time. During the Revolutionary War he served as a Private in Captain Hodge’s Company while they were stationed in Rhode Island from May through July of 17

Ebenezer was born to Martin and Salina (Bent) Leach in Putnam, CT in 1837/8. He was the sixth of their seven children. On November 19, 1859 he married Lucretia Smith in Petersham, MA, and in 1860 the couple was living in Southbridge, MA with Ebenezer’s older brother Martin. Ebenezer was working as a weaver and card grinder, likely for the Central Manufacturing Company. The Leaches had five children, four of whom survived infancy: Otis, Thomas, Arnold, and Lettie. Ebenezer ser

Benjamin was born on October 25, 1746 in Shrewsbury, MA to Phineas and Elizabeth (Moore) Heywood. He was the eighth of their eleven children. The births of his five oldest siblings were recorded in neighboring Worcester, MA, so the original family farm was likely there. From a young age he was trained as a carpenter and housewright and was fairly skilled, but was more interested in scholarship than pursuing a trade. Benjamin studied hard and entered Harvard in 1771, showin

James Shattuck was born in Groton, MA on February 9, 1698/9 to Samuel and Elizabeth (Blood) Shattuck. He was the second of their nine children, born about three years after his older brother Samuel. The Shattuck farm was in the northwestern part of Groton on the far side of the Nashua River. On November 22, 1726 he married Sarah Chamberlain, and ten months later their daughter Sarah was born. In total they had eight children over 24 years. James died on May 1st, 1769, and w

Benjamin Chamberlin was born in Pepperell, MA on December 20, 1761. He was the youngest son and ninth of the ten children born to Phinehas and Lydia (Williams) Chamberlain. In 1771 Phinehas died in debt, and Lydia divested much of their property to pay off those debts. She died in 1773 and Benjamin and his other minor siblings likely went to live with family members until they came of age. Benjamin enlisted in the Continental Army from New Braintree in Worcester County, MA

"He was an Englishman by birth, came to this country about the year 1766 on board a British frigate, from which he deserted. In 1775 he joined the American Army, in which he faithfully served during the whole Revolutionary War."

John Adams was born in Milton, MA on July 23, 1761 to Andrew Adams and Ruth Wadsworth. I am a little suspicious of the service that was attributed to him by his family. John Adams is an extremely common name in Massachusetts, especially in and around the Boston area where he was from. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors gives the following service for John Adams of Milton: Corporal in Capt. Vose’s Company in Col. Heath’s Regiment in 1775, and in 1778 served at Castle Island

Azor Phelps was born in Sutton, MA to Henry and Sarah (Rounday) Phelps on October 13, 1761. He was the third of their five children. At the age of 18 Azor served as a Private in Captain Alton’s Company in Colonel John Rand’s Regiment. This Regiment was raised out of Worcester County to support the Continental Line in 1780. After the Revolutionary War Azor was a Captain in the local Sutton militia. He married Mary Tenny Holman in 1784, and they had seven children: Mary/Poll