Abington Massachusetts

Abington, Massachusetts, established in 1712 from a portion of the larger Bridgewater and officially incorporated in 1714, is located in Plymouth County. It played a significant role in the early industrial era of the United States, particularly noted for its shoe manufacturing industry, which began to flourish in the early 19th century. The town’s genealogical resources are rich, with records dating back to its incorporation, providing insights into the lives of early settlers, many of whom were of English descent. These records include vital statistics (births, marriages, deaths), land transfers, and church records, essential for tracing lineage and understanding the community’s historical fabric. Abington’s proximity to the Boston metropolitan area influenced its development and population dynamics, offering a unique perspective on the evolution from a small colonial settlement to a part of the broader industrial and suburban growth of the region. The Island Grove Pond in Abington, historically significant for being a meeting place for Native American tribes and later a hub for the anti-slavery movement, marks the town’s rich historical and cultural landscape. Genealogists seeking ancestors from Abington will find valuable information in the Plymouth County Courthouse records, local historical societies, and the Abington Public Library’s archives.

Genealogy of the Rhodes Family of Taunton Massachusetts

Through much of the century but recently closed and on into this has dwelt in Taunton and New Bedford, Mass., a family bearing the name of Rhodes. Reference is made to some of the descendants of the late Stephen and Anna Daniels (Carpenter) Rhodes, whose birthplaces were Dedham and Foxboro, Mass., respectively. Their son, Stephen Rhodes (4), became the head of the Taunton family, several members of which in succeeding generations have given a good account of themselves in the business and social life of their community, rising to useful and substantial citizenship, and as well to responsible public trust. The names of Hon. Stephen H. Rhodes, of Boston, late president of the John Hancock Insurance Company, who for years was prominent in the activities of Taunton, a member of the board of aldermen some forty years ago, and mayor of the city for one or two years; his brother, the present John Corey Rhodes, one of the best known manufacturers of southeastern Massachusetts; another brother, the present Marcus Morton Rhodes, Esq., who for perhaps a half century or more has been actively engaged in business in Taunton, and the greater part of the period as a senior member of the firm or corporation of M. M. Rhodes & Sons Company, and at one time one of the board of water commissioners of the city; the latter’s son, George Holbrook Rhodes, long a partner and stockholder of the firm and corporation just alluded to, and for years its treasurer, many years in succession a member of the common council of Taunton and for a number of years president of that body; John Bird Rhodes, son of John Corey Rhodes, chief executive of John C. Rhodes & Co., Inc., of New Bedford; and perhaps others as well, ever stand out prominently in the annals of Taunton.

Ancestry of Walter Lyman French

Most of the Frenches of the Bridgewaters and vicinity descend from John French, of Braintree. This John French was born about 1612, in England. Before coming to Braintree, of which point he was an inhabitant in 1640, and a freeman in 1644, he had been a short time at Dorchester. He died Aug. 16, 1692, aged about eighty. His wife Grace died Feb. 28, 1680-81, aged fifty-nine years. Walter Lyman French, the gentleman whose name introduces this article was one of Brockton’s enterprising business men, one who had achieved marked success in various branches of industry and trade. He was born in Brockton Mass. (then North Bridgewater) May 4, 1843, son of the late Francis M. and. Nancy L. (Blake) French. Walter is a direct descendant of John and Grace French of Braintree Mass.

1867 Abington Massachusetts Directory

Canvassed under the direction of C. A. Gould Abbe Rev. Frederick R. cor. Bedford and Groveland Adams George, (Reed & Adams) Additon Z. R. shoemaker, r Belmont Ager Wilbur F. shoemaker, r Randolph Agnew John, merchant tailor. Central Alden Alexander, manufacturer, r School Alden Amos, shoe manuf. r Washington Alden Belah, shoemaker, r South Avenue Alden J. farmer, r South Avenue Alden Jared, shoemaker, r Plymouth Alger Frank, laborer, South Avenue Allen C. F. boot & shoe manuf. r Temple Allen C. W. shoemaker, r Temple Allen Daniel W. stitcher, r Centre Avenue Ames Frank, shoemaker, r Union Ames Jacob, … Read more

Descendants of Lucius Reed, of Abington, Massachusetts

Lucius Reed, of Abington, Mass., was a descendant of (I) William Reade, who came to this country in the vessel “Assurance de Lo” in 1635, fifteen years after the arrival of the “Mayflower,” and settled in Weymouth, Mass. The line is through his son William Reed, who married Esther Thompson, of Middleboro, whose mother was Mary Cooke, daughter of Francis Cooke, who landed in 1620, from the “Mayflower.”