Great Barrington Massachusetts Genealogy

Biography of Hon. Orlando Curtis Bidwell

In the exacting and wide-reaching profession of the law, Hon. Orlando Curtis Bidwell, of Great Barrington, stands among the leaders in Berkshire County. His large natural ability was supplemented by careful preparation and his entire career has been guided by a lofty idealism, which marks his every step of progress. As a servant of the people, as well as in his professional capacity, Mr. Bidwell has made an honorable and admirable record, while his affiliations with organized movements bear definite and constructive results. He is a son of Marshall S. and Sophia L. (Bidwell) Bidwell, his father a merchant and … Read more

Biography of Edward Anthony Kennedy

EDWARD ANTHONY KENNEDY, oculist and aurist, of Hillcrest Hospital, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was born January 17, 1880, at Fairfield, Vermont, son of Thomas B. and Katherine (Horrigan) Kennedy. His father served through the Civil War and was severely wounded in one of the later battles. For many years he was active in the circles of the Grand Army of the Republic. Edward Anthony Kennedy was educated in the public schools of St. Albans, Vermont, and the Medical School of the University of Vermont, whence he was graduated in the class of 1905 with the degree of M. D. He then entered … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Asahel Blakeman Avery

(VIII) Asahel Blakeman, son of Peter Rockefeller and Elizabeth (Blakeman) Avery, was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, May 16, 1834, and died in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, September 19, 1894. He came to the town of Phelps as a boy of fourteen and engaging in farming there, he became and was for many years one of the representative men of the region. He married Julia, daughter of Ashbel and Emily Horsford, of Phelps. Children: Minnie L., born in 1864, died in 1884; Elizabeth, born in 1873, married Elmer Miller; Willis, referred to below; Frank A., referred to below. (IX) … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank Hull Wright

FRANK HULL WRIGHT – Active in the practice of law for the past two years and now already demonstrating great ability, Frank Hull Wright, of Great Barrington, stands among the thoroughly progressive and noteworthy men of his day and his future opens bright before him. In every phase of his work he gives to his clients the value of his tireless industry in study and research, as well as his natural ability and practical training. Mr. Wright is a son of Frank Hull and Frances (Siggins) Wright, his father one of the widely famed lawyers of Great Barrington over a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Peter Rockefeller Avery

(VII) Peter Rockefeller, son 0f Henry and Hannah (Rockefeller) Avery, was born in Columbia county, New York, March 20, 1807, died March 4, 1854. He married, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, December 6, 1829, Elizabeth, daughter of Asahel and Mary (Rockefeller) Blakeman, born October 4, 1807, died December 18, 1883, Children 1. Mary, born April 3, 1831, married (first) Cunningham Case and (second) Mark Johnson; children: Esther and Bertha Case, and Caroline Johnson. 2. Asahel Blakeman, referred to below. 3. Esther, born May 23, 1836, married Nelson N. Newman; children: Libbie, Morton, Avery and Ray.

1923-1925 South Berkshire Directory

The 1923-1925 South Berkshire Directory. A general directory of the towns of Alford, Egremont (North and South), Great Barrington (including Housatonic), Monterey, Mount Washington (including Alandar), New Marlboro (including Clayton, Hartsville, Mill River and Southfield), North Canaan, Conn. (including Canaan and East Canaan), Sheffield (including Ashley Falls), Stockbridge (including Interlaken and Glendale), West Stockbridge (including State Line). An alphabetically arranged list of business firms and private citizens, co-partnerships, corporations, town, county and state officers, schools, churches, banks, railways, clubs and other associations, secret and benevolent societies, etc., street and house guides for great Barrington and a complete classified business directory.

Biography of Edward Kelly

EDWARD KELLY-Responsibility has been the portion of Edward Kelly throughout his entire active life, and for more than forty years he has borne a worthy and progressive part in business and civic affairs. He has done much to forward the progress of his native town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and in every branch of activity with which he is, or has been, connected he endorses all worthy effort and supports the general good. Mr. Kelly is a son of Michael and Julia (Dwyer) Kelly, his father a blacksmith and carriage manufacturer for many years, but later in life prominent as … Read more

Free Massachusetts Vital Records

Vital Records of Bellingham Massachusetts to 1850

This is a collection of free vital records books, otherwise known as “Tan Books” for Massachusetts towns. Generally, these records go up to 1849/1850 at which, the genealogist can use the census records to assist in identifying the family connections further. Included with this article is an account of why and how these manuscripts were published along with links to all 198 books which can be freely read or downloaded.

Polly P. Todd Humiston of Hudson OH

HUMISTON, Polly P. Todd6, (Justus Lyman5, Gideon4, Gideon3, Michael2, Christopher1) born July 22, 1789, died Aug. 1, 1880, married Caleb Humiston of North Haven, Conn. They removed to Great Barrington, Mass., thence to Hudson, Ohio, where both died and were buried. She was a woman of strong intellect. Children: I. George Lyman, b. April 3, 1808, d. April 3, 1877. II. Jared Laurens, b. May 18, 1810, d. Oct. 18, 1896. III. John Willis, b. Sept. 29, 1812, d. May 16, 1891. IV. Loyal Porter, b. March 18, 1814, d. July 25, 1814. V. Jane Elizabeth, b. Sept. 6, 1816, … Read more