Plymouth County MA, located in the southeastern part of Massachusetts, is a region steeped in American history and natural beauty. Established in 1685, the county holds the distinction of being one of the first governmental units in the United States, formed just 65 years after the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620. This area, named after Plymouth, England, serves as a living museum of the early colonial era, featuring landmarks such as Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II, replicas of the original settler’s community and their ship. Geographically, Plymouth County is characterized by its varied landscapes that include coastal shorelines, dense forests, and clear ponds, making it a picturesque representation of New England’s charm. The county’s development over the centuries has seen a blend of agricultural, maritime, and industrial growth, reflecting the broader evolution of the region.
An historical sketch about Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867. Includes a list of the men from Hingham who gave their life during the Revolutionary War.
HOWLAND. Arthur and Henry Howland are believed to have come to America together and probably before 1625; they appeared in Plymouth Colony in the early days of its settlement. They were members of the Society of Friends and most of their descendants for many generations were, and many at the present time are, Friends. Arthur lived for a few years in Plymouth, then became a landholder and resident of Marshfield; while Henry, the progenitor of the Ancient Dartmouth Howland family, the branch here specially considered, lived at Duxbury. The first mention of him in New England is that made in … Read more
The 1867 Plymouth County Massachusetts Directory is abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867 and contains a brief history of Plymouth County, MA and each town within it, along with various notes of historical and genealogical importance, such as a list of men from each town who died in the Revolutionary War.
The Arnold family of Abington, one of the oldest in southeastern Massachusetts, is ably and worthily represented at the present time by Capt. Moses N. Arnold and his brother, William B. Arnold, both veterans of the Civil war and well-known shoe manufacturers of North Abington. The first of the family in America was Joseph Arnold, of Braintree. Going a step backward, crossing the ocean, the first of the Arnold family to adopt a surname was Roger Arnold, who was a descendant in the twelfth generation from Ynir, showing the Arnolds to be of great antiquity, the family having its origin … Read more
An historical sketch about Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867. Includes a list of the men from Scituate who gave their life during the Revolutionary War.
Alden Reuel T. shoemaker Allen Jarad B. shoemaker Allen John, shoemaker Bird Henry W. shoemaker Bishop Charles E. carpenter Bishop Nathaniel, carpenter Blake Daniel P. shoemaker Bonney Elbridge P. painter Bosworth Daniel, teamster Bosworth Henry M. teamster Bosworth Libbeus, farmer Bosworth Martin, farmer Bosworth William H. shoemaker Bourne Abram, farmer Bourne Josiah, shoemaker Bourne William N. laborer Briggs Bern, shoemaker Briggs G. W. shoe cutter Britton Z. L. farmer Bryant Thomas H. B. farmer Carver Charles G. laborer Carver Samuel, farmer Churchill Edmond, shoemaker Churchill Samnel, shoemaker Clark Stephen, fanner Cobb Lewis A. farmer Cook John, painter Cornish Ellis, farmer … Read more
(V) Major David Tilden, son of Christopher Tilden, was born at Boston, October 5, 1741. He married Joanna. He lived in Boston and Pembroke, Massachusetts and was prominent in the revolution. He was first lieutenant in Captain James Hatch’s company in 1776 and marched from Pembroke to Braintree. He was second major of Colonel John Cushing’s regiment (Second Plymouth county) in 1777 and was in the Rhode Island campaign. He was superintendent of mustering in 1778, in Plymouth county. Children: 1. Sarah, baptized at Pembroke, February 19, 1764. 2. James, mentioned in Deane’s “Scituate.” 3. Christopher, born in Boston, April … Read more
Aldrich John E. shoemaker Allen Clothier, farmer Allen John, farmer Allen John F. farmer Andrews Gustavus G. carpenter Andrews Stillman S. carpenter Ashley Abraham, teamer Ashley David, farmer Ashley John C. farmer Ashley John E. farmer Ashley Joseph, farmer Ashley Josiah K. cooper Ashley Luther, mason and farmer Ashley Silas P. farmer Back George, shoemaker Baker Abisha, farmer Baker Freeman, farmer Baker Josiah, farmer Baker Marcus, farmer Baker Simeon, farmer Baker William, farmer Baker William 2d farmer Barney George, farmer Barney William, farmer Barrows Elijah W. clergyman Bassett Charles H. shoemaker Benton William H. Bishop Dexter, hack-driver Booth Henry B. … Read more
Hair Dressers Bond John S., Abington Hobson R., East Abington, Abington Butler J. H., South Abington, Abington Reiser Wm. H., Bridgewater Chandler Harvey, East Bridgewater Clary George E., Hingham Sylvester S. H., Middleboro Barden W. H., North Bridgewater Buckley D. J., Bridgewater Jacobs W. H., Bridgewater Taylor Clary, Bridgewater Frink C. H., Plymouth Holmes W. S., Plymouth Spear Thomas, Plymouth Whitney Joseph B., Plymouth Turner William H., Wareham Hammer Manuf. Morton E. S., Plymouth Hardware and Cutlery Ripley William, Abington Cloud H. H., No. Abington, Hobart Caleb, Bridgewater Wilder Isaac M., Hanover Burges & Bailey, Kingston Hunt and Sampson, Kingston … Read more
An historical sketch about Plympton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867. Includes a list of the men from Plympton who gave their life during the Revolutionary War.
An historical sketch about Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867. Includes a list of the men from Middleboro who gave their life during the Revolutionary War.
This Boston – East Bridgewater Chandler family, the head of which was the late Hon. Peleg Whitman Chandler, long one of the leading counselors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and one of a family of lawyers, comes of a Massachusetts-Maine branch of the ancient Duxbury family whose progenitor was Edmund Chandler. The branch just alluded to for several generations at New Gloucester and Bangor, Maine, and at Boston in this Commonwealth, has been one of liberal education, college-bred men, men who have adorned the legal profession, and it has allied itself through generations with a number of the ancient and first families of the Old Colony. There follows in chronological order from Edmund Chandler, the first American ancestor of this branch of American Chandlers, and in detail the family history and genealogy.
John Washburn, first of the name here, was an early settler in New England, and was a resident of Duxbury, Mass., before 1632, in which year he had an action in court against Edward Doten. He was named in the assessment of taxes in 1633, and in 1634 bought a place from Edward Bonparse known as “Eagle’s Nest.” He and his two sons, John and Philip, were included with those able to bear arms in 1643. He and his son John were original proprietors of Bridgewater, and they with the son Philip settled in the town as early as 1665. He died in Bridgewater before 1670.
In 1606, a congregation formed in Scrooby, England, seeking refuge from persecution, ultimately settling in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in December 1620. Led by prominent figures like John Carver and William Bradford, these Pilgrims faced severe hardships, with many dying in their first winter. They established a treaty with Native Americans, fostering cooperation. Despite challenges, including King Philip’s War, the colony grew slowly, eventually merging into Massachusetts in 1692. The Pilgrims’ legacy of liberty and determination continues to influence the region today.
Alden Lucas W. provision dealer Alden Luther E. shoe cutter, r Montello Alden Russell, shoe manuf. r Main Alden Samuel F. butcher, r Quincy Alden Sanford, farmer, r Quincy Alden Sanford O. boot maker, r Quincy Allen: Benjamin C. shoe cutter, r Belmont Allen F. E. shoemaker, r Centre Allen Horatio G. shoe cutter, r Turnpike Allen James A. mechanic, bds Hotel Ames Edwin C. shoe cutter, r Pleasant Ames Francis, farmer, r Gary Ames Franklin, r Main Ames Horace, boot maker, r Ames Ames John, boot maker, r Belmont Ames Luther, shoe cutter, r Court Ames Theron, farmer, r … Read more
Atwood Benjamin S. box maker Beaton Henry P. shoemaker Billings James, shoemaker Billings Nathan D. shoemaker Bisbee Elijah, farmer Blanchard Horatio W. shoemaker Blanchard Wm. W. shoemaker Bonney George H. painter Bonney James S. box maker Bonney Wm. L. box maker Bradford Gideon, shoemaker Bradford Henry A. trader Bradford Joseph W. box maker Bradford Samuel N. shoemaker Brewster Pelham, farmer Briggs Herschell E. shoemaker Briggs Lewis H. shoemaker Briggs Nathan S. farmer Briggs Seneca, farmer Bryant Calvin M. mariner Bryant Lemuel, section master Bryant William S. famer Bryant Zenas, farmer Chandler Edward, shoemaker Chandler M. E. shoemaker Churchill Albert S. … Read more
LYSANDER FRANKLIN GURNEY, late of Brockton, Plymouth Co., Mass., was a descendant of some of the earliest settlers of this section. Going back to the mother country, we find the following general information in “The Gurneys of Earlham” (two volumes, Hart, Mich., March 16, 1906).
The Norfolk Gurneys claim descent from the ancient Barons of Gournay in Normandy, where the curious Ports Ibert with many old towers of the walls and the twelfth century church of Saint Hildevert attest the wealth and power of its ancient lords. Several members of the House accompanied William the Conqueror to England, and fought at the battle of Hastings, after which the valor of the aged Hugh de Gurney III. was rewarded by the establishment of the English Barony of Gourney, held by tenure of military service and by large grants of land, so that he has left his name of Baron Gourney in Somerset and several other places in England. The story of the “House of Gourney” is told in a magnificent history by Daniel Gurney of Juncton Hall, near Norwich, County of Norfolk, England, which possesses historic interest and shows much antiquarian research.
An historical sketch about Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867.
An historical sketch about Carver, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as abstracted from the Plymouth County Directory and Historical Register of 1867.
Wellman, Samuel Thomas; mechanical engineer; born, Wareham, Mass., Feb. 5, 1847; son of Samuel K, and Mary L. Besse Wellman; educated, Norwich University, Vermont, B. S. and C. E. (hon.); married, Stoneham, Mass., Sept. 3, 1868, Julia A. Ballard; issue, Mina Bessie, Aug. 11, 1870, Addle Lena, June 1, 1872, Wm. S., Nov. 1, 1874, Holley G., May 19, 1881, Frederick S., Dec. 8, 1887; served as corporal Co. F, 1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, 18641865; built first open hearth furnace in United States to make steel commercially, Bay State Works, Boston, 1870; engineer and supt. Otis Steel Co., 18731889, … Read more