The genealogical book analyzes the myth of a vast unclaimed fortune associated with William Carpenter’s American descendants, revealing it as a fabrication. James Usher details various branches of the Carpenter family, including Samuel Carpenter of Pennsylvania, William Carpenter of Massachusetts, Ephraim, Timothy and Josias Carpenter, of New York, and William Carpenter of Rhode Island.
The Abbot family of New England, traced in James Savage’s genealogical work, includes notable figures such as Arthur Abbot, who settled in Marblehead around 1634 and had a son, Philip. Several generations followed, with families established in towns such as Ipswich, Andover, and Cambridge. Many Abbots contributed to early colonial life, engaging in various trades and civic duties. The family’s legacy persists, with descendants continuing to thrive across New England into the 19th century.
The Hazard family of Rhode Island 1635-1894 – Being a genealogy and history of the descendants of Thomas Hazard, with sketches of the worthies of this family, and anecdotes illustrative of their traits and also of the times in which they lived.
William Bowers Moison Chace, born December 5, 1854, in Somerset, Massachusetts, is the ninth generation of his family in America, tracing lineage back to William Chace, who emigrated from England in 1630. A prominent figure in real estate, insurance, and manufacturing, Chace’s career began as a clerk, progressing to partnership and ultimately founding his own company. Involved in various financial institutions, he has been a leading business figure in Fall River. He married Charlotte P. White, with whom he had four children.
The French family has significantly influenced Fall River’s history since its founding, tracing their roots to Rollo, Duke of Normandy. Notable figures include Hon. Enoch French and his descendants, who were involved in various trades, notably tanning and shoemaking. Enoch established the first boot and shoe store in Fall River and contributed to local governance and community organizations. His sons, including Job B. French, also played vital roles in business and civic life. The family’s legacy continues through their active involvement in the First Baptist Church and local affairs.
Alfred Pierce, born January 1, 1822, in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, is a retired contractor and builder from Attleboro, where he contributed significantly to the construction of public and private buildings over fifty years. A descendant of a notable lineage tracing back to the Norman Conquest, his ancestors participated in many historical events. Alfred and his wife Martha Richardson Williams, a prominent community member, had one daughter, Marion, who pursued a career in art and was active in civic organizations. Alfred remains a respected figure in his community.
John McCullough, born in New Bedford in 1858 to Irish immigrants, played a significant role in the city’s growth. His grandfather, Patrick McCullough, and father, also John, laid the family’s roots in New Bedford after emigrating from County Tyrone, Ireland. John established a successful junk business and became a key figure in the whaling industry. Active in local politics, he served as alderman and helped form St. Lawrence parish. His legacy continued through his son, who expanded the family business, embodying the McCullough commitment to community and enterprise.
William P. Corthell, a prominent figure from South Abington (now Whitman), Massachusetts, came from a lineage distinguished by their contributions to society. The Corthell family, established in Hingham in the early 18th century, produced numerous influential individuals. William himself was a dedicated public servant, engaging in various roles, including county commissioner and trustee of the Abington Savings Bank. He was recognized for his integrity and commitment to community service and church, leaving behind a legacy of honorable public life and a devoted family.
The Sturdy family, descended from John Jenkins, who became William Sturdy after fleeing the British navy, played a significant role in the jewelry industry of southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Settling in Attleboro, William transitioned from farming to work in cotton mills during the industrial boom. His sons, notably William A. and John F., contributed to the family’s legacy in jewelry manufacturing, establishing successful businesses that thrived for generations. The family’s collective efforts reflect their industrious spirit and commitment to their community in the Attleboros.
The Taber family of Dartmouth and New Bedford, one of the oldest families in southeastern Massachusetts, is descended from Philip Taber, who according to Savage, was born in 1605, and died in 1672. He was at Watertown in 1634, and he contributed toward building the galley for the security of the harbor. He was made a freeman at Plymouth in 1639. In 1639-40 he was a deputy from Yarmouth, and was afterward at Martha’s Vineyard, and from 1647 to 1655 was at Edgartown, going from there to New London in 1651, but probably returning soon. He was an inhabitant of Portsmouth in February, 1655, and was a representative in Providence in 1661, the commissioners being Roger Williams, William Field, Thomas Olney, Joseph Torrey, Philip Taber and John Anthony. Later he settled in Tiverton, where his death occurred. He married Lydia Masters, of Watertown, Mass., daughter of John and Jane Masters, and his second wife, Jane, born in 1605, died in 1669.
For the past hundred years – during almost the lifetime, as it were, of Fall River and its entire industrial life – the name Slade has been continually identified with that industrial life and also prominent in other lines of effort in that great city of spindles. In 1812-13, when the real substantial pioneer establishments in the cloth making industry of Fall River were projected and completed – the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory and the Fall River Manufactory – began the Slade name in this connection, Eber Slade of Somerset being one of the most prominent promoters of one of the corporations; he became its first treasurer and filled the position until in the middle twenties. William Slade of Somerset was one of the owners of the site of these first establishments, and was himself an original proprietor of the Pocasset and Watuppa Manufacturing Companies. The brothers Jonathan and William Lawton Slade were among the founders of the celebrated cotton mills of Fall River, both becoming presidents of the corporation. John Palmer Slade, another of Somerset’s sons, figured largely not only in the industrial life of the city but in other lines, becoming president of both the Shove and Laurel Lake Mills. George W. Slade, one of the “forty-niners” of the Pacific coast, was for full fifty years one of the extensive and wholesale merchants of Fall River and his name, too, is coupled with the city’s industrial life. And of younger generations one or more of the sons of some of these are at this time officially and otherwise connected with this industrial life and in other lines, notably Leonard N. and Everett N. Slade, of the firm of John P. Slade & Son, insurance and real estate; David F. Slade, member of the law firm of Slade & Borden; and Abbott E. Slade, now treasurer of the Laurel Lake Mills.
Capt. Jacob Taber, born in 1813 in Acushnet, Massachusetts, descended from the early New England family of Philip Taber. A master mariner in the whaling industry, Jacob began his seafaring career at nineteen, later commanding successful voyages to the South Atlantic, Hudson Bay, and the Arctic. Known for his remarkable record—never losing a vessel—he retired in 1870 after a distinguished career. A kind and jovial man, he engaged in local politics and was married to Hannah Mendell Blackmer, with whom he had several children.
Walter Ballou, born on February 20, 1835, in Cumberland, Rhode Island, played a significant role in North Attleboro’s jewelry industry. Descended from a distinguished family with Norman-French roots dating back to the Battle of Hastings, he became a partner in R. Blackinton Co. in 1862. Walter’s inventive spirit led to notable advancements in jewelry manufacturing. He married Ann E. Briggs, and they had three children. A respected community figure, he remained integral to the company’s success and legacy throughout his life.
The Soule family of New Bedford, Massachusetts, traces its lineage to George Soule, a Mayflower Pilgrim. Currently led by Hon. Rufus Albertson Soule, this family’s history is marked by significant contributions to local governance and business, particularly in shipbuilding and shoe manufacturing. Their legacy includes participation in the Civil War, with four brothers serving. Rufus Soule’s prominent roles in the community and service as a state senator reflect the family’s longstanding commitment to civic duty and public service, enriching New Bedford’s heritage.
Emery Moore Low, born March 29, 1849, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, became a prominent figure in Brockton, where he served as mayor and operated a successful paper box manufacturing business. His lineage traces back to William Low of Chelsea, who served in the Revolutionary War. Emery’s career included roles in local governance and community service, while his contributions to Brockton’s infrastructure during his mayoralty were notable. Married to Ida Jane Colbath, he had several successful children, solidifying his family’s legacy in the region.
The Horton family in Attleboro, Massachusetts, has a rich history dating back to the early settlers in New England. Gideon Martin Horton was a prominent merchant whose four sons—Everett Southworth, Edwin Jackson, Gideon Martin, and James Jackson—became successful jewelry manufacturers, contributing significantly to the local economy. The family’s legacy includes military service, civic leadership, and substantial community involvement. Notable descendants, such as Major Everett S. Horton, exemplified both patriotism and business acumen, shaping Attleboro’s identity and contributing to its development over generations.
The Trafford family, originating from Lancashire, England, has maintained an unbroken lineage dating back to Randolphus de Trafford, who flourished around 1030. Thomas Trafford, a descendant who fled England during the Catholic persecution, settled in Dartmouth, MA, around 1690. His line produced notable figures in the industrial sector, particularly in cotton manufacturing in Dartmouth and Fall River. Successive generations, including prominent names like William Bradford Trafford and his sons, played significant roles in local business and civic life, establishing a lasting legacy in the community.
The Borden family has significantly influenced Fall River, Massachusetts, for over 270 years, tracing their lineage to Richard Borden, who settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1638. Richard became a prominent figure in local governance and land acquisition. His descendants, including Cook Borden, further established the family legacy through successful businesses while actively participating in community affairs. Their commitment to hard work and civic duty shaped Fall River into a thriving industrial hub, exemplifying the family’s enduring prominence in American history.
The Mason family of Taunton, Massachusetts, has played a significant role in the area’s business life, particularly in machinery manufacturing. Notably, William Mason, a mechanical genius, made transformative contributions to machinery design, including the self-acting mule and advancements in cotton and woolen machinery. His lineage traces back to Major John Mason, a notable early settler and military leader. Following William’s death in 1883, his son, Frederick Mason, continued the legacy, managing the Mason Machine Works and contributing to the family’s enduring prominence.
Dr. Robert Thompson Davis (1823-1906) was a notable physician, politician, and businessman in Fall River, MA. Born in Ireland, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child and later graduated from Harvard Medical School. His public service included roles as mayor, state senator, and congressman, where he championed various causes including abolition and public health reform. A successful businessman, he invested significantly in the city’s industrial growth. Davis was also deeply involved in the Irish Land League, reflecting his commitment to social justice. He died in Fall River in 1906.