Alphabetical indexes to the vital records of Ashfield, Massachusetts, up to the year 1850, supplemented by information from bible records, church registers, cemetery inscriptions and other sources. PDF file is free to read and download.
In 1895, Cyrus Henry Brown began collecting family records of the Brown family, initially with the intention of only going back to his great-grandfathers. As others became interested in the project, they decided to trace the family lineage back to Thomas Brown and his wife Mary Newhall, both born in the early 1600s in Lynn, Massachusetts. Thomas, John, and Eleazer, three of their sons, later moved to Stonington, Connecticut around 1688. When North Stonington was established in 1807, the three brothers were living in the southern part of the town. Wheeler’s “History of Stonington” contains 400 records of early descendants of the Brown family, taken from the town records of Stonington. However, many others remain unidentified, as they are not recorded in the Stonington town records. For around a century, the descendants of the three brothers lived in Stonington before eventually migrating to other towns in Connecticut and New York State, which was then mostly undeveloped. He would eventually write this second volume of his Brown Genealogy adding to and correcting the previous edition. This book is free to search, read, and/or download.
The Lawton family of New Bedford has deep historical roots, tracing back to George Lawton, a key figure in Colonial Newport who signed the Compact of 1639. Notable descendants, including Charles H. and Horace A. Lawton, established a successful drug business and engaged in civic duties. Charles served multiple terms as alderman and contributed to various financial institutions, while Horace took a more private path, focusing on family and local community. Their legacy reflects a blend of commerce and public service in New Bedford’s history.
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.
The Washburn family of Middleboro, Massachusetts, traces its lineage to John Washburn, who emigrated from Evesham, England, in 1632. His descendants played significant roles in early American history, including Capt. Amos Washburn, a Revolutionary War officer, and his son Gen. Abiel Washburn, a prominent leader in Middleboro. The lineage continued through notable figures, including Judge Nathan Washburn, who practiced law and served as a special justice in the Plymouth district. This family has left a lasting impact on the Old Colony and its governance.
Hiram Charlton took on the publication of the Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont for Lewis Publishing. In it, he enlisted the assistance of living residents of the state in providing biographical and genealogical details about their family, and then he published all 1104 family histories in two distinct volumes.
