Alphabetical indexes to the vital records of Medway, Massachusetts, up to the year 1850, supplemented by information from church registers, cemetery inscriptions and other private sources to include Rev. Dr. Jacob Ide’s account of Marriages and Deaths, 1814-1849.
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 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 Read family, with origins in Newport, R.I., traces back to John Reade, a cordwainer who arrived from England. His descendants played significant roles in Freetown, Mass., establishing a tannery that thrived for generations. Notable family members include Paddock Richmond Read, who became a prominent figure in Fall River before moving to Taunton, where he worked as a photographer. His family continued the legacy of education and service, with several members becoming teachers and community leaders.
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.
A genealogy of the Lake family of Great Egg Harbour in Old Gloucester County in New Jersey : descended from John Lade of Gravesend, Long Island; with notes on the Gravesend and Staten Island branches of the family. This volume of nearly 400 pages includes a coat-of-arms in colors, two charts, and nearly fifty full page illustrations – portraits, old homes, samplers, etc. The coat-of-arms shown in the frontspiece is an unusually good example of the heraldic art!
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.
The Bassett family of Fall River, Massachusetts, descends from William Bassett, who emigrated from England in 1620. Prominent members include Hon. Rufus W. Bassett, a significant figure in local politics and business, serving on various councils and boards. The family’s lineage includes several generations, with connections across Massachusetts towns such as Duxbury, Bridgewater, and Rochester. Notably, Rufus W. Bassett’s contributions to the city’s governance and his family’s rich history reflect the enduring legacy of the Bassett lineage within the region.
Robert Knight Remington, born in 1826 in Grafton, MA, was a prominent philanthropist and businessman in Fall River, known for his integrity and dedication to community service. His ancestors, including John Remington, settled in Haverhill, MA, in 1661 before establishing roots in Rhode Island. Throughout his life, Remington championed temperance and youth education, contributing significantly to local missions and religious efforts. He was married twice and left behind a legacy through his children, influencing business and civic life in Fall River.
The Chase family of Fall River, MA, traces its roots to William Chase, an early immigrant who settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1630. His descendants played significant roles in the commercial life of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Notably, Borden Chase was a prominent coal dealer, and his son, Simeon Borden Chase, became a leading cotton manufacturer. Simeon held various influential positions in local businesses and was involved in public education and economic advocacy. The family’s legacy embodies an enduring commitment to industry and civic service in the region.
Francis Brayton, the first of his name in America, arrived in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1643, and became a pivotal figure in New England’s early political landscape. His descendants, notably in Fall River, made significant contributions to the region’s industrial growth, particularly during the 19th century. The family established the influential Brayton Homestead in Somerset and several members thrived in business, law, and education, including the legacy of B. M. C. Durfee High School, which was a gift from Mary Brayton Young, highlighting their commitment to community and education.
The Borden family, descended from Joseph Borden of Fall River, MA, boasts a rich lineage extending back to Richard Borden, an English soldier settled in Portsmouth, R.I., in the 17th century. The Bordens became prominent landowners and industrialists, particularly during the rise of Fall River as a textile manufacturing hub. Nathaniel Briggs Borden, a notable descendant, served in various public offices, advocating for abolitionist causes and contributing significantly to local development. His legacy continues through his descendants, who maintained the family’s influence in Fall River’s civic and business arenas.
The Seabury family, with variations in spelling, traces its American roots to John Seabury of Boston, who died before 1662. His son, Samuel, a physician, fathered several children and settled in Duxbury before moving to Little Compton, Rhode Island. Notable descendants include Alexander Hamilton Seabury, a key businessman in New Bedford, who contributed to the city’s industrial growth and maritime trade. The family’s connections to early American history are emphasized through their ties to Mayflower descendants and various significant local enterprises.
The Osborn family has played a significant role in Fall River’s industrial development since the 19th century. Prominent figures include Hon. Weaver and James Munroe Osborn, influential mill promoters and bankers, whose legacy continues with James E. Osborn, who actively oversees several manufacturing companies today. The family’s history traces back to Jeremiah and Mercy Osband in 1684, evolving through generations of civic leaders, business pioneers, and community contributors, exemplifying a steadfast commitment to the growth of Fall River’s economy and society.
The Pierce family, descendants of Captain Michael Pierce, has been integral to New Bedford’s development since the 17th century. This lineage includes prominent figures like Andrew Granville Pierce, who served as treasurer of the Wamsutta Mills for over forty years, and his brother Otis Norton Pierce, noted for his leadership within the Grinnell Manufacturing Corporation. Their contributions extend to civic involvement, with several family members holding significant municipal roles. This rich history underscores the family’s lasting impact on the region’s industrial and social fabric.
The Borden family, tracing their lineage to Richard Borden, who settled in Rhode Island in 1638, has played a pivotal role in American history, especially in Fall River, MA. Beginning with Richard, who engaged in land surveying and local governance, the family expanded its influence through successive generations. Prominent members, such as Colonel Richard Borden and his son Richard Baxter, were integral to the cotton manufacturing industry, community affairs, and public service, leaving a lasting legacy in both industry and civic life within Fall River.
The 1899 Directory for Middleboro and Lakeville, Massachusetts, compiled by A. E. Foss & Co., provides a comprehensive list of residents and businesses, alongside town officers, schools, churches, and societies. It includes notable historical events and offers a detailed account of the local community, featuring numerous surnames from both towns. This directory serves as an essential resource for understanding the demographics and social structure of Middleboro and Lakeville during that period.