Howard Genealogy of Bridgewater and New Bedford Mass.

Frances E. Howard

The Howard family, prominent in the history of Bridgewater and New Bedford, Mass., traces its lineage back to John Howard, an early settler. Key figures include Capt. Benjamin Beal Howard, founder of Howard Seminary and known for his philanthropic deeds, and his son, Francis Edward Howard, an influential public servant and community leader. Both men embodied the family’s commitment to education and civic duty, contributing significantly to the community’s development and welfare, leaving a lasting legacy through their charitable efforts and public service.

Descendants of Rev. James Keith in Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Roland Keith

The Keith family is one of the oldest of southeastern Massachusetts. Its founder in America was Rev. James Keith, born in 1644, who came to America, landing in Boston in 1662. He became minister of the Bridgewater Church, where he administered to the spiritual needs of the people for half a century. He died July 23, 1719. He was twice married. His first wife was Susannah Edson, daughter of Deacon Samuel Edson.

Ancestry of Charles Oliver Emerson of Brockton and Rockland, Massachusetts

Charles Oliver Emerson, treasurer of the Emerson Shoe Company, of Rockland, Mass., one who has been prominently identified with the shoe manufacturing industry for a number of years, is a native of what at the time of his birth, July 14, 1856, was known as the town of North Bridgewater, now the city of Brockton, Mass., where he resides. He is a son of the late John Oliver Emerson and his wife, Caroline Augusta Packard, and is descended from historic old New England ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides.

Descendants of Matthew Watson of Leicester, Massachusetts

Watson Coat of arms

Matthew Watson (d. 1720), of English lineage, married Mary Orr in 1695, and in 1718 the family immigrated from Ireland to Boston, Massachusetts and settled in Leicester, Massachusetts. Descendants and relatives lived in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska, Rhode Island, California, Nevada, Michigan and elsewhere. Includes Watson, Armington, Bemis, Denny, Draper, Kent, Washburn, Bailey, Barnard, Belcher, Bent, Biscoe, Bolles, Breckenridge, Bright, Browning, Bryant, Bullock, Burrage, Dennis, Fisher, Foster, Green, Hayward, Hobbs, Hodgkins, Holman, Howard, Jenks, Jones, Kellogg, Kitchell, Knight, Lazelle, Livermore, Loring, Mason, Maynard, Munger, Patrick, Prouty, Remington, Reed, Rice, Richardson, Rogers, Sadler, Sibley, Snow, Sprague, Stone, Studley, Symonds, Taitt, Thomas, Thompson, Trask, Tucker, Waite, Webster, Westcott, Wheeler, Whittermore, Wilson, Woods and related families.

Descendants of Daniel Wilcox of Dartmouth MA and Tiverton RI

Mr. Wilcox

This article briefly deals ith one branch only of the New England Wilcox family – with some of the descendants of Daniel Wilcox, who had a grant of fifteen acres of land at Portsmouth, R. I., Dec. 10, 1656, and who later, in 1664, bought a house in Dartmouth, and was constable there in the year following. Mr. Wilcox later became a resident of the town of Tiverton, being an inhabitant there on the organization of the town, March 2, 1692.

The Descendants of Franklin Mary Noyes Rowe of Humboldt County, Iowa

Home of Franklin and Mary Noyes Rowe 1887-1905

This book, “The Descendants of Franklin Mary Noyes Rowe of Humboldt County, Iowa, with Some Notes on Their Ancestors,” authored by Velma Rowe Coffin in Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1955, is a meticulously researched genealogical record spanning 87 pages. It traces the lineage of Franklin Rowe, born December 30, 1836, in Onondaga County, New York, and provides insights into his ancestry and descendants. Free to read or download.

Ancestry of William H. Nelson of Plymouth, Massachusetts

William H. Nelson, a prominent figure in Plymouth, Massachusetts, descended from early settlers like William Nelson, who arrived before 1636. Active in his community, he held numerous positions, including selectman and president of various banks and manufacturing companies. Known for his integrity and public spirit, Nelson was deeply involved in addressing local commercial needs, particularly in navigation and industry. He married Hannah Coomer Weston in 1863 and left a legacy of service before his death in 1891, remembered as one of Plymouth’s most dedicated citizens.

Weymouth ways and Weymouth people

Weymouth ways and Weymouth people

Edward Hunt’s “Weymouth ways and Weymouth people: Reminiscences” takes the reader back in Weymouth Massachusetts past to the 1830s through the 1880s as he provides glimpses into the people of the community. These reminiscences were mostly printed in the Weymouth Gazette and provide a fair example of early New England village life as it occurred in the mid 1800s. Of specific interest to the genealogist will be the Hunt material scattered throughout, but most specifically 286-295, and of course, those lucky enough to have had somebody “remembered” by Edward.

Descendants of Rev. James Keith of Bridgewater, MA

Edward H Keith

The Keith family, descendants of Rev. James Keith, has played a significant role in the history of Bridgewater, MA, since his ordination in 1664. Notably, Simeon Cary Keith and his sons—Warren R., Edward H., and S. Elliott—have continued this legacy through their contributions to various local industries and civic life. Rev. Keith, a Scottish immigrant, established a lineage that has linked the family to other prominent New England families while making substantial impacts in agriculture, shoe manufacturing, and local governance.

Ancestors of Alexander Holmes of Kingston, MA

The Holmes family of Kingston, MA boasts a long lineage traceable to John Holmes, who served in the Norman Conquest of 1066. Originally established in England, the family later branched into New England, notably through John and William Holmes, ancestors of many in the Old Colony. Alexander Holmes, a prominent shipbuilder and railroad president, exemplified the family’s legacy of integrity and success. His descendants continued to thrive in various professions, maintaining the family’s esteemed reputation in Massachusetts up to the present day.

Ancestors of Charles Presbery White of Taunton Massachusetts

White, Warner and Company, Taunton, Massachusetts

Nicholas White, a yeoman from England, became a freeman in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1643, marrying Susanna Humphrey. He later moved to Taunton, engaging in various business ventures, including the ironworks and sawmills. He participated in land purchases that shaped local development. His descendants, notably including Charles Presbery White, contributed significantly to Taunton’s growth and held various public offices. The White family legacy reflects industriousness and community involvement, continuing through generations, as detailed in Thomas J. Lothrop’s genealogical manuscript, “The Nicholas White Family: 1643-1900.

Genealogy of the Goff Family of Attleboro, Mass.

Maj. William Hunt Goff, born April 10, 1845, in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, is a prominent figure in Attleboro’s history, descending from the Goff family, which has roots in the area since 1720. Notable for his service in the Civil War and his subsequent career as a builder and contractor, Goff also played a significant role in local governance and military organization. His family, including his father Albert and brother Frederic, continued the legacy of public service and community engagement in Attleboro and beyond.

Ancestors of Everett Clinton Hall of Brockton, MA

Everett Clinton Hall

Everett Clinton Hall, a prominent wholesale grocer from Brockton, MA, is deeply rooted in a lineage that traces back to the earliest families of Massachusetts, including notable Pilgrims John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. The Hall family history highlights significant ancestors like George Hall, one of Taunton’s founders, and his descendants who contributed to local governance and church establishments. Everett ascended to his business success through hard work, evolving from his father’s grocery store into a flourishing wholesale operation with an extensive reach in southeastern Massachusetts.

Ancestry of Moses Adams Packard of Brockton, Massachusetts

Moses Adams Packard

Moses Adams Packard, born on February 28, 1843, in New London, N.H., became a prominent shoe manufacturer in Brockton, Massachusetts. A self-made man, he began his career by crafting shoes at home before enlisting in the Union Army during the Civil War. After returning, he established his own shoe manufacturing business, the M. A. Packard Company, known for quality products and significant employment. Active in civic affairs, Packard was involved in various local organizations and agriculture, reflecting a dedication to both community and industry.

Ancestry of the Embert Howard Family of Brockton Massachusetts

Embert Howard

Embert Howard, a prominent businessman from Brockton, Massachusetts, represents a lineage rooted in New England’s early settlements. His family traces back to John Haward, an early Duxbury settler who became influential in Bridgewater. Embert’s ancestry includes notable figures, such as his father, Deacon Cary Howard, and maternal connections to the Perkins family, which also boasted Mayflower descendants. Embert’s successful clothing business and community engagement reflect his family’s enduring legacy in Brockton, reinforcing their historic identity in the region.

Ancestry of Lysander Franklin Gurney

Lysander Franklin Gurney

Lysander Franklin Gurney, a prominent figure in Brockton, descended from early settlers and the ancient Barons of Gournay in Normandy. His lineage includes notable ancestors who fought alongside William the Conqueror. Born in 1843, he became a respected jeweler, establishing Gurney Brothers Company, a leading jewelry business in New England. Gurney was admired for his charitable contributions, dedication to his church, and mentorship within the community. He married Chloe Richmond Lyon, and they had three sons, continuing the family’s legacy of craftsmanship and service.

Gurney Family of Brockton, MA

Gurney Brothers Advertisement

Lysander Franklin Gurney, a prominent figure from Brockton, Massachusetts, was a direct descendant of early settlers, tracing lineage back to the ancient Barons of Gournay in Normandy. His family’s legacy in America began in the 17th century, with notable ancestors involved in military service. A skilled watchmaker and jeweler, Gurney established the Gurney Brothers Company, which became a leading jewelry establishment in New England. Active in his community and church, he was known for his generosity and conservative values until his passing in 1905.

Stetson Family of Bridgewater, MA

The Stetson family of Bridgewater, MA, boasts a legacy spanning over two centuries, deeply intertwined with the town’s iron manufacturing roots. Cornet Robert Stetson, an early settler in New England, established the family’s prominence, which continued through his descendants, notably Capt. Abisha Stetson and his son, Nahum, who significantly advanced the Bridgewater Iron Works. The family contributed to various industries while maintaining a strong community presence, with members active in agriculture and local politics, demonstrating enduring civic pride and influence in Bridgewater’s development.

Ancestors of Horace Alden Keith of Brockton, MA

Horace Alden Keith

Horace Alden Keith, born May 25, 1862, in West Bridgewater, MA, founded the Brockton Webbing Company, becoming a prominent figure in local industry. He hailed from a distinguished lineage, tracing back to Rev. James Keith, an early minister in Bridgewater. His father, Henry Snell Keith, and mother, Thalia Alden, also contributed to the family’s historical significance. Horace’s early career included roles at Spalding Brothers before establishing his own successful business, reflecting both his entrepreneurial spirit and New England heritage.