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Wenzel Henry [Male] b. 3 JUL 1791 Holliston, Middlesex Co, MA - d. 17 AUG 1824 Sherborn, MA
Going to Boston when a young man he entered the employ of Mr. Stevens who was in the grocery business. Here he remained until he was twenty one years old. He then opened a store of his own on May St. where he remained until 1820. In 1812 he was drafted as a minute man but was not called into service. In 1820 he formed a co-partnership with Otis Tilleston and they carried on a business in English goods at L3 Marlboro St. under the firms name of Tileston & Wenzel. In 1822 they also had a store at 101 Court St. About 1820 he built a house at 40 Myrtle St. where he and his family resided. He was a member of the Park St. Church and also belonged to the Howard Benevolent Society, a charitable organization in Boston.
His early life was spent at home and his education was acquired in the public schools of Framingham, MA. After his marriage in 1814 he removed to that part of the town known as Park's Corner, where he lived the rest of his life. Like his father he was interested in military affairs, for the records show that on March 18, 1816 he was appointed ensign of the 4th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of the Mass Militia. On April 14, 1818, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant which office he held until Sept. 10, 1818, when he received his discharge. For some time during his early life he was engaged in teaming, taking produces to market in Boston and bringing out supplies for stores in Framingham, MA. For a time he conducted a grocery store in a portion of his house. In 1834, he was engaged in manufacturing shoe pegs, having a shop for that business for many years supplying numerous boot and shoe manufacturers in and around Boston. At that "Wenzel's shoe pegs" had quite a reputation. Mr. Wenzel also became quite prominent as a builder of roads and bridges. Many of the highways in and around Framingham being built by him. The last part of his life was spent in the manufacture of boots and shoes. He took an active interest in town affairs and his voice was heard in town meetings. From 1833 to 1843 he was on the board of selectmen. He was moderator of the town meetings in 1830, 1839, 1845, and 1857. In 1855 he was appointed chief engineer of the fire department. He also held numerous minor offices in the town. For a number of years he was a Justice of the Peace and before him the village attorneys tried their cases, accordingly he was known as "Esquire Wenzel", during the later years of his life.
In her childhood her parents removed to the Jesse Everett farm situated in the southwesterly part of Framingham, now included within the Limits of Ashland. Here she lived until she died December 14, 1887. For many years she was a member of the Ashland Congregational Church. Toward the end of her life her eye sight failed and she became blind. From her many of the facts relative to the early history of the family were obtained. For many years she was cared for by her niece, Catherine H. T. Twitchell. She never married.
Catherine Wenzell was born in Framingham, MA on October 30, 1798 and died on October 30, 1835. She was first married on January 21,1818, to Curtis Hartshorn of Holliston, MA. He was a son of Fisher and Servia Hartshorn. After his death she married on April 18, 1821, to Extra Dearth, son of John and Hester Dearth. He died, June 8, 1846. By her first husband she had one child, and three by her second.
Eliza Wenzel was born at Framingham, MA, February 24, 187. She married January 31, 1833 to Selar Higley, son of Judah and Relief (Stearnes) Higley. He was born in Marlboro, VT, May 20, 1805. His early life was spent at his birth place. About 1826, he went to Genesee County, NY where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Marlboro. After his marriage he came to Framingham, MA and lived on the Captain John Wenzel farm of which his wife was part owner. He followed farming all his life, but for many years he made boots during the winter months, employing several work men. He was a clever mechanic and was often working on some new invention. He made and used dies for cutting sole leather many years before they were put on the market and if he had patented his invention he would undoubtedly have made considerable money out of it. He was for many years a member of the Ashland Congregational Church as was also his wife. She died, December 30, 1871 and he died, March 20, 1889.
Henry's father died when he was two years old and his mother when he was eleven. After his father's death his mother moved to Andover, Ma where he was at school. He entered the employ of Mr. Henry L. Daggett, who kept a store in Boston, MA. Here he remained many years and in 1844 he continued Mr. Daggett's business on his own account at 180 Washington St. near the corner of Franklin St. Here he remained until 1853, when he sold his store. He lived for a time at Newton Corner, MA, where he owned a farm of about ten acres. After his wife's death this was sold and he entered the law school of Harvard University from which he received the degree of LLD. in 1855. The same year he engaged in the shipping business, acting as ship's husband of ships in which he owned an interest with office on Long Wharf, Boston, MA. For a few years he lived at Hingham, during the summer. At the time of the Civil War he offered his services but was unable to pass the requirements, Physical examination, one leg being slightly shorter than the other. This lameness was caused by a fall when he was a child. he never the less, paid the bounty for a substitute for himself and for his son, then ten years old. At this time he contracted for the construction at Portsmouth, NH of a ship a ship which he sold in London to advantage. He owned interests in several vessels, one which (The Martha Wenzel) while sailing from Akyab to Falmouth was captured by the Confederate Cruiser, Alabama, on August 9, 1863, off Cape of Good Hope. As the Martha Wenzel was on the high seas at the time, she was released.
After his second marriage he lived in Brookline and in 1866 he moved to Westboro, MA where he bought a farm. Upon the death of his second wife he removed to Cambridge where he purchased a house at 87 Dana St. He was a member of the Massachusetts Charitable mechanic Association, joining as a shoe dealer.
He was also a member of the Shawmut Boat Club and the Merchant's Library Association. He married July 13, 1852 Martha Abigail, daughter of Dr. Burleigh and Abigail (Cogswell) Smart who was born Feb 28, 1825 and died March 15, 1855. He married again in July 1861, Mary Marsh, daughter of Mr. Ebenezer Francis of Cambridge, MA. She died in October 1866. he visited Europe twice, the first time in the winter of 1859-60, and the second time in 1864. The first trip was a pleasure trip in which he visited Switzerland, France and England. The second trip was on business during which he spent most of his time in London. By his first marriage he had one son.
Henry Burleigh Wenzell was born at Newton, MA, April 21, 1853. During his boyhood he lived at Winthrop, Hingham, Westboro and Cambridge, MA. In 1871 he entered Harvard College, and in 1875, he graduated, receiving the degree B.A. The following year was spent at Peekskill, NY where he was tutoring a private pupil. In 1876 he embarked for Europe where he spent three years in traveling and study. He was in Leipsic from 1876 to 1877, in Italy from 1877 to 1878 and in Cottingen from 1878 to 1879. In the summer of 1879 he returned to America and in the fall he entered the Harvard Law School, receiving his degree. In 1882 he decided to settle in Minnesota and since then has resided in St. Paul. He was selected to complete the Statutes of Minnesota, which were published in the Volumes in 1894. In May 1895 he was appointed Reporter of the Supreme Court of Minnesota, Volume 60 of the Minnesota Reports being the first one which he reported. He still holds the position. For three years he was Treasurer of the St. Paul Bar Association,and has been Governor of that Organization. He has been secretary of the Harvard Club of Minnesota since 1887. His office in the N.Y. Life Insurance Building
Charles Haven Wenzell was born in Framingham, MA and died in Ashland, MA. He lived for a time in Troy, NH. Later he was engaged in a Hay business in Framingham, MA and in 1856 was in business in Boston. The last years of his life were spent in Ashland, where he was engaged in the livery business. He married Nancy P. knoulton, who survived him. They had three sons.
He was engaged in the Grocery Business in New Milford for over thirty years. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Co. C. 15th, Mass. Vol. and went to the front with the regiment. He was wounded at the battle at Balls Bluff, and came home on a furlough. As soon as he was able he returned to the regiment and served about two years when he was discharged for disability. He was very much interested in the Grand Army's Posts, and the Camp of Sons of Veterans. The Camp of New Milford was named for him, "The Henry Kinney Camp". They had no children.
Granville Haven Smith was born in Framinham, MA, and died in Sharpsburg, MD. He enlisted April 2, 1861 in Co. B. 12th, Regiment Mass Vol, Col. Fletcher Webster's Regiment as a private and was soon promoted to rank of Corporal. In the battle of Antitam, he came out in command of his company, as all the officers had been killed and only twelve of the privates remained in the company. At that time he took a severe cold and was sick but a few days when he died in Smoketown Hospital. He was never married
George entered Amherst College in 1853, and graduated in 1857. For the next two years he taught school at West Bloomfield, NY, and at Danville, Illinois. In 1859, he entered the Chicago Theological Seminary, graduating in 1861. He was ordained in Ashland, MA May 31,1861. He preached for a year at DeKalbill and then ill health compelled him to leave the pulpit and return to his home. On October 8, 1864, he enlisted with his brother, Wakefield, in the 13th, NY Calvary from Hart's Island. They were sent to the regimental camp near Falls Church, VA and assigned to Co K. The regiment was soon transferred to Camp Lowell on the Leesburg Pike about ten miles from Washington where the winter of 1864 & 1865 were spent in guarding the city of Washington. here he was made company clerk. In the spring he was transferred with one Battalion to Camp Relief in the city of Washington and there served as mail dispatch carrier for the battalion. The regiment was later consolidated with the 16th, NY Calvary and stationed at Camp Barry. Here he was acting Quarter master for Co K.. Upon the death of his brother, Sept. 4, 1865, he returned home with the body. he was afterwards detained here at his home in Ashland by sickness, during which time he mustered out of service with his regiment at the close of the war. In 1866 he invented a method for preserving fruit and erected a building for experiments, some success attended the enterprise.
During 1871 and 1873 he studied law with Mr. George W. Norris, Esq. of Ashland, MA and at Boston University School of Law from which he graduated in the class of 1873. he was admitted to the bar Jan. 4, 1873. In Jan. 1903, he was appointed one of the Special Justice of the First District Courts of Southern Middlesex. On Oct. 2, 1873 he married Mrs. Marthe Rosine (Smith), and widow of Abner R. Wenzel. They settled where Mr. Higley has since practiced law. For many years he was a member of the School Committee in that town, and has been trustee to the Public library since its formation in 1882. It was due to his efforts that the library was established, and he has been very active in the selection of books. About 1889 he wrote a history of Ashland which was published in Lewi's History of Middlesex County. In 1896 he and his stepson John Wenzel formed a partnership for the practice of law, with offices in Ashland and in Boston. In 1898, however, the partnership was dissolved and he devoted his time to his Ashland practice. In 1889 a portion of the Captain John Wenzel farm descended to him by the death of his father. he purchased the interests of the other heirs and became sole owner of the whole farm. much of his time has been spent there in improving the place. He died June 5, 1912
shipwrecked at Port Royal, and died 1711
Bigelow was a Captain and Major in the Revolutionary War, and was of a
regiment in the NY militia in the War of 1812. About 1778 he removed to Shaftsbury, VT from CT and about 1795 to Marcellus. He bought soldiers claims and acquired considerable land in the county. Of his 14 children 12 married
and settled near Marcellus. The first 9 children were born in Simsbury, CT.
They moved to Marlborough, MA, in the western part of the county, known as "The Farme". They were among its earliest settlers, first of the name in Marlborough. On his wedding day, a friend surnamed DORR gave them a present of two chairs which he claimed had been in the DORR family for three generations and were made in England about 1620. These chairs at the turn of the 20th century were in the possession of Mr. W. Williams of Chicago. (They were seen in the 1930's in the possession of a dentist) Another interesting story is below the children listings. John died 8 September 1769; and Jerusha died 16 January 1758.
They moved to Shrewsbury, to that part later set off as Boylston, and he was a leading citizen in that town. He was a selectman in 1738, and prominent in the church. His wife Martha died 15 October 1782, aged 78 years. He died 24 January 1783. he drew up his will 25 December 1782, mentioned son Joseph, daughter Anna, wife of Samuel HASTINGS; Mary, wife of Isaac MOORE; John and Molly, children of son Charles deceased. He appointed son Joseph, and Lucy, widow of Charles, as his executors.
born 28 Oct 1704 in Marlborough, Middlesex co, MA. He was married on 4 July 1728 to Rebecca HOWE, daughter of John and Rebecca HOWE of Marlborough. They soon moved to Worcester, specifically that portion of the township later set off as the township of Holden, and John was a leading man in petitioning for the formation of Holden in 1740. He was elected as one of the first selectmen (town council) in 1741, and served 1741-46, 1748-51, 1755, 1756, and 1761. He was Assessor in 1742, 1744-46, 1748-51, 1755, 1756; he was town Treasurer 1742 and 1750. He was a captain in the local militia. In 1742 he and his brother Jotham were admitted to the church by letter of transfer from Worcester. In 1763 he bought land from James Foster, and said he was of Holden. In 1765 he bought land in tract Narragansett #4, and was "late of Holden", having moved to what is now Greenwich. In 1764 he was of Greenwich (then called by its Indian name Quabbin) when he gave his son John jr a tract of land; again in 1765 he sold land to his son Nathan in Quabbin, but after that no further record. Family tradition says he moved to Goshen or Cummington and died about 1783, but no record exists, nor can we find record of his wife Rebecca.
They lived on his father's homestead. He served as town selectman in 1763-64. He was a member of Capt. Abraham Williams' Co in 1757. He made his will 3 Feb 1800. It mentions sons Timothy arid Ivory, daughters Mary Howe and Anna Sherman. He died 3 Jan 1812.
With his brother John they early moved to that part of Worcester which in 1740 was set off as Holden; he was one of those signing the petition for the new town. With his brother John he was admitted to the church by transfer from Worcester, at the time of the formation of a church in Holden on 22 December 1742. At the first town meeting he was chosen Clerk of the Market.
There are several missing dates in this family, particularly marriage dates, as early Guilford, VT records are sketchy. Also, a discrepancy appears, in that Jotham's will mentions daughter "Mary", yet apparently the surviving daughter is "Martha" -- the two names frequently interchanged during this period--OR there was an 11th child whose birth was not recorded. Holden town records refer to Jotham's 2nd wife as "Mrs." Mary RICHARDSON. Also, records show that on 11 January 1749 a Persis BIGELOW died; it is not clear who this is; this is presumably Jotham's first wife.
After Jotham's wife Persis died, he married (2) 23 May 1750 Mary RICHARDSON of Sterling, MA. She was born 14 August 1727 at Woborn, MA, daughter of Capt. William and Mary (WILDER) RICHARDSON of Woborn and Lancaster. Soon after 1761 the entire family moved to Guilford, Windham co, VT, where again he was one of the first settlers of the town. His wife Mary's death is not recorded, but on 20 Jan 1778 in Deerfield, MA he married (3) Hannah KING, who outlived him. Jotham made his will 05 April 1786, and died 08 April 1786. The will mentions wife Hannah, sons Jotham, William, Joel, and Josiah, and daughters Lucretia, wife of Dean CHASE; Persis, wife of William PACKER (or PARKER), and daughter Mary.
was born Marlborough, Middlesex co, MA 8 Oct 1720. He married 17 Jan 1744 Lavinah THOMAS, daughter of William and Lydia (EAGER) THOMAS (one of their grandsons, Robert THOMAS, founded Old Farmers' Almanac). Levinah was born Marlborough 15 Aug 1721. They lived in Brookfield until 1745, then in Shrewsbury until 1752; next in Springfield, MA, but about 1756 removed to Hartford, CT where he was a ferryman until 1758. Later he moved to Worthington, MA, where he died about 1773. His son Edmond was appointed administrator of the estate 16 Dec 1773, and inventory amounted to £48-8-4.
He kept a public house and was two years selectman; was Captain at battle of Cambridge, and afterwards a colonel in the militia. He was living 1790.
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