Individual Details
Mathias Farnsworth
(Jan, 1649 - Nov 8, 1693)
From "Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal ..., Volume 2 By Ellery Bicknell Crane"
JOHN B. FARNSWORTH. Matthias Farnsworth (l) was the emigrant ancestor of John B. Farnsworth, of Leominster, Massachusetts. He settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, soon after 1650. He was born in England in 1612, probably in or near Farnworth, Lancashire, England. He married probably as his second wife Mary Farr, daughter of George Farr, later of Lynn, Massachusetts. Farnsworth was a weaver by trade. He was 'admitted a freeman of Lynn May 16, 1670, died January 21, 1688-9; she died 1717.
The three eldest children were probably by the first wife. The children are: 1. Elizabeth, born 1647, probably in England but possibly in Lynn, Massachusetts, married, January 16, 1667. James Robertson (or Robinson), born 1632, died December 8, 1720. She died December 22, 1729, aged eighty-two years. 2. Matthias, born 1649, married, 1681, Sarah Nutting, daughter of John Nutting. 3. John, born about 1651-2, married, December 8, 1686, Hannah Aldis, of Dedham, Massachusetts, born July 4, 1666. He died October 17, 1729. 4. Benjamin, born 1667, married, 1695, Mary Prescott, born February 3, 1674, daughter of Jones and Mary (Loker) Prescott. He died August 15, 1733-5. 5. Joseph, born November 16, 1657, al Lynn, Massachusetts, died October 31, 1674, unmarried. 6. Mary, born October 11, 1660, at Lynn, married, April n, 1676, Samuel Thatcher, of Watertown, Massachusetts, born October 20, 1648, died October 21, 1726; sh? died August 17, 1725. 7. Sarah, born about 1663-4 probably at Groton, married Simon Stone, of Watertown, Massachusetts. 8. Samuel, born October, 1669, married, December 12, 1706, Mary Whitcomb, widow of Simon Willard; Samuel died 1726-7. 9. Abigail, born January 17, 1671, married John Hartshorn, her cousin. 10. Jonathan, born June 1, 1675, married, 1698, Ruth Shattuck, born June 24, 1668, died June 16, 1748. 11. Joseph (2d), born 1677, died February 20, 1687.
(II) Matthias Farnsworth, son of Matthias Farnsworth (l), was born 1649, probably in England. He married Sarah Nutting, daughter of John and Sarah Nutting. She was born May 29, 1663. John Nutting, father of Mrs. Farnsworth, was one of the original proprietors of Groton, Massachusetts. Matthias Farnsworth died in 1693. The inventory of his estate was filed November 8, 1693, but the widow did not get her appointment as administratrix until just before her second marriage, five years later, December 6, 1698. She married, December 16, 1698, John Stone, who was one of the sureties on her bond. Matthias Farnsworth, Jr. (2) seems to have been a man of some ability. He held several town offices at Groton,, of which he was one of the proprietors. He served under Major Willard in King Philip's war.
His children were: 1. Joseph, born January 17, 1682, died February 2. 1682. 2. Ebenezer, born 1684, married, April 17, 1707, Elizabeth Whitney, daughter of Joshua and Abigail (Tarball) Whitney, of Watertown ; she was born about 1686; they owned the covenant September 19, 1708, and united with the church April 6, 1718; he died March 30, 1724. 3. Josiah, born February 24, 1687, of whom later. 4. Sarah, born 1688, married Jonathan Shedd; he married (first), April 13, 1722, Sarah Barrows. 5. Matthias, born August 6, 1690, was taken prisoner by the Indians when fourteen years old, carried to Canada and long supposed to be dead, but he was baptized in the Catholic church at Montreal, married and had a large family. The name was misspelled variously Farnet, Farnef, Pharnef and Pharneuf, all having descendants, some of whom have come to this country with other French Canadian emigrants. 6. Rebecca was drowned in a well at Watertown, Massachusetts. May 19, 1692, probably sent from Groton to her Aunt Thatcher's for safety during Indian raids at that time.
(III) Josiah Farnsworth, son of Matthias Farnsworth (2), was born February 24, 1687. He married, March, 1719-20, Mary Pierce, daughter of Ephraim Pierce, of Groton. She was born August 9, 1696. He died September, 1744. He was a farmer at Groton, Massachusetts.
Their children were: 1. Josiah. born January 4, 1721, married, July 27, 1743, Hannah Buttrick probably settled in New York state, was of Captain Samuel Howe's company for the relief of Fort William Henry, 1757. 2. Mary, born June 5, 1722, married, February 5, 1730, William Nichols, of Hartford, Connecticut. He was baptized January, 1710, died September 3, 1767. She died October 13, 1771. 3. Oliver, born August 30, 1723, died when about ten years old. 4. Ebenezer, born March 22, 1726, married, 1762, Sarah Walker, probably daughter of Seth and Eleanor (Chandler) Walker. She died 1807, aged eightytwo years; he died November 6, 1794.
He settled in Charlestown, New Hampshire, about 1850, and was taken prisoner by the Indians .with the Johnson family, Miriam Willard and Peter Labaree, August 30, 1751, and carried to Canada. After the war he was sent to England and later returned home whereupon he joined the army again and helped in the campaigns against Isle aux Noix, St. Johns and Montreal. Later he fought in the revolution. 5. James, born December 2, 1727, married
Susanna and Sarah , settled at Charlestown, New Hampshire; fought in the Rangers in 1748 in Captain Hobb's company, in 1750 in Captain Phineas Stevens' company, was commissioned lieutenant, captain and general in the revolutionary war. 6. Jemima, born August 29, 1729, married, September 24, 1764, Seth Walker, Jr. (his second wife) ; he was born April 16, 1717, at Groton. Massachusetts. He married (first), January 14, 1742, Abigail Holden, died January 31, 1762. 7. Thomas, born April 1, 1731, of whom later. 8. Joseph, born November 27, 1732, called "judge." 9. Oliver, born January 16, 1735, married Hannah , settled at Springfield, Vermont. 10. Mary, born February 2, 1738, probably died young.
(IV) '1 homas Farnsworth, son of Josiah Farnsworth (3), was born at Groton, Massachusetts. He married. November, 1753, Elizabeth Tuttle, of Littleton, Massachusetts. He lived in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and New Ipswich, New Hampshire. His name appears on the first tax roll of New Ipswich in 1763, and at the first town meeting he was elected one 'of the highway surveyors September 13, 1762. He was drummer of the militia company in 1777 at trainings. He probably married (second) Elizabeth Davis, in New Ipswich.
His children by his first wife were: 1. Moses, born January 17, 1750, married (first) Annie Wilson in Alstead, New Hampshire; she died August 29, 1790, and he married (second) Rohanna (Beckwith) Crocker. He served in the revolutionary war. He died at Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1837. 2. Thomas, born probably at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, May 29, 1768, married, February, 1791, Dimmis Ladd, who resided at Alden, New York, in 1847. 3. Joseph, born probably at New Ipswich, June 25, 1772. married, February 27, 1803, Martha Shepard; she was born November 4. 1780, died April 2, 1834. He married (second), November 27, 1834, Mrs. Tryphena Cheney, widow of Colonel William Cheney, of Newport. New Hampshire. He died at Newport. July 19, 1837. 4. Jonathan, born probably at Now Ipswich, August 12, 1774, of whom later. 5. Mary, born about 1755, resided at Jaffrej, New Hampshire, died July, 1843. 6. Elizabeth, born about 1759, married Daniel Emery. 7. Cathe1 me, born 1762. died 1832, at Williamstown, Vermont. 8. Lucy, born r77o, at New Ipswich, married thrice, resided in Mexico, New York, 184:5. 9. Hannah, born about 1764, died l8t7; married, August 4, 1785, Abi:ah Stone, lived at St. Albans, Vermont. Her dnughter married United States Senator Jacob Collamore. 10. Rachel, died at Lancaster, New York, 1847. 11. Sally living in Alden, New York, 1847.
(V) Jonathan Farnsworth, son of Thomas Farnsworth (4), was born probably at New Ipswich, New Hampsh1re, Aujfust 12, 1774. He married Olive Kingsburv. They settled in Alstead, New Hampshire, where their children were born, as fo'loM-i: Asa, June 2. 1707, of whom later; Betse". N"vmber 15. 1708, died April 26, 1812; Hannah February 3. 1801, died April 16, 1853; Zelinda, January 8, 1803, died February 22, 1880; Nancy, November 26, 1804, married, Cyril Carpenter, resided at Rochester, New York, died there February 1, 1866; Penlanda, September 15, 1807. married, June 13, 1826, Alpheus Kilbourne; Olive C., January 7, 1810, died August 27, 1829; Elizabeth D., March 22, 1812, died July 20, 1829; Leonard H., November 20, 1814, died January 27, 1849; John B-, July 3, 1817, died September 21, 1859; Mary Jane, December 16, 1820, married, October 29, 1853, Hopkins A. Reed.
(VI) Asa Farnsworth, son of Jonathan Farnsworth (5), was born at Alstead, New Hampshire, June 2, 1797. He was brought up on the farm on which he was born. He followed farming for a time at Alstead, then moved to Ware, Massachusetts, and later to Athol, Massachusetts, where he died April 21, 1867. He was a man of strong character and commanded the respect of his townsmen. He was a Whig in politics. He married Suphila Lathrop, at Alstead. Their children were: Phebe O., John B., of whom later.
(VII) John B. Farnsworth, son of Asa Farnsworth (6), was born in Ware, Massachusetts, August 6, 1833. When he was two years old his parents moved from Ware to Athol, Massachusetts. He attended the Athol schools. On completing his education in the schools he engaged with his father-in-law in the business of building mover and contractor. Later he engaged in the business of steam and gas fitting in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He followed this business in Fitchburg until 1878 when he opened a plumbing, steam and gas fitting establishment on his own account in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has been successful in his business. He is a member of the Order of United Workmen. He is a Republican in politics. Though interested in public affairs and politics he has declined office.
He married in 1860. Isabella L. Frost, daughter of Leonard R. Frost, of Phillipston, Massachusetts. Their children are: Frank S., of whom later; E. Clifton, died young; May O., died young.
(VIII) Frank S. Farnsworth, son of John B. Farnsworth (7), was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, October 12, 1864. When quite young his parents removed from Fitchburg to Leominster, and after concluding his attendance at the public schools he entered his father's office as an assistant. Having acquired a good knowledge of the business he became manager of the establishment, and in that capacity he has through his energy and progressive tendencies developed the business. He takes an earnest interest in the general welfare of the town and its various institutions, and is a director of the .Leominster Co-operative Savings Bank. He is and active participant of the board of selectmen, and is also serving as town auditor. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. He attends the Unitarian church. On October 19, 1887, Mr. Farnsworth married Elizabeth Dodge, daughter of William Dodge, of Leominster.
JOHN B. FARNSWORTH. Matthias Farnsworth (l) was the emigrant ancestor of John B. Farnsworth, of Leominster, Massachusetts. He settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, soon after 1650. He was born in England in 1612, probably in or near Farnworth, Lancashire, England. He married probably as his second wife Mary Farr, daughter of George Farr, later of Lynn, Massachusetts. Farnsworth was a weaver by trade. He was 'admitted a freeman of Lynn May 16, 1670, died January 21, 1688-9; she died 1717.
The three eldest children were probably by the first wife. The children are: 1. Elizabeth, born 1647, probably in England but possibly in Lynn, Massachusetts, married, January 16, 1667. James Robertson (or Robinson), born 1632, died December 8, 1720. She died December 22, 1729, aged eighty-two years. 2. Matthias, born 1649, married, 1681, Sarah Nutting, daughter of John Nutting. 3. John, born about 1651-2, married, December 8, 1686, Hannah Aldis, of Dedham, Massachusetts, born July 4, 1666. He died October 17, 1729. 4. Benjamin, born 1667, married, 1695, Mary Prescott, born February 3, 1674, daughter of Jones and Mary (Loker) Prescott. He died August 15, 1733-5. 5. Joseph, born November 16, 1657, al Lynn, Massachusetts, died October 31, 1674, unmarried. 6. Mary, born October 11, 1660, at Lynn, married, April n, 1676, Samuel Thatcher, of Watertown, Massachusetts, born October 20, 1648, died October 21, 1726; sh? died August 17, 1725. 7. Sarah, born about 1663-4 probably at Groton, married Simon Stone, of Watertown, Massachusetts. 8. Samuel, born October, 1669, married, December 12, 1706, Mary Whitcomb, widow of Simon Willard; Samuel died 1726-7. 9. Abigail, born January 17, 1671, married John Hartshorn, her cousin. 10. Jonathan, born June 1, 1675, married, 1698, Ruth Shattuck, born June 24, 1668, died June 16, 1748. 11. Joseph (2d), born 1677, died February 20, 1687.
(II) Matthias Farnsworth, son of Matthias Farnsworth (l), was born 1649, probably in England. He married Sarah Nutting, daughter of John and Sarah Nutting. She was born May 29, 1663. John Nutting, father of Mrs. Farnsworth, was one of the original proprietors of Groton, Massachusetts. Matthias Farnsworth died in 1693. The inventory of his estate was filed November 8, 1693, but the widow did not get her appointment as administratrix until just before her second marriage, five years later, December 6, 1698. She married, December 16, 1698, John Stone, who was one of the sureties on her bond. Matthias Farnsworth, Jr. (2) seems to have been a man of some ability. He held several town offices at Groton,, of which he was one of the proprietors. He served under Major Willard in King Philip's war.
His children were: 1. Joseph, born January 17, 1682, died February 2. 1682. 2. Ebenezer, born 1684, married, April 17, 1707, Elizabeth Whitney, daughter of Joshua and Abigail (Tarball) Whitney, of Watertown ; she was born about 1686; they owned the covenant September 19, 1708, and united with the church April 6, 1718; he died March 30, 1724. 3. Josiah, born February 24, 1687, of whom later. 4. Sarah, born 1688, married Jonathan Shedd; he married (first), April 13, 1722, Sarah Barrows. 5. Matthias, born August 6, 1690, was taken prisoner by the Indians when fourteen years old, carried to Canada and long supposed to be dead, but he was baptized in the Catholic church at Montreal, married and had a large family. The name was misspelled variously Farnet, Farnef, Pharnef and Pharneuf, all having descendants, some of whom have come to this country with other French Canadian emigrants. 6. Rebecca was drowned in a well at Watertown, Massachusetts. May 19, 1692, probably sent from Groton to her Aunt Thatcher's for safety during Indian raids at that time.
(III) Josiah Farnsworth, son of Matthias Farnsworth (2), was born February 24, 1687. He married, March, 1719-20, Mary Pierce, daughter of Ephraim Pierce, of Groton. She was born August 9, 1696. He died September, 1744. He was a farmer at Groton, Massachusetts.
Their children were: 1. Josiah. born January 4, 1721, married, July 27, 1743, Hannah Buttrick probably settled in New York state, was of Captain Samuel Howe's company for the relief of Fort William Henry, 1757. 2. Mary, born June 5, 1722, married, February 5, 1730, William Nichols, of Hartford, Connecticut. He was baptized January, 1710, died September 3, 1767. She died October 13, 1771. 3. Oliver, born August 30, 1723, died when about ten years old. 4. Ebenezer, born March 22, 1726, married, 1762, Sarah Walker, probably daughter of Seth and Eleanor (Chandler) Walker. She died 1807, aged eightytwo years; he died November 6, 1794.
He settled in Charlestown, New Hampshire, about 1850, and was taken prisoner by the Indians .with the Johnson family, Miriam Willard and Peter Labaree, August 30, 1751, and carried to Canada. After the war he was sent to England and later returned home whereupon he joined the army again and helped in the campaigns against Isle aux Noix, St. Johns and Montreal. Later he fought in the revolution. 5. James, born December 2, 1727, married
Susanna and Sarah , settled at Charlestown, New Hampshire; fought in the Rangers in 1748 in Captain Hobb's company, in 1750 in Captain Phineas Stevens' company, was commissioned lieutenant, captain and general in the revolutionary war. 6. Jemima, born August 29, 1729, married, September 24, 1764, Seth Walker, Jr. (his second wife) ; he was born April 16, 1717, at Groton. Massachusetts. He married (first), January 14, 1742, Abigail Holden, died January 31, 1762. 7. Thomas, born April 1, 1731, of whom later. 8. Joseph, born November 27, 1732, called "judge." 9. Oliver, born January 16, 1735, married Hannah , settled at Springfield, Vermont. 10. Mary, born February 2, 1738, probably died young.
(IV) '1 homas Farnsworth, son of Josiah Farnsworth (3), was born at Groton, Massachusetts. He married. November, 1753, Elizabeth Tuttle, of Littleton, Massachusetts. He lived in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and New Ipswich, New Hampshire. His name appears on the first tax roll of New Ipswich in 1763, and at the first town meeting he was elected one 'of the highway surveyors September 13, 1762. He was drummer of the militia company in 1777 at trainings. He probably married (second) Elizabeth Davis, in New Ipswich.
His children by his first wife were: 1. Moses, born January 17, 1750, married (first) Annie Wilson in Alstead, New Hampshire; she died August 29, 1790, and he married (second) Rohanna (Beckwith) Crocker. He served in the revolutionary war. He died at Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1837. 2. Thomas, born probably at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, May 29, 1768, married, February, 1791, Dimmis Ladd, who resided at Alden, New York, in 1847. 3. Joseph, born probably at New Ipswich, June 25, 1772. married, February 27, 1803, Martha Shepard; she was born November 4. 1780, died April 2, 1834. He married (second), November 27, 1834, Mrs. Tryphena Cheney, widow of Colonel William Cheney, of Newport. New Hampshire. He died at Newport. July 19, 1837. 4. Jonathan, born probably at Now Ipswich, August 12, 1774, of whom later. 5. Mary, born about 1755, resided at Jaffrej, New Hampshire, died July, 1843. 6. Elizabeth, born about 1759, married Daniel Emery. 7. Cathe1 me, born 1762. died 1832, at Williamstown, Vermont. 8. Lucy, born r77o, at New Ipswich, married thrice, resided in Mexico, New York, 184:5. 9. Hannah, born about 1764, died l8t7; married, August 4, 1785, Abi:ah Stone, lived at St. Albans, Vermont. Her dnughter married United States Senator Jacob Collamore. 10. Rachel, died at Lancaster, New York, 1847. 11. Sally living in Alden, New York, 1847.
(V) Jonathan Farnsworth, son of Thomas Farnsworth (4), was born probably at New Ipswich, New Hampsh1re, Aujfust 12, 1774. He married Olive Kingsburv. They settled in Alstead, New Hampshire, where their children were born, as fo'loM-i: Asa, June 2. 1707, of whom later; Betse". N"vmber 15. 1708, died April 26, 1812; Hannah February 3. 1801, died April 16, 1853; Zelinda, January 8, 1803, died February 22, 1880; Nancy, November 26, 1804, married, Cyril Carpenter, resided at Rochester, New York, died there February 1, 1866; Penlanda, September 15, 1807. married, June 13, 1826, Alpheus Kilbourne; Olive C., January 7, 1810, died August 27, 1829; Elizabeth D., March 22, 1812, died July 20, 1829; Leonard H., November 20, 1814, died January 27, 1849; John B-, July 3, 1817, died September 21, 1859; Mary Jane, December 16, 1820, married, October 29, 1853, Hopkins A. Reed.
(VI) Asa Farnsworth, son of Jonathan Farnsworth (5), was born at Alstead, New Hampshire, June 2, 1797. He was brought up on the farm on which he was born. He followed farming for a time at Alstead, then moved to Ware, Massachusetts, and later to Athol, Massachusetts, where he died April 21, 1867. He was a man of strong character and commanded the respect of his townsmen. He was a Whig in politics. He married Suphila Lathrop, at Alstead. Their children were: Phebe O., John B., of whom later.
(VII) John B. Farnsworth, son of Asa Farnsworth (6), was born in Ware, Massachusetts, August 6, 1833. When he was two years old his parents moved from Ware to Athol, Massachusetts. He attended the Athol schools. On completing his education in the schools he engaged with his father-in-law in the business of building mover and contractor. Later he engaged in the business of steam and gas fitting in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He followed this business in Fitchburg until 1878 when he opened a plumbing, steam and gas fitting establishment on his own account in Leominster, Massachusetts. He has been successful in his business. He is a member of the Order of United Workmen. He is a Republican in politics. Though interested in public affairs and politics he has declined office.
He married in 1860. Isabella L. Frost, daughter of Leonard R. Frost, of Phillipston, Massachusetts. Their children are: Frank S., of whom later; E. Clifton, died young; May O., died young.
(VIII) Frank S. Farnsworth, son of John B. Farnsworth (7), was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, October 12, 1864. When quite young his parents removed from Fitchburg to Leominster, and after concluding his attendance at the public schools he entered his father's office as an assistant. Having acquired a good knowledge of the business he became manager of the establishment, and in that capacity he has through his energy and progressive tendencies developed the business. He takes an earnest interest in the general welfare of the town and its various institutions, and is a director of the .Leominster Co-operative Savings Bank. He is and active participant of the board of selectmen, and is also serving as town auditor. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. He attends the Unitarian church. On October 19, 1887, Mr. Farnsworth married Elizabeth Dodge, daughter of William Dodge, of Leominster.
Events
| Birth | Jan, 1649 | Lynn, Massachusetts Bay, British America | |||
| Death | Nov 8, 1693 | Groton, Massachusetts Bay, British America | |||
| Marriage | Sarah Nutting |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah Nutting ( - 1731) |
| Child | Claude Mathias Farnsworth dit Phaneuf (1690 - 1773) |
| Father | Mathias Farnsworth (1612 - 1689) |
| Mother | Mary Farr |