13, 1784, proved in May, 1788. The witnesses
to the same were Perley Williams Junior,
James Winsor and Noah Matthewson. His
son Rufus was named executor.
(\') Rufus (2), son of Rufus (i) Haw-
kins, was born in Providence, 1739, died in
Johnston, February 7, 181 8. He located in
Johnston and built a machine shop at a place
named for him, Hawkinsville. In this shop
was made the first machine for carding woolen
cloth. He was ensign in Captain Ezekiel
Olney's company in 1783. He married, No-
vember 7, 1 761, Martha, daughter of Charles
Waterman; she died in Johnston, February 11,
1804.
(VI) Captain Nehemiah, son of Rufus (2)
and Martha (Waterman) Hawkins, was born
in Johnston, July 7, 1762, died there on Inde-
pendence day, 1830. lie was commissioned as
captain of Johnston Rangers. He was called
the niost skillful mechanic in Rhode Island at
that time. He married. May 29, 1785, Han-
nah, daughter of .Samuel and Ann (Winsor)
Winsor. She was born February 7, 1762, died
September 29, 1845. Iler ancestry is traced
herein. Children : Alpheus, William H., Eph-
raim, Martha, Milley, Lydia Ann, IIo])e and
Betsey.
(VII) .Mpheus, eldest son of Captain Nehe-
miah and Hannah (Winsor) Hawkins, was
born in Johnston, September 4, 1795, died in
Iloboken, New Jersey, October 29, 1847. He
192
MASSACHUSETTS.
was a justice of the peace, and was a locomo-
tive builder, working on the first one made
in this country. He lived in Lowell and
Springfield, Massachusetts, and Baltimore. He
married, June 30, 1825, Celia Antis, daughter
of Richard Rhodes, of North Scituate, Rhode
Island, whose ancestry is traced herein. She
died in Springfield, November 13, 1902, hav-
ing attained the remarkable age of a centenar-
ian. Children : William Rhodes, Elizabeth
Fenner, Nehemiah, Richard Fenner, mentioned
below, Frank Porter, Mary M., deceased, and
Mary M.
(VHI) Richard Fenner, third son of Al-
pheus and Celia (Rhodes) Hawkins, was bom
in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 9, 1837. His
early education was gained in the Springfield
public schools. At the age of sixteen he began
working for Stone and Harris, railway bridge
builders. In 1862 he was taken into the firm
as a partner and the concern is now known as
the Hawkins Iron Works. He erected the New
Bedford and Springfield jails, the Williman-
set bridge near Holyoke, the Northampton
Iron bridge for the Massachusetts Central
railroad. He also did the iron work on the
stations of the Boston and Albany railroads
at Springfield, that of the New York Central
at Buffalo and Rochester. He likewise ex-
tended the pier on the Connecticut River road
for the Boston and Albany, and built all the
bridges on the New York and New England
from W'aterbury to Fishkill, some of them
on the Delaware and Lackawanna. In addi-
tion, he built a series of bridges over Lake
Champlain for the Lamoille Valley. To be a
bridge builder is a far reaching accomplish-
ment uniting the commerce and interest of two
communities and is a work that withstands the
wear of centuries. Thomas Carlyle said he
had rather have constructed the bridge his
father built at Ecclcfechan than to have writ-
ten all his books. The Hawkins iron plant
covers two acres upon which are erected seven
spacious buildings. Mr. Hawkins has been
more or less identified with current affairs of
interest in his city, but prefers to devote his
immediate time to the details of his business.
He has. however, served in the board of alder-
men, and was one of the prime mfjvers in
organizing the board of trade of which he
was for a long time director. He has been a
trustee of the Hampden Savings Rank. He
married, in New York, September 3, 1862,
Cornelia Morgan, daughter of Amasa Bemis
and Sarah Fry (Cadwell) Howe. Children:
Paul Rhodes, mentioned below ; Morence, mar-
ried Thomas Dyer, January 16, 1898; Edith
and Ethel (twins); David Smith.
(IX) Colonel Paul Rhodes, eldest son of
Richard Fenner and Cornelia Morgan (Howe)
Hawkins, was born in Springfield, June 23,
1867, and educated at the W'orthington street
school, the old high and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, from which he grad-
uated in 1887. Returning to Springfield he
at once took an active part in the social and
political life of his home city, and was soon
a councilman in ward four. Some years later
he served in the board of aldermen from ward
six. In 1890 Mr. Hawkins entered the militia
as first lieutenant of Company B, Second Regi-
ment, and served four years. Then he was
appointed on the staff of Colonel E. P. Clarke
as regimental adjutant, in which position he
served until January 3, 1900. On the election
of Governor Crane he was made aide-de-camp
with the rank of major on the governor's staff
and remained throughout his term. When
Goveror Bates assumed the gubernatorial chair
Major Hawkins was retained on the staff and
made lieutenant-colonel and assistant inspector-
general. On the declaration of war with Spain
Colonel Hawkins volunteered his services to
the government and was appointed by Gov-
ernor Wolcott regimental adjutant of the Sec-
ond Massachusetts Infantry. United States
\'olunteers, with the rank of lieutenant. The
colonel proceeded with his regiment to the
front and saw some hard service at the battle
of ElCaney where the troops w-ere under fire
for twenty-four hours. As the scene of the
conllict waged from different points now at El
Pozo Hill where the batteries were planted,
now on the banks of the muddy Aquadares
river, or around the demolished sugar house,
or out on the Marianaje road towards San-
tiago, the colonel on that hot July day was in
the thick of the scrimmage wherever his duties
as staff' officer called him, unmindful of the
screeching Mausers that entailed so frightful
a death-toll on the brave .Xmerican boys. He
was also present at the surrender of Santiago.
Colonel Hawkins has been commander of Gen-
eral Lawton Camp, Spanish War \'eterans,
and 1903 was elected commander-in-chief of
the national muster league of Spanish war
veterans. In 1908 he received his commission
from state of Massachusetts and went on re-
tired list as full colonel. He is a member of
the various Ma.sonic bodies, of Hampden Lodge
of Odd Fellows. Also he is a prominent club
man. He is engaged in the iron business with
his father.
MASSACHLSETTS.
193
(The Winsor Line).
This name is derived from local geography.
Tlie town in England was first called W'ind-
shore on account of the many indentations
along the shore at this point. The word be-
came corrupted by use to \\ indsore, then
Windsor, Winsor. There was a castle there
from time immemorial and Walter Fitz-Other,
who was a Xorman nobleman, was made gov-
ernor of the stronghold, and from then on
called himself Walter de Windsor, and he is
founder of the race. We have the English
successive generations in Robert (i), a Roman
Catholic in Henry \'Iirs time, Samuel (2),
John ("3), and Samuel (4). Jnstin Winsor,
the Harvard librarian and eminent historical
writer, is of this line.
fl) The American progenitor was Joshua,
son of Samuel (4) Winsor, mentioned above.
He was in Providence in 1637 and died there
in 1679.
(II) Samuel, son of Joshua \\'insor, was
born in Providence in 1644, died there Septem-
ber 16, 1705. He was a deputy in 1674 and
received a share in the Indian captives, and
was on the grand jury in 1687. He married
Mercy, widow of Resolved Waterman, a
daughter of Roger Williams. She was the
mother of Samuel, Hannah and Joshua.
(HI) The Rev. Samuel (2), eldest son of
Samuel d) and Mercy (\\'illiams) (Water-
man) Winsor, was born in Providence, No-
vember 18, 1677, died November 17, 1758. He
was ordained pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Providence. He always preached
gratuitously and would not accept an invita-
tion to a Sunday dinner in the fear it might
be interpreted as a pay for Sunday services.
His will was executed December 20, 1749.
He married Mercy, daughter of Abraham and
Deborah Harding. His wife was living in
1749. Qiildren: Samuel, Martha, Mary,
Lydia, Hannah, Deborah, Mercy and Free-
love.
(IV) Rev. Samuel (3), eldest son of Rev.
Samuel (2) and Mercy (Harding) Winsor,
was born in Providence, November 11, 1722,
died there January 26, 1803. He served in
the revolution with the rank of captain. He
succeeded his father in the pulpit, being ordain-
ed in 1759. In the old Winsor burial ground
is this in.scription on his tombstone "Sacred to
the memory of the Rev. Samuel Winsor who
departed this life January 26th .'\. D. 1803 in
the 8ist year of his ministry as Pastor of the
ancient Piaptist church in Providence & John-
ston." He married Lydia Olncj', from which
line comes the Hon. Richard Olney, the states-
man of Cleveland's cabinet. He married (sec-
ond) Ann, daughter of Johnna Winsor. By
Ann he had Hannah, who married Xehemiah
Hawkins, aiul was the grandmother of Rich-
ard Fenncr Hawkins, so that he was doubly
descended from Roger Williams.
(Ttio Klio(]cs Line).
Rhodes is an island in the Mediterranean,
also a town in Guienne, France. The Rhodes
are a very ancient and respectable family of
Norman extraction, and the first one we come
to in historj' is William de Rhodes who accom-
panied Richard I to Palestine in one of the
crusades. There was a Rhodes a pilot with
Sebastian Cabot in his initial trip to America,
and from him the little state of Rhode Island
was named, small territorially but immense
in its influence over commerce and manufac-
turing. The eminent historian, James F.
Rhodes, is of this line.
(I) We begin our table with Zachariah
Rhodes, who was born in England in 1603.
He was first of Rehoboth, Rhode Island, but
later removed to Providence. July 3, 1644, he
"with twenty nine others agreed to bind them-
selves together under a government of mine
persons chosen from the inhabitants of Sea-
cunk."' August 21, 1648, he was one of a
committee sent to Massachusetts to ascertain
the damage done to Poniham of \\^arwickcand
to demand redress for him. He was of those
from Pawtuxet who asked to be dismissed
from the government of Massachusetts, June
I, 1658. He was a commissioner for several
years and in 1663 was appointed to treat with
the Indians regarding a consideration for their
lands. He was on the committee who run
the boundary line between Rhode Island and
Plymouth Colony, also a deputy and town
councellor. He was iinprisoned a short time
in jail jn Boston for openly remarking, "the
court has naught to do in matters of religion."
(II) John, son of Zachariah Rhodes, was
born in Providence in 1668, died at Warwicke,
.August 14. 1716. He was a soldier in King
Philip's war, receiving his share of the Indian
cai)tives. He was a man of some parts and
possessed of legal knowledge ; he was several
years attorney general of Rhode Island and
was clerk of the assembly. He married Waite,
daughter of Resolved and Mercy (Williams)
W'aterman. February 12, 1685. She died sub-
sequent to 1712. The above Mercy (Williams)
Waterman was a daughter of the celebrated
Roger Williams.
194
MASSACHUSETTS.
(Ill) William, son of John and Waite
("Waterman) Rhodes, was born in Warwicke,
July 14, 1695. He was chosen a deputy. His
will was made July 13, 1772. He married,
December 28, 1722, ^lary Sheldon, of Provi-
dence. Children : William, Joseph, Waitestill,
Nehemiah and Eunice.
(R") Captain William (2), son of William
(i) and Mary (Sheldon) Rhodes, was born
in Providence, died in Burrillville, Rhode
Island. June 30, 1823. He was a cooper and
worked at his trade in the West Indies. He
made frequent trips there and being a wide-
awake fellow, anxious to learn, and of an in-
quisitive disposition, he thus acquired some
knowledge of navigation. In 1775 two vessels
were fitted out, one of which was commanded
by Captain John Grimes with William Rhodes
as lieutenant. The nautical information he had
gleaned on his West Indies trips now stood
him and his government in good stead. In
August, 1776, he was granted letters of marque
by the Rhode Island government. He was in
command of the sloop "Montgomery," ten
guns, ten swivels, and manned by sixty sea-
men engaged in privateering. This vessel
overhauled English ships on their way from
the West Indies, laden with sugar and molasses,
and with the prizes thus secured he made what
was then a comfortable fortune. He sold his
prizes for continental money which became
through the depreciation worthless. His wife
advised him to invest in Providence real estate.
This was a case where foresight of a woman
was worth heeding, and William observed that
his wife was wiser than he. At the end of
hostilities he bought land at Rhodesville since
called Harrisville, now Burrillville, settling
down to the less exciting arts of peace. He
builded himself a home in which he lived
quietly after his stormy career. He was a
good horseback rider and made trips to South
Carolina in that manner where he had invest-
ments. He was a man of remarkable agility
and even in his later years could cover thirty
feet in three leaps. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Arnold)
Fenner. She died October 2, 1824. in her
eighty-first year. Children : Elizabeth. Rich-
ard (mentioned below), Fenner, and William,
who died August 15, 1799, at Newbern, North
Carolina.
(V) Captain Richard, eldest son of Cap-
tain William (2) and Elizabeth (Fenner)
Rhodes, was born in Providence, December
15, 1776, died at North Scituate in 1845. He
was a revolutionary soldier in Captain Dexter"s
company. Colonel Green's regiment. He was
a sea captain. His farm was situated half-way
between Scituate and North Scituate and is
known as the Butler farm, now occupied by
Arthur Steer. Richard, both his wives, and
the younger children are buried there and their
tombstones are in a fair state of preserva-
tion. He married Abigail (surname unknown),
who died in 1797. His second wife was Tabitha,
daughter of John Harris. By his first wife
was born Richard and Sarah, both of whom
died young. Tabitha (Harris) Rhodes was
the mother of Fenner (died early), Thomas
H., George A. (twins), Eliza, Celia Antis,
Mary, Patience, Tabitha. Maria N., Waite H.,
Richard and Emeline (died in infancy). Celia
Antis married Alpheus Hawkins and became
the mother of Richard Fenner Hawkins, herein
mentioned.
(The Howe Line).
Howe or Hoo as it was once written meant
a hill. Da La Howe was originally the name
of the family when they came over with Will-
iam the Conquorer and it meant as then written
literally "from the hills." So the first Mr.
Howe was the man who lived on the hill. As
it is the branch roads in the vast network of
railways that feed and make possible the great
trunk lines of commerce, so it is the confluent
streams whose torrents flood the banks of the
mighty river in its onw-ard race to the sea ; so
it is the subsidiary lines commingling and
interlacing from which is realized the unit
denominated the family. In this people we
are herein considering, beginning with the
first generation in 1639. no fewer than nine-
teen families have contributed to the making
of the brawn and brain of the last or ninth
generation. Among the distinguished men of
this line have been the Hon. Timothy O. Howe,
United States senator from Wisconsin and
postmaster-general in Arthur's cabinet, and
Major General Nathaniel F. Banks, governor
of Massachusetts and speaker of the National
house of representatives.
(I) John Howe (3), was the son of John
Howe (2), of Warwickshire. England, and
the grandson of John Howe (i). of Hodin-
hull. a descendant of Lord Charles Howe. John
Howe (3) was in Sudbury. Massachusetts, in
1639. was made a freeman in 1641. and select-
man in 1643. The selectmen appointed him
in 1655 "to see to the restraining of youth on
the Lord's day." His name was on a petition
from the Sudbury inhabitants to the general
court for a grant of land in 1656, and on May
I of that year a tract six miles square was
MASSACHfSHTTS.
195
granted, with conditions of settlement "so as
to be able to maintain a ministry." It was
then called W'hipperpewickc now known as
Marlborough. At the first grantees meeting
held September 25, 1656, he was of a select
committee to organize a new plantation, and
was the first white settler there. His log cabin
was near the Indian planting field and was
situated about one hundred rods from the
Spring Hill meeting house. For many genera-
tions this spot was the home of the Howes and
later he kept a tavern. He enjoyed the friend-
ship and good will of the Aborigines who
frequently referred their disputes to him. It
is related that two Red Skins became involved
in a quarrel over the possession of a pumpkin.
Planted in one field it grew over the line into
an adjoining lot. Learning each side of the
story Mr. Howe cut the pumpkin in two pieces
and divided it e(|ually to the infinite satisfac-
tion of both parties, a w^ay of settling involved
points w-e moderns might safely borrow wis-
dom from. The general court referred to
Goodman Howe and Goodman Rice a claim
made upon it by Thomas Dan forth. The
following is a copy of a letter written by Mr.
Howe which shows him to have been of fair
education and to have had a ready command
of forcible English.
"Hon"''' S'' — , ^ly humble suit unto this
Hon^'' Court is that they would be pleased to
grant me freedom from Training and that my
License for Ordinary keeping may be renewed
unto me. My grounds w-'^'' I request the said
are i.The consideration of a bodily infirmity
I have had many years upon me w*^'' as I grow
in age encreaseth in tediousness in so much it
is frequently interruptive to me in my calling.
2. I am also thick of hearing. 3. I do and am
like to maintain three trained soldiers in mv
family. S"' I trust you will endeavor that I
may obtain my desire in the respects men-
tioned though I give you but a hint of things
which if you do, you will hereby more abund-
antly oblige me to subscribe myself as I
already do. Yo' humble servant.
John Howe
Marleborough this 30th September 1662."
He died in Marlborough in 1687, and his
wife whose christian name was Mary about
two years later. Children : John, Samuel,
Sarah, Marj', died early, Isaac, mentioned be-
low, Josiah, Mary, Thomas, Daniel, Alexander,
Eleazer. A grandson of John Howe (31 by
the above Samuel whose name was David built
the old Howe tavern on the Boston road which
has been immortallized by Longfellow as the
"\\'ayside Inn."
(II) Isaac, third .son of John (3) and Mary
Howe, was born in .Marlborough. August 8,
1648, died there December 9, 1724. He was
in charge of Garrison number 6 on the South-
borough road near the present Newton rail-
road station. He married (first) Frances
Wood. January 17, 1671, who died May 14,
1718. He married (second) December 2, 1718,
Susanna Sibley, of Sutton. Children : Eliza-
beth. Mary. John, died early, fohn, mentioned
below, r.ethiah, Hannah, Thankful.
(III) John (4), third son of Isaac and
Frances (Wood) Howe, was born in Marl-
borough, September i6, 1682, died May 19,
1754. He resided on the Howe homestead.
He married, Xovember 3. 1703, Deliverance,
daughter of John and Tabitha (Stone) Rice,
of Sudbury, whose ancestry is traced herein.
Children : Jezaniah, mentioned below, Mat-
thias. Isaac, Benjamin, Tabitha, Patience,
Paul, Mary. Francis and Abigail.
(I\') Jezaniali, eldest son of John (4) and
Deliverance (Rice) Howe, was born Mav 30,
1704, in Marlborough, died in Leicester, Mass-
achusetts, in 1762. He resided both in South-
borough and Leicester. He married Damaris,
daughter of Zerubbel and Hannah (Kerley)
Eager. Children : Elijah, mentioned below,
Jacob. Jezaniah. (leorge. Kerley, Miriam,
I'ersis and Rebecca.
(V) Elijah, eldest .son of Jezaniah and
Damaris (Eager) Howe, was born in South-
bridge, Massachusetts, December 7, 1731, died
in Spencer, same state, February 2, 1808. He
lived in Paxton. Leicester and Spencer. He
served in Captain Newhall's companv which
marched to Cambridge on the alarm of .April
^9- 1775- Also he served in Captain Josiah
XVhite's company, Lieutenant-Colonel P.enja-
niin Flagg's division, and Colonel Samuel
Denny's regiment which marched August 21,
1777, and was discharged .\ugust 23. 1777.
This company marched to Hadleyon the
alarm. lie married Deborah, daughter of
James and Dorcas (Richardson) Smith, of
Leicester. Children : Jael, Kerley, Frederick,
Elijah, mentioned below, Sally. I-:iizabeth,
Catherine, James and Lucretia.
(Vn Elijah (2). third son of Elijah d)
and Deborah (Smith) Howe, was hnm in
Paxton. November 25, 1768. died in Spencer,
January g, 181 6. He married Fanny, daughter
of Joshua and Sarah (White) Bemis, whose
ancestry is traced herein. .After Mr. Howe's
death she married .Aamn I'.anister. and she
196
MASSACHUSETTS.
died May 30. 1845. Children : Elijah, Elias,
mentioned below, Liberty, Tyler, who invented
the spring bed ; William, who invented the
truss bridge ; Alphonso, Hiram, Elbridge and
Sarah Ann.
(VH) Elias, second son of Elijah (2) and
Fanny (Bemis) Howe, was born at the old
Howe homestead at Howes' mills in Spencer,
died in Cambridge, IMassachusetts, December
28, 1867. He married, October 22, 18 16, Polly,
daughter of Sylvester Bemis, of Chester, who
removed from Spencer there and made a home
on the mountains. Polly ( liemis) Howe died
September 12, 1871, at Cambridgeport. Chil-
dren : Amasa Bemis, mentioned below, Elias,
mentioned below, Mary, Horace S., Juliet,
Corinth and Fanny.
(VH) Amasa Bemis, eldest son of Elias
and Polly (Bemis) Howe, was born in Spencer,
November 3, 1817, died in Cambridge, January
15, 1868, while there attending the funeral of
his father. In about 1842 he went to Louis-
iana. Later he came to Massachusetts and
assisted his brother in perfecting the sewing
machine. He afterward established a sewing
machine business of his own in New York.
He married, October 27, 1842, Sarah Fry,
daughter of Daniel and Almira (Goodrich)
Cadwell. The marriage took place at Bayou
de Siard, Louisiana. She died in Springfield,
March 24, 1872. Children: Cornelia Morgan
and Benjamin Porter.
(IX) Cornelia Morgan, only daughter of
Amasa Bemis and Sarah Fry (Cadwell) Howe,
was born in Monroe, parish of Carroll, Louis-
iana, August 29, 1844. She was brought to
Massachusetts when very young by her par-
ents and educated in .Springfield. She is the
only Colonial dame in S])ringficld and derives
her admission thereto through her ancestor,
Colonel Joseph Buckminster. She is also a
member of Mercy Warren Chapter, Daughters
of the .American Revolution. Colonel Joseph
Buckminster was in the expedition at Port
Royal, September 10. 1710. and was captain of
the grenadiers in Sir Charles Hobby's regi-
ment and served on the brigatine "Henrietta."
He was a tall muscular man of indomitable
character, a brave officer beloved of his men
and resijcctcd by his superiors. Cornelia M.
Howe married Richard Fenner Hawkins,
whose ancestry is traced herein.
(VHI) Elias (2). second son of F.lias (i)
and Polly (Bemis) Howe, was born in Spencer,
July (). 1819, died at lirooklyn. New 'S'ork,
October 3. 1867. .'\t forty-eight years of age
lie worked with his brother in sticking wire
teeth into strips of leather for cards, used in
the manufacture of cotton. At eleven he went
out to live with a farmer of the neighborhood
and after an experience there of one year he
returned to his father's mill. In 1835 he went
to Lowell, Massachusetts, and obtained a learn-
er's place in a manufactory of cotton machinery,
earning about fifty cents a day. In 1837. the
panic year, he was adrift again for work and
showed up at Cambridge where he secured a
position in a machine shop. His shopmate
there was Nathaniel P. Banks, his illustrious
kinsman, who afterwards was governor of
Massachusetts and speaker of the National
house of representatives. In a few months
he is in Boston in another machine shop. Two
men came into the shop one day and brought
a knitting machine which they were striving to
perfect and sought the proprietor's aid whose
name was Davis. "Why don't you make a
sewing machine asked Davis ? It can't be done
said the caller." "O yes it can," insisted Davis.
Elias Howe stood by and heard the above
conversation and it was the germ of the idea
from which he developed a sewing machine,
abolished "The song of the shirt." and made
the name of Howe famous the world over. He
began to study the idea at once. Never was
necessity more truly the mother of invention