By Muriel Bristol | December 11, 2022
David Washburn was born in Natick, MA, March 7, 1815, and Samuel Washburn was born in Natick, MA, April 10, 1823, both sons of Jedediah and Mehitable “Mitta” (Frost) Washburn.
David Washburn married in Natick, MA, December 16, 1834, Eliza Jane Parker, both of Natick, MA. She was born in Framingham, MA, June 6, 1817, daughter of Artemas and Almy (Clark) Parker.
Almy Clark Washburn was born in Natick, MA, September 27, 1835, daughter of David and Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn. She was a namesake for her maternal grandmother, Almy (Clark) Parker. Romanzo Neridin Washburn was born in Natick, MA, July 4, 1839, son of David and Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn.
David Washburn headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn], two males aged 15-19 years [Samuel Washburn [?] and another], one female aged 10-14 years, one female aged under-5 years [Alma C. Washburn], and one male aged under-5 years [Romanzo N. Washburn]. Three members of his household were engaged in Manufacture and the Trades.
Mary Eliza Washburn was born in Natick, MA, April 4, 1845, son of David and Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn.
Samuel Washburn married in Natick, MA, April 28, 1848, Abigail W. Haynes, both of Natick, MA. He was a cordwainer, aged twenty-three years, and she was aged twenty years. Rev. Samuel Hunt performed the ceremony. She was born in Natick, MA, March 8, 1830, daughter of Martin and Hannah (Carter) Haynes.
The Washburn brothers moved from Natick, MA, to Milton and there carried on a shoe manufacturing business at Milton Three Ponds from about 1849 to sometime around 1856.
… and D. & S. Washburn, L. Berry and J. Layward [Sayward], who carried on a successful [shoe manufacturing] business at various times at Three Ponds, the latter continuing until burned out in 1864 (NH Bureau of Labor, 1896).
Edgar Warren Washburn was born in Milton, July 12, 1849, son of Samuel and Abby W. (Haynes) Washburn.
Oscar Jedediah Washburn was born in Milton, January 28, 1850, son of David and Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn.
David Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged thirty-five years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Eliza J. [(Parker)] Washburn, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), Alma E. Washburn, aged fourteen years (b. MA), Romanzo N. Washburn, aged ten years (b. MA), Mary E. Washburn, aged five years (b. MA), and Oscar J. Washburn, aged four months (b. NH). His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Scates, a tailor, aged forty-five years (b. ME), and [his brother,] Samuel Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA).
Samuel Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Abby W. [(Haynes)] Washburn, aged twenty-two years (b. MA), and Edgar W. Washburn, aged eleven months (b. NH). His household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brother,] David Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged thirty-five years (b. MA), and Robert Mathes, a trader, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH).
D. Washburn appeared in a MA register of 1852, as a shoe manufacturer, resident in Natick, MA (Lord & Holbrook, 1852). It would seem that he had resettled his family back in Natick, MA, while he continued as a Milton shoe manufacturer. (His family would appear without him in Natick, MA, in the MA State Census of 1855).
Milton sent Rev. James Doldt and John D. Lyman to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representatives for the 1853-54 biennium. For some reason, Rev. James Doldt dropped out after the first year and was replaced by Samuel Washburn for the second (1854) year. Washburn served on the NH House Education Committee.
The NH House voted on a series of four NH House Resolutions intended to advise or direct its Federal delegation (NH General Court, 1854).
The issues involved in these resolutions concerned the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while limiting the territory available for the expansion of slavery. But the Missouri Compromise had been recently repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which would allow for local option regarding slavery in the territories. Its repeal would set the scene for partisan violence in “Bleeding Kansas” and would be the subject of the Lincoln-Douglas debates: US Senator Stephen A. Douglas having been the author of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. (See also Milton and Abolitionism).
Resolved, That the State of New Hampshire reaffirms the principles promulgated by her House of Representatives in 1850, “that the people are bound by no compact, express or implied, to suffer the introduction of slavery into territory now free, and that they are unalterably opposed to the erection of any territory without its prohibition by positive law;”
This first resolution passed by a vote of 159-118, with Milton Rep. John D. Lyman voting “aye,” and Milton Rep. Samuel Washburn voting “nay.”
Resolved, That the repeal of the Missouri Compromise by the passage of the Nebraska and Kansas bill, so called, was in violation of those principles, was unnecessary, impolitic, a breach of faith with the North, dangerous and wrong;
This second resolution passed by a vote of 154-120, with Rep. Lyman voting “aye,” and Rep. Washburn voting “nay.”
Resolved, That the course of George W. Morrison and George W. Kittredge, a portion of our delegation in Congress, in resisting such repeal, receives the hearty and united approval of the people of New Hampshire;
US Reps. George W. Morrison (1809-1888) of Manchester, NH, and George W. Kittredge (1805-1881) of Newmarket, NH, have been characterized as anti-Kansas-Nebraska Act Democrats. This third resolution passed by a vote of 155-110, with Rep. Lyman voting “aye,” and Rep. Washburn voting “nay.”
Resolved, that the course of Harry Hibbard, Moses Norris and Jared W. Williams, the other members of our delegation, in voting for such repeal, was in opposition to the wishes of the people of the State, treacherous to freedom and the great cause of equality and human rights, and meets our decided reprobation;
US Rep. Harry Hibbard (1816-1872) of Bath, NH, and US Senators Moses Norris (1799-1855) of Pittsfield, NH, and Jared W. Williams (1796-1864) of Lancaster, NH, were Democrats who were in favor of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This fourth resolution passed by a vote of 151-118, with Rep. Lyman voting “aye,” and Rep. Washburn voting “nay.”
Frank Samuel Washburn was born in Milton (“Milton Falls”), August 16, 1854, son of Samuel and Abby W. (Haynes) Washburn.
Eliza J. [(Parker)] Washburn, aged thirty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the First (1855) MA State Census. Her household included Almy C. Washburn, aged twenty years (b. MA), Romanso N. Washburn, aged sixteen years (b. MA), Mary E Washburn, aged ten years (b. MA [SIC]), and Oscar J. Washburn, aged five years (b. MA [SIC]). They shared a two-family residence with the household of Mary A. Bigelow, aged fifty-eight years (b. MA).
The Washburn brothers, including Samuel Washburn’s family, left Milton and returned to their native Natick, MA, at some time between July 1855 and June 1860.
Daughter Almy C. Washburn married (1st) in Natick, MA, January 1, 1856, Charles M. Felch, both of Natick, MA. He was a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-one years, and she was aged twenty years. Rev. Elias Atick performed the ceremony. Felch was born in Natick, MA, in 1834, son of Asa and Ellen (Haven) Felch.
David Washburn, a mechanic, aged forty-five years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Eliza J. [(Parker)] Washburn, aged forty-two years (b. MA), Romanzo Washburn, a bookkeeper, aged twenty-one years (b. MA), Mary E. Washburn, aged fifteen years (b. MA), Oscar J. Washburn, aged ten years (b. MA [SIC]), and Ann Coultra, a milliner, aged thirty-two years (b. VT). David Washburn had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate valued at $500.
Samuel Washburn, a shoe maker, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Abby W. [(Haynes)] Washburn, aged twenty-eight years (b. MA), Edgar W. Washburn, aged ten years (b. MA), and Frank S. Washburn, aged five years (b. MA).
Son R.N. Washburn of Natick, MA, a clerk, aged twenty-five years, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Washington, DC, June 23, 1864. He had blue eyes, dark hair, and a dark complexion. He served as a hospital steward with the 39th MA infantry until discharged July 11, 1865.
Son-in-law Charles M. Felch died of typhoid fever in Medford, MA, April 23, 1864, aged twenty-five years, six months.
Son Romanzo N. Washburn married in Augusta, ME, August 22, 1865, Annie Church, he of Natick, MA, and she of Augusta, ME. Rev. John Young performed the ceremony. She was born in Augusta, ME, June 14, 1843, daughter of Amos and Catherine (Stackpole) Church.
Daughter Mary E. Washburn married in Natick, MA, September 8, 1865, Sylvanus Stewart, she of Natick, MA, and he of Haverhill, MA. She was aged twenty years, and he was a hatter, aged twenty-five years. Rev. E.E. Strong performed the ceremony. Stewart was born in Haverhill, MA, April 14, 1840, son of John and Alice (Webster) Stewart.
David Washburn, a shoe [clerk?], aged fifty years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Second (1865) MA State Census. His household included Eliza J. [(Parker)] Washburn, a housewife, aged forty-seven years (b. MA), Mary E. Washburn, aged twenty years (b. MA), Oscar J. Washburn, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Almy C. [(Washburn)] Felch, aged twenty-nine years (b. MA), Jennie A. Felch, aged eight years (b. MA), Joseph Currier, a soldier, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), and Emily R. Currier, aged twenty-four years (b. ME).
Samuel Washburn, a bookmaker, aged forty-one years (b. MA), headed a Milford, MA, household at the time of the Second (1865) MA State Census. His household included Abby W. [(Haynes)] Washburn, a housekeeper, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), Edgar W. Washburn, aged fifteen years (b. MA), and Frank S. Washburn, aged ten years (b. MA).
Daughter Almy C. (Washburn) Felch married (2nd) in Natick, MA, December 12, 1866, George W. Lewin, both of Natick, ME. He was a pattern fitter, aged thirty-one years, and she was aged thirty-one years. Rev. W.C. Ayres performed the ceremony. Lewin was born in Swansea, MA, February 22, 1836, son of William and Fanny (Briggs) Lewin.
David Washburn, works in shoe factory, aged fifty-five years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Eliza J. [(Parker)] Washburn, keeping house, aged fifty-three years (b. MA), and Oscar J. Washburn, a dentist, aged twenty years (b. NH). David Washburn had real estate valued at $3,500 and personal estate valued at $250.
Samuel Washburn, a shoe factory cutter, aged forty-two years (b. MA), headed a Chicago, IL, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Abby W. Washburn, a dressmaker, aged forty years (b. MA), and Frank Washburn, aged sixteen years (b. NH). Samuel Washburn had personal estate valued at $500.
Son Edgar W. Washburn married in Waltham, MA, October 12, 1872, Helen Maria Avery, he of Framingham, MA, and she of Boston, MA. He was a layer, aged twenty-three years, and she was aged nineteen years. Rev. E.E. Strong performed the ceremony. She was born in Dedham, MA, January 24, 1853, daughter of John C. and Huldah M. (Allen) Avery.
David Washburn appeared in the Natick, MA, directory of 1873, as a leather cutter, with his house on Washburn street. Romanzo N. Washburn appeared as a bookkeeper, with his house on Washington street.
Son Oscar J. Washburn married in Sherborn, MA, January 6, 1876, Emma J. Leland, he of Natick, MA, and she of Sherborn, MA. He was a dentist, aged twenty-five years, and she was aged twenty-four years. Rev. E. Dowse performed the ceremony. She was born in Eden, ME, October 6, 1851, daughter of Amariah and Martha (Anderson) Leland.
Son Frank S. Washburne married in St. Joseph, MI, August 12, 1877, Clara Josephine Gentzler, he of Chicago, IL, and she of St. Joseph, MI. He was a clerk, aged twenty-three years, and she was aged twenty-two years. Rev. George S. Barnes performed the ceremony. She was born in Waukegan, WS [IL], circa 1854, daughter of Rev. John C. and Rebecca Gentzler.
PERSONAL. Mr. Frank S. Washburne, with J.V. Farwell & Co., of this city, will be married to Miss Clara Gentzler at the residence of the bride’s father, the Rev. J.C. Gentzler, St. Joseph, Mich., on Monday evening (Chicago Tribune, August 12, 1877).
David Washbourn, a grocer, aged sixty-five years, headed a Vassalboro, ME, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza J. [(Parker)] Washbourn, keeping house, aged sixty-two years (b. MA).
Samuel Washburn, a grocer, aged fifty-six years (b. MA), headed a Chicago, IL, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Abby W. [(Haynes)] Washburn, a housekeeper, aged fifty years (b. MA), his sons, Edgar W. Washburn, a lawyer, aged thirty years (b. MA), Frank S. Washburn, a grocer’s clerk, aged twenty-five years (b. MA), and his daughters-in-law, Clara Washburn, aged twenty-four years (b. IL), and Mariah Washburn, aged twenty-two years (b. IL).
Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn died in Natick, MA, March 12, 1884.
Son Romanzo N. Washburn died of paralysis in Orford, NH, March 22, 1887, aged forty-seven years, seven months, and eighteen days. He was a bookkeeper. E.E. Chase, M.D., signed the death certificate.
David Washburn died in Haverhill, MA, August 17, 1887.
Daughter Almy C. ((Washburn) Felch) Lewin died of pneumonia in Fall River, MA, October 9, 1888, aged fifty-three years, and twelve days.
Samuel Washburne, aged seventy-seven years (b. MA), headed a Chicago, IL, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifty-two years), Abbie W. [(Haynes)] Washburne, aged seventy years (b. MA), his son, Sidney W. Washburne, retired, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and his sister [-in-law], Emeline C. Haynes, aged seventy-six years (b. MA). Samuel Washburne owned their house at 1400 Clark Street, with a mortgage. Abbie W. Washburne was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Son Edgar W. Washburn died in Chicago, IL, February 24, 1905, aged fifty-four years.
Son-in-law Sylvanus Stewart died of acute bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis at 45 Columbia Park in Haverhill, MA, May 17, 1906, aged sixty-six years, one month. He was a retired restaurant keeper.
Daughter-in-law Anna (Church) Washburn died of a heart ailment in Salem, MA, March 23, 1907, aged sixty-three years, nine months, and nine days.
Mary E. (Washburn) Stewart of Merrimac, MA, died of cerebral apoplexy at 86 Fourteenth Avenue in Haverhill, MA, March 13, 1908, aged sixty-two years, eleven months. A.M. Hubble, M.D., signed the death certificate. She was the daughter of David and Eliza J. (Parker) Washburn, and widow of Sylvanus Stewart.
Samuel Washburne died in Chicago, IL, November 26, 1908, aged eighty-six years
OBITUARY. SAMUEL WASHBURNE, 86 years old, who had been a resident of Chicago since before the great fire, died yesterday at residence, 1402 North Clark street. Before coming to Chicago, he resided in Natick, Mass., and in New Hampshire, where he was a member of the legislature. He retired from business fifteen years ago. A widow survives (Chicago Tribune, November 27, 1908).
Abby W. (Haynes) Washburn died in Chicago, IL, April 28, 1914.
Son Oscar J. Washburn died of arsenical poisoning on Maple Street in North Brookfield, MA, March 1, 1915, aged sixty-five years, one month, and one day. He had been a dentist.
Son-in-law George W. Lewin died in Fall River, MA, February 10, 1923, aged eighty-six years.
Obituary. GEORGE W. LEWIN. George W. Lewin, of 86 Cherry street, a prominent member of Richard Borden Post, G.A.R., died at his home this morning after an illness of nearly two months. He was in his 87th year. George Washington Lewin was born Feb. 22, 1836, in Swansea, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Y. Lewin. During Civil War he gave 37 months of service as a sergeant in the 22nd Massachusetts Regiment. He took part in important battles of the war, suffering wounds on several occasions. After the war he was employed in a foundry here. For the past 20 years of his life he operated a comb manufactory on Second street. Surviving him are a daughter, Miss Fannie E. Lewin, a step-daughter, Mrs. Jennie Winslow, a brother John Lewin of this city, a half-brother Gardner Lewin, and a half-sister, Mrs. Annie Strange, both of Pottersville (Fall River Globe, February 10, 1923).
Son Frank S. Washburn died in Chicago, IL, May 28, 1924.
References:
Find a Grave. (2011, April 11). Almy C. Washburn Felch. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/68204593/almy-c.-felch
Find a Grave. (2020, August 8). Mary E. Washburn Stewart. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/214203600/mary-e-stewart
Find a Grave. (2016, May 18). Edgar Warren Washburne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/162787510/edgar-warren-washburne
Find a Grave. (2022, January 4). Frank S. Washburne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/235561079/frank-s.-washburne
Find a Grave. (2011, September 28). Oscar Jedediah Washburn. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/77231281/oscar-jedediah-washburn
Find a Grave. (2011, September 28). David Washburn. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/77230502/david-washburn
Find a Grave. (2017, December 21). Romanzo N. Washburn. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/186047616/romanzo-n.-washburn
Find a Grave. (2016, May 8). Samuel Washburne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/162788004/samuel-washburne
Lord & Holbrook. (1852). Massachusetts Register and United States Calendar. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=4u0CAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA137
NH Bureau of Labor. (1896). Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=dEQbAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA23
NH General Court. (1854). Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=1f1BAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA4
Wikipedia. (2022, October 6). Kansas-Nebraska Act. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas%E2%80%93Nebraska_Act
Wikipedia. (2022, December 9). Missouri Compromise. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Compromise
Milton Observer 