Thomas Wilson Dorr Rathbun Tithe Swamptown Lawyer"

Thomas Wilson Dorr Rathbun (1844-1924) tiThe Swamptown Lawyer"

July 1989 The Rathbun-Rathbone-Rathburn Family Historian Volume Nine • Number Three • July 1989

Letter from the Editor Family Reunion This issue of our Historian is dedi we gave up and bought a new, cheaper Plans All Set! cated to Rhode Island, site of our up printer for $226, and asked to have the Everything is ready for our Fourth Na coming family reunion in September. All old one returned. So now we are back in tional Reunion to be held September the major stories deal with our family's business, having been without a printer 11-15 in Rhode Island. Registrations long involvement in Rhode Island his for nearly two months. are still coming in, and it looks like we tory, including some present-day We have also become somewhat can expect well over 100 cousins to cousins. skeptical about Radio Shack's custo attend. There is good news on the mem mer-service policy, having been treated There is still time to sign up, but do it bership front. We have now reached a so shabbily, but we are willing to give quickly! new record high of 541 members, mak them the benefit of the doubt until the Our headquarters will be the Dutch ing us one of the largest family associa company's top management has the Inn at Point Judith, overlooking Block tions in the country. In addition to our opportunity to respond. Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. members, our Historian is sent to sev A copy of this Historian is being sent From there, we will make side trips to eral dozen of the nation's leading li with a cover letter to Radio Shack's main Block Island, Wickford Village, Smith's braries, including the Library of office in Texas. I will report on further Castle, Hammersmith Farm, Fort Congress. developments in the next Historian. A-dams and Newport. But there is a little bad news, finan But on to better things. Our reunion At Fort Adams, we will tour the recon cially, and a sorryi story to go with it. plans are completed (see story on this structed sloop Providence - the ship Early in April, our Radio Shack printer page). We are expecting a turnout of made famous by Captain John Peck broke down. A wire cord that moves the more than 100 cousins, and it should be Rathbun during the Revolution - and printing head back and forth had a fun-filled week. It is not too late to sign will be greeted by Rhode Island mili snapped in two. The printer still worked, up, but do it quickly. tiamen in Revolutionary regalia, led by but kept typing in the same spot over Some of our Rhode Island members, our member Colonel Robert Allan and over. led by Frank E. Rathbun and Ellen Ken Greene. We took it to the Radio Shack outlet yon, have been exploring the idea of a At the Dutch Inn, we will have plenty of where we purchased it and our com monument to Captain John Peck Rath time for greeting old friends and making puter four years ago. We were told by bun in the Veterans Cemetery at Exeter, new ones among the Rathbuns, Rath the manager that it could be fixed for where he was born. Cemetery officials bones and Rathburns attending. There, about $60 within a week or 10 days. We have suggested a stone bench in his also, we will have our traditional display told him to go ahead. memory, with the name "Rathbun" en of family heirlooms. Be sure to bring Over the next seven weeks, we graved on it. yours along. waited for the printer to be repaired, as I think that Captain John Peck Rath-: On the final evening, we will end the the price continued to climb with each bun deserves a more fitting memorial reunion with a new England Clambake, telephone call. The original $60 repair than a bench, and we plan to pursue the prepared the authentic, old-fashioned cost went to $125, then to $200, then to matter further while in Rhode Island this way in an outdoor pit with heated rocks $300 and finally to $375. At that point, fall. If you have any thoughts on the and fresh seaweed. matter, please let me know. It will be a wonderful family week of Mrs. Lewis Rathbun of North Carolina land and sea travel, exploring, talking, Past Issues has made the interesting suggestion eating and just having fun. that we establish a special, lower mem Are you coming? If not, why not? Still Available bership rate for young people, as a way of getting them interested in family his The Rathbun All issues, 1981-1988 ...... $125 tory. The rate, the age limit and other Rathbone-Rathburn All issues, 1981 ...... 22 questions are open for comment. For Family Historian Is All issues, 1982...... 20 example, should it be available only to All issues, 1983 ...... 15 children or grandchildren of members? published quarterly by All issues, 1984 ...... 15 Should the Historian be sent to the the Rathbun Family All issues, 1985 ...... 15 young members, or to their sponsors? If Association at 11308 All issues, 1986 ...... 15 you have any suggestions or ideas, Popes Head Road, All issues, 1987 ...... 15 please let me know. Fairfax, Va. 22030. All issues, 1988 ...... 15 I hope to see many of you in Rhode Single copies of any 1983-1988 is Island. (703) 278-8512 sue are $4 each. Earlier single issues (some available only in xerox) range Frank H. Rathbun from $2 to $5, depending on our sup Editor & Publisher ply. Write if interested. ISSN 0737-7711

34 Rhode Island History Laced With Rathbuns and Rathbones

hade Island, the site of our large textile mills in Woonsocket. He In the business field, Rathbuns still Fourth National Reunion in Sep later served in the state senate and in operate a family sawmill in West R tember, has a history that is lib 1882-3 was Rhode Island's lieutenant Greenwich, and our members, George erally sprinkled with the name Rathbun governor. (See our Historian of Jan. and Ruth Rathbun, own the Greenwood or Rathbone. 1987.) Hill Family Campgrounds in Hope Val Our immigrant ancestors, John and In the early 1900s, Elmer J. Rathbun, . ley. For many years, the Rathbone Fish Margaret (Acres) Rathbun, were among a young lawyer of West Greenwich, be Market has been a familiar landmark in the proprietors and first settlers in 1661 came a district court judge, later a supe Charlestown. of Block Island, which became part of rior court judge and then in 1919 was The Potter-Rathbun Organ Company the Rhode Island Colony in 1664. appointed to the Rhode Island Supreme in Cranston has been operated for 32 From 1681 to 1684, and again in Court, where he served for 16 years. years by our member, Arnold C. Rath 1696, John represented Block Island in (See our Historian of Jan. 1989). bun. (See story in this issue.) the Rhode Island General Assembly. During the past two centuries, others Our family is connected by marriage His son, Thomas Rathbun, held the in our family have made their marks in and descent with many of Rhode same post for 10 years in the early many fields. Island's most noted citizens. 1700s. Josephine Adams Rathbone of Provi Many of our members, including your In the later 1700s, our name is found dence was one of the nation's earliest editor, are descended from Roger Wil abundantly in the town records of Ex women librarians, and won national liams, founder of Rhode Island. recognition . (See our Historian of Jan. eter, North Kingstown, West Green Johnston, one of the state's largest 1986.) wich, Newport and Westerly, as the cities, was named for Augustus Johns George Sears Rathbone of Newport second and third generations moved ton, who married into our family. (See was a prominent merchant, city alder from Block Island to the mainland. story in this issue of our Historian.) man, member of the State Legislature, During the Revolutionary War, Cap and quartermaster of the Rhode Island Edward Green Malbone, one of the tain John Peck Rathbun , born in Exeter, Militia from 1828 to 1832. most talented portraitists in early Amer served with distinction as one of the Stephen Kilton Rathbone of Provi ica, was a Rathbun in-law. outstanding officers of the'fledgling Con dence was a merchant, banker and mili Reminders of our family's Rhode tinental Navy. (See our Historians of tia captain in the early 1800s, and an Island heritage' are found throughout the Oct. 1982, and Jan ., April and July active abolitionist in the pre-Civil War state. There is a Rathbun Pond in West 1983.) days. Greenwich, and Rathbun or Rathbone Captain Rathbun died in a British Thomas Wilson Dorr Rathbun was a streets in Providence, Newport, North prison, but his wife, Polly, and their in community leader in North Kingstown Kingstown, Woonsocket and probably fant child , lie buried in a quiet South for many years, and was widely known other towns. Kingstown Cemetery. as "The Swamptown Lawyer." (See In the village of Wickford, the 1802 After the war, many of our family story in this issue of the Historian.) home of Abraham Rathbun has been turned to the sea and helped put the Herbert Warren Rathbun of Westerly marked as, a historic dwelling, as are Rhode Island ports of Providence and was an attorney, law professor, town homes owned by two brothers-in-law of Newport in the forefront of international solicitor and local judge for many years Captain John Peck Rathbun - Imman trade. Among them were Captain Josh in the early 1900s. uel Case and Samuel Phillips. ua Rathbone and his son Captain Ben William Sherman Rathbun had an un Another indication of our family's jamin Rathbone, of Newport, and Cap usually varied career as veterinarian, Rhode Island connections is found in tain Joshua Rathbun of Providence (see pharmacist, attorney and journalist. the use of Rathbun or Rathbone as a our Historian of Jan. 1987). Another (See story in this issue.) first name. In various Rhode Island town branch of the family moved to the Scores of other family members records, we have found the names of Groton-Noank area of Connecticut, and served in the legislature and held local such persons as Rathbone Littlefield, began a seafaring tradition that con offices, or were successful business Rathbun Dodge, Rathbun Northrop, tinues to this day. and professional men and women. Rathbone Gardiner and Rathbone As Rhode Island became a major The tradition of public service con Greene. manufacturing center in the 1800s, we tinues today, as our member William Our family members have left their find Oscar J. Rathbun as one of the Rathbun is a captain of the Coventry mark on Rhode Island more than any state's leading industrialists, owning police department. other state.

35 Talented Rhode Island Cousin Had Four Different Careers

look through the back issues of our Historian will reveal a lot of A interesting and talented fam ily members. For sheer versatility, how ever, it would be difficult to match the record of William Sherman Rathbun, a Rhode Island native who in his 83 years was a veterinarian, pharmacist, attorney and newspaperman. He did excep tionally well in each field.

William Sherman Rathbun was born Sept. 6, 1875, at Peace Dale, in South Kingstown , the son of George7 Rathbun 6 5 4 3 2 (Nathan John - Samuel Thomas John' ). He was a nephew of Thomas Wilson Dorr Rathbun, whose story also appears in this issue. "Bill" Rathbun was an extremely bright boy and after attending local grade school , he entered the Rhode Island Agricultural School (now the Un i versity of Rhode Island) in 1890, at the age of 15. The school became a college in 1892, and Rathbun was a member of its first graduating class two years later. A great lover of animals, he had stud ied to become a veterinarian, on ly to learn that a defect in its state charter prohibited the college from granting him a degree in "animal surgery." School William Sherman Rathbun a few years before his death. officials made arrangments to have the degree issued by the University of Tor cided he wanted to do something more worked the life out of me," Rathbun later onto, but young Rathbun couldn't see challenging and exciting. recalled . But he turned out to be a born the pOint of going all the way to Canada In 1896, he became a news corre journalist. He loved the excitment and "for a piece of paper." spondent for the local Wickford Stand drama of a reporter's life, so much so "I just went right to practicing," he later ard. His work as pharmacist and veter that he soon launched his own news recalled . "My first job was to remove two inarian stood him in good stead. paper, the South County News, while tumors the size of plug hats from a farm "What you don't know about a com working for the Providence Tribune. horse." munity after doctoring its horses and In 1906, he incurred the wrath of He opened his office in the back of a cows, and filling peoples' prescriptions, someone during his coverage of a weav Peace Dale drugstore, where he had is known only to God," he once stated. ers' strike in a Peace Dale textile mill. worked during his college years to help After several years of local reporting, Walking home late one night, he saw pay expenses. His education had given Rathbun decided to move up into jour two men approach him at a bridge him a basic knowledge of drugs and nalism's "Major Leagues." He worked underpass. One of them raised his arm, medicines, and when veterinary work briefly for the daily Westerly Sun, then in and Rathbun saw something glinting in was slow, he dispensed medicine in the 1906 he joined the editorial staff of the his hand. drug store. Before he realized it, Rath Providence Tribune, at that time one of Luckily, Rathbun was carrying a bun had become the town pharmacist. Rhode Island's major daily newspapers. "J19-inch lead-type container, which he After four years of filling prescriptions Meeting daily deadlines was a new quickly put to use as a weapon. and treating sick animals, Rathbun de- and challenging experience. "They (continued on page 42)

36 Arnold Rathbun Builds Career on Devotion to Organ Music

he name Rathbun or Rathbone is ownership. In deference to his teacher, shingle mill by Arnold's father, Ernest, widely known throughout Rhode employer and old friend , he called it the who installed a gasoline engine. In T Island, but probably nowhere bet Potter-Rathbun Organ Company. 1927, Ernest cemented the old dirt floor ter than in Cranston where the Potter The firm is located in a building which and began installing machine-shop Rathbun Organ Company has been a dates back to 1772. Originally a mill, it equipment. local landmark for decades. first produced "shoddy," a cheap cloth During World War II , it was called the The business has been operated for used for wadding in muzzle-loading ri Cranston Machine Works, and pro more than 30 years by Arnold Charles fles. It remained in that business until duced material for the Armed Services. Rathbun in a historic building which has after the Civil War, when it became a Among the employees at that time was been in his family for some 85 years. horse barn. young Arnold Rathbun. Arnold , now 60 years old , is the son of In 1905, the old building was pur It remained a machine shop until Ar Ernest Charles Rathbun , who died in chased by Arnold 's grandfather, nold took over the organ business and 1984, just three months before his Charles E. Rathbun , who brought in a decided to establish his headquarters in 102nd birthday. Arnold's mother, Eola steam engine and converted the struc the old building that had been used by May (King) Rathbun, died two weeks ture into a shingle mill. his father and grandfather. later at the age of 91 . Ernest was the son For a time, in the 1920s, it was a cider The old mill has changed consider 8 7 of Charles Rathbun (Seneca John6 mill, but was then turned back into a ably over the years. The roof and siding 4 3 2 1 Josephs Joshua John - - ) . have been replaced several times, and Music, especially organ music, has a second story was added in 1882, but been Arnold Rathbun's major interest the original section, with its two-foot since childhood. He learned to play the thick stone walls, is still intact after 225 piano as a boy and then graduated to years. It is listed on Rhode Island's the organ, sometimes playing in his Register of Historic Buildings. church on Sundays when the regular Arnold is the owner and manager of organist was not available. the Potter-Rathbun firm, and his wife, One day, the church organ broke Carol, is bookkeeper, accountant and down, and Rathbun took the damaged scheduler. They have five employees part to Ralph Potter, who owned a local and hundreds of contracts to service organ company. As he watched Potter organs throughout New England and make the needed repairs , Rathbun was northern New York. They are also fascinated. He asked questions, and agents for the Moller Organ Company Potter explained the workings of organs and sell and install that company's or and details of their maintenance. gans throughout the same area. Most of Rathbun, then a junior in high school, their clients are churches, of all began to visit Potter's organ shop regu denominations. larly. Potter, recognizing the boy's inter Music is not only Rathbun's business, est and natural ability, hired him on a it is also his hobby. In the basement of part-time basis. Their friendship grew, his Cranston home, he has installed a and when Rathbun graduated from high remarkable "musical wonderland. " school, Potter hired him as a full-time Rows of organ pipes line the walls, assistant. surrounded by a piano, xylophone, bells Then came the Korean War, and and drums, all connected with intricate Rathbun entered the Army. On his re wiring and electronic controls. At the turn in 1954, he found that Potter's flick of a switch or two, Rathbun can fill health was failing . The two had several the basement with an almost unbe long discussions, and Potter agreed to lievable "sound of music." turn the organ business over to Rath A visitor upstairs or outside, would bun, remaining in the firm as a con have to believe there were a dozen mu sultant. sicians performing. Rathbun had a partner for several years, but in 1957, he took complete Arnold Rathbun at work. (continued on page 42)

37 Famous Hammersmith' Farm Was Home of Our Ancestors

n our last issue, we gave a brief fruits from England, including the yellow Brenton had died and his estate was history of Hammersmith Farm, at russet apple, never before grown in inventoried. I Newport, Rhode Island, where our America. The first and most valuable item on ancestors John and Margaret (Acres) Around the house and gardens was the lengthy list was "farmes and houses Rathbun lived in the 1670s. Further re built a five-foot wall of selected granite at Hammersmith in possession of John search by your editor has revealed new stones, erected by expert stoneworkers. Rathbun, and lands and the stock," information on the history of Ham Within this wall , smaller stone walls and valued at 2,600 pounds, more than one mersmith, where we will visit during our wooden fences marked off vegetable fifth of Brenton's 10,768-pound estate. reunion in September. gardens and pasture lands for Brenton's Livestock listed in the inventory in large herds of sheep and cattle. cluded 80 horses, 52 cattle and nearly When the estate was completed, 1 ,500 sheep. The stock was distribut~d Hammersmith was owned and Brenton named it Hammersmsith, in among the various farms and estates named by William Brenton (?1605- honor of his native town in Middlesex owned by Brenton, but the greater part 1674), a surveyor who came to America County, England. of them were surely at Hammersmith, in 1634. He brought with him a commis Brenton became one of Rhode the "crOtWn jewel" of Brenton's holdings. sion from King Charles I, which granted Island's most prosperous and influential John and Margaret Rathbun, and him land in proportion to the area he citizens. He was deputy governor from their sons and daughters at Ham would survey. 1640 to 1647, president of Newport from mersmith, probably cared for dozens of After completing his surveying work, 1660 to 1662, deputy governor again cattle and many hundreds of sheep, Brenton claimed his land. He chose a from 1663 to 1666, and then governor which grazed on the wide slopes be tract of nearly 2,000 acres in one of for three years. tween the mansion house and the wa Rhode Island's most choice areas - a During this time, Hammersmith must ters of Narragansett Bay. Rathbun, in point of land southwest of Newport have been a center of Rhode Island's an early deed, is called a "husbandman" which is still known as Brenton's Point. A civic and social activities. Roger Wil about this time. recent oil spill in the area occurred when liams, founder of the colony and a good When the Rathbuns left Hammer a tanker struck Brenton's Reef, not far friend of Brenton, was no doubt a fre smith cannot be determined. All we from Hammersmith. quent guest. know is that they were back on Block Brenton established several farms on About 1670, Brenton moved to Taun Island by 1700. The Hammersmith his new property, setting aside 1,100 ton, Mass., and leased out Ham property was left to Brenton's oldest acres for his own home. He then built, mersmith Farm, as he had done earlier son, Jahleel (1655-1732), who was only about 1640, an impressive mansion with his other, lesser farms. 19 when his father died. It is not likely he which was the largest home in the col Just when John and Margaret Rath moved there immediately, and there is onies, and one of the few made of brick. bun moved onto the property, we cannot no proof he ever lived there. It was 150 feet square, with a central determine. They may have been the first The mansion, then over 60 years old, hall 16 feet wide. Upon its roof was built tenants after the Brentons left. We do burned down in the early 1700s, and a promenade, with railings around the know they were in Newport by 1672, Jahleel Brenton built a smaller house on sides and seating for guests. From this when their son Samuel's birth was re the site, called "The Castle. " When he vantage point was a breathtaking view corded there. died in 1732, he left "the mansion house of Narragansett Bay, with the wooded They were definitely living at Ham and farm called Hammersmith" to his hills of Jamestown across the bay to the mersmith by Feb. 9, 1673, when Bren nephew and namesake, Jahleel Bren west, and waters of Block Island sound ton made his will, leaving to his son ton II. to the south. Jahleel "two farms at Hammersmith now This house too disappeared with the To heat such a mansion required a lot in possession of John Rathbun, and all passing years, and later generations of of fireplaces. There were probably eight, the houses, fences, barns and buildings Brentons and later owners sold off parts each two served by one of four chim ... with the marshes and uplands ... of the estate. There were only 97 acres neys - a rarity in the colonies at that thereto belonging." left by 1887, when the farm was pur time. It became known as the "The The other farm at Hammersmith may chased by John Winthrop Auchincloss. House of Four Chimneys." have been Rocky Hill Farm, also refer It was he who commissioned and had The grounds about the mansion were red to in the will. laid out with fruit trees, shrubs and The Rathbuns were still there 18 flowers. Brenton imported new types of months later, on August 20, 1674, after (continued on page 42)

38 Shrewd Farmer Wins Fame As "The Swamptown Lawyer"

merican history is rich with stor ies of talented men and women, Awithout advanced education, who gained the respect and admiration of their neighbors through native skill and ability. This is the story of a farmer and carpenter with no special educa tion, whose sharp mind and hard-won knowledge earned him the title, "The Swamptown Lawyer."

Thomas Wilson Dorr Rathbun was born Feb. 8, 1844, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, one of seven sons of 4 Nathan Dawley6 Rathbun (John5 - 3 2 Samuel Thomas John 1) , and his first wife , Martha Taylor Adams. He was named for Thomas Wilson Dorr (1805-1854), a lawyer, legislator and political leader, who organized the Thomas Wilson oorr Rathbun Nathan Rathbun at 79, after "cutting" his controversial Peoples Party in the (1844-1924) third set of teeth in 1954. He was Tho 1840s and fought for expanded voting 'The Swamptown Lawyer" mas Rathbun's only son. and property rights and other liberal issues of the day. an unusual feat in a day when most He began to spread his ideas, advis Dorr's election as Rhode Island's women had children regularly every two ing neighbors on land matters. As his governor in 1842 was marked by bitter years. reputation spread, more and more fighting and ended up in the famous Hannah took care of the children and people came to him for advice on land "Dorr's Rebellion. " Dorr was arrrested the house, while Thomas ran the family contracts, wills and tax problems. for treason , convicted, and sentenced to farm and did carpentry work on the side. Local lawyers and judges were out life imprisonment. He was freed a year But he soon developed another interest. raged, and complained loudly that he later, however, and is now considered a He became fascinated with legal ques was illegally practicing law, but Rathbun Rhode Island hero. He was obviously tions and problems, especially those skillfully avoided this problem. He never considered a hero in his lifetime by Na relating to land - deeds, titles, probate charged f9r his advice, and never repre than Dawley Rathbun, who named a and taxes. sented anyone in court, although he was son for him. Possibly he was inspired by the stor often there as an observer. The Rathbuns lived near Lafayette in ies his father told of Thomas Wilson It is likely, however, that local attor an area of North Kingstown known as Dorr, who had successfully fought to neys did find their business dropping off Swamptown. Young Thomas grew up change an old Rhode Island law which because of Rathbun . there, attended the local school, and had once enabled banks to foreclose on Inevitably, his neighbors urged him to worked on his father's 760-acre farm . As a mortgage and sell a debtor's farm all in run for public office, and put his talents he got older, he hired himself out to one day if he fell behind in his payments. to work for the entire community. He neighboring farmers. Rathbun haunted the local library and was elected to the town council , to the Nathan Dawley Rathbun died in 1868, law offices, poring over law books. He school committee and finally to the leaving the family farm jointly to his two talked and argued with attorneys, and board of tax assessors - a position he youngest sons, Thomas and Lorenzo. sat in on interesting court cases. He held for many years until his death. On Oct. 11 that same year, Thomas, became intrigued with the way lawyers Rathbun was known to the end as the then 24, married Hannah Deborah found loopholes in the law to win their "Swamptown Lawyer," a name possibly Lewis, the 20-year-old daughter of a cases . He decided those same loop given in derision by trained attorneys, neighboring family. They had three chil holes could be used to help ordinary dren, spaced about five years apart - farmers and laborers. (continued on page 42)

39 City of Johnston Named For Early Rathbun In-Law

he city of Johnston, one of Rhode Johnston and the other two stamp Newport with a household of nineteen, Island's major communities, was masters, smashing windows, breaking including six black slaves and a number T named for a prominent but contro furniture and stealing liquor, food , cloth of other servants. versial man who was a Rathbun in-law! ing and books. The revolution finally broke out in Augustus and Patience snatched 1775, and a year later British troops Augustus Johnston was born about their three children from bed and fled to occupied Newport. The Johnstons wel 1730 in South Amboy, New Jersey, the safety of a British ship in the harbor comed them with open arms, and he studied law and then moved as a young to avoid injury at the hands of the mobs. was appointed to help govern the city. man to Newport, where on Oct. 27, Johnston and the other stamp The Rhode Island Colonial Legis 1758, he was married to Patience masters were hanged in effigy in the lature ordered him arrested and jailed, Gould, daughter of James and Mary town square, and the protesters insisted and his estate confiscated, but so far as (Rathbun) Gould . Mary Rathbun that all three resign their offices. The can be determined, he and his family (1700-1779) was a daughter of Samuel2 other two refused, and their homes were remained safely in Newport during the 1 Rathbun (John ) and Patience Cogge destroyed. Johnston prudently com three-year British occupation. shall. promised. He would not resign , but he When the British evacuated Newport Johnston had an interesting ancestry. agreed not to carry out his duties. in 1779, the Johnstons packed up and His mother was the daughter of Au His home, built by his grandfather left with them, returning to South Car gustus Lucas, a French Huguenot, who Augustus Lucas earlier in the century, olina, where Augustus resumed his had married a granddaughter of John was spared further damage. Known as duties as admiralty judge. Eliott (1604-1690), the famed "Apostle the Lucas-Johnston House, it is still After the war, his estate was con to the Indians," who translated the Bible standing in Newport, at the corner of fiscated by Rhode Island, and the John into the Indian language, and had it pub Mary and Division. During the Revo stons were left homeless. The British lished - the first Bible printed in North lution, the house was described as government, in recognition of his ser America. With the help of that Bible and having eight rooms, with 23 inhabitants vices during the war, granted him a life his own personality, he converted hun (including slaves and servants), and a time pension. dreds of Indians to Christianity. stable of five horses. It was later occu Johnston died in South Carolina in At Newport, Johnston quickly became pied by Commodore Oliver Hazard 1790, and Patience evidently returned a popular community leader. He was Perry. to Rhode Island. Her death date has not elected on June 13, 1757, as attorney Although the house was spared, the been found, but England reportedly con general of the colony, when he was only Johnstons suffererd extensive property tinued paying her a pension for the rest 27 years old! So great was his popular loss in the mob violence. In 1773, he of her life. ity, that when part of Providence was cut submitted a bill to the Rhode Island Little is known of their nine children. off to form a new city in 1759, it was General Assembly for 108 pounds to The oldest, Bathsheba, born in 1759, named Johnston in his honor. cover his losses. married a Mcintyre and died in 1834 at A contemporary described Johnston Included in his itemized bill were a Newport. Another daughter, Margaret, as "a man of extraordinary powers ... case of rum , more than 30 books, linens, died there in 1851 , aged 76 and (who) had unlimited confidence in his two wigs and clothing, including "one unmarried. own ability and would recognize no beaver hat worn but two or three times." The only son who survived was superior." Johnston did not regain his former Mathew Robinson Johnston (1763- Six years later, his popularity plum popularity, however, as the American 1818), who married his cousin Anstis meted. In 1765, he accepted a Royal colonies moved closer to revolution . He Ellery Almy (1768-1854), and served in appointment as one of Newport's was an avowed supporter of the King , a the British Army as a major for several stampmasters, named to enforce the Tory, and was regarded with suspicion. years after the war. He eventually re highly unpopular Stamp Act, which In 1766, he accepted appointment as turned to Newport and died there. paved the way for the Revolutionary judge of the vice-admiralty court in Anstis was the daughter of Patience' War. South Carolina. He and Patience and sister, Mary (1736-1808), who married As in other parts of America, citizens their children moved to Charlestown, Benjamin Almy. Mary operated one of rose up in fury against the act, and S.C., for a number of years. the best-known rooming houses in against those appointed to enforce it. In . They were back in Rhode Island by Newport. George Washington was once Newport, mobs broke into the homes of 1773, and appear in the 1774 census at a guest there after the war.

40 Smith's Castle Was Owned By Thomas Rathbun in 1870s

mith's Castle in Cocumscussoc near Wickford, Rhode Island, is S probably the oldest building still standing in the state. It is one of the places we will visit during our reunion, and has at least two Rathbun connec tions. The building was erected in 1678 on the site of a brick "block house" (or for tified home), built about 1641 by Richard Smith Sr. It was near a trading post established by Roger Williams about the same time. Richard Smith Sr. (1596-1666), who built Smith's Castle, was one of the prominent leaders of early Rhode Island. His building was burned down in the Indian Wars of 1675-6, and the present structure was erected by his son, Rich Artist's version of Smith's Castle as it looks today. ard Smith Jr. (1630-1692), using many of the same bricks. This Richard Smith was appointed a justice of the peace in 1686, which brings us to the first Rath bun connection. and Fones, who lived nearby. The build whose 1802 home in nearby Wickford is In Book One of the Block Island Town ing was the largest and most important still standing. Records is the following entry: in the area. The colonial legislature Thomas was born in North Kingstown ''These may certify unto all persons often met there. and by 1850 was an established jeweler wherever ... that John Rathbun Jr. and Just why John and Ann were married in Providence. Just why he bought Anne Dodge are lawfully joined together there, or even on the mainland rather Smith's Castle is not known . It was a in marriage before Richard Smith and than on Block Island, is a mystery. recognized historical site, and he may John Fones, his majesty's Justices of Smith's Castle is some 15 or 20 miles have planned to develop it as a tourist the Peace in the Kings Province at Ro from Block Island, across Block Island attraction. chester (signed) November 11 , 1686 Sound and up Narragansett Bay - a Whatever his plans, they apparently (by) Richard Smith and John Fones." major trip in those days and a sub never developed. Rathbun sold the Rochester was the name given at that stantial one even today. We will prob property six years later and moved to time to what is now North Kingstown . ably never know the answer. Detroit, Michigan, where he died in Smith and Fones had obviously given After the death of Richard Smith Jr. in 1893. His son , Thomas Rodman Rath the newlywed Rathbuns a certificate of 1692, Smith's Castle was inherited by bun Jr. (1853-1929), established a gen the marriage, and Rathbun had taken it his nephew, Lodowick Updike, and it eral insurance business in Providence, back to Block Island with him to have the remained in the Updike family for sev which was continued by his son, Rod town clerk copy it into the town records. eral generations. man Gardner Rathbun (1891-1957). This was done commonly to protect fu By the 1800s, it had passed out of the In 1948, Smith's Castle had become ture property rights of descendants. Updike family and was held by a suc rundown and dilapidated, and its John Rathbun Jr. of course was the cession of owners. owners planned to tear it down. A group son of our ancestors, John and Mar This is where the second Rathbun of Rhode Islanders, recognizing the his garet. Anne was probably either the connection enters the picture. toric value of the building, formed the daughter or daughter-in-law of Tristram In 1870, the building and property Cocumscussoc Association, and raised Dodge of Block Island. were purchased by Thomas Rodman funds to buy the property. Cocumscus The marriage was almost certainly Rathbun (1820-1893), a son of Abra soc is an old Indian name for the area. 6 4 performed at Smith's Castle by Smith ham Rathbun (Joshua5- .3 John2-'), (continued on page 42)

41 I homas William Arnold

(continued from page 39) (continued from page 36) (continued from page 37) but which became his affectionate nick "I let him have that piece of lead over The whole arrangment is a tribute to name throughout the area. his head with all the force I had," Rath Arnold Rathbun's musical and mechani Rathbun's wife died of pneumonia on bun related. The man fell to the ground cal genius. January 4, 1912. He survived for an and Rathbun ran to the nearby police A love of music seems to run in this other 12 years, dying on June 21 , 1924, station for help. Returning a few minutes branch of our family. All the Rathbuns' in his 85th year. later with a policeman, all they found children play musical instruments. Ar Thomas and Hannah had two daugh was a homemade stiletto, a pool of nold's sister, Helen M. Rathbun, is a ters - Hannah Maria and Martha Alice blood, and a trail of blood which indi church organist. Those who attended - and one son - Nathan Clarence cated that a body had been dragged to our first reunion in 1983 at Block. Island Rathbun , born in 1874. Thomas, who the banks of the nearby Saugatuck heard her playa portable organ during always regretted his own lack of higher River. A search was made, but no body the monument dedication ceremonies in education, insisted that his son attend was ever found, and the matter was the old island cemetery, Helen, born a Rhode Island State College, but young dropped. Rathbun, was also married to a Rath Nathan did not have his father's interest In 1907, Rathbun moved to Connecti bun. She is the widow of Edward Bryon or talents in legal matters. He became a cut and joined the New Haven Courier Rathbun, son of George9 Rathbun B 5 farmer, operated a large dairy farm , and as a proofreader and special writer. A (Raymond Amy? Olney6 Joshua An 3 2 1 raised huge flocks of turkeys. few years later, he went to work for a thony4 Samuel Thomas John ) . Helen Nathan lived to be 82, and did achieve weekly newspaper in Vermont, then in is one of the founders and now president ' a measure of fame in his old age. At the 1917, he became city editor of the Hol of the new Rathbun-Rathbone age of 79, he began growing a new set yoke Telegram in Massachusetts. Rathburn Family Organization in the of teeth ! Skeptical reporters peered into During these years, his newspaper Rhode Island-Connecticut-Massa his mouth with flashlights and agreed work had led to an interest in court pro chusetts area. Helen, her three daugh that he had indeed "sprouted" several ceedings, and in the early 1920s, he ters, and Arnold and Carol, are all mem new teeth . Nathan asserted that he began the study of law, still working full bers of our Association, as were their would have a complete new set if he time as a newspaperman. In 1925, he parents. lived long enough, but died three years was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar later. and began practicing law in Hadley, Nathan credited his long life, good Mass. health and third set of teeth to his life He still kept his finger in journalism, style. After retiring from farm work, he however, and from 1934 to 1940 pub slept every day until noon, and ate only lished the South Hadley Times in a rear twice a day - oatmeal for breakfast room of his home, doing all the writing, Castle and creamed codfish for supper - and composing and printing. (continued from page 41) chewed plug tobacco all the rest of the World War II put an end to this ven day! ture, and during the war he went to work Funds were then raised to undertake in a machine shop, making anti-aircraft a massive and careful restoration of the guns. Too old , at 66, to join the Army, he building and lands. The association still wanted to help some way in the war owns the property and maintains it effort. through membership dues, donations Hammersmith After the war, Rathbun remained in and visitor fees. (continued from page 38) Hadley, enjoying retirement with his It has been called a "living museum," wife, JuliaGardner, whom he married in giving a fascinating insight into a way of built the 28-room "cottage" now on the 1900. He died in May 1959, aged 83, life long since gone. It is furnished with property. eight months after he and Julia cele antique furniture, utensils and china It is that cottage we will see on our visit brated their 58th wedding anniversary. ware, including a chair owned by Roger in September, but the spectacular view Her death date is not known . They had Williams. of Narragansett Bay is the same that our one daughter, Helen, born in 1909. We In the kitchen is the original massive ancestors enjoyed three centuries ago. have no further record of her. fireplace, eight feet wide and nearly six The estate has been maintained in its feet high, where the Smiths and later the rural state, and today is the only working Updikes cooked their meals and burned farm in Newport. huge logs to help heat the home in When Jacqueline Bouvier, an Auchin wintertime. closs stepdaughter, married John Fitz New Data Among the items on display is an old gerald Kennedy in 1953, their wedding Updike ledger, which contains the ac reception was held at Hammersmith, Amanda Hills, wife of Demarcus6 count of Captain John Peck Rathbun in with more than 1,200 guests. Ham Rathbun (Solomon 5 Job4 Joshua3 1780-81 , when he owned the Kingston 2 1 mersmith was a "Summer White House" John - ) , was the daughter of Adino and Inn a few miles away in South Kings during Kennedy's presidency. Chloe (Lord) Hills. town.

42 Genealogy: The Sixth Generation in America

211. LEWIS M.6 RATHBUN (Amoss WILLIAM, born in May 1877; married HARRISON W., born Oct. 12, 1857; 4 3 2 1 Thomas - John - ), born June 24, Grace Baraga. married Jennie Hitchcock. 1806, in Cazenovia, N.Y. , and moved as ADELBERT, born Jan. 11 , 1859; mar a young man to Erie County, Pa. He 212. HIRAM6 RATHBUN (AmosS Tho ried Uretta Fargo. married about 1834 Dorothy Treat, born 2 1 WILLIAM H., born Jan. 31 , 1865; died mas4-3 John - ) , born Sept. 13, 1808, at March 4, 1814, daughter of Peter and Cazenovia, N.Y., and married there Jan. 6, 1941 , unmarried. Lydia Treat. She died April 3, 1841 , and about 1840 Minerva (Hatch?), born EMILY, born June 6, 1868; married he was married about 1842 to Laura about 1818, parentage unknown. She Almeron Laird. ___ , birthdate and surname un died in the 1860s, and he was married known, who died within a few years. He again by 1865 to Wilma , born 214. ERI 6 RATHBUN (AmosS was married about 1851 to Lovica (or 4 3 2 1 about 1816, surname and parentage Thomas - John . ) , born April 23, Louisa?) , born about 1834, unknown. He may have lived for a time 1821 , at Cazenovia, N.Y. He was mar parentage unknown. They moved to in Erie County, Pa. (a Hiram Rathbun ried by 1854 to Anna , birth and Mercer County, Ohio, about 1857, and appears in the 1840 census at Water parentage unknown, who died by Jan. 1, to Grand Rapids, Mich., about 1868. He ford , in Erie County), and by 1850 was 1865, when he was married to Margaret died there about 1879. She died some living in Moulton, Auglaise County, Scoville, born about 1823. He died in the time after 1880. Ohio. He was back in Cazenovia by 1870s, and she died March 1, 1877. (;HILDREN 1860, moved to nearby Nelson, and There were no known children. By Dorothy died there on Dec. 19, 1889. He was buried at Chittenango Falls. Wilma sur REUL, born about 1835; alive in 1850; 215. CLARK6 RATHBUN (AmosS no further data. vived him, but her death date is not 4 3 2 1 Thomas · John - ) , born about 1823 at known. AMANDA, born about 1838; alive in Cazenovia, N.Y., and married on Sept. 1850; no further data. CHILDREN 24, 1854, at Skaneateles, N.Y., to Maria Benedict, born about 1823, parentage By Minerva By Laura unknown. She died Dec. 21 , 1856, at WI LLiAM H., born about 1841 ; served CAROLINE, born about 1843; alive in Georgetown, in Madison County, N.Y. in the Civil War and died June 2, 1863, at 1860; no further data. He married about 1858 Savilla Spencer, Port Hudson. JERMAINE, born June 24, 1845; mar birth and parentage unknown, and was ried Katherine Schaffer. Adopted Child apparently divorced. He was married ELLEN 0 ., born about 1846; alive in ADA (born a Zuckerman), born about again about 1880 to Mary J. ___ 1860; no further data. 1853; married William Adams. born about 1828, parentage unknown. FLORA, born about 1847; alive in Clark died April 16, 1900, at Eaton, N.Y. 1860; no further data. 213. ABIATHER6 RATHBUN (AmosS Savilla, his second wife, was married 4 3 2 1 Thomas - John - ) , born December 10, June 24, 1882, in Marshall County, Kan By Lovica sas, to James L. Terry, and was dead by RANSOM A. , born in Feb. 1852; mar 1818 (? year uncertain) at Cazenovia, N.Y. , and was married there in the 1900. Mary, his third wife, predeceased ried Mary Sweet. Clark. MATTISON M. born in March 1857; 1840s to Elizabeth , born about 1820, surname and ancestry unknown. married Celia Bridget Toohey. CHILD LEWIS, born in March 1860; married She died by 1853, and he married a Alice Sweet. short time later Sarah A. Brown, born By Savilla MELISSA, born about 1864; married Jan. 7, 1830, ancestry unknown. Abi CLARK COLUMBUS, born Aug. 2, William Maloney. ather was a farmer all his life at Ca 1859; married Bertha Pritz on March 12, RENIE, born about 1870; married zenovia, where he died Oct. 24, 1894. 1885, in Washington County, Kansas. Burton Henderson. Sarah died two years later in 1896. No known children. He died sometime GEORGIA, born about 1872; married after 1900. CHILDREN Edward Skelly. JAMES BURTON , born Nov. 24, All by Sarah 1874; married (1) Kate Carmen, and (2) GEORGE A. , born Dec. 21 , 1854; Mildred ___ died May 21 , 1866. (continued on page 44)

43 Genealogy

(continued from page 43) 8, 1819, at Mollyi, Chenango County, mill, and then in 1852 to Wheeling, West N.Y. He was married on May 31 , 1840, Virginia, where he established a lumber to Rebecca Scott, born about 1820, mill. Alice died there in 1874, and Eras parentage unknown, who died in 1847 in tus moved to Garrett County, Maryland, 216. DAVID6 RATHBUN (Amoss Tho childbirth at Virgil, N.Y. He then moved where he died in 1909. 2 1 mas4-3 John - ) , born about 1824 in Ca to Ohio, and was married there on Au zenovia, and married by 1846 to Eliza gust 13, 1848, at Bucklin Corners, Lake CHILDREN beth , birthdate and parentage County, to Asenath Leroy, born April 24, unknown. They were living in Moulton, 1824, daughter of Abraham and Mary CLARENCE MORTIMER, born July Auglaise County, Ohio, by 1849, and he (Chaffee) Leroy. She died June 22, 9, 1849; married Mary Virgin . apparently died there by 1854. Eliza 1899, in Ellery, N.Y., where they may WILLIAM R. , born Nov. 16, 1852; died beth may be the Betsey Rathbun who have gone to live. He probably died Feb . 10, 1853. was living with David's brother Abiather before her, and does not appear in the EMMA R. , born July 22, 1857; died in 1880 at Cazenovia. There were no 1900 Federal Census. Aug . 28, 1857. known children. ELLSWORTH, born July 1, 1863; died in infancy. CHILDREN MARY JANE, born March 9, 1867; 217. THOMAS RUSSELL6 RATHBUN 4 3 2 1 married Lewis E. Hanson. (Russells Simeon Thomas John - ) , By Rebecca born Oct. 24, 1817, probably in Che ELLEN, born June 21 , 1841 ; married nango County, N.Y. He was married George Stacy on June 22, 1857. March 20, 1838, at Jamestown, N.Y., to MINERVA JANE, born Aug. 3, 1843; 220. NATHAN6 RATHBUN (Nathans 4 3 2 1 Eli zabeth Aurelia Howe, born about married William Hadley on Oct. 22, Simeon Thomas John - ) , born about 1821 , parentage unknown. They moved 1859. 1813 in Rhode Island and was married to Pittsburg, Pa., by 1850 and to Ottawa, ELIZABETH, born April 19, 1845; May 10, 1840, at Smithfield, R.I. , to LaSalle County, III. , by 1860. Elizabeth died (?) June 6, 1881 , at Jamestown, Stacy Young, born in April 1813, daugh died in 1859, possibly in childbirth, and N.Y. ter of Stephen and Mary Young. They he was married in 1860 to Lucretia JOHN, born July 6, 1847; died Jan. 7, were living in Providence by 1850 and in (Sopher?), a widow, born in May 1822, 1848. Scituate by 1860. Nathan apparently parentage unknown. He died about died by 1870 at Smithfield, where Stacy 1864 at Ottawa. Lucretia was still living By Asenath was then living as a widow. She later as late as 1911 . JOHN NESLER, born July 19, 1849; moved to East Greenwi'ch, and died married Phoebe Barrons. there Oct. 4, 1882. CHILDREN OBED RUSSELL, born Oct. 18, 1850; married Hortense Manel. CHILDREN By Elizabeth LAURA, born in 1851 ; married Hollis ERASTUS R. , born in Oct. 1840; mar Attwood on March 23, 1870. MARY E., born in 1842; married (?) ried Harriet Andrews. MARY, born June 19, 1853; died July Sidney H. Winsor on Nov. 10, 1870, at ALONZO EMERY, born May 6, 1844; 30, 1855. Providence. married Anna E. Bassett. FANNY, born Oct. 4, 1855; married PHOEBE A. , born in 1844; died June ANNA MARIA, born about 1847; mar- (2) James Cross on Sept. 10, 1886. 1, 1884, unmarried. ried Ashley. (Details of first marriage not known). EMMET EMERY, born in 1850; mar LAURA, born about 1849; alive in FRANK BYRON (twin), born Oct. 4, ried Ella S. Arnold. 1860; no further data. 1855; died July 31 , 1857. IRENE, born about 1855; alive in ELIZA ANN , born March 8, 1859; 1860; no further data. married Columbus C. Hazard on Sept. 6 s JOHN MILFORD, born Nov. 2, 1859; 10, 1878. 221 . JOHN L. RATHBUN (Nathan 4 3 2 1 married Clara Warren. Simeon Thomas John - ) , born about 1820; probably the John Rathbun who married Julia Inman on Dec. 25, 1854, in By Lucretia 219. ERASTUS6 RATHBUN (Russells ELLA, born in July 1862; married 4 3 2 1 Providence. They apparently moved to Simeon Thomas John - ) , born Feb. Boston, Mass. , where he appears in city Clarence Wilder. 28 , 1828, probably in Chenango ALBERT, born March 31 , 1864; he directories in the 1850s. Nothing more is County, N.Y., aM moved as a young enlisted in the Navy in 1879 and died known of them and there is no record of man to Ohio. He was married there, in Jan. 3, 1880, of disease aboard the USS any children. Columbiana County, on Dec. 23, 1847, Constitution at Fort de France on the to Alice Grubley Ward, born about 1827, island of Martinique. daughter of Benjamin West and Arm 222. GEORGE NELSON6 RATHBUN s 4 3 2 1 field Cooper (Morgan) Ward. They (Nathan Simeon Thomas John - ) , 218. JOHN A.6 RATHBUN (Russells moved soon after their marriage to Pitts born March 1, 1822, at Foster, R.I. He 4 3 2 1 Simeon Thomas John - ) , born March burg, Pa., where he operated a planing became a sailor, and little is known of

44 Genealogy

him. He died June 5, 1868, at Scituate, SIDNEY, born Sept. 15, 1829; he may This ends the sixth-generation R.I. , described as married, but his wife's have traveled west in 1854 with his cou descendants of John Rathbun Jr., name is not known. There is no record of sin Perry (son of Gamaliel) and with oldest son of John and Margaret (Ac children. Perry was killed by Indians in the Dakota res) Rathbun. We now begin with the Territory. descendants of Thomas Rathbun, EUNICE, born July 19, 1831 ; married the second son, carrying down only William Henry Bailey on June 22, 1851 . 6 the Rathbun lines. Daughters' de 223. NATHANIEL WHEATON RATH DOLPH US (Adolphus?) S., born Nov. S 4 3 scendants are not covered, in the BUN (Nathan Simeon Thomas 7, 1833; married Isaphene Everett. 2 1 interest of space, although we are John - ) , born April 24, 1825, at Exeter, BRADSHAW W., born Feb. 10, 1836; maintaining files on them. R.I. , and moved with his parents as a married (1) Elizabeth Hall, and (2) Flor boy to Blackstone, Mass. He returned to ence Miller. Rhode Island, and was married there 225. THOMAS J. (or 1)6 RATHBUN ELIZABETH, born Feb. 16, 1837; about 1854 to Sophia Ardelia Young , 4 3 2 married John McKay on Feb. 7, 1855. (WaiterS Thomas - - John \ born April born Dec. 10, 1817, daughter of Ste CORDELIA, born Feb. 21 , 1840; mar phen and Mary Young, and a sister of 11,1793, at Broadalbin, N.Y. , and mar ried about 1812 Laurena Bates, born ried Joseph Lambert on Dec. 8, 1861 . his brother Nathan's wife. They lived for MARY ANN , born July 8, 1843; mar a time at Pawtucket, R.I., but later Feb. 14, 1795, parentage unknown. He is probably the Thomas Rathbun who ried (1) Alvora Everett on Jan. 8, 1861 , moved to East Greenwich , where served in the War of 1812 in the New and (2) William Schoonmaker. Sophia died Jan. 13, 1895, and Na LIMA, born July 15, 1845; married thaniel died Jan. 15, 1903. York State Volunteers. Thomas and Laurena lived in Cayuga County, N.Y., Alfred K. Pierce on April 11 , 1865. where Laurena died July 4, 1821 . He LAURA, born Dec. 2, 1849; died in CHILDREN was married on March 3, 1823, possibly January 1854. HANNAH, born about 1856; died April at Marcellus, N.Y. , to Sally Belknap, 29, 1858. born August 22, 1801 , parentage un 226. NATHANIEL SAMUEL6 RATH 4 3 2 1 NATHANIEL, born in 1858; married known. They moved by 1840 to Portcige BUN (WaiterS Thomas - - John ), born (1) Emma Gertrude Gardner, and (2) County, N.Y., and by 1850 to Win about 1798 in Broadalbin, N.Y., and Martha ___ nebago County, III. In 1854, they moved married about 1820 Lydia (Sears?), WILLIAM I., born in 1859; no further to Winnishiek County, Iowa, where born about 1799, parentage unknown. data. Thomas was active in public life. He was (An Allen Sears, aged 80, was living with MARY E. (twin?), born in 1859; no elected in 1855 to the first board of trus them in 1850, possibly her father) . They further data. tees for Bloomfield Township, and in were living in Pike, Allegany County, JAMES P., born about 1861; no fur 1858 a Universalist Church was organ N. Y. , in 1830; in nearby Portage in 1840, ther data. ized in his log cabin home. He died on and in Leicester, Livingston County, in ?BENSON, born about 1868; married June 8, 1866. Sally died Dec. 26, 1874. 1850. He is probably the Nathaniel Marie Rathbun of Livingston County, N.Y., CHILDREN who settled briefly in St. Joseph County, s 224. CHARLES R.6 RATHBUN (Elias By Laurena Michigan, in 1831. In the 1850s, he and 4 3 2 1 his family moved to Spring Valley, Fill Nathan Thomas John - ) , born Sept. LAURENA, born Aug. 24, 1813; mar more County, Minnesota, where he died 16, 1849, in Hopkinton, R.1. He moved to ried Gardner Green in 1838. Worcester, Mass. , where on Sept. 16, ANNA, born June 22, 1815; no further Feb. 26, 1871 , and Lydia on Feb. 19, 1872. 1873, he was married to Lucy Adelaide data. Wilson , born April 23, 1855, daughter of ROSWELL, born June 22, 1817; mar Henry Clark and Mary Elizabeth (Clem ried Clarissa Willard. CHILDREN ence) Wilson. He was a machinist and CHAUNCEY, born May 14, 1819; DAUGHTER, name unknown ; born lived all his life at Worcester, where he died in 1820. about 1821 ; died young? died March 6, 1921 . Lucy died there in HARRIET, born Jan. 21 , 1821 ; no HENRY, born Oct. 13, 1826; married 1925. further data. Amy Minerva Strivens. CINDERELLA, born about 1828; mar CHILDREN By Sally ried Squire A Cox. WILSON HERBERT, born Oct. 26, AMANDER, born Oct. 15, 1823; died EMORY, born April 10 , 1831 ; married 1876; married Sadie ___ April 20, 1851 ; no known marriage. Eva (Dop) Krauser. OSCAR LEON , born Sept. 28, 1879; WALTER, born Dec. 11 , 1825; mar WILLIAM CLARK, born in Sept. 1834; died Sept. 24, 1889. ried Wealthy Loomis. married Ruth Brooks. MYRTLE ERVILLA, born Oct. 14, CHARLES, born Nov. 24, 1827; mar CLARISSA SALINIA, born Nov. 11 or 1885; no further data. ried Electa Ann Cook on Sept. 25, 1850. 18, 1836; died August 17, 1918, unmar RUTH E., born June 14, 1897; died He died Oct. 17, 1853, leaving no ried . June 15, 1897. known children. Electa married William Phagan on Nov. 23, 1857. (continued on page 46)

45 Genealogy

(continued from page 45) Ingham County, Michigan, where Eliza died on Jan. 24, 1889, and he died later Sudden Riches the same year. Peter Rathbone, American art expert 6 CHILD at Sotheby's in New York City, played a 227. GAMALIEL JOHN RATHBUN major role in a fantastic story which re 4 3 2 (WaiterS Thomas - - John \ born Au JAMES HARVEY, born in 1836; en sulted in a Connecticut couple be gust 6,1800, possibly in Otsego County, listed in the First Michigan Artillery in coming "overnight millionaires." N.Y. He married there Nov. 25, 1825, 1864 during the Civil War and died of The couple, who remained anony Lucretia Richardson , born Sept. 8, disease on June 23, 1865. mous, had inherited an oil painting many 1807, parentage unknown. They lived years ago from the woman's mother, for a time in Onondaga County, then in 229. HENRy6 RATHBUN (WaiterS who had received it as a gift. Eagle, Allegany County by 1840, and in 4 3 2 Thomas - - John \ born about 1810 in It hung in the couple's bedroom for 25 the late 1840s joined his brother Tho Otsego County, N.Y., and moved with years. The man did not even like it, and mas in moving to Winnebago County, his parents to Pike, Allegany County. He once considered taking it to the town Illinois. By 1870, he had joined his was married about 1840 to Susan Rey dump. Then they saw an advertisement brother Nathaniel in Fillmore County, nolds, born in 1814, parentage un -for free appraisals of oil paintings, and Minn. , where he died Feb. 8, 1875. Lu known. They lived in Genesee Falls took the picture in for appraisal. cretia had died 1° years earlier, on July near Pike for many years. He died there The appraiser looked it over and 23, 1865. May 17, 1867, and Susan on Jan. 17, offered them $1 ,000 for it. The owners 1893. Both are buried in Pike . said they would get a second opinion, CHILDREN and the dealer then raised his offer to DORR, born June 2, 1826; married CHILDREN $100,000. Susan Pike. Now convinced they had a valuable NYRUM, born in May 1841 ; married ADELE, born Oct. 10, 1827; died painting, they took it to Sotheby's, where Mary B. Gove. June 28, 1828. Peter Rathbone was "staggered" to find ANGELO F., born in June 1845; alive DWIGHT, born May 15, 1829; mar that it was a real masterpiece, by Martin in 1900, no known marriage. ried Jane C. Monroe. Johnson Heade, called . "Hummingbirds MARY A. , born about 1854; no further PERRY, born Nov. 7, 1831 ; he went and Passion Flowers." It was in perfect data. west, possibly with his cousin Sidney condition, and still in its original frame. (son of Thomas) , and was killed June At an auction in May, the painting was 13, 1854, by Indians in the Dakota sold for $1 .1 million by Sotheby's. Territory. Peter Rathbone is the son of our EMERETT, born Oct. 16, 1833; she members, Mr. and Mrs. Perry9 Rath B 7 6 s died of consumption April 18, 1898, bone (Howard Peter Elijah Moses 4 3 2 unmarried. Joshua Jonathan John -'). JOHN W. DAMON, born June 30 , 1835; married Elvira Monroe. 'CORVANDO, born July 25, 1837; The University Press of New England married Ann Syme on June 26, 1884, has recently published a two-volume when he was 47 and she was 40, and work, "The Correspondence of Roger they had no children. Corvado, who was Williams." It includes a translation of born with a club foot, died Dec. 22, 1907. every known letter written by Wi lliams, Ann died Nov. 20, 1896. the founder of Rhode Island and an WASHINGTON DAY, born Aug . 8, cestor of many of our members. The two 1939; married Tamar Eliza Townsend. volumes sell for $100, but are available OPH EllA, born July 11 , 1841 ; mar to members of our association for $75, ried Frank Baker. plus $4 mailing costs . If interested, send BRYON , born July 16, 1845; married your $79 check to University Press of Hannah Haslam . New England, 17 1/2 Lebanon Street, AMANDER ELMER, born Nov. 13, Hanover, N.H. 03755. Be sure to men 1851; married Eva (Monroe) Brooks. tion your membership in the Rathbun This recently discovered picture is that Family Association. of Gideon Rathbun (1806-1888), son of 5 4 3 2 1 228. WALTER6 RATHBUN (WaiterS Allen Rathbun (Gideon John - - ) . He 4 3 2 Thomas - - John'), born about 1805, appeared in our genealogical section in In our last issue, there were two errors probably in Otsego County, N.Y. He was the Historian of January 1987, Page 11. in one of the obituaries. Cleo Bell Jones married Feb. 13, 1835, in Pike, N.Y., to Our thanks to Roy Rathbun, a descen (not James) was born a Corkins, not Eliza Bacchus, born in 1814, parentage dant, who found the picture in an old Corking. Her first husband was Everett unknown. In 1854, they moved to Leslie, history of Beloit, Wisconsin. James. Our thanks to Dr. Earl Antes.

46 DIED - June 27, 1988, Marie (Hagen) DIED - July 12, 1988, at LaCrosse, Rathbun , of Ellis, Kansas, aged 76. She Wisc., Edith L. Pahl, aged 73. She was Obituaries was the widow of Verne9 Rathbun the daughter of George Bohrnstedt and s 5 4 s 6 5 (Lewis Alfred? John6 Alfred Job Ben Naomi Rathbone (Albert? Amos - 3 2 4 3 21 DIED - May 24, 1989, at Chester, jamin Joseph John 1) . Survivors in Thomas - John - ). She was the widow Conn ., Dr. Douglas Joseph Rathbun, clude a son, Alfred Adair Rathbun ; two of Edwin A. Pahl , who died in 1979. s aged 89. He was the son of Leonard daughters, Eileen Mae Goetz and One Survivors include four daughters, Jayne 7 5 Rathbun (Leonard Calvin6 Samuel Eli ita Jean Bollig, both members of our Rezin , a member of our Association ; 4 3 2 1 jah Samuel - John ). Dr. Rathbun was Association; seven grandchildren, and Sally Johnson, Judith Lenz and Sue graduated from the Philadelphia Col 11 great-grandchildren. Prinsen ; a son, Wayne Pahl ; 19 grand lege of Osteopathy in 1925, and prac children, and 16 great-grandchildren. ticed medicine in New London and later DIED - Feb. 8, 1989, at Warwick, R.I. , Lyme, Conn., for 55 years until his re Parker G. Webb, aged 72. He was the tirement in 1979. He served in the Con husband of Jean 10 Rathbun (Walter9 necticut General Assembly for two Williams John? Robert6 John5-4 terms in the 1950s. Survivors include his Samuel3 Thomas2 John 1). He was a wife , Lillian (Morlock) Rathbun, to whom retired truck driver. In addition to his he had been married 61 years; two wife, he is survived by a stepson, Lewis Births daughters, Margaret Scheide and Ju Potter; three brothers, and three sisters. dith Whitney, both members of our As BORN - April 18, 1989, Eric William sociation ; seven grandchildren, and two O'Connell, son of William and Catherine great-grandsons. Ann (Sands) O'Connell, and grandson of Edgar William Sands and the late 10 DIED-April 18, 1989, at Westerly, R.I. , Catherine Mildred Rathbun (Oscar9 6 5 John I. Rathbun , aged 64. He was the GeorgeS Corbet? Gideon Tibbetts 4 3 2 son of Charles9 Rathbun (GeorgeS People John - Thomas John \ Asher7 Christopher6 Jonathan5 Isaiah5 Jonathan3 John2-1) . He was a Purple RONALD RATHBUN, a member of our BORN - Feb. 20, 1989, Grant Simeon Heart veteran of World War II. Survivors Association, has been promoted to vice Cragun and Linda Michelle Cragun, twin include two sons, Jack and Terry Rath president of American National Property children of Kenneth and Cynthia Cragun bun ; two daughters, Debbie and Mel and Casualty Company at Springfield, of San Jose, California. Cynthia is a anie Rathbun ; a brother, George Rath Mo. He joined the company as an descendant of Samuel Cline and Lu bun , and three sisters, Eleanor Mello, underwriter in 1974, when there were 12 cinda Rathbun (a twin !), daughter of 6 5 4 Dorothy Sanborn and Shirley Hitchman. employees. The firm now has 328 em Jacob? Rathbun (Edwin George Job 3 2 ployees and is licensed in 38 states. Benjamin Joseph John \ DIED - May 22, 1989, at Oneonta, Ronald is the son of our members Zona N.Y., Warren J. Rathbun, aged 85. He and Paul9 Rathbun (Freds William? BORN - May S, 1989, Rodney DiMario 4 3 21 was the son of Joels Rathbun (Jacob? John6 Perry5 Edmund John - - ). Darrel Kearney Jr., son of Rodney and 6 4 3 Williams -5 Benjamin - Joseph2 LaDonna (Drones) Kearney; grandson John 1). He was a dairy farmer all his life CHARLES BEVERIDGE and Shirley of Michael Drones and Sandra Marie at Middlefield, N.Y., until his retirement Mae Farrell were married Sept. 17, Rathbun, and great-grandson of our 9 s in 1972. He was a former member of the 1988, at Lake Wales, Fla. Charles, a member, Fred Charles Rathbun (Fred 6 5 4 Middlefield Board of Assessors and the member of our association, is the son of Erastus? Edwin George Job Ben 3 2 Middlefield Planning Board. Survivors David William Beveridge and Minnie jamin Joseph John \ include his wife, Ada (Griggs) Rathbun; Emma9 Rathbun (Charless George? 6 5 4 3 21 one son, Leslie Rathbun ; five grand Joshua Acors Joshua - John - ). His children, and four great-grandchildren. first wife, Charlotte (Davis) Rathbun , died in 1985, after 45 years of marriage. DIED - June 6, 1989, at Aurora, Colo., His new wife has been twice widowed. Shirley Mae Rathbun , aged 61 . She was Correction the wife of Henry Maurice9 Rathbun KAREN SUE RATHBURN, manager of s 5 4 (James William? John6 Alfred Job the AAA South Central Ohio office, re In our January issue, we misspelled Benjamin3 Joseph2 John 1), a member cently eaned the designation of Certified the name of Anna Liisa Rathbun , born of our Association. Survivors include her Travel Counselor. The title required five August 24, 1988, as Anna Luisa. She is husband; five sons, Robert, Edward and years experience, graduate-level col the daughter of Gary J. and Eileen Bill Rathbun, and Dennis and Philip lege courses, and 16 hours of examina (Ranta) Rathbun of Coon Rapids, Minn ., Stanion; three daughters, Carol Tho tions. Karen is the wife of Jack1 2 Rath and granddaughter of our members 10 mas, Sandra Crabtree and Pat Hentson ; burn (John 11 Carl John9 AmosS Ser John and Alberta Rathbun . The baby's 6 5 4 3 2 27 grandchildren, and six great eno? Elijah William Daniel William - mother is of Finnish ancestry, and the grandchildren. John1). Liisa spelling is Finnish.

47 People Our New Members Aileen Brewer Dr. Charles Rathbone Lynwood, Wash. Burlington, vt. MARTHANNE RATHBONE was named a member of the National Honor Ronald J. Corkins Chelsea Rathbun Society in April at James Bowie High Arvada, Colo. Des Moines, Wash. School in Austin, Texas. She is the daughter of the late Stephen Rathbone, Almeda Rathbun Ekstedt John Rathbone and granddaughter of our members Bet Bellevue, Wash . Hamilton, N.Y. ty and Lemuel10 Rathbone (Lemuel9 RufusB George7 Rufus6 DintiJD a Joyce Rathbun Kelley Lee Rathbun 4 3 2 1 Great Bend, Kansas Thermopolis, Wyo. tine Joshua John - . Vern Kittleson Robin Rathbun JAMES STITES won first place this year St. Paul, Minn. Pullaylap, Wash. in a writing contest sponsored by the Community Association for the Arts in Glen and Eva Lang Phillip A. Thurston Independence, Mo. His submission was Somerset, Mass. Sparta, Wise. a short story entitled, "Queen's Gambit." He won a fourth-place award in 1986, Kirk and Cindy Lang Twila Rathbun Wood and first prize in 1987 for a science Baton Rouge, La. Thermopolis, Wyo. fiction story. Jim is the son of Charles Stites and Carrie Ella9 Rathbone (How Calvin Rathbun William E. Wright Anchorage, Alaska Houston, Texas ardB Elijah7 Amasa6 Moses5 Joshua4 3 2 1 Jonathan John - ).

CLAUDIA A RATHBUN has been named assistant vice-president of Alex~ ander and Alexander, the largest retail GRETCHEN EKSTEDT and Pat GEORGE RATHBUN has been working insurance brokerage firm in the United McKendry were married Feb. 19, 1989, in Alaska as a project engineer on the States, and second largest publicly at Issaquah, Wash. She is the daughter tremendous job of cleaning up after the owned broker-agent consulting firm in of the late Edward Ekstedt and tragic oil spill. He reports working 12 the world.The company has some 9 Almeda 10 Rathbun (Chelsea HenryB hours a day, seven days a week. A 17,000 employees, more than half of William 7 Gideon 6 Job5 Gideon 4 member of our Association, he is the whom are international employes. Clau 3 2 1 John - - ), a new member of our Asso son of Roy and Anna May Rathbun, also dia joined the firm in 1972 after gradu ciation. members. Roy is the son of GeorgeB ation from the University of Nebraska, Rathbun (George7 Gideon6 Allen5 Gid beginning as a clerk and backup recep 4 3 2 1 PERRY T. RATHBONE, senior vice eon John - - ). tionist. She is the wife of Thomas Rath 9 president and director of Christie's bun, the son of Zona and Paul Rathbun International, has been been given a B 7 4 WE THANK the following members who (Fred William John6 Perry5 Edmund new honor - three Perry Rathbone Fel 3 2 1 have sent us family data, pictures, clip John - - ) : all members of our lowships have been established at pings and other materials: Howard Association. Columbia University in his honor by one Rathbun, Dorothy Danks, Ellen Coates, of his admirers. Rathbone, former direc Phillip C. Thurston, Aileen Brewer, Beth JOHN RATHBUN and Wendy J. Pao tor of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, is a Kiteley, Rob Rathbun, Jayne Rezin, El lino were married May 7 in North Provi member of our Association. He is the len Kenyon, Robert L. Rathbun, John dence, R.I. He is the son of Charles and son of Howard BettsB Rathbone (Peter7 Bowen, Joe Wiswall, Mildred Rathburn, Carole Rathbun of North Providence. Elijah6 Moses5 Joshua4 Jonathan3 Victor and Ruth Streeter, Fred C. and We do not know the identity of this fam John2-1). Shirley Rathbun, Paul and Zona Rath ily. Can anyone help? bun , Ronald L. Rathburn, Perry T. Rath ANN HAYMAKER and Vincent Calla bone, Betty Drake, Jean Bollig, Charles MELISSA KAYE RATHBUN and Jay way were married April 29, 1989, at Beveridge, Charles A. Murray, Richard Schwinefus were married May 6 in Yuma, Arizona. Mrs. Haymaker, widow and Roberta Rathbun, Jay Peterson, Spring Valley, Minn. Melissa is the of Wesley Haymaker, is a member of Cheryl Jensen, Mary Van Epps, Frank daughter of Jerry9 Rathbun (WilburB By our Association. She is the daughter of E. Rathbun, Lauren Landis, Imogene 7 6 5 4 3 2 9 ron Gamaliel Walter Thomas - - Walter Berry and Vida Rathbone (Co Hodges, Howard and Hooter Colborn, 7 6 5 4 John 1) , and his wife, Carol (Norby) kerB Edmund Gideon Edmund - Ben and Rosalie Rathbun, Mary Pearl Rathbun. John3-2-1) . Whitman, Clair Cornell.