__
|
_Laurent G. BERNIER ___|
| (1924 - ....) |
| |__
|
|
|--Roger BERNIER
| (1955 - ....)
| __
| |
|_Claircy M. THIBEAULT _|
(1929 - ....) |
|__
_Elihu CHASE ________+
| (1743 - ....) m 1773
_Asa CHASE __________|
| (1777 - 1865) m 1799|
| |_Sarah GOVE _________
| m 1773
|
|--Elihu CHASE
| (1800 - 1886)
| _Jonathan TOWLE _____+
| | (1747 - 1822) m 1773
|_Huldah TOWLE _______|
(1775 - 1858) m 1799|
|_Miriam MARSTON _____+
(1749 - 1835) m 1773
[299] Elihu and Betsey lived at Springfield, New Hampshire.
_Everett Leland CUNNINGHAM _
| (1945 - ....) m 1964
_Edward Lewis CUNNINGHAM _|
| (1969 - ....) |
| |_Anne May WILSON ___________+
| (1945 - ....) m 1964
|
|--Eddie Lee CUNNINGHAM
| (1991 - ....)
| ____________________________
| |
|_UNMARRIED _______________|
|
|____________________________
__
|
_Richard HIGGINS ____|
| |
| |__
|
|
|--Eliakim HIGGINS
| (1654 - ....)
| __
| |
|_Mary YATES _________|
|
|__
_Bert Herbert SMITH II_+
| (1924 - 1969) m 1945
_Bert Herbert SMITH III_|
| (1946 - ....) m 1968 |
| |_Arlene May WILSON ____+
| (1924 - 1996) m 1945
|
|--Barton Frederick SMITH
| (1969 - ....)
| _______________________
| |
|_Linda RUSSELL _________|
m 1968 |
|_______________________
__
|
_Christopher STROUT _|
| m 1680 |
| |__
|
|
|--Anthony STROUT
| (1705 - ....)
| __
| |
|_Sarah PICKE ________|
(.... - 1723) m 1680|
|__
_James TOWLE __________+
| (1698 - 1756) m 1725
_Jonathan TOWLE _____|
| (1747 - 1822) m 1773|
| |_Kezia PERKINS ________+
| (1709 - 1794) m 1725
|
|--Jonathan TOWLE Jr.
| (1777 - 1860)
| _Capt. Daniel MARSTON _
| |
|_Miriam MARSTON _____|
(1749 - 1835) m 1773|
|_Sarah CLOUGH _________
[251]
Jonathan Jr. departed Pittsfield the winter of 1802-1802 along with his brother
Daniel. They went to Avon, Maine, in the mountainous region northeast of the White
Mountains and southeast of the Rangeley lakes, were both married and settled and
raised large families.
Jonathan was 24 years old when he started for Avon. This was the El Dorado of a
century ago, and "down east" was to them well nigh as veenturesome as "out west" was
later.
Equally with his brother Daniel(823) was a man of marked character and
individuality; nor was it altogether brotherly admiration that made Daniel estimate
Jonathan's abilities as greater than his own, although his career was not as
successful as that of Daniel.
He was short in stature and rather stout, dark complexion, with dark eyes and
hair, the latter becoming snow white in later years. He had round features, and was
always smooth shaven.
His wife was the widow of Capt. Joseph Soule, od Duxbury, and was probably a
descendant of the George Soule who came over in the Mayflower. She had three children
at the time of her marriage to Jonathan(822), Joshua, Polly, Joseph.
Jonathan became infirm about 1820, and for over forty years was a great care to
his family. He lived to an advanced age, dying in 1860. The following is a caption
from:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE FRANKLIN PATRIOT.
Farmington, Maine. Friday. FEB 3, 1860
OBITUARY.-Passed to the spirit-land on the morning of the 24th ult.. Mr. Jonathan
Towle, of Avon, age 82 years, 7 months, and 23 days.
It seems proper, when one of our pioneers passes away, to more than just
chronicic their decase, hence a few words.
Mr. Towle was born in New Hampshire, in 1777, and removed from Pittsfield, N.H.,
to Avon, in 1803, where he commenced the now "old homestead," more than half a
century ago, which according to lineal descent, is now represented by a son of the
same name. So attached to his early home in Maine, where his joys and sorrows have
nearly all been experienced, was he, that for nearly thirty years he has not spent a
night elsewhere.
He leaves six sons, two of them living in the West, to mourn the loss of thier
last parent, their mother having gone on before, about three years ago, age 80 years,
they having lived together over 50 years.
Their example of steadfastness, in this moving age is worthy of note. For 57
years in prosperity and adversity , in health and sickness, in summer and in winter,
and, at last, in death, were they found at their old home, on the "hill farm."
-Com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Belle Knowlton(1119), his granddaughter, writes: "I think my father's family had
the most fun in themof any people I ever saw." There was always something going on at
the Jonathan Towle(822) place, and dances and other social festivities were of
frequent occurrence.
The house they lived in was situated about half a mile from Daniel's(823), and
was up the river road towards Phillips; it was of one story, with pitch roof. There
were but two rooms on the lower floor, with a large attic. The houses of the brothers
were in plain sight of each other, both being situated on high ground. The building
where Jonathan lived is still standing, and is occupied at the present time.
Let us endeavor to sketch out the probable course of events following the
departure of the two young men for their new home. Each had an ox-team loaded with
provisions and such rude farming utensils as would be of service, guns, ammunition
and axes, some rude home-made clothing, possibly a Bible and another book or two, and
that was all.(Three essentials always were taken: a gun, a kettle, and a trap). Very
likely they may have had a little money, (Jonahtan(803) gave each of his girls $50
and a cow when they left home. He may have did as much for his boys) but that in the
country to which they were going would count for but little. They were weeks on the
road, and it was probably well towards winter before they arrived in Avon. Why they
went there, whether the land was purchased before or after their arrival, of who they
bought, and for how much, we do not know. Possibly the beauty of the location may
have appealed to them, but it is more likely that the fact that wood and water were
plenty, was the deciding feature.
It is but fair to suppose that the new-comers followed the usual course with
fresh arrivals. Whether they lived with neighboring farmers or not is uncertain, but
it is perhaps more probable that they put up some kind of shack that would protect
them from the inclement weather of the first winter. That year each probably cut down
five or six acres of timber, and in the spring burnt the ground over for planting.
The next year the settler generally built a log house, planted corn and possibly
potatoes and beans. Usually the family moved in the second year, about harvest time.
The main staple of food this year was corn meal.
The third year, the settler would erect a barn, and raise a crop of wheat.
Not until the fourth year would the family begin to be fairly comfortable. Then
English hay, wheat, rye and other farm products would be added to the list.
After seven years in this manner of living, each year marked with increasing
comfort, the settler might venture to erect a frame house. The frame and boarding
would be got out on the premises. The shingles or outside covering also would be of
home amnufacture; even the nails, if any were used, were made by hand. When all was
ready, some day would be set, the neighbors would all turn to, and the settler would
have a house raising. In an incredibly short time the house would be ready for
occupancy. Most of the houses were not plastered at first, this being done later when
circumstances permitted.
Practically no maoney was in circulation. Everything was transacted by trade or
barter. The farmer would take such products as he had for sale to the nearest, or to
the best market if a large producer, and receive in return such goods and luxuries as
were needed in the country village, or would be useful on the farm.
_Thomas Frederick TOWLE Sr._+
| (1933 - 1991) m 1955
_Thomas Frederick TOWLE Jr._|
| (1956 - ....) m 1977 |
| |_Madeline O DOREY __________
| (1937 - ....) m 1955
|
|--Thomas Frederick TOWLE III
| (1979 - ....)
| ____________________________
| |
|_Carol CROWLEY _____________|
(1961 - ....) m 1977 |
|____________________________
_John WINCHELL ______+
| (1680 - 1733) m 1706
_Samuel WINCHELL ____|
| (1711 - 1785) m 1738|
| |_Martha ENO _________
| (1685 - ....) m 1706
|
|--Ebenezer WINCHELL
| (1749 - ....)
| _____________________
| |
|_Sarah MCNEISS ______|
(1718 - 1783) m 1738|
|_____________________