~ THE LINEAGE of JOHN GEORGE PHILLIPS BUCZEK ~ Researched, written and transcribe by John Phillips Buczek
Here in I provide some notes on my lineage. There being many more than these, I provide a brief synopsis. The brothers of Nicholas have been included so as to record the first known of this family to arrive in the New World, there after, only my direct ancestors with the surname Phillips will be included.
NICHOLAS PHILLIPS
Nicholas Phillips resided in Wendover Parish Buckinghampshire England. He married 26 June 1631 Elizabeth Jewson, daughter of Richard Jusson and Elizabeth Kipping. He arrived in the New World about 1633 -34 and settled in Contentment now Dedham, Massachusetts with his wife Elizabeth, their children Alice and Richard.
Nicholas was granted land 18 August 1636 of 12 acres in Dedham The land was located near the center of the settlement on both sides of what is now known as High Street bordering the Charles River. The General court of Massachusetts, 3 September 1635 ordered that a plantation be set up about two miles above the falls of the Charles River. The signers of the petition with the Court bore the signatures of twenty-five , all of whom took part in the deliberations of one or more of the first three meeetings of the society. The names included that of Nicholas Phillips. Nicholas Phillips received "12 acres more or lesse as it lyeth between Ezechiell Holliman Toward Ye East
and Lambert Genere Towards Ye West and butts vpon Charles Riu (note French maps indicate the Charles as such) towards the North , and vponthe Swamps and burying place, Towards the South, the High Street through the same"
Click on the map to the left to see a larger image
"Nicholas Phillips and Joseph Kingsbury, doe laye downe each of them to the Towne one pcell of Ye South end of their house lotts and betwixt the same and Swamps. Terely as it is at p'sent set out for the use of publike Buriall palce for Ye Town for ever, 6 of Ye 2 mo 1638"
"Joseph Kingsbery and Nicholas Phillips laying down each a p'cll of ground for a burial place are to have good allowance of ground in some other place Ye same as also Ye same Nicholas for a p'cell of ground laye down by hin at the Keye"
He settled as a farmer and was civic minded and religious. A portion of his twelve acres became part of the Town Cemetery and later the sale of his land on 1 August 1639 to John Allen marks his removal to Weymouth. At a Town meeting at Dedham, 28 September 1637, he with his brothers are mentioned as being present. A meeting held on November 1, 1637, Nicholas was commissioned to fell trees for a Meeting House it was completed on 28 August 1638. He, along with John Howard, were choosen to "Mowe, gather and bring home thatch for ye Meeting House". He took the freemans oath on May 13, 1640 in Dedham Ma..
Nicholas, with his family, removed to Wessagussett now Weymouth, Massachusetts about 1640 where he became Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Weymouth. His land of 13 acres, lot number 3 and 39 acres of lot number 24 bordered what today is known as "Phillips Creek". His will, dates 2 June 1671 and probated 7 September 1672 lists seven descendants and so it is presumed his wife pre-deceased him
Click on the map to the left to see larger image.Up to 1651 meetings had been frequent, the first town meeting took place 26 November 1651. Among the records it was voted "we elect Nicholas Phillips, Thomas Deyer and Thomas White, raters to make such rates as were need for the Town".
Nicholas Phillips was first listed as Deacon of the Weymouth Church and agin in 1660 with the First Congregational Church of Weymouth - organized since January 1644. It was recorded in 1663 two divisions of the Town with Deacon Nicholas Phillips of lot 3, 13 acres, under the First Division . Thomas Drake was also of this First Division with lot 70, of 6 acres. In the Second Division Deacon Phillips had 39 acres at lot 24, Thomas Drake with 18 acres in lot 33. These lots were supposed to have been granted according to a vote of the town at a much earlier date.
The old "Phillips Homestead" was started upon Phillips Creek in the Old Spain section and probably extended on both sides of the stream for a considerable distance.
Nicholas is buried at Watch Hill Cemetery
MARTIN PHILLIPS
Brother to Nicholas and Henry ,settled in Dedham; he also removed to Weymouth and had land next to Nicholas. No marriage is recorded for Martin and little else is known
HENRY PHILLIPS
Brother to Nicholas and Martin was known to be in the New World at Watertown, Massachusetts as early as 1629. He removed to Dedham, were he purchased land from his bother Nicholas. He was one of the earliest settlers of Dedham and came there as a ministerial candidate but never became a minister. He was known to Cotton Mather who had listed him as a minister residing in Dedham. Henry was later listed as "Ensign" and later removed to Boston, Massachusetts where he became a purveyor of goods and a butcher.
Henry married three times, first Elizabeth Brock in Dedham on 5 March 1639 who died 1 August 1640 "in a lingering and long sickness wasting her body the Lord graciously supported her spirit with the apprehensions of His favor being further spent than herself or her friends were aware of she departed lif and slept sweetly in the Lord… and was interred the day following". He married second 1 May 1641in Dedham Ann Hunting and it is presumed that this marriage ended in tragedy, for he married third Mary Dwight possibly soon after he removed to Boston, for this marriage is not recorded in Dedham.
There is recorded seven recorded children born to Henry in Dedham, however it is believed he had eleven children; Abigail born 2 October 1645, Eleazer 30 January 1641/2, Hannah 25 May 1643, Henry baptized 28 September 1656, John 20 June 1648, Nathan baptized 3 April 1650 and Sarah 30 August 1650. With the exception of Henry and Nathan, all being the children of Henry and Ann. The records further state that Henry, son of Henry "of the Church of Dedham" baptized First Church Boston.
ENSIGN RICHARD PHILLIPS
Eldest son of Deacon Nicholas Phillips married 1656 - 57 first Mary Packard of Easton daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Packard ; Mary died 17 October 1695. He married 8 May 1678 second, widow Elizabeth Edson Kingman of Easton, former wife of John Kingman and daughter of Samuel Edson and Susanna Orcutt.
At a meeting of the Selectman of Weymouth 14, December 1633, "the number of acres in each persons lotts in the 2nd Division beginning on Brauntry lyne". Richard was granted lot number 78 at the Weymouth Settlement and 16 acres near town. He took the freemans oath 8 May 1678. He was a civic minded person as well as religious. Richard was a farmer who raised sheep and spun the wool into yarn .
Although the marriage to Mary Packard does not appear in either the Dedham or Weymouth records, it would appear that the marriage occurred in 1657 for there is recorded, Son (not named), born 7 December 1657 died soon. I suspect that a search of the Easton Massachusetts records would show the marriages of both Mary Packard and Elizabeth Edson Kingman to Richard.
Richard died October 17, 1695, his will of October 1695 was inventoried 27 November 1695.
Richards title of Ensign is not described any where, to my knowledge, as to it's meaning or how he received it. Chamberlains History of Weymouth calls him "Ensign Richard" but goes no further in the description. I presume he was in the Militia at one time.
It is at this time an important juncture occurs, for at this time there are two brothers John Phillips and Joshua Phillips born to Richard Phillips and Mary Packard. The significance of this can be shown with relative ease.
The brothers John and Joshua marry their betrothed and have children; Thomas Phillips the son of Captain John Phillips, and Joshua Phillips Jr. the son of Josuah Phillips, first cousins, both marry their betrothed and likewise have families. It was the children of these two marriages that create a unique family relationship.
Philip Phillips, son of Thomas Phillips and Mercy Phillips daughter of Joshua Phillips Jr., second cousins, marry. So I must find myself following both lines to the point that Philip and Mercy marry.
Captain John Phillips lineage to Philip Phillips
CAPTAIN JOHN PHILLIPS
The son of Ensign Richard Phillips and Mary Packard and brother to Joshua Phillips Sr., his date of birth is "not recorded" according to Chamberlain in the History of Weymouth, however there are two sources one stating "twin to Samuel" which would make his date of birth 7 May 1670 or the other which would make his date of birth 1672. Either way, he would be the youngest son of Ensign Richard or the youngest son with Samuel. John was called a son by Ensign Richard Phillips, 27 Oct. 1695, could this also mean that he was adopted or that Ensign Richard was his guardian? I suspect not, his birth may be recorded in one of the neighboring towns or he may in fact been a twin and his name not recorded with Samuel's.
John Phillips married first about 1690 Elizabeth Drake daughter of Thomas Drake and Jane Holbrook. There were nine children of this marriage and after Elizabeth Drakes death, 24 June 1748 he married second widow Bridget Southworth 10 April 1749 who died 17 March 1764. There were no children of this second marriage as far as I know. Her parents I am not familiar with.
He removed to Easton, Massachusetts about 1693, with William Manley, they dividing one share of land (the fifty-second lot) between them. His half was north of the Manley's, and included the Morse privlege, extending north of Mr. Morse's house and quite a distance eastward. His house was on the spot where the house (formerly the home) of Mr. Morse now stands. He was a prominent man in the early town history and was the first town clerk, serving twelve years in that capacity.
Click on the image to the left to see larger imageHe with six other families (Clement Briggs, William manley, William Hayward, Thomas Randall I, Thomas Randall II and Thomas Drake) appear to be the only settlers in what is now known as Easton, prior to 1696; for in July 20 of that year their names are given as inclusive of all the "neighborhood" in the east end of the North Purchase. This appears by the following vote passed at a meeting of the North-Purchase proprietors held in the "Taunton meeting house", July 20, 1696:
"3dly, at the same time Thomas Randall and William Manley Desired the Grass this year on the meadows in the North Purchase, between the great Cedar Swamp and Dorchester bounds and Bridgewater bounds and as far southward as to take in Cranbury meadow, they acting for themselves and the rest of the Neighborhood; viz William Hayward, Thomas Drake, John Phillips, Clement Briggs and Thomas Randall II for which they promise to pay 10 shillings in money this year to the Clerk, for which the said Proprietors Promised said grass to them for this year, 1696"
He was the first Captain that bore a commission in the Town of Easton. He was a soldier as early as 1690 serving in the Expedition against Quebec. Forty years afterwards the Colony granted the Township of Huntstown (now Ashfield) to the soldiers, and Captain Phillips had some shares.
THOMAS PHILLIPS Sr.
Thomas Phillips youngest child of Captain John Phillips and Elizabeth Drake marries first near 1738 Catherine Liscomb daughter of Philip Liscomb and Charity Jordan; he marries again 10/1/1777 Rachel Wood parents unknown. Thomas was christened 28 February 1719 in Ipswich Massachusetts Essex County. His first marriage occurs as a resident of Easton, where his first child, Ketura, is listed as being born 27 December 1736, the mother being Catherine Liscomb.
I mention Ketura's birth, for next is mentioned Philip Phillips. There is no record of his birth that I know of, however dates being given are 3 February 1738 or 1739; nor is there any clearly defined date of death for Tomas's first wife Catherine. These issues will be dealt with in further writings.
Thomas Phillips did not remain in Easton, for it was some time in 1739 or 1740 that he went to western Massachusetts and settled in Huntstown.
Thomas Phillips and his family, were the second settlers in Ashfield, Ma. known at that time to be Huntstown soon after the arrival of Richard Ellis and his wife Jane (Phillips) sister of Thomas. This area was named for a man who never saw the place. Captain Ephraim Hunt of Weymouth, was a Company Commander during King William’s War and was paid for his services by a grant of land. In 1736 a committee was assembled to lay out a Township of the Contents of six miles square in some suitable place westward of Deerfield in the county of Hampshire. The records further state that said Town be laid out into sixty three equal shares, one of which to be for the first Settled Minister. The order further states “that the plat (plot) be accepted and the lands therein delineated and described be and hereby are confirmed to the officers and soldiers of the Company in the Canada Expedition Anno 1660 under the Command of the late Captain Ephraim Hunt deceased and to the Heirs, legal Representatives and Decedents ....... provided the plat exceeds not the quantity of six miles square of land and does not interfere with any former grant.”. Captain John Phillips served with Captain Hunt during the Canada Expedition; ergo his decedent Thomas Phillips was the recipient of this land for Captain John Phillips remained in Taunton. On July 24, 1739 the Proprietors met to draw their first lots and Captain John Phillips drew twelfth for lot number 13 for Richard Phillips (who also served) and fourteenth for lot number 6 for himself.
Mr. Phillips built for himself a log house about one half to the North of the dwelling of his only fellow townsman, Mr. Ellis”. During the time frame prior to 1742, it is said by Thomas Phillips ancestors that he used to come up from Deerfield every spring to make sugar maple with a five pail iron kettle, an axe and a weeks supply of provisions. He must have also been clearing land and building a log house for he moved in the spring of 1745. A number of families joined them over the next ten years so that by the year 1754 they numbered from ten to fifteen families and nearly one hundred souls. Although records indicate that Thomas had five or six more children born in Deerfield, the Deerfield Vital records do not indicate as such. This probably was as a result of the children actually being born in the Settlement of Hunts Town at that time and only a few were recorded in Deerfield as time and travel permitted. It must be remembered that there were no roads to speak of in early times and travel was limited.
There had been but one meeting held in Hunts Town with Daniel Alden as Moderator. The meetings were usually held in Hadley or Hatfield but on September 1760 at a Proprietors meeting in the house of Mr. John Victory it was decided to purchase a law book for the use of the inhabitants and to hold future meetings in Hunts Town. On March 25, 1761 a meeting was held at Thomas Phillips house to vote to “rase” a tax of thirty shillings on each Right for laying out and mending roads, also voted to procure a Bull for the use of the Inhabitants and that Moses Smith provide and keep a Boar, also to rase six pence on each Right to purchase a law book and that Nathan Chapin be a committee to effect same. About this time it is recorded “that there were nineteen families here”. The next meeting on May 20, 1761 was also held at Thomas Phillips house and a committee of three men from Deerfield was chosen to say how much Chileab Smith shall be paid for sawing boards, also voted to sue for the clerk and the treasurer’s books then at Hatfield.
Between 1762 and 1764 regular Town Meetings were being held. Since the incorporation of the Town now known as Ashfield, it was necessary to have Town Officers it is recorded “the 6th day of January, 1766, to elect necessary officers”. This was for Ashfield’s first legal town meeting and this is the list of officers recorded as elected: Samuel Belding, Timothy Lewis, Ebeneezer Belding, Thomas Phillips, Selectman; and Joseph Mitchell, Constable.
Thomas Phillips died about 1791 in Ashfield. Thomas Phillips after being one of the Towns prominent citizens, one of the original inhabitants, active in government and participant in many activities of this Town, may have died a poor man for in the “Beldingville Grounds” there stands a substantial monument for Richard Ellis the first settler however the grave of Thomas Phillips the second settler of the town is unmarked. Some of our ancestors claim that he is buried directly back of the Ellis monument in the next row to the east.
I now turn to the births of his children in Huntstown, now known as Ashfield, Massachusetts. Recorded in the records of Deerfield, there are but three births and they being recorded as "baptisms". Charity was baptized 28 October 1744, Elisabeth baptized 5 November 1749 and Thomas baptized 12 July 1747. We have knowledge of his first born, Ketura, who was born in Easton and another child mentioned as Philip. There is further knowledge of three more children, Simeon born 15 April 1742, Sarah born about 1752 and Caleb born about 1755. I, as many Phillips genealogists, have these children of Thomas. I have them as a result of a Genealogy published in 1983 by Edith Bradley a descendant of Nicholas Phillips. There are, however, no known records. A search of the records of Ashfield births done by myself, I found no records for any of Thomas's children recorded, where as I have found all of his grand children's births.
At this time, I would like to divert your attention to some questions regarding Thomas and Philip Phillips>>>>>
Joshua Phillips Sr. lineage to Mercy Phillips
JOSHUA PHILLIPS SR.
Joshua Phillips, fifth son of Richard Phillips and Mary Packard and brother to Captain John Phillips was born 10 May 1662 in Easton. He married Amy Drake about 1686 in Weymouth, Ma., daughter of Thomas Drake and Jane Holbrook. She was born 3 February 1665 in Weymouth, Ma..
He served under Capt. William Turner on the Connecticut River during King Philip's war
Upon his death, Amy Phillips and Thomas Drake of Weymouth, sawyer, were granted administration on the estate of Josuah Phillips of Weymouth, deceased, near 1690. Inventory taken by John Holbrook and James Nash, 23 January 1690 and presented by Aymee Phillips as estate of her late husband, 27 January 1690. I know little more of Joshua Sr. other than the children of the marriage.
John born before 1687. Amy born 10 October 1687 and Joshua Jr. born 19 April 1689
JOSHUA PHILLIPS JR.
Joshua Phillips Jr., third son of Joasuha Phillips Sr. and Amy Drake. He took in hand Hannah Jones on 21 November 1715, she was born October 1694 the daughter of Jediah Jones and Hannah Davis. I know little more of Joshua Jr. other than the children of the marriage.
Lydia born 1720, Dighton, Ma., she married Constant Simmons; Joshua III born 1722; Samuel born 1726; Richard born 18 September 1728; Abeizer born 13 November 1730; Hannah born 1 March 1735 she married William Paul on 17 August 1749; Jane born 25 May 1736 and Mercy born 25 June 1737.
Mercy married Philip Phillips, her second cousin.
PHILIP PHILLIPS and MERCY PHILLIPS
The Marriage of Philip Phillips occurred on Friday September 22, 1758. Philip married his second cousin, Mercy Phillips October 1758. Born June 23, 1737 in Dighton, Ma., died October 15, 1845 in Ashfield, Ma.. She was the daughter of Joshua Phillips II and Hannah Jones. Philip and Mercy started out their marriage with the birth of “Elijah” who was born Sunday February 14, 1759, “Abner” one year later was born on Saturday March 25, 1760. Two years passed before they had their third child “Lemuel” who was born Tuesday November 26, 1762 a Thanksgiving baby; “Philip Jr.” arrived Sunday July 29, 1764. “David” arrived Tuesday February 20, 1766 and two years later “Simeon” was born on Wednesday June 1, 1768. Again, another two years passed when they had “Israel Sr.”, he was born Wednesday May 23, 1770, then came “Joshua” who was born Wednesday November 30, 1771. “Abiather” was then born on Wednesday October 27, 1773. It appears that Philip and Mercy were on a schedule for the last three children were all born on a Wednesday. The chain breaks with the arrival of “Samuel” who arrived on Monday August 14, 1775, then “Liscomb” was born on Sunday March 23, 1777. Finally “Hannah” born Friday February 5, 1779 and “Anna” on Wednesday October 2, 1782. All of the children were born in Ashfield, Massachusetts.
Philip Phillips commenced life by building his house on the west side of Bellows Hill, where the old cellar hole may still be seen from the highway just over in Mr. Levant Grays pasture. He afterwards built a large two story house on the corner opposite where Mr. Gray now lives. He had thirteen children, two daughters and eleven sons, each son said to have been over six feet in height, all of whom were in Captain Phillips Company. He held a commission from the King and when the Revolutionary war broke out deemed it his duty to remain loyal to his oath and his Sovereign, therefore he was classed as one of the Tories and forced to pay heavy fines. Not withstanding this, after the war he was chosen Representative to the General Court and was Justice of the Peace for many years.
Philip Phillips became a Justice of the Peace and performed marriages till his death in 1800. Prior to 1850, the following men have been commissioned Justices of the Peace while residing in this Town: Jacob Sherwin, Philip Phillips, Ephraim Paine, Enos Smith, Henry Bassett, Thomas White, Levi Cook, Dimick Ellis, James McFarland, Russell Bement, Chester Sanderson. The office of the Justice of the Peace was a very important one. He solemnized marriages, issued writs, tried both civil and criminal cases, and was both judge and jury in his decisions. Captain Phillips was one of the earliest state magistrates. He also represented the Town in the Legislature of the Commonwealth. He served as a selectman for the Town in the years 1762, 1768 and 1788.
An old record book of the trials before him May 1790, to September 1792, shows over three hundred cases tried before him in that time, most of them at his dwelling house. Many cases were for debt, and often “Defendant did not appear tho Solemnly Called and was default”. Everything was recorded in due legal form, but the spelling is somewhat original. A number of “A salt and Batery” cases are mentioned and some boys were tried for stealing “Watermillions” and fined 5s (shilling). Simeon Crittenden and Benjamin Spinning were before the Court on complaint of Nathaniel Sherwin, tithing man (?), for “Disorderly Behavior on the Lords Day in the House of Public Worship” and fined 5s each. There are a number of cases of fines imposed for profane swearing. An old treasures receipt shows cash received from Esquire Phillips for fines imposed, among which was one for 5s, on Joseph Lilly “for uttering one profane oath”. There is a tradition that when the fine was imposed, Lilly, who was an odd character, put his plea for clemency beginning as follows, “Well now Squire, this is too Damn Bad”. Tut, Tut replies Squire Phillips, “Be careful Lilly, or I shall have to fine you again”.
In spite of his poor spelling, the decisions of Esquire Phillips seem to have been highly respected for the fairness and good judgment shown, for he had important cases from adjoining towns before him, both as justice and arbitrator.
He served as Representative to the General Court in 1789. The pay for lawmakers was small and usually fixed by the Legislature of that year. The pay for the year 1812 was $2 per day in session which was about 60 days. The fare to from Boston to Ashfield and return was about $8. A story of record goes... Squire Phillips was sent one year and the town at the meeting seemed favorably disposed to send him another, when “Uncle Zeke Taylor”, who was not quite friendly to the Squire, said he had always noticed that the representatives the first year served the state, the second year they served themselves and the third year they served the devil; but Squire Phillips had been smarter than the rest and served all three in one year and he thought they had better send another man. It seems that the argument was convincing, for another man was sent.
Philip Phillips was a great hunter in his younger days and it is recorded that he killed twenty-nine bears in one season. It must be remembered that about mid life (1776) there were only fifty-six adults living in forty-seven houses on 680+ acres of land. There were other wild life which also provided food and possibly clothing for the settlers of this new area. He may have gained his “Captains” title due to his ability with a gun, for in 1800 there were two companies of enrolled militia, the Ashfield “North Company” then recently commanded by Capt. Philip Phillips and the Ashfield “South Company” then under the Capt. Asa Cranson. There is no further record of the North Company. This may have been a result of disbanding due to Philip Phillips death in 1800.
ISRAEL PHILLIPS SR.
Israel Phillips the seventh born of Philip and Mercy Phillips. Little is known of Israel at this time other than what is recorded as his marriage and the children of the marriage.
The marriage of Israel Phillips Sr. Israel Sr. met and married Mehitable Belding, they married October 1795 in Ashfield. Mehitable is thought to be part Native American and the daughter of John Belding and Keturah, last name unknown and possibly Native American. A picture once existed in the Phillips family that were of two people, one being Native American, it is thought that this picture was of Israel and Mehitable. Israel Sr. remained in Ashfield until Mehitables death which occurred on Friday November 20, 1841 in Ashfield. Israel must have moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts for there his death is recorded on Friday February 23, 1844. They are both buried in Baptist Corner Cemetary in Ashfield, her gravestone is barely readable. They had four children, “Jerusha” born Saturday February 27, 1798. She married Sunday November 30, 1819 Isaac Sheppard Jr. who was born Tuesday February 2, 1797 in Ashfield the son of Isaac Sheppard Sr and Sarah last name unknown. Jerusha and Isaac lived at Four Corners in Buckland, Massachusetts until they moved to New York State. “Ebenezer” was born next on Thursday July 22, 1798 in Ashfield, he died one year eleven months later on Sunday July 13, 1800, twenty seven days prior to the death of his grandfather, Philip. “Isreal Jr.” will be discussed later. Finally, “Edwin” was born on Wednesday April 7, 1807. The joy was not to last, for like his brother Ebenezer, Edwin died young. Nineteen days after his birth on Friday April 26, 1807, Edwin died. There were only two children of this marriage that lived to grow to adulthood and marry, fortunately Isreal Jr. was one of them, for he is my great-great-greatgrandfather.
ISRAEL PHILLIPS JR.
Israel Phillips the third born of Israel Sr. and Mehitable. Little is known of Israel at this time other than what is recorded as his marriage and the children of the marriage.
The marriage of Israel Jr. to Sabrina Ward occurrd Thursday February 22, 1827 in Ashfield. Isreal was born on Friday March 23, 1804, Sabrina was born Saturday December 12, 1807 and was the daughter of daughter of John Ward and Lois Cranson. Sabrina Ward has a long list of Ancestors going back to William and Elizabeth Ward. William was the responsible for establishing Sudbury, Massachusetts, he was the great-grandfather of Artemus Ward the first Commander In Chief of the Revolutionary Army. Isreal and Sabrina had ten children, unfortunately their first two died young. “Infant Child” born Sunday February 1, 1829 and died thirty-four days later on Thursday March 5, 1829; “Infant Child” was born on Monday February 15, 1830 and died at birth. Two years later they had a healthy child named “Emiline” born Friday March 9, 1832, then John Ward was born Sunday May 4, 1834. “Alonzo” was born Monday June 8, 1835, “Winsor” was born two years later on Tuesday August 8, 1837. A girl was born next on Tuesday March 6, 1838 “Lois” was born; then “Mable” on Wednesday June 3, 1840. Two boys followed, “Edwin” born Sunday November 12, 1843 and finally, “Ralph” on Saturday December 30, 1848. Israel remained in Ashfield and died Saturday May 8, 1869; his widow Sabrina died Thursday May 10, 1883.
The Children of Israel and Sabrina began their own lives; Emiline married Henry Barrows, where and when is unknown. John Ward will be discussed later. Alonzo married Eliza Green in Buckland where and when is unknown now. The had one son Archie Truman. They are all buried in Baptist Corner Cemetery. Winsor apparently did not marry and liked hunting. He was shot by accident and died Friday June 12, 1874. Lois made married Henry Green, where and when is not known at this time. Mable married Alonzo Payne, he was born about 1839. Mable and Alonzo had two children, nothing is know about them. Mable died Friday August 14, 1914 a widow, her husband Alonzo had died a year earlier on Thursday August 2, 1886. Edwin married Wednesday June 9, 1869 Elizabeth Anna Phillips, she was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts about 1851. They had five children. Edwin died in 1927, Elizabeth died in 1926, both in Ashfield. Ralph married Martha Esther Maria Wilder born Thursday February 24, 1842 in Williamsburg Pa., parents are unknown at this time. They apparently traveled around the area, for they had eight children, three born in Ashfield, two in Leyden, one in Charlemont, one in Conway and the last in Buckland. Buckland may be were they died and are buried, Ralph died Sunday October 26, 1913 and Martha died Wednesday September 22, 1909.
JOHN WARD PHILLIPS
John Ward Phillips the fourth born of Israel Jr. and Sabrina. Little is known of John at this time other than what is recorded as his marriage and the children of the marriage.
The marriage of John W. Phillips to Duvernez Reniff was held Friday December 24, 1875 in Brattleboro Vt.. Duvernez was born in Brattleboro Sunday January 30 1858, she was the daughter of Lucius Reniff and Diadama Field. After four years of marriage John and Duvernez had their first child, a daughter, “Fuella”, she was born saturday March 29, 1879. Next was “Winsor Lucius” born Monday February 28, 1881. Two years later “Eugene Millard” arrived on Friday July 6, 1881, “Lucy” arrived next on Monday July 12, 1886. Finally, “Florence” was born, she arived Saturday July 23, 1887. All of the children were born in Buckland, Massachusetts. John died in Buckland on Wednesday January 1, 1893 of shot gun wounds. He was sitting on a chair on the back porch when death came; Duvernez died eighteen years later on Friday June 15, 1916.
There isn't much known about the children at this time. No information on Fuella, Winsor Lucius will be discussed later. Eugene Millard married Minnie L. Buck possibly in Buckland. Minnie was born in 1858 in Buckland. They had two known children, John E. born Saturday October 25, 1919. John and his wife, Alice, enjoyed bingo so much that he gained the nickname “Johnny Bingo”. He and his wife appeared on many talent shows and sang Country Western music. Mildred Irene was born in 1909. Eugene died in 1951 and Millie died in 1983, they both buried in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Florence born Saturday July 23, 1887 in Buckland, she married a Mr. Cleavland.
WINSOR LUCIUS PHILLIPS SR.
Winsor Lucius Phillips, the second born of John Ward and Duvernez. Little is known of Winsor at this time other than what is recorded as his marriage and the children of the marriage.
Winsor Lucius Phillips married Rose Mae Burnham on Tuesday May 24, 1904 possibly in Meridan Connecticut. Rose was born on board ship on it’s way to the United States according to her daughter Ethel. Her family was immigrating to this country from Germany. She arrived on Friday December 26, 1885 recorded in Meridan. Connecticut. Winsor and Rose had five children. The first being “Howard Eugene” born Wednesday February 2, 1907 in Shelburne Falls, Howard married Thelma Bassett of Conway they had three children, Donald, Neil and Joan. The next was “Winsor Jr.” born Saturday July 10, 1909 in Conway, he married Helen Berg of Worcester, Massachusetts before 1937. Helen was born Thursday January 4, 1912 in Worcester and was the daughter of John Berg and Anna Eliason both of Norway. They had one child, John. Winsor died Thursday March 3, 1968 in Shelburne Falls and Helen died in 1950 possibly in Boston. They are both buried in separate graves in the Arms Cemetery in Shelburne Falls. “Madeline” was born Tuesday May 5, 1912 in Shelburne Falls she married Peter Mitchell, then his brother, Charles Mitchell. The marriages resulted in the birth of three children. “Ethel Rose” was born next, she married Chester Rogalskie and second Richard Mitchell. There were three children of these marriages. Aunt Ethel is alive and kicking at the time of this writing... God Bless her. Finally “Lucy Mary” was born, she married Walter Cahill and they had three children.
Winsor Lucius died Tuesday May 25, 1943 and Rose died a widow on Friday February 2, 1968. They both died in Shelburne Falls and are buried together in the Arms Cemetery in Shelburne Falls.
WINSOR LUCIUS JR.
Winsor Lucius Phillips Jr., the third born of Winsor Lucius Sr. and Rose. Little is known of Winsor at this time other than what is recorded as his marriage and myself, their son.
Winsor Lucius Phillips was born in Conway, Ma. on July 10, 1909. At the time of his enlistment he was a plumber helper and single. Winsor ended up in Worcester, Ma. at some time for that is were he met his future wife Helen Berg and married near 1930. He eventually took residences in Shelburne Falls, Ma. and worked at several jobs, one being a truck driver another being a forge press operator.
He had a lengthy Military Service
At the age of 18 he enlisted (October 8, 1927) in the United States Army at Fairhaven, Conn.. He was a Private First Class in Battery H, 11 Coast Artillery and was eligible as a 2nd Class Gunner. He completed one years service and was Honorably Discharged on October 11, 1928 by reason of “expiration of service”.
On June 27, 1941 he once again enlisted into the Army and was a Private in Company “D” 36th Training Battalion and was transferred to the Enlisted Reserves Corp. on September 23, 1941.
On January 25, 1942 at Fort Devens he enlisted into United States Army Air Force and was assigned to 1010th Army Air Force Base Unit were he was an Airplane Armorer Technician. On April 7, 1942 he departed for Europe and was part of the Air Offensive in Europe and Western Europe. During this service he received the “Good Conduct Medal”, the American Defense Service Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with two Service Stars. He was Honorably Discharged on February 7, 1945 for personal reasons.
On September 1, 1950 he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves at the Rank of Airman First Class. His duty assignment was with the 564th Field Maintenance Squad at Otis Air Force Base. He was Honorably Discharged on November 23, 1953.
On December 15, 1954 he once again enlisted into the Air Force and served with the 354th Fighter Wing Group. He attained the Rank of Staff Sergeant on June 1, 1955 and was awarded the National Defense Medal. His last stint with the service began of March 6, 1957 when he enlisted into the Air Force once again and served with the 60 Fighter Squadron. On March 23, 1961 he received the AFLSA w/2 OLC and on June 12, 1961 he received the Good Conduct Medal with two Stars. He was Honorably Discharged on April 26, 1963. Winsor spent a total of 19 years and 28 days in the service.
He married Helen Berg about 1937, she was born January 4, 1912 in Worcester, Ma., daughter of John Berg and Anna Eliason both born in Norway. She had another child, Elain Unknown born 26 July 1930. Elain would be my half sister, possibly my sister. For during the period of 1928 and 1941, Winsor Phillips was not in the service. I have been unable to find Elain even though she was in Shelburne Falls during my childhood.
One might say….. how can so little be known of the parents, grandparents, when the child was there…………….
Recollections of a 63 year old man
My early years
Recollections of my younger days are little, however there are some events that still remain in the mind of a 63 year old man.
I remember playing in the yard at my grandmother's house, the large vegetable garden they had, my cousin Sandra, the "air raid" warnings and a cat in Shelburne Falls. I remember sleeping on the floor of a barroom in Worcester at Lincoln Square. It was long before the movie "Home Alone" was made that I remember being home alone for days it seems, cold and hungry. I remember the Fire Station across the street from where I lived on Eastern Avenue in Worcester. I remember the firemen who used to watch me and let me hang around the station and let me have lunch with them. I remember going to kindergarten. I remember that I used to visit my grandmother after moving to Worcester after moving on with the Buczek family. I remember that my father worked at the Arms Cemetery when I visited my grandmother. I remember at age 13, the summer of 1950, that the phone rang and I remember knowing, without hearing any conversation, that my mother had died. I remember not seeing my mother since age 6 and not being able to see her for reasons unknown to me. And I remember…..
Worcester State Hospital.
The buildings still stand today, you can find them on Route 9 in Worcester, heading west from Shrewsbury before entering Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. It is at the top of Lake Hill and is now owned by Umass Medical. The hospital was less than a mile from my home on Eastern Avenue.
It once occupied many acres of land and it had a farm where cattle were raised and tended by the more lucid patients. This was a model farm for the State and had the latest equipment and was intended to be used as a class room for local farmers and people considering the trade.
The hospital was surrounded by a man made stone wall, which most of it still exists. This wall was built by one man over a period of 30 to 40 years during his life as a patient at the hospital, according to my father, Alexander Buczek. There it still remains, he, the man, is no longer with us.
The Head of the hospital's house, I think his last name was Stark, is very large with a front porch that extends the entire length of the front of the house. The house looked over the farm which was near the bottom of the hill and Lake Quinsigamond which is at the bottom. A beautiful view it was. The house remains there today.
The hospital itself is made of stone and has towers, a court yard which was accessed by going through an overhead passage built of stone which attaches to a smaller stone tower. Within the court yard were many little shops for the masonry people, carpenters, mechanics, caretakers etc.. The first floor was used by the nurses and staff, cooking and housekeeping areas.
The second floor was for those patients who were elderly and no longer needed by their children.... these poor folks were guilty of becoming old.
The third floor was for the violent patients, they had rooms with four beds made of heavy steel and steel doors to keep them locked up in. There was little furniture on the third floor, just some benches made of heavy oak approximately 6 feet in length and probably weighing 200 - 300 pounds. I mention this, for some times a patient would pick these benches up and break them.
The patients were given little to do other than push large bricks wrapped in cloth and securely attached to handles up and down the halls, the floors glistened from this activity.
If you were to visit it today at dusk in the summer it would pose a scary picture and could be mistaken for a mid-century castle. The building is dark and around the tower where there once was a clock, the bats circle ready to go on their nightly rounds.
How do I remember the Buczek's and this……………….
I was once a child of 5 years of age and I was found roaming the hospital grounds looking for scraps of food. After several days or so, some kind man took me to his home, his name was Alexander Buczek. I eventually became a Ward of the State. At that time I did not know of this, and was allowed to stay with the Buczeks. To this day, I cannot prove that my mother was a patient there, however, it was told to me that she was and she was committed without the knowledge of her having a child.
As I grew older, Mr. Buczek would take me to the Hospital to help him repair damages done by the patients. At age 12 - 13 it was a scary thing. Mr. Buczek was a cabinet maker and a locksmith by trade. Mrs. Buczek was a nurse there.
She tells of a story of a patient who she was taking to see the resident dentist. The man over powered her, dashed through the corridors into the overhead ally and jumped out the window. The window was approximately 20 feet off the ground. When the nursing staff finally found him, they were able to follow his footprints because of the recent snow, he was attempting to break the ice on Lake Quinsigamnond to drowned himself. The lake was about 3/4 mile away from where he escaped. It was discovered that his leg was broken as well as his two ankles.
Mrs. Buczek (wearing glasses) at the "tower"Mr. Buczek was a musician, and he thought everyone should be a musician. So… I was required to study music and opted to take up the saxophone as an instrument. At about age 12, he decided that it was time for my first solo concert and scheduled me to play for the patients at the hospital. There I was, sitting in front of fifty or sixty patients, with nurses male and female surrounding them. These folks were very quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I was introduced to them and I then started to play, squeaking and squawking away like a rusty set of hinges. When I finished my fifteen minute concert, which seemed more like an hour, these quiet people all of a sudden applauded me as though I was maestro and as I was leaving, I could see tears in some of their eyes. Several reached out and took my hand a kissed it, many thanked me some in English and some in other languages. Even as I left the room, they continued to applaud. It did not dawn on me until much later, that these unwanted people had nothing else in the life to look forward to.
As I got older, Mr. Buczek would take me there on weekends when he got an emergency call to fix a door or some other thing that was broken. We would go to the shop and he would pick up his tools and go to where the repair was needed. I remember going there one time, my first time on the third floor, where he had to fix a door and remove a bench that was broken. When we arrived, I had all I could do to stop from gagging. The stench was terrible. When we were let in the area, the first thing I noticed was naked men, men banging their heads on the walls, others just standing and weaving back and forth. Some were pushing what appeared to be large bricks wrapped in cloth and attached to a broomstick. There were men chained to the steel beds, some crying and some pleading. The bench was broken nearly in two. It was about six feet long and required my father, myself and two other men to drag it out of the area. The door was nearly split in half and required of my father to attach several large boards to hold it in place temporarily. This was not what I had expected to see.
I made several other trips with him over the next years, but we only went to the second floor where the patients were old and just sat around, reading or looking out the window.
When I became a student at Commerce High School, I used to see a young man about my age, 15 - 16, selling papers in front of City Hall in Worcester. This young man was there every day when I got off the bus in the morning and in the afternoon when I took the bus home. Day after day through the Spring and when summer vacation was over, he was there in the fall and winter selling his papers. Then one day I noticed that he was no longer there.
At age 15 I was more help to Mr. Buczek, and would go with him at night and on weekends to help in emergencies. One day we went there to repair some damage on the third floor, my second time, and upon entering the main corridor I immediately saw a young man, my age, pushing a brick. I never went there again to help Mr. Buczek; the young man was the boy I used to see selling papers in front of City Hall.
At age 18 when I became of legal age, I adopted my mother and father the Buczek's.
John George Phillips Buczek
As it was, with the clock
