The Gaelic word hugh signifies affability, a guest, a stranger; and in the year 900 Alfred the Great used the word to express comfort. The surname Hughes originated in Wales, and its bearers are decended from several ancient Welsh princes. Its original form was Hugh, and the various terminations and prefixes which have been added, such as Hughes, Huget, Hewit, Higgins, Hicks, Hiccock, Huggett, Huggins and Hutchins, all mean the son of Hugh. Hewse, Hewes and Huse appear to be merely inaccurate spelling of Hughes. In Wales the Hughes comprise a considerable portion of the population, and they have become numerous in England, Ireland and America.
Joseph Hewes was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. George Robert Twelve Hughes headed the famous Boston Tea Party in 1773, and many others of the name have won distinction in various field of usefulness.
The family about to be mentioned came from Wales some fifty years ago [this was pub in 1910], and not long after its arrival amply demonstrated its loyalty to the country of its adoption, as will be seen later on.

(I) Hugh Hughes and his wife Gwen were frugal and industrious farming people of Wales, execplifying to a high degree the sterling characteristics of their race and worshipping with Calvanistic Methodists.
Their children were:
William, died young.
Willim R., see forward.
Hugh.
Robert.
Griffin.
Ellis.
Gwen.

(II) William R., second child of Hugh and Gwen Hughes, was born in Wales and was reared to the simple agricultural life prevalent in that country. About the year 1851 he emigrated to the United States, being attracted to this country by an earnest desire to improve his condition in life, and shortly after his arrival he settled in West Turin, Lewis county, N.Y. He was accompanied from the old country by his wife and seven of his children. For a period of five years he carried on a farm for John Constable, and for the succeeding twelve years he was in charge of the property known as Rees farm.
His energy and industry, together with an unwavering devotion to the principles of righteousness and integrity, elicited the esteem and good will of his fellow-townsmen, and he never disregarded the precepts of the Calvinistic Methodist faith in which he was reared.
He married Jane Jones, a native of Wales, daughter of Robert and Jane Jones.
Children born in Wales:
1. Catherine, married (first) Lewis O. Lewis, (second) Hugh D. Jones.
2. Robert, died in 1909.
3. William W., married (first) mary Hughes; (second) Florence, widow of Homer C. Benedict.
4. Gwen, married Morris Williams.
5. Hugh, again referred to.
6. Ellis, married Sarah Van Amie.
7. David, married Fanny Markham.
8. John, married Emma Douglas.
9. Thomas, died at the age of seven years.
10. James.
11. Jennie, married Frank S. Wetmore.

(III) Hon. Hugh, fifth child of William R. and Jane (Jones) Hughes, was born in Wales, June 6, 1845, At the age of six years he accompanied his parents to America, and was educated in the schools of West Turin. During the progress of the civil war he enlisted in Company K, Fifth Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery; was at Maryland Heights, Virginia, and served until the close of the war.
Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed it for some years, and about 1875 engaged in the undertaking business in Turin, which he has ever since conducted. In connection with his undertaking establishment he carries on a wood-turning plant, and both enterprises are in a most prosperous condition.
In politics he is a Republican. He has served with ability as collector and supervisor of the town of Turin; was a member of the New York assembly for the years 1888-89-93; and receiving the appointment of postmaster under the McKinley administration in 1898, he has retained that office continuously to the present (1910) time.
He is a Master Mason, belonging to Turin Lodge, No. 180, and was a comrade of Mullen Post, Grand Army of the Republic, until that organization was forced to disband, owing to the fact that the majority of its veterans had responded to the final roll call.
Mr. Hughes married, in West Turin, Oct. 24, 1872, Eleanor M., born in Steuben county, N.Y. June 4, 1842, daughter of Robert E. and Eleanor (Morris) Jones. Robert E. Jones was born in Wales, April 5, 1790, and Eleanor (Morris) Jones was born in New Jersey, Jan. 1, 1801. They were married in 1820 and had six children: 1. John, married Jeanette Jones. 2. Anna, married (first) Morris Lewis (second) Richard Isaac. 3. Margaret, married John Gussin. 4. David. 5. Eleanor M., married Hon. Hugh Hughes. 6. Catherine, married Richard Roberts.

RETURN TO INDEX

Have these webpages helped you?
Please let us know in the Guestook.

[ Read / Sign my guestbook ]

Get a free Guestbook

HOME
Jane's Site with over 2000 free databases!
These records (NNY) are part of her website.