Inventor of the First American Alarm clock: Concord New Hampshire’s Levi Hutchins (1761-1855)

A likeness of Levi Hutchins, from his autobiography

First, lets be clear–Levi Hutchins did not make the world’s very first alarm clock. He did however appear to make the first American alarm clock. Earlier alarm clocks include one made by Leonard Da Vinci, and those made in later Germany and other European locations.

The “alarm clock” created by Levi Hutchins in 1787 was a 29 x 14-inch timepiece that included a cabinet made of pine wood containing the inner mechanism of a large brass clock, and having a mirror on the door. This clock was limited–the alarm rang only at a specific time and you couldn’t reset, change or turn it off. The minute hand of the clock tipped the pinion at 4 AM (when Levi wanted to get up) and it set a bell to ring.

Example of a Levi Hutchins clock

It would be some time before a similar invention would replace the rooster method of waking. Most people would just get up when the sun started over the horizon. It was not until people needed to be on time for work (such as in mills and other industry) that rising at a specific time became more imperative. It would not be until 1876, almost a century later, when Seth Thomas would patent his wind-up alarm clock in a metal case.

Levi Hutchins was, however, the first clock-maker to manufacture brass clocks in New Hampshire.  “Care and Feeding of your Early American Clock,” by Robert H. Croswell states, “Brass and other materials commonly used in clock making (in colonial America) were heavily taxed or just not available, so these early clocks were generally made almost entirely of wood and powered by iron weights. Smaller shelf clocks with 1-day (30 hour) wooden movements were produced in fairly large quantities from about 1810 to 1845, after which most clock makers changed over to brass movements.”

Young men, re-enactors of the militia during the American Revolution. National Park, New Jersey 2005, copyright J. Brown

But lets get back to the clock-maker, and learn about him. In 1775, a very young Levi Hutchins served as fifer in (his father) Capt. Gordon Hutchins’ company, Col. John Stark’s regiment; later in Captain Lewis’ company, Colonel Varnum’s regiment.He was notably present at the “Battle of Bunker (sic) Hill” though was not allowed to participate, and could only view the battle from a distance.

On 6 December 1777, Abel Hutchins, along with his brother Abel, began an apprenticeship with Simon Willard of Grafton, MA who Levi called “ingenious.” Levi was sixteen and Abel was fourteen years old at the time. The book, “The makers of surveying instruments in America since 1700,” states: “On completion of their apprenticeship they were given a grandfather’s clock which they had made under the supervision of Mr. Willard.”

Levi moved to Abington, CT in 1780 for about eight months to learn some watchmaking skills. Watch making was a completely different type of apprenticeship, even the tools of the trade were greatly different from clock-makers. [See “The makers of surveying instruments in America,” by Charles E. Smart, Troy NY, Regal Art Press, 1962, Vol 2, page 219 at Hathi Trust].

9 November 1790 announcement in Concord Herald (NH) of Levi and Abel Hutchins advertising for apprentices.

Levi Hutchins then moved to Concord, NH and opened a shop on Main Street. His brother Abel, meanwhile, worked for a short time in Roxbury MA after apprenticing to Simon Willard, and is there in 1784. There (in Roxbury) Abel married Elizabeth Partridge, and shortly after moved to Concord, NH, forming a partnership with his brother in 1786. “Peabody Atkinson and Jesse Smith were two of our apprentices,” Levi wrote in his autobiography.

According to Levi’s autobiography, their first shop was on the eastern side of Main Street “a little in the rear of a large well finished dwelling house, three stories high, which we jointly purchased and occupied, with our families…We carried on clock-making together twenty-one years. Our name may now be seen on the faces of many timekeepers and probably there are eight-day clocks or timepieces of our manufacture in all the original thirteen States of the Union, two eight-day clocks we made to order, and sent to the West Indies.”

15 September 1803 Concord Herald announcement of dissolution of the Hutchins partnership

Here in Concord NH the brothers Hutchins begin the business of making clocks. Based on a newspaper notice, in 1803 Abel bought out his brother Levi’s interests in the partnership, paying off any debts, and continued making clocks in the same location. When Abel’s watchmaking shop was destroyed by fire on 25 November 1817, Abel built the Phoenix Hotel in the same location. It opened for business on January 1st, 1819, and his occupation was innkeeper until he retired in 1832.

Levi Hutchins, in the meantime, continued to make clocks, and moved his Concord shop to a new location behind his home on Main Street “opposite Gale’s Tavern“. Gales Tavern was located at the north corner of North Main and Warren streets. This was in 1804 and he published the following notice in the local newspaper.

Levi Hutchins, Clock-maker, Informs his friends and the public, that he has erected a shop, back of his dwelling house, opposite Gale’s Tavern in Concord, where he carries on the business of making Clocks, of different kinds, and will always be ready to attend to the applications of those who may please to employ him. He will also make Surveyors Compasses and other Instruments necessary for surveying. ALL Applications will be promptly attended to, and every favour gratefully acknowledged. Concord. 12 mo. 4, 1804 [Wednesday, December 26, 1804. Courier of New Hampshire (Concord NH) Vol. XV, Issue 52, page 4]

Levi Hutchins continued making clocks until about 1838. In 1808 he moved from his Rattlesnake Hill farm to one in West Concord. In 1818 Levi Hutchins was involved in weaving cotton, a business that failed, and he became financially embarrassed. During this time a man whose Hutchins clock had stopped working, returned it to Levi who repaired it, and then requested $2 for his labor repair. The man refused to pay it, and took Levi to court where he lost and was required to pay $100. Not having it he offered to repay the man in clocks, which he refused. Levi cleared his debt by going to jail in Hopkinton NH for thirty days. While jailed he worked nine-ten hours a day working upon clocks.

From clock to carrots–in 1829 his wife died, and by 1841 Levi was mostly retired, and working his farm as shown on Tuesday, December 7, 1841, in the Portland Advertiser, Portland ME, page 1: “Levi Hutchins of Concord NH has raised this season on one-fourth of an acre of land 300 bushels of carrots!”

In 1845 the Daily Atlas newspaper of Boston MA [13 October 1845, Vol XIV, Issue 89, Page 1] announced a Hutchins family reunion: “On Tuesday of last week, Mr. Abel Hutchins, long known …as the proprietor …of the Phoenix Hotel, now in the 83d year of his age; Mr. Levi Hutchins, also of this town, now in his 84th year; Mr. Ezra Hutchins, formerly of Concord, but now of Bangor Me., aged 76, and their sister, Mrs. Pamelia Craig, of Rumney, aged 73, had a meeting here–the first occasion they have all been together since the year 1776. They are of a family which originally numbered twelve–six of whom, however, died in early life, or about middle age….The united age of the brothers and sister make 316 years.”

Levi’s autobiography states on page 184, Levi Hutchins “happily departed from this world on the 13th day of June 1855, aged 93 years, 9 months and 26 days.”  His obituary was printed in the local newspaper as follows: Died. In this city, June 13 Mr. Levi Hutchins, in the 94th year of his age. He was born in Harvard, Ms., Aug. 17, 1761. His father, Col. Gordon Hutchins, came to Concord in 1773 with his family and the subject of this notice remained here until his decease, except absence as drummer in his father’s company in the Revolution, which he entered at the age of 16 years. For eighty years he has not a day’s illness. He was formerly engaged with his brother, the late Mr. Abel Hutchins, as a brass-founder, but for many years resided at the West village. According to his frequent custom, he walked from his residence to this portion of the city within a few weeks last past. –Statesman [Wednesday June 20, 1855 New Hampshire Patriot and Gazette, Concord NH page 3]

In his later years Levi and his wife, Phebe, had become a member of the Society of Friends (aka Quakers). The History of Concord New Hampshire, by Lyford states: “According to the custom of the Friends there is a burial-place…there are several graves, but only part are marked with headstones. A plain marble stone gives the name of Phebe Hutchins, wife of Levi Hutchins, who “fell asleep April 22, 1829.” Levi Hutchins, who is buried beside her in an unmarked grave, was one of the famous clock makers.”

—–HUTCHINS FAMILY GENEALOGY—–

John Hutchins & Frances Alcock of Newbury & Haverhill MA
William Hutchins & Sarah Hardy
John Hutchins & Elizabeth Haseltine

—–Next Generation—–

William Hutchins/Huchens, son of John & Elizabeth (Haseltine) Hutchins, b. 22 February 1695 Bradford MA, died 7 March 1772 Harvard MA. He m1st) 26 Jan 1718/19 to   Sarah Palmer, daughter of Joseph & Esther (Wallingford) Palmer. He  m2d) 2 Feb 1721 in Bradford MA to Bethiah Carleton, dau of Thomas and Elizabeth Carleton of Bradford (a descendant of Edward and Ellen Carleton). She was b. 8 March 1699, and d. 22 October 1758 in Harvard MA.  Some time before 1743 William moved to Harvard MA where his wife Bethiah became a member of Harvard Church on 29 May 1743. In 1744 a pew in the meeting-house in Harvard “situated by and adjoining the pulpit stairs” was sold to him by John Martyn of Boston.  He married 3d) abt 1759 to Hepzibah Cressey, daughter of Jonathan & Abigail (Barter) Cressey. She was b. 18 July 1730 in Littleton MA. After William Hutchins death, she m2d) 26 Sep 1774 to Nathaniel Burnam Jr.  Also SEE “Descendants of John Hutchins of Newbury & Haverhill,” at the Internet Archive.
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Children of William and Bethiah (Carleton) Hutchins:
1. Elizabeth Hutchins, b abt 10 March 1722 Bradford MA; m. 7 July 1756 Moses Whitney; moved to Templeton MA, died before 1825.
2. Bethiah Hutchins, b. 9 Jan 1725 Bradford MA
3. Benjamin Hutchins, b. 11 Jan 1727 Bradford MA; m. 5 April 1757 in Harvard MA to Lucy Davis. Benjamin moved to Putney VT about 1761
4. Sarah Hutchins, b. 20 July 1729 Bradford MA. She m. 19 Dec 1752 Joseph Atherton of Harvard MA who d. 5 Dec 1789 aged 60. She d. 27 March 1813 aged 86. They had at least one child, David.
5. Abigail Hutchins, b abt 1730 Bradford MA; m. 28 Nov 1752 Deacon Oliver Whitney of Harvard. no children
6. +Gordon Hutchins, b 1733 Harvard MA or Exeter NH. He m. in Harvard MA to Dorothy “Dolly” Stone.
7. William Hutchins, b. abt 1735 Exeter NH
Children of William & Hepzibah (Cressey) Hutchins:
8. Jonathan Hutchins, b. 26 Jan 1760
9. Esther Hutchins, b. 10 Sep 1761
10. David Hutchins, b. 11 Nov 1763
11. Mehitable Hutchins, bap 11 May 1766, d. 12 Sep 1771
12. Basmath Hutchins, b. 7 Sep 1769, d. 9 Nov 1846; m. John Whipple
13. Elinor Hutchins, b. 26 Nov 1771, prob died young.

—–Next Generation—–

Gordon Hutchins, son of William & Bethiah (Carleton) Hutchins, b. 1733 Exeter NH, and d. 8 December 1815 in Concord NH. He m1)  at Harvard MA to Dorothy “Dolly” Stone, daughter of Ephraim & Dorothy Stone; She was b. abt 1737 and d 17 Dec 1777 in Concord NH.  He m2d) 1780 at Merrimack NH to Lucy Lund, dau of Charity and Lucy (Coburn) Lund. She b. 24 Sep 1756 and d. 4 Jan 1833. She is buried at Thornton Cemetery, Merrimack NH.  He commanded a company at Bunker Hill under Col. John Stark; was lieutenant-colonel at White Plains under Col. Nahum Baldwin. He also served in the Provincial Congress.
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Children of Gordon & Dorothy “Dolly” (Stone) Hutchins:
1. Ephraim Hutchins, b. 16 Jan 1758, d. 7 Jan 1761
2. a child stillborn, 20 Jan 1760.
3. +Levi Hutchins b. 17 Aug 1761 Harvard MA
4. Abel Hutchins, b. 16 March 1763 Harvard MA, baptized 20 March 1763
5. Bethiah Hutchins, b. 29 Aug 1765 Harvard MA, baptized 1 Sep 1765; m. Dudley Ladd
6. Infant, b. –, d. 4 Sep 1768 Harvard MA
7. Ezra Hutchins, b. 26 May 1770 Harvard MA
8. Pamelia Hutchins, b. 31 July 1772 Concord NH; m. Daniel Craig; resided Rumney, NH.
9. Matilda Hutchins, b. 11 Sep 1777 Concord NH
Children of Gordon & Lucy (Lund) Hutchins:
10. Stephen Hutchins, b. 27 Nov 1780; d. 5 April 1784
11. Nancy Hutchins, b. 10 July 1782; d. 2 July 1814; m. Benjamin Haines
12. Gordon Hutchins Jr., b 5 April 1785; m. Abigail Sargent
13. Lucy Hutchins, b. 26 Nov 1787; m. David Webster
14. Dolly Hutchins, b. 15 May 1790 Rumney NH; m. Joshua Pierce
15. Betsey Tarbox Hutchins, b. 12 March 1794; m. David Chambers
16. John Adams Hutchins, b. 17 April 1798; m. Catherine Nowell
17. Horatio Gates Hutchins, b. 10 June 1799 Rumney NH; m. Abigail Barrett.

—–Next Generation—–

Levi Hutchins [this story is about him, see likeness and biography above], b. 17 Aug 1761 Harvard MA, baptized 17 Jan 1763, died 1855 Concord NH; served, 1775, as fifer in Capt. Gordon Hutchins’ company, Col. John Stark’s regiment; later in Captain Lewis’ company, Colonel Varnum’s regiment. He m. 1789 Phebe Hannaford (1766-1829), daughter of Benjamin Hannaford (1735-1811). Her father Benjamin Hannaford was b. in Haverhill MA, signed the association test of Concord NH and died there. He was a farmer and clock maker (1783-1838) in Concord NH, and briefly involved in cotton weaving (1813-1818). He lived in Harvard MA 1761-1772, Concord NH 1772-1777 and 1780-1855, Grafton MA 1777, Roxbury MA 1778-1780, and Abington CT in 1780.
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Children of Levi & Phebe (Hannaford) Hutchins:
1. +Ruth Hutchins, born December 29, 1789 Concord NH; m. Daniel Cooledge
2. Anna Hutchins, born August 29, 1791 Concord NH; possibly m. Benjamin Morse
3. +Harriet Hutchins, born May 13, 1793 Concord NH; m. Daniel Holder
4. +Mary Hutchins, born July 13, 1795 Concord NH, d. 1832. She m. m. 1822 Peter Worden (d. 1825). Their daughter Mary A. Worden (1825-1911) m. Gilbert Perkins (1822-1897). Their daughter Ednah Eastman Perkins, b. Concord NH, m. Wilbur Smith Russell.
5. Lucy Lund Hutchins, born April 8, 1797 Concord NH, she d. 10 March 1826 in NY.
6. +John Hutchins, born April 12, 1799, Concord NH; m1) Julia Ann Lines; m2) Jane (Morrow) Beebe
7. William Hutchins, born February 27, 1801 Concord NH; m. Almira Eldredge
8. Ednah H. Hutchins, born April 21, 1803 Concord NH; m1) Greeley Hannaford; m2) Micah Homer
9. Samuel Hutchins, born January 6, 1806 Concord NH; m. Lydia Putnam Learned

—–Next Generation—–

Ruth Hutchins, daughter of Levi & Phebe (Hannaford) Hutchins, was b. 29 December 1789 in Concord NH, and died September 1863 ae 76 years. She was at that time a member of the New York Monthly Meeting (Quakers). She m. 29 April 1812 in Weare NH to Daniel Cooledge, son of William & Phebe (Kimmens) Cooledge, b. 18 Jan 1785 in Bolton MA, d 1 Nov 1847 in NY [NY Evening Post of 2 Nov 1847].
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Commercial Advertiser, NY NY, Friday April 29, 1942, page 2
DIED, on Thursday morning, 28th instant, of typhus fever, FRANCIS METFORD, aged 36 years. Funeral this afternoon, at 3 o’clok from No. 38 Rose st.
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National Daily Intelligencer, Washington DC, May 2, 1842, page 4
On the 26th January last, Francis Metford, formerly a Wall Street Broker was fully committed to the New York City Prison on six several charges of forgery, on each of which he was afterward indicted, and pleaded not guilty. At the April term of the Court of Sessions he was to have been tried, but his severe illness prevented. On the 22d instant, he was sent to the Penitentiary Hospital on Blackwell’s Island, the better to effect his recovery, but died in that institution on Thursday morning, of what was alleged to be bilious fever of a typhoid form, contracted while in the City Prison.
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New York Herald, NY NY, August 5, 1873, page 9
COOLEDGE–On Seventh day evening, at his house, 216 West Forty-fifth street George F. Cooledge, in the 58th year of his age. The funeral will take place at his late residence, on Third day (Tuesday) morning, at half-past ten. Interment in the Friends’ Ground, Flatbush.
——————–
Children of Daniel & Ruth (Hutchins) Cooledge:
1. +Phebe Hutchins Cooledge, b, 17 Feb 1814
2. George Fox Cooledge, b. 6 Oct 1815, died 2 August 1873 age 57 [per Commercial Advertiser newspaper, NYC] A book seller of NYC.
3. William Penn Cooledge, b 25 Aug 1817 Concord NH; m1) 15 Dec 1850 Susan Knapp; m2)—; had son Charles W. Coolidge

Harriet Hutchins, daughter of Levi & Phebe (Hannaford) Hutchins, b. 13 May 1793 Concord, NH, d. 4 Aug 1866 Berlin MA; m. 15 Sep 1819 to Daniel Holder, son of Thomas & Sarah (Gaskill) Holder. He was b. 19 May 1793 in Berlin, Worcester Co. MA and d. 18 May 1863 in Berlin, MA. He lost his right arm by accidental discharge of a gun May 1824. [Some info from History of the Town of Berlin, Worcester Co. MA, p. 382-383]
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Children of Daniel & Harriet (Hutchins) Holder:
1. Maria Holder, b 28 June 1820, d. 18 Sep 1863; single
2. Samuel H. Holder, b.26 Aug 1821, d. 24 April 1822
3. +Samuel H. Holder 2d, b. 2 March 1823; m. Louisa M. Rice of Marlboro.
4. Phoebe A. Holder, b. 27 Nov 1824; graduate of Westfield Normal School; teacher
5. +Jane Holder, b. 30 July 1828; m. Charles Bigelow of Hudson
4. Mary H. Holder, b. 8 July 1833; graduate of Westfield Normal School; teacher; also an artist who painted flowers.
5. Levi H. Holder b 17 Aug 1837, he was a musician in the 27th Regiment MA Volunteers, d. at Andersonville.

Mary Hutchins, daughter of Levi & Phebe (Hannaford) Hutchins born July 13, 1795 Concord NH, d. 2 March 1832 Concord NH. She m. 24 April 1822 to Peter Worden. He was born in Yonkers NY, and d. 1825.
————————-
Child of Peter & Mary (Hutchins) Worden:
1. +Mary Antoinette Worden b. 29 April 1825 Philadelphia PA

John Hutchins[on], born April 12, 1799, Concord NH; m1) 13 August 1825 in Norfolk City VA to Julia Ann/Juliann Lines. She was b. 1803 and d. 1837; He m2) by 1838 to Jane (Morrow) Beebe. She was b. 1805 and d. –.
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Children of John & Julia Ann (Lines) Hutchins:
1. Augustus Hutchins, b. 8 July 1826 in Norfolk VA, d. 23 Feb 1854 Boonton, Morris Co.,  NJ.
2. Charles Hutchins, b. 6 June 1828 in Norfolk VA
3. Albert Hutchins, b. 23 Aug 1830 in Norfolk VA, d. 9 July 1831 Norfolk VA
4. Alexander Hutchins, b 22 Jan 1835 in New York City, d. 30 July 1906 in Brooklyn, Kings, NY; married, a physician; buried Poughkeepsie NY
Child of John & Jane (Morrow-Beebe) Hutchins
5. Harriet Buel Hutchin(g)s, b. 5 May 1838 NYC, NY

—–Next Generation—–

Phebe Hutchins Cooledge, b. 17 Feb 1814 NH, d. 17 May 1881 Monroe/Woodbury, Orange Co. NY [death from the Evening post] m. Francis Metford, son of Joseph & Elizabeth (Rawes) Metford. He was b. 1807, and d. 1845 [?1842]. She attended Stoney Vale Meeting House, Highland Mills NY. In probate, only kin: Lizzie C. Osborn. Children from US Encyclopedia of American Quakers.
——————-
Children of Francis & Phebe H. (Cooledge) Metford:
1. Infant stillborn, 7 December 1838
2. +Lizzie Cooledge “Elizabeth” Metford, b. 13 March 1842 New York City, NY.

Samuel H. Holder 2d son of Daniel & Harriet (Hutchins) Holder, b. 2 March 1823 Berlin, Worcester Co. MA, d. 27 November 1904 Hudson MA; m. 22 March 1842 in Marlborough MA to Louisa M. Rice, daughter of Levi & Lucinda (Bigelow) Rice. She was b 6 Nov 1823 in Marlborough MA. He was a well known clarionet player.
[Some info from Genealogy of the Descendants of John White of Wenham and Lancaster, Massachusetts, 1638-1900]
———————-
1850 US Census > MA > Middlesex > Marlborough
Samuel Holder 27 MA shoemaker
Louisa M. Holder 26 MA
Charles E. Holder 7 MA
Lambert B. Holder 5 MA
Emely L. Holder 3/12 MA
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Children of Samuel H. & Louisa M. (Rice) Holder:
1. +Charles E. Holder, b. 26 Sep 1842 in Hudson MA
2. Lambert B. Holder, b. 26 Sep 1844, d. 10 Dec 1852
3. Lyman D. Holder, b. 27 Nov 1847, d. Sept 1848
4. +Emily L. Holder, b. 9 March 1850 Hudson MA; m. 9 Sep 1872 to Ausin B. Howe [1951 in White Book]

Jane Holder, daughter of Daniel & Harriet (Hutchins) Holder, b. 30 July 1828, d. 22 June 1916 in Berlin, Worcester Co. MA; m. 12 June 1851 in Berlin MA to Charles Bigelow of Hudson, MA, son of Ivory & Susannah (Rice) Bigelow. He was b. 1825 in Marlborough MA, and d. 20 May 1896 in Hudson MA. They are buried in Main Street Cemetery Hudson MA
—————————–
Children of Charles & Jane (Holder) Bigelow:
1. Charles Herbert Bigelow, b. abt 1852 MA; m. 3 Nov 1880 in Hudson MA to Mary A. Graves, dau of Zackanah & Abby (King) Graves
2. Eddie Daniel Bigelow, b. 1856 Hudson MA; d. 26 Oct 1875 Hudson MA, aged 19, jeweler
3. Warren Holder Bigelow, b. 9 Aug 1866 Hudson MA; m. 13 June 1889 in Hudson MA to Etta N. Macomber, dau of Gardner H. & Henrietta (Woods) Macomber

Mary Antoinette Worden, daughter of Peter & Mary (Hutchins) Worden, b. 29 April 1825 Philadelphia PA, d. 5 Dec 1911 Wakefield MA; m. 6 June 1843 in Concord NH to Gilbert Perkins, son of Henry & Lucy (Gilbert) Perkins. He was b 31 Aug 1820 in Topsfield MA, d 26 Dec 1896 in Wakefield MA. She was buried in Gloucester MA.
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Children of Gilbert & Mary A. (Worden) Perkins:
1. Levi George Perkins, b. 1845 in Gloucester MA, d. 23 May 1910 in Chelsea MA; m1st) 1 Dec 1863 in Gloucester MA to Mary S. Lufkin, dau of William & Sophia W. Lufkin. He m2d) 5 Nov 1868 in Derby VT to Relief Lamoine. He was a printer living in Coaticook PQ Canada. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Chelsea MA.
2. Ella W. Perkins, b. 1847 Gloucester MA, d. 14 Dec 1867 Gloucester MA. She m. — Watson.
3. Ann H. Perkins, b. 18 July 1851 Gloucester, Essex Co. MA
4. Franklin Perkins, b. 27 Feb 1854 in Gloucester MA
5 Ednah Eastman Perkins, b. 4 May 1856 Boston MA, m. 10 Nov 1874 in Lynnfield MA to Wilbur Smith Russell, son of Levi H. & Harriet (Smith) Russell. In 1900 living in Cambridge MA with children: Ralph, Gertrude E., Hattie P., and Florence A.
6. Fannie Perkins, b abt 1864 MA; m. 18 June 1885 in Chelsea MA to Fred E. Bunker, son of Noble & Mary (?) Bunker. They resided Wakefield MA. They had a daughter, Marjorie Humdike Bunker, b. 22 Oct 1892 in Wakefield MA

—–Next Generation—–

Lizzie Cooledge “Elizabeth” Metford, daughter of Francis & Phebe H. (Cooledge) Metford b. 13 March 1842 New York City, NY, d. — She m. 27 Sep 1870 in Manhattan NY to Thomas Osborn, son of Thomas Webb & Miriam Irwin (Reeve) Osborn. He was b. 13 Sep 1840 in Mattituck, Long Island, Suffolk NY, died 15 December 1893 Peconic, LI, NY. He studied law at the Albany Law School where he received a degree of LL.B. He practiced law in New York City starting in 1863, residing in Brooklyn. He visited Europe in 1882. In 1880 Elizabeth and Eveline are living with Lizzie in Monroe NY.  He is buried in Cutchogue Cemetery.
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New York Tribune, NY NY, Dec 16, 1893 Saturday, page 1
Thomas W. Osborn, forty-five years old, of Brooklyn, committed suicide yesterday at the home of his brother-in-law, Henry D. Horton, at Peconic, L.I. Mr. Osborn was a lawyer with a good practice. His health failed, and he went to Europe last fall with his wife and daughter. He had not yet been released from the doctor’s care. His continued ill-health made him despondent. He came to his brother-in-law’s home Thursday night. yesterday morning he ate breakfast and smoked. He then went to his room, and shortly afterward the report of a gun was heard. He was dead when the family reached the room. The entire top of his head had been blown off. He had taken Mr. Horton’s shotgun from its case, put shells in both barrels and fired.
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New York Herald, NY NY, December 16, 1893
MORTUARY NOTICE–
OSBORN — Friday morning, December 15 suddenly at Peconic, L.I., THOMAS W> OSBORN of New York. Interment at Cutchogue.
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Children of Thomas W. & Elizabeth (Metford) Osborn:
1. Ethel Osborn, b. 8 July 1872 Brooklyn, Kings, NY; d. 11 Aug 1871
2. Eveline/Evelyn Osborn/Osborne, b. 31 March 1873

Charles E. Holder, son of Samuel H. & Louisa M. (Rice) Holder, b. 26 Sep 1842 in Hudson MA, d. 13 May 1871 prob Georgia ; m. — Drusilla Benson. She was b abt 1850 in Georgia; They settled in the South, in South Carolina and in Georgia. He was a shoemaker. See “Genealogy of the Bigelow Family of America,” page 176.
———————-
1870 US Census > Georgia, Pike Co > —
Charles Holder 25 MA Shoe maker 100
Drucilla Holder 20 Keeping House Georgia
Emily L. Holder 3 South Carolina
James Holder 1/12 Georgia [b. May 1870]
———————-
Children of Charles E. & Drusilla (Benson) Holder:
1. Emily Holder, b abt 1867 South Carolina, died young
2. James [Charles] Holder, b May 1870 Pike Co. GA; living in the South

Emily L. Holder, daughter of Samuel H. & Louisa (Rice) Holder, b. 9 March 1850 Hudson MA; m. 9 Sep 1872 to Ausin B. Howe [1951]. He was b. 22 July 1850 in Marlboro MA. He was a lumber dealer in Marlborough MA.
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Children of Austin B. & Emily L. (Holder) Howe:
1. Edith A. Howe [2189] b 21 June 1873 Marlboro MA; m. 26 June 1895 Robert W. Carter, son of Jonathan & Eliza (Cuseley) Carter. He was b. abt 1872 in England.
2. Lottie I. Howe, b. 17 June 1876, d. 28 Nov 1881.

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