Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

JOSSELYN The Josselyns are a family of Norman origin, and went into England with William the Conqueror and became seated in Lincolnshire. The Earl of Roden was of this family, as also were two lord mayors of the city of London, 1472 and 1476. A prelate who bore the name of Joceline was made abbot of Melrose Abby in 1170, and became bishop of Glasgow in 1174. Besides these there have been some very eminent men in English history who bore the surname Josceline. The name too has several corruptions, and appears in various records as Joslin, Josceline, Josslyne, Joslen, Joseline and Josselyn, the latter being the generally accepted form adopted by the New England family, and itself one of the several modifications of Joscelyne. (I) Thomas Josselyne, husbandman, came from London, England, to New England, in the ship "Increase," April 7, 1635. He then was forty-three years old, and was accompanied by his wife Rebecca, aged forty-three, and their five children. Thomas Josselyne was a proprietor and inhabitant of Hingham and Lancaster, Mass., was selectman in 1645, and is conceded to have been the founder of the Josselyne familiy of Plymouth colony. He died in Lancaster in 1660. After his death his widow Rebecca married Wililam Kerly. Children: 1. Rebecca, born 1617, in England; died Hingham Sept. 22, 1675; married Thomas Nichols. 2. Abraham, born 1619. 3. Joseph, born 1621; married and had children. 4. Dorothy, born 1624. 5. Nathaniel, born 1627. 6. Elizabeth, born 1629; married at Boston, June 21, 1652, Edward Yeomans. 7. Mary, born 1634. (II) Abraham, eldest son of Thomas and Rebecca Josselyne, was born in England and seems to have been a mariner by occupation. He did not come to America with his father's family, but joined them soon after in Hingham. Like his father he appears to have been a man of enterprise and some wealth. He had an assignment of land in Hingham in 1647, and had children baptized there in 1649 and 1650. In 1660 the birth of his son Nathaniel was recorded in Boston, and perhaps he then lived there, or in Hull. He removed to Lancaster before 1663, and died there before July 9, 1670, when "William Kerly of Marlborough, husbandman, by the consent and approbation of Mrs. Beatris Joscelin, the late dec'd Abram Joseline's widow, sold to Abram Joscelin, eldest sonne of the s'd Mrs. Jocelin, 86 acres of land in Lancaster." On April 2, 1672, "Abram Jocelin, of Lancaster, was admitted administrator of his father's estate, and presenting an inventory attested the same on oath." The name of Abraham Josselyn's wife was Beatrice, various written Beatris, Beatrix and Betteris, the last in Boston records, and also in the following extract from Middlesex deeds, which decides the first Abraham's paternity and occupation: "Abram Joslin, of Lancaster, marine, and wife Betteris," sold May 29, 1663, to Henry Kemble, of Boston, blacksmith, certain lands in Lancaster, "formerly grated to his (Abraham's) father, Thomas Joselin, dec'd." On the 16th of the 9th month, 1671, Mrs. Beatrice Joselyn married Benjamin Boseworth, and removed to Hull. In 1682 they sold their property at Hull and removed to Stow, and lived there several years. Children of Abraham & Beatrice Josselyn: 1. Abraham, baptized April 8, 1649. 2. Henry, see below. 3. Philip, baptized Dec. 15, 1650. 4. Nathaniel, born July 4, 1660, died April 8, 1694. 5. Joseph, born May 26, 1663. 6. Mary, born Oct. 14, 1666. 7. Rebecca, died March, 1712-13. (III) Henry, of Scituate, Mass., blacksmith, second son of Abraham and Beatrice Josselyn, was in Scituate before 1669, according to Rev. Samuel Deane's history of that town. That he was the brother Abraham Jr., and therefore the son of Abraham, the elder, is shown by the court records already mentioned, and also by his deed to Thomas Harris, dated Nov. 1, 1695, the substance of which is as follows: "Henry Joselyn, of Scituate, blacksmith, and wife Abigail, sold, etc. to Thomas Harris, of Boston, 110 acres of land in Lancaster, which said land ffell to the said Henry Joslyn by the death of his elder brother Abraham Joselyn, it being the same land his said brother possessed." This Abraham Joselyn, brother of Henry, was killed by Indians at Lancaster, and afterward he himself "never could brook the sight of an Indian." He died at Hanover, Mass., Oct. 30, 1730, being called on the church records "the oldest man for years." Henry Josselyn married, in Scituate, in 1676, Abigail, daughter of Charles and Abigail Stockbridge. Children: 1. Abigail, born 1677; married 1713, Benjamin Harmor. 2. Abraham, born 1678. 3. Anna, born 1680, died young. 4. Charles, born 1682. 5. Mary, born 1684; married 1713, Benjamin Munroe. 6. Nathaniel, born 1686; married 1711, Frances Yellings. 7. Rebecca, born 1689, died young. 8. Jabez, born 1690; married 1722, Sarah Turner. 9. Jemima, born 1695, died young. 10. Keziah, born 1695. 11. Henry, born 1697 (see below). 12. Joseph, born 1699; "was eminent for christian benevolence and patriotism"; gave the bell for Hanover meeting house; bore the title of captain and was one of the proprietors of the Bardine Forge; married in 1726, Ruth Bates. 13. Thomas, born 1702; was selectman several terms and repesentative to general court; gave a communion service to the church at Hanover, where for many years he was deacon; "no man in that part of Plymouth Colony stood higher for enterprise and political sagacity"; married in 1732, Anna Stockbridge. Abigail STOCKBRIDGE, wife of Henry Josselyn, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Feb. 24, 1660-61, daughter of Charles and Abigail Stockbridge, who lived first in Boston, afterward in Charlestown, and finally removed to Scituate. Charles Stockbridge was born in 1634, in England, and is said to have built by contract the second water-power mill in the town of Plymouth in 1676. He died in 1683, and his widow afterward married Amos Turner. Charles Stockbridge was a son of John Stockbridge, an Englishman by birth, a wheelwright by trade, and who came to America in June, 1635, in the ship "Blessing," John Leicester, master, being then twenty-seven years old. He was accompanied by his wife Anne, aged twent-one and their son Charles, aed one year. John Stockbridge was in Scituate in 1638, and took the oath of fidelity in that year; was one of the Conihasset partners in 1646, and in 1656 purchased one-half of the mill privilege of John Russell, with the saw mill which Isaac Stedman had built ten years before, and in the same year in company with Russell erected a grist mill. About the same time he built the Stockbridge mansion, which was used as a garrison house during King Philip's war. John and Anne Stockbridge had seven children, of whom Charles was the first born, and their only child born in England. (IV) Henry (2), son of Henry (1) and Abigail (Stockbridge) Josselyn, was born in 1697, and lived and died in Pembroke, Mass. He married in 1721, Hannah Oldham. Children: 1. Hannah, born Oct. 1, 1719; married Nov. 16, 1738, Henry Munroe, of Swansea. 2. Lydia, born Aug. 25, 1722. 3. Mary, married Nov. 10, 1742, Shubael Munroe. 4. Henry, born June 11, 1727. 5. Margaret, born Dec. 9, 1729; married Seth Ford. 6. Joseph, born June 22, 1734. 7. Charles, born May 7, 1739. 8. Lucy, born Oct. 5, 1741; married Isaac Ford. 9. Isaac, see forward. (V) Isaac, son of Henry (2) and Hannah (Oldham) Josselyn, was born in Hanover, Mass., Nov. 4, 1743. He was engaged at work in the forge there for many years, and afterward removed to Maine, where he died. He married, Sept. 12, 1772, Lois Ramsdell. Children: 1. Isaac, born Jan. 3, 1774, died Oct. 24, 1799; married Oct. 15, 1797, Christiana Josselyn. 2. Almerin, born July 16, 1775; married July 28, 1801, Chloe Whitney. 3. Lois, born 1776, died 1778. 4. Roland, born May 3, 1778; married Mary Church; lived in Maine. 5. Lois, born Feb. 20, 1780; married Nov. 26, 1801, John Woodworth. 6. Hervey, born Jan. 25, 1782; removed to Maine. 7. Hannah, born and died in 1783. 8. Alden, born May 20, 1784, see forward. 9. Ezra, born Jan. 3, 1787; removed to Maine. 10. Sylvester, born June 6, 1789. 11. John D., born June 4, 1791; removed to Maine. 12. Martin, born 1793, removed to Maine, and died there. (VI) Alden, son of Isaac and Lois (Ramsdell) Josselyn, was born in Hanover, Mass., May 20, 1784, and died in Maine. He came early to this state, whence several others of his family had settled, and lived at Fayette. He married Polly Page. Children: 1. Almerin, died at age of nineteen years. 2. Alden Clark, born 1811; married Theodora Jenkins, and had a daughter, Mehitable Jenkins, now Mrs. Julius Blanchard, of Rumford Falls, Maine. 3. William Harrison, born Aug. 12, 1813. 4. Lewis Turner. 5. John Dearborn, married Theresa Crane; children: Tudor C., Elwyn R., Augustus, Hattie (Mrs. Bradbury of Rockland, Mass.), May Louise and Carrie F. 6. Martin Luther, married, and had a son Martin. (VII) William Harrison, son of Alden and Polly (Page) Josselyn, was born in Fayette, Maine, Aug. 12, 1813, and died in Portland, Oct. 16, 1882. When a boy, although left principally to his own resources, he acquired a good common school and academic education. On arriving at the age of twenty-one years he removed to the town of Phillips, in Franklin county, and obtained employment as a clerk in a store in the village. In that position he remained about three years. He then went into mercantil business for himself in the town, and for thirty years maintained the character of an honorable and successful merchant, at the end of which time, in 1866, he removed to Portland. During his long residence in Phillips, Mr. Josselyn was a leading citizen enjoying in an eminent degree the confidence and esteem of that entire community. For sixteen years he was one of the selectmen of Phillips, and for about the same length of time one of the superintending school committee of the town. In 1855 he repesented the Phillips district in the Maine house of representatives. But this popularity was not confined to his adopted town. In 1863 and 1864 he was the member of the state senate from Franklin county and held high rank in that body. After his removal to Portland he was elected to the common council from ward number three in 1871, and was a member of the board of aldermen in 1872, after which he voluntarily retired from public life; and, although he was before and since that time offered other public positions he uniformly declined them. For about twenty years Mr. Josselyn had been an active, influential member of the board of trustees of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College, and at various times contributed liberally to the funds of that insitution, where a portion of his family received their education. After removing to Portland Mr. Josselyn first went into business as a flour merchant, in company with Ralph and Alonzo Butler. He was subsequently engaged with Arad Evans in wholesale and retail furniture about six years. He then, in company with his son Theodore A. Josselyn, engaged in the flour business, as wholesale commission merchants, and continued a member of this firm until 1877, when on account of failing health he retired and did not afterward engage in any active business. During his long career as a merchant he always enjoyed the entire confidence of the business world. Honest, prompt and energetic, fair and square in all his business relations, he made life in this department a success. In politics Mr. Josselyn was originally a Whig, and so continued until the formation of the Republican party, when he was among the first to connect himself with that political organization, in which faith he lived and died. In early life he embraced the christian religion and connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church, continuing a member of that denomination until the time of his death. While in Phillips he was the mainstay and support of the Methodist church in that town, contributing largely of his means and devoting much time and personal labor to the advancement of the cause. Upon removing to Portland he connected himself with the Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal church. In each of these churches he held nearly all the offices known among the laity of that denomination. During his long religious life not a shade had ever been thrown across his christian character. Mr. Josselyn was a man of strong, decided convictions. He was careful and deliberate in forming his openions, but when once his mind was made up nothing could turn him aside from what he believed to be right. As a friend he was genil, kind-hearted, sympathizing and true. But it was in the sacred retirement of the family circle that his virtuous life shone forth with the greater luster. No man was ever more happy in all his domestic relations. He married Mary Ann Marston, born May 22, 1817, died Aug. 4, 1889, having survived her husband about seven years. She was a daughter of Theodore and Polly Marston, of Phillips, and niece of the late Bishop Joshua Soule. Mrs. Josselyn was brought up in the town of Phillips, was educated there, and early became an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Children: 1. Theodore Alden, born Dec. 18, 1842. 2. Geneva Ella, died at the age of ten years. 3. Lewis Harrison, born Sept. 4, 1848; lives in Boston; owner of the C. E. Osgood Company, merchants. 4. Mary Emma, born Feb. 12, 1854; married Sept. 22, 1875, Warren W. Cole, of Portland, treasurer of the E. T. Burrowes Company, manufacturers of screens. 5. Lena Marston, born May 27, 1857; married Edward Sewall Everett, of the firm of Cook, Everett & Pennell, wholesale druggists of Portland. (VIII) Theodore Alden, eldest son of William Harrison and Mary Ann (Marston) Josselyn, was born in Phillips, Franklin county, Maine, Dec. 18, 1842, died in Portland, Oct. 4, 1905. He spent the days of his boyhood and early manhood in his native town, and prior to graduating from the Maine Wesleyan Seminary he taught school in the neighboring districts. He graduated in 1864 with highest honors, and in 1869 removed to Portland, where the remainder of his life was passed. In 1869 he was the junior member of the firm of Butler, Josselyn & Son, the firm being made up of his father, William H. Josselyn, and Ralph Butler, the latter of whom continued business until 1874 and then retired. The firm name then was changed to Josselyn & Company, and continued in business until 1878, when Mr. Josselyn's father retired, and Augustus D. Brown was admitted to the firm, which then took the style of Brown & Josselyn. In 1890 Mr. Brown died, but the firm name continued. Mr. Josselyn was a Republican in politics, and took more than an ordinary interest in public affairs. He was a member of the city council for two years, 1890=91, alderman in 1892-93, and in 1902-03-05 was elected to the state legislature where he served two terms. He felt a great pride in the city of Portland and the state of Maine, and great faith in the future of both. He was an active member of the board of trade, and for several years was one of its board of managers. He was also a director in the Canal National Bank, and a trustee of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Woman's College. He was also active in many of the charitable organizations of his native city and state, and charity without ostentation was one of his strong characteristics. He was at the head of one of the oldest and most reliable business houses, the development of which was due almost wholly to his farsighted management, and up to the time of his last illness no man was more regularly at his post of business than he. His character was exemplified in his thorough business methods. He was one of the most companionable of men, always reliable in all of his dealings and social relations, and as a public official in the councils of the city and state he served with marked ability and fidelity. On the occasion of Mr. Josselyn's death the following notice of him appeared in one of the leading papers of Portland: "Mr. Josselyn had been in impaired health for some time, and gradually had been failing since the adjournment of the legislature in which he was one of the representatives from this city, and where with that tireless activity ever so characteristic of him he had worked so earnestly and loyally. Indeed, there is little doubt that the cares of his official position in the legislature combined with thsoe of his extensive business life weighed so heavily on him as to seriously affect his health. But he made a strong fight and at the adjournment of the legislature resumed the personal direction of his business. Early in the summer, however, he was obliged reluctantly to lay aside his business cares. Theodore A. Josselyn was one of Portland's sterling business men and none was more esteemed, respected and trusted than he, by his business associates and by the people of the city. Although a man who never sought public office, he has been repeatedly called by his fellow citizens to positions of trust and honor which he filled with strict devotion to what was honorable and right, displaying a clear sightedness and accuracy of judgment which made him a most valuable public servant. As a member of both branches of the city council, at one time being the only Republican member thereof, his counsels were listened to and generally heeded for his unselfishness, his uprightness and his usually unerring judgment were recognized by all. When he was elected to the state legislature these same qualities, unusual as they are valuable, early obtained recognition and during his service there he became one of the most influential and efficient members. On more than one occasion, by saying the word, he might have become his party's candidate for mayor of the city, which in the case of a man so popular and universally trusted as Mr. Josselyn would have ben equivalent to an election, and it was the hope of his many friends and admirers that he might sometime see his way clear to serve his city as its chief executive. Mr. Josselyn, while not an ostentatious giver, was one of the most charitable men in Portland and gave freely of his means to assist those less fortunate than himself. And as in everything else which he did, he was an intelligent giver and made a study of inelligent charity work. He was a most valuable member of many of Portland's charitable institutions and organizations. Quiet and unassuming in manner, never pushign himself forward, not a public speech maker, Mr. Josselyn by his conspicuous public services, his unfailing geniality and kindness became one of the most widely known men in the city and state, and not one of his thousands of acquaintances but regarded him as a friend." He married, May 31, 1866, Lorania Rand, born in Phillips, May 8, 1844, daughter of Ephraim and Louisa A. Rand, of Phillips. Children: Harrison C. and Everett Rand. (IX) Harrison Clyde, son of Theodore A. and Lorania (Rand) Josselyn, was born in Farmington, Maine, Aug. 9, 1870, and was educated in the Portland public schools and at Phillips Andover Academy, Andover, Mass., class of '92. He was a clerk in the employ of Brown & Josselyn in 1892, and became a partner in the firm in 1897. After the death of his father, Harrison C. and Everett R. Josselyn succeeded to the business he had left, and have since carried it on with gratifying success. The firm of Brown & Josselyn has had a long and successful career, and stands among the best in New England for integrity and honorable business methods. It carries on an extensive general commission business in flour, grain and feed throughout the state of Maine and eastern and northern New Hampshire. H. C. Josselyn is a Republican in politics. He is a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 17, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Vernon Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1; Portland Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters; and Portland Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar; also of the Maine Genealogical Society, the Portland Board of Trade, and of several local clubs. He married, in Portland, April 5, 1899, Alice S. Chase, born in Portland Jan. 11, 1875, only child of Charles S. and Louise K. (Sawyer) Chase. (IX) Everett Rand, son of Theodore Alden and Lorania (Rand) Josselyn, was born in Portland, Maine, Aug. 29, 1874, and was educated in Portland public schools, Hebron Academy and Colby University, graduating from the latter with the class of '98. In business life he is junior member of the firm of Brown & Josselyn, general flour and feed merchants, Portland. He was a member of the Portland city government, and also of the city fire commission from 1902 to 1908. He is now a member of the Portland Board of Trade; Portland Lodge, No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Vernon Chapter, No. 1, R.A.M.; Portland Lodge, No. 188, B.P.O.E.; the United Commercial Travellers, Portland Yacht Club, Portland Motor Boat Club, the Lincoln Club and Zeta Psi fraternity, Chi Chapter. Mr. Josselyn married, April 21, 1904, Mary Louise, only daughter of Hon. George Dana and Louise Bisbee, of Rumford Falls, Maine.