Person Page - 183

     Eleanor Pearl Marshall was the daughter of John T. Marshall and Susan Priscilla McKenney. Eleanor Pearl Marshall married Amassa Maynard Holcombe, son of Frank Gibbons Holcombe and Inez Norman Maynard, on 7 September 1909. Eleanor Pearl Marshall died in 1932.

     Priscilla Holcombe was born on 30 July 1913 at MO. She was the daughter of Amassa Maynard Holcombe and Eleanor Pearl Marshall. Priscilla Holcombe died on 18 November 2003 at Naples, Collier Co., FL, at age 90.

     Marshall Maynard Holcombe was born on 24 September 1914 at The City of St. Louis, The City of St. Louis, MO. He was the son of Amassa Maynard Holcombe and Eleanor Pearl Marshall. Marshall Maynard Holcombe died on 17 April 1997 at Naples, Collier Co., FL, at age 82.¹

from The Harrisburg Patriot, April 25, 1997:

Marshall was the former vice president and patent department head for AMP, Inc. in Swatara Twp., PA, and a former partner in the New York City law firm of Curtis, Morris and Safford; a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and George Washington Law School and attended Harvard Law School; was a former board member of the American Red Cross and formerly headed the Symphony Association, both in Harrisburg, PA; was a volunteer and board member of Naples Community and North Collier Hospitals; had been a board member of the United Way of Collier County; was a past president of the Port Royal Club; and a member of the Bonita Bay and Naples Yacht Clubs.

     Violet May Strong was born on 16 May 1884 at Chicopee, Hampden Co., MA. She married Kenneth Edward Gillett, son of Edward Gillett and Jennie Vining, on 30 October 1912.¹ Violet May Strong married Amassa Maynard Holcombe, son of Frank Gibbons Holcombe and Inez Norman Maynard, on 8 March 1934.² Violet May Strong died on 16 January 1963 at Washington, DC, at age 78. She was buried at New Southwick Cemetery, Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.³

     Edward Gillett was born on 27 January 1849 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.¹ He was the son of Socrates Gillett and Sophia Holcombe.² Edward Gillett married Jennie Vining on 10 October 1880.³ Edward Gillett died on 21 April 1931 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, at age 82.^4,1 He was buried on 23 April 1931 at Southwick Cemetery, Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.^4,1

     Kenneth Edward Gillett was born on 25 March 1885 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.² He was the son of Edward Gillett and Jennie Vining.² Kenneth Edward Gillett married Violet May Strong on 30 October 1912.² Kenneth Edward Gillett died on 7 November 1932 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, at age 47.² He was buried at New Southwick Cemetery, Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.³

     Kenneth Edward Gillett Jr. was born on 20 June 1915 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was the son of Kenneth Edward Gillett and Violet May Strong.² Kenneth Edward Gillett Jr. married Janet Lefevre on 3 September 1934. Kenneth Edward Gillett Jr. died on 15 September 1942 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, at age 27. He was buried on 18 September 1942 at New Southwick Cemetery, Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.³

From the Springfield Republican,16 September 1942, page 2:

Southwick, Sept. 15--Kenneth Edward Gillett Jr., 27 died tonight after a long illness. He was born in this town on June 20 1915, son of Kenneth E. Gillett and Violet (Strong) Holcomb, attended the local schools and was a graduate of Westfield high school and the Taft school in Watertown, Ct. He also attended Massachusetts State college, Cornell and Maryland univesity.

He was manager of the Gillett flower and fern farm of this town, which was founded by his grandfather, Edward Gillett. He was a well-known amateur golfer in his section. He married Janet Lefever of Westfield, September 3, 1934.

Besides his widow, he leaves his mother, Mrs. A. Maynard Holcomb of Washington, D. C; two brothers, Corp Donald M. Gillett at Midlands Flying school, Midland, Tex. and Private Thornton R. Gillett of Fort Devens. The funeral will be held at his home Friday afternoon, at 2, with Rev. William F. Davis, Jr., of Ronkonkoma, L.I. officiating. Burial will be in New cemetery, this town.

     Donald Malcolm Gillett was born on 8 April 1919 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.² He was the son of Kenneth Edward Gillett and Violet May Strong. Donald Malcolm Gillett died on 3 April 2010 at Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD, at age 90.

From the Herald-Mail, Hagerstown, MD, 5 April 2010:

Donald. M. Gillett, age 90, of 260 S. Prospect St., Hagerstown, Md., passed away Saturday, April 3, 2010, in Hagerstown.

Don was born April 8, 1919, in Southwick Mass. After the death of his father when Don was 13, his mother remarried and they moved to Washington, D.C., where he attended Wilson High School and later the University of Maryland, where he graduated with a degree in business administration. He also served four years in the Army Air Corps, stationed in Midland, Texas, where he served as a chaplain's assistant. He also played organ for services on "folding field organs and the mighty Hammond" as quoted.

Don's musical interest started when he was four years old, his parents having taken him to a number of organ recitals at the Municipal Auditorium in Springfield Mass. He started piano lessons at six years old with Dorothy Mulroney who was the organist at the Municipal Auditorium. After moving to Washington, D.C., he studied piano and organ with Lewis Atwater, a well-known Washington, D.C. musician, who was organist at All Souls Unitarian Church and also Washington Hebrew Congregation. Don's interest in organ building also started with the study of the organ.

His first job was with Lewis & Hitchcock in Washington, D.C. Four years later he was hired at Aeolian-Skinner with a desire to learn voicing and tonal finishing, working under G. Donald Harrison and Herbert Pratt. In later years, Don became a vice president and head tonal finisher. Upon the retirement of Joseph Whiteford in 1968, Don was offered the opportunity to buy up controlling interest in Aeolian-Skinner, and then became president and tonal director.

In the early 1970s, Aeolian-Skinner was building the last three jobs, St. Bartholomew's NYC, Trinity Wall Street and Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The company was then sold.

In March of 1972 Riley Daniels offered Don a job at Moller as head flue voicer. After the death of John Hose, he became tonal director, and eventually a vice president. Don retired from Moller in 1991.

Don Gillett was also an avid art collector and had a large art collection. He served on the Board of Directors of the Washington County (MD) Museum of Fine Arts.

He is survived by his companion of 40 years, Warren S.Goding of Hagerstown; sister-in-law, Jane Mace of Palm City, Fla., and cousin, Mary Davis of Fort Lee, N.J.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth and Thorton.

A memorial event will be announced at a future date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown.

Memorial donations may be made to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, P.O. Box 423, City Park, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

     Lt. Thornton Richard Gillett was born on 21 May 1920.² He was the son of Kenneth Edward Gillett and Violet May Strong. Lt. Thornton Richard Gillett was also known as Lt. Richard Thornton Gillett. He died on 11 July 1944 at France at age 24.³ He was buried at New Southwick Cemetery, Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.³ Richard served as a 2nd Lt. in WW II.

     Waldo Hawley Holcombe was born on 25 July 1911 at Warsaw. He was the son of Arthur Norman Holcombe and Carolyn Hawley Crossett. Waldo Hawley Holcombe died in May 1986 at Milton, Norfolk, MA, at age 74.²

     Mary Crossett Holcombe was born on 1 September 1914 at Warsaw, NY.³ She was the daughter of Arthur Norman Holcombe and Carolyn Hawley Crossett. Mary Crossett Holcombe married Richard Thornton Fisher, son of Richard Thornton Fisher and Georgina Paine, on 6 June 1936 at Cambridge, MA.⁴ Mary Crossett Holcombe died on 17 June 2000 at age 85.⁵

     Robert Crossett Holcombe was born on 28 January 1916 at Cambridge, MA.¹ He was the son of Arthur Norman Holcombe and Carolyn Hawley Crossett. Robert Crossett Holcombe died on 15 February 2008 at Peterborough, Hillsborough Co., NY, at age 92.¹

     Richard Thornton Fisher was born on 4 July 1914 at Worcester, Worcester Co., MA.^1,2 He was the son of Richard Thornton Fisher and Georgina Paine. Richard Thornton Fisher married Mary Crossett Holcombe, daughter of Arthur Norman Holcombe and Carolyn Hawley Crossett, on 6 June 1936 at Cambridge, MA.³ Richard Thornton Fisher died on 25 September 1995 at Homosassa, FL, at age 81.^1,2

     Carl A. Norman married Elizabeth Holcombe, daughter of Frank Gibbons Holcombe and Inez Norman Maynard. Carl A. Norman was born at Sweden.

     Clintina A. Burton was born on 15 May 1857.¹ She was the daughter of James E. Burton and Olive A. Robinson. Clintina A. Burton married Charles Henry Holcombe MD, son of Franklin Holcombe and Sarah Jane Robinson, on 23 June 1888. Clintina A. Burton was buried on 27 March 1934 at Pine Grove Cemetery, Brookline, Hillsborough Co., NH.¹ She died on 27 March 1934 at age 76.¹

     Candace Holcombe was born on 8 May 1892 at Brookline, MA. She was the daughter of Charles Henry Holcombe MD and Clintina A. Burton.

     Catherine Anginette Holcombe was born circa 1837. She was the daughter of Chandler Holcombe and Juliett Moore. Catherine Anginette Holcombe married Robert Burns Alchin on 21 July 1858 at Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL. Catherine Anginette Holcombe died in 1872.

Robert and "Nettie" were enumerated in the 1860 Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL, federal census. He was a master shoe maker, age 28, she was 23. the only child in the household was Nellie 1. Catherine's mother Juliett, age 39, was also in the household. Catherine was again enumerated in the 1870 Rockford census. She was 32; children in the household were Nellie 11, Robert 8, and Edith 6.

Robert Alchin served in the Civil War for Illinois and mentioned in one of his letters home having heard from his brother-in-law Monreo Holcomb. Robert returned from the war and resumed his peacetime occupation, but by the 1870 census he was dead, leaving a widow and three young children. Their mother Catherine was employed as a schoolteacher, and she and her mother shared the responsibility for the children. Then in the summer of 1872, the Grim Reaper appeared again and Catherine succumbed. Now Juliet Holcomb, age 54, was the sole support and protector of her grandchildren.

     Hiram Holcombe was born circa 1843. He was the son of Chandler Holcombe and Juliett Moore.

     Elijah Church was born in 1792. He was the son of Uriah Church Jr. and Martha Cowdry. Elijah Church married Violet Holcombe, daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Lucy Holcombe, in 1815. Elijah Church died in 1877.

     Hiram L. Holcombe was born in November 1854 at NY.^2,3 He was the son of Hiram Holcombe. Hiram L. Holcombe married Hattie Aiken on 26 December 1876 at Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA.²

Hiram and Hattie were enumerated in the 1880 Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA, federal census. He was a machinist, age 24; she was 24. The only child in the household was Frank E., 2. Hiram and Hattie were again enumerated in the 1900 Northampton, federal census. He was a tool maker, age 45, she was 45. There was only one child in the household, Carrie E. 19. Hattie had 3 children but only two were still alive. Hiram and Hattie were enumerated in the 1930 Hartford, Hartford Co., CT, federal census, district 4. They were both 74.

Hiram was a merchant at 41 S. Hudson St., Hartford, CT.

     Sabra Holcombe was born on 26 May 1793 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.³ Sabra Holcombe was also known as Sebra Holcombe. She married Samuel Dewey, son of David Dewey and Lovina Holcombe, on 29 November 1820 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Sabra Holcombe died on 22 October 1873 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 80.^5,6 She was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot V-45.^7,6

Sabra was enumerated in the 1860 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census, with son Lemuel W. in the household.

     Marilla Holcombe was born on 29 July 1796 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. She was the daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.² Marilla Holcombe married Warner Farnum on 28 November 1821 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     Climena Holcombe was born on 11 August 1799 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.³

     Weston Holcombe was born on 28 August 1801 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.² Weston Holcombe married Polly Farnum, daughter of Elijah Farnum. Weston Holcombe died on 19 October 1887 at Greene, Chenango Co., NY, at age 86.³ He was buried at Sylvan Lawn Cemetery, Greene, Chenango Co., NY.³ Moved from Granby, Hartford Co., CT, to Greene Co., NY and before Jan 30, 1851, was living Coventry, Chenango Co., NY.

     Melissa Holcombe was born on 23 December 1803 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.² Melissa Holcombe died on 2 February 1855 at age 51.¹ She was buried at Holcombe Cemetery Depot Hill, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

The families of Jabez and Sophia are confused and appear twice.

Carol Laun indicates that Melissa's death in GVR 10141, unmarried; the Godard genealogy is wrong.

     Abijah Holcombe II was born on 10 April 1806 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² He was the son of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.³ Abijah Holcombe II married Lydia Farnum, daughter of Elijah Farnum.

Moved to Chenango and Greene Counties, NY ⁴


It is apparently this Abijah and Lydia who were enumerated in the 1850 Ward 2, Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY, federal census. He was a cabinet maker, age 43; she was 40. Edward A. Holcomb, age 16 was also in the household.


Abijah and Lydia were enumerated in the 1860 Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY, federal census. He was 54, she was 52. Also enumerated was Edward A. 25, Julia 21, and Eugene 6 months.

     Lemuel Holcombe was born on 21 May 1809 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 He was the son of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.⁴ Lemuel Holcombe married Louisa Augusta Bowe on 5 November 1834 at Green, NY.^2,3 Lemuel Holcombe married Mary A. Louisa Viets, daughter of Dan Viets and Beula Phelps, on 3 July 1845 at Troy, NY.⁵ Lemuel Holcombe died on 9 September 1894 at Springfield, MA, at age 85. He was buried at Granby Center Cemetery; I-178, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁶

Lemuel is recorded with family and mother in the 1850 census of Granby, Hartford Co., CT as a farmer.

Lemuel and Mary are enumerated in the 1860 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census with Oliver, Lorenzo, Louisa, and Clifton in the household.

Mary is enumerated in the 1870 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census only with Clifton L. in the household.

The families of Jabez and Sophia appear twice in Bowman. Here as son of Elijah and Violet Cornish, then also as son of Martin and Christian Winchell.

McPherson does not confuse the two families; Jabez the son of Martin married only Anna Hosmer. Jabez the son of Elijah, only married Sophia Goddard.

     Mahala Holcombe was born on 27 May 1810 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² She was the daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.³ Mahala Holcombe married George Spring, son of Thomas Spring II and Jerusha Pomeroy.² Mahala Holcombe died on 3 May 1895 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, at age 84.⁴

George and Mahala were enumerated in the 1860 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census. He was a farmer, age 50, she was 49. Monroe, Madison, Lewis, and Amanda were in the household.


George and Mahala were enumerated in the 1870 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, federal census. Monroe, Lewis, and Amanda were enumerated in the household.

     Almanson Holcombe was born on 30 November 1816 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹ He was the son of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.² Almanson Holcombe was also known as Almanzor Holcombe.¹ He died on 4 April 1845 at age 28.¹ He was buried at Holcombe Cemetery Depot Hill, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

This is a small family cemetery that has completely disappeared. The cemetery was located across from 200 Loomis Street "on a little eminence about a hundred feet west of the highway" When the Holcomb farm was sold, the new owners used the land for pasture and cows grazed amid the stones. Eventually the gravestones fell, were broken and finally disappeared during the 1950's. The bones of Jabez Holcomb and family still rest on that small hill, but there is no trace left of the gravestones or a cemetery.

     Samuel Dewey was born circa 1789.¹ He was the son of David Dewey and Lovina Holcombe.² Samuel Dewey married Sabra Holcombe, daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard, on 29 November 1820 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.² Samuel Dewey died on 28 January 1850.³ He was buried at Center Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT; Lot V-45.¹

     Warner Farnum was also known as Warren Farnham. He married Marilla Holcombe, daughter of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard, on 28 November 1821 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     Polly Farnum was born circa 1806. She was the daughter of Elijah Farnum. Polly Farnum married Weston Holcombe, son of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard. Polly Farnum died on 11 August 1843 at NY. She was buried at Upper Page Brook Cemetery, Greene, Chenango Co., NY.¹

     Elijah Farnum was born circa 1780.

     Lydia Farnum was the daughter of Elijah Farnum. Lydia Farnum married Abijah Holcombe II, son of Jabez Holcombe and Sophia Goddard.