PUFFER, Capt. Alfred Ferdinand

Notes:

The following account of his life was read at a special communication of Prince of Orange Lodge, No. 16, F. & A.M. in the Masonic Temple, NYC, July 9 1875 by the Wor. Bro. Stephen M. Wright:

"Brother Puffer was born in Boston, MA, February 26, 1837, where he received a liberal education at the High School, and at an early age developed a love for literary pursuits.
"In 1856, at the age of nineteen, he came to New York, where he soon engaged in mercantile life, traveling extensively through the Southern States as a representative of the dry goods and silk trade of this city; during this time he found opportunities to indulge in his literary labors, contributing articles of interest to many popular periodicals, those to the Atlantic Monthly being the most frequent.
"In the early part of 1862 he received an appointment from the New York Herald as War Correspondent, and was assigned to accompany General Butler's expedition to New Orleans. His abilities and gentlemanly deportment so attracted the attention of the General that he invited him to accept a position on his personal staff, first with the rank of Lieutenant, and afterwards as Captain, and thus he continued with the General till the close of the war, occupying many positions of confidence and trust. He then engaged in business at Mobile, but the commercial interests of that city not reviving as he had anticipated his venture proved unsuccessful. Returning to New York, he was appointed Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for the 32 District, which position he held until 1870, when he received an appointment as entry clerk in the Custom House, and in October, 1873, he was selected by Collector Chester A. Arthur as one of his deputies.
"Brother Puffer connected himself with the Masonic Fraternity in 1867, being initiated March 7, passed June 7, and raised June 20 of that year, in this lodge. His abilities were soon recognized; he was elected Senior Deacon in 1869, and Junior Warden in 1870. In 1872 and the two succeeding years he was elected Secretary, he declined a re-election this year as his public duties were of such a character as to prevent his accepting the position for another term. The Lodge records for those years are referred to with satisfaction as elegant in style and complete in character.
"In conclusion, I desire to add my tribute to his worth, and I know that I feebly reflect your own thoughts in saying that I cannot but feel that his record was pure and untarnished; that he was a courteous gentle man, ever affable and genial, noble minded, generous and forgiving -- a lways faithful to life's duties; he was an honest man, a good Mason, and as such we deplore his loss, not only to our Lodge and the Fraternity, the business and social community in which he moved."
The lodge adopted the following:
"Resolved, That in his death this Lodge has lost one of its foremost and most valued members, whose skill and untiring energies were devoted to its welfare and prosperity, and whose deportment and character gave dignity to our professions and marked a "perfect ashlar" in our Masonic edifice."

He left military service in 1865 to work for the Internal Revenue. At the time of his death he worked at the New York Custom House. In that capacity he corresponded with Susan B. Anthony over a small amount of tax she owed on the sale of pamphlets of suffrage she printed. She paid the tax under protest and scolded Mr. Puffer and the IRS for taxing her without the benefit of her being represented in Congress.

He left a widow and two children.

Alfred married BUTTRICK, Ella on 6 Sep 1870 in New York, NY. Ella (daughter of BUTTRICK, Silas H. and BRADBURY, Harriet) was born in Jun 1851 in New York, NY; died on 8 Nov 1934 in Monaroneck, NY; was buried on 12 Jul 1938 in Brooklyn, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. PUFFER, Frederick Collamore was born on 9 Oct 1872 in New York, NY; was christened on 16 Jun 1884 in New York, NY; died on 22 Jul 1900 in Manhattan, NY; was buried on 25 Jul 1900 in Brooklyn, NY.
2. PUFFER, Theodora Pray was born on 30 Aug 1874 in NY; was christened on 16 Jun 1884 in New York City, NY; died on 22 Sep 1957 in Pelham Manor, NY.
3. PUFFER, Flora was born in CA 1875 in NY; and died.

Alfred married BUTTRICK, Ella on 31 Aug 1870 in Manhattan, NY. Ella (daughter of BUTTRICK, Silas H. and BRADBURY, Harriet) was born in Jun 1851 in New York, NY; died on 10 Jul 1938 in Brooklyn, NY; was buried on 12 Jul 1938 in Brooklyn, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. PUFFER, Frederick Collamore was born on 9 Oct 1872 in New York, NY; was christened on 16 Jun 1884 in New York, NY; died on 22 Jul 1900 in Manhattan, NY; was buried on 25 Jul 1900 in Brooklyn, NY.
2. PUFFER, Theodora Pray was born on 30 Aug 1874 in NY; was christened on 16 Jun 1884 in New York City, NY; died on 22 Sep 1957 in Pelham Manor, NY.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Ref#: 173
• Residence: 12 Aug 1850, Boston, MA; Age 62Piano forte maker; Mass
• Residence: 21 Jun 1860, Cambridge, MA

Notes:

A cabinet maker by trade and during most of his active life resided in Boston, where he manufactured musical instruments.

He was a 'pianoforte' maker in the 1850 Federal Census.

Aaron married PRAY, Theodora on 24 Aug 1823 in Quincy, MA. Theodora was born on 30 Jul 1797 in Quincy, MA; died on 1 Sep 1874 in Cambridge, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 12 Aug 1850, Boston, MA; Age 53MA
• Residence: 21 Jun 1860, Cambridge, MA; Age 62MA
• Residence: 15 Jun 1870, Cambridge, MA; Age 72Enum/Gustavus; No employment; Mass

Other Events and Attributes:

• Ref#: 93
• Title: Captain
• _COLOR: 11

Notes:

He joined the Congregational Church at Sudbury, May 26, 1786, by profession of faith, was chosen deacon, Sept 14, 1807, continuing in that office until his death, a period of 35 years. He was an energetic, industrious and prominent citizen, highly respected by his townsmen. When he died 11 of his 13 children were living, and 50 of his 65 grandchildren, of whom but one was married. He was captain of the militia.

FindaGrave:
GRID=35866151

Samuel married EAMES, Joanna on 16 Mar 1785 in Sudbury, MA. Joanna (daughter of EAMES, Aaron and MCALISTER, Anne) was born on 3 Nov 1766 in Sudbury, MA; died on 27 Nov 1820 in Sudbury, MA; was buried in Sudbury, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _COLOR: 11

Notes:

FindaGrave:
GRID=35866597

Other Events and Attributes:

• Ref#: 39
• _COLOR: 11

Notes:

He was a soldier in the Revolution, clerk, Capt. Aaron Haynes's co. of militia, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Cambridge, via Concord; service, 4 days: clerk of Capt. Asahel Wheeler's company, Col. Jonathan Read's regiment in 1775; and was also in the northern army in 1777. He owned half of pew No. 38 in the Sudbury church. He sold land in Westminster, Feb 24, 1772 to Daniel Maynard of Sudbury (W.D. 66-333). He enlisted Sept 28 1777, service 41 days, in Northern department; milage (200 miles) from home to camp allowed.

His will was dated Jan. 22, 1822, bequeathing to children Samuel "Jr.", Abel, Persis, Mollie, Dorothy, Lucy, Asenath and Nathan.

FindaGrave:
GRID=76121275

Phineas married STRATTON, Molly on 3 Sep 1772 in Sudbury, MA. Molly was born in 1742 in Sudbury, MA; was christened on 13 Sep 1772; died about 1789 in MA; was buried in Sudbury, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _COLOR: 11
• Death: 29 Dec 1817, Sudbury, MA; : of dropsy and numb palsy

Notes:

Joined the Sudbury church Sept. 13, 1772.

FindaGrave:
GRID=76121319

Aaron married MCALISTER, Anne. Anne was born on 1 Jan 1727 in Westborough, MA; died about 1777 in Sudbury, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]