PUFFER, Walter

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Died:
He doesn't appear in the 1880 Federal Census

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• Ref#: 146
• _COLOR: 11
• Birth: 19 Mar 1817, Westminster, MA
• Residence: 1869, Woonsocket, RI; and is listed as a Notary Public

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Mr. Puffer gives a pen picture of the Josiah Puffer homestead in Westminster: "Situated on a rising ground, separated from a lofty eminence only by a valley that modern engineering might bridge and in distinct view the bold Wachusett reared its lofty head; often hid in the clouds, the wind roaring it is forests, the precursor of the coming storm; or, when milder weather prevailed, far up its green slopes might be seen flocks and herds peacefully grazing upon its sides, the first light of morning gilding it and the party rays of sunset playing upon its summit; from whose top could be seen rivers and lakes, mountains and meadows giddy heights and gloomy hollows; villages and valleys, field and forests, farms and firesides; towns built for purposes of trade, and temples erected to t he worship of the Most High. Also in full view and at the foot of Wachusett could be seen a placid lake of the same name, better known, perhaps, as Foskett's 'Pork Barrel.' This was stocked with fish of various kinds, horn pouts predominating. These as you know are induced to come in schools to the shore by building fires near the water, and thus become easy prey to the angler. Here on fish forever fresh, near groves forever green, lived Daniel Foskett, and he was a good man and a Baptist, or as he expressed it, 'a burning and shining light in that part of the town, a candle of the Lord'. An unregenerate neighbor of his who lived on the opposite side of the lake said of him in connection with his burning and striking light, that he was so in pout-time, and as to his being a candle of the Lord: 'I suppose that he might be called a dipt candle.'"

Clinton Puffer was furniture dealer and undertaker in Woonsocket, RI.

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GRID=49155933

Birth:
Nutt says 1813

Clinton married BROWN, Phebe Palmer on 20 Aug 1848 in Cumberland, RI. Phebe (daughter of BROWN, Palmer and MUNRO, Phebe) was born on 20 May 1824 in Bristol, RI; died on 11 Dec 1909 in Woonsocket, RI; was buried in Woonsocket, RI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Graduate of Miss Warren's Seminary.

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GRID=49155935

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• Ref#: 79
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He owned a farm east of the meeting house at Westminster. His son Clinton administered his estate.

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Asahel married RAND, Jerusha Flint on 15 Dec 1807 in Woonsocket, RI. Jerusha (daughter of RAND, Capt. Zachariah and SAWYER, Jerusha) was born on 14 May 1787 in Westminster, MA; died on 18 Nov 1866 in Woonsocket, RI; was buried in Winchester, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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GRID=169970210

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GRID=19161900

Palmer married MUNRO, Phebe on 13 Dec 1807. Phebe was born on 3 Apr 1783 in Bristol, RI; died on 18 Apr 1862 in Cumberland, RI; was buried in Woonsocket, RI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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GRID=19161924

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• Ref#: 33
• _COLOR: 11
• Residence: 1790, Canajoharie, NY
• Residence: 1799, Canajoharie, NY

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He settled in Westminster about the time of the incorporation, 1759, on Lot No 62, in the south part of the town, on the farm lately owned by Cephas W. Bush. In early youth he lost a thumb by the explosion of a gun in his hands and was disqualified for military service. When he enlisted, it is said that he passed the examination by wearing gloves of which the thumb of one was filled with wood. He was in the French War, as the following letter to his father at Sudbury shows:

"Halfway Brook, July ye 23, 1758.
Honored father and mother

I hope these few lines may find you and all my Brothers and Sisters well and in good health as I am at this time after my Duty to you my father and mother and Love to my Brothers and sisters and friends and neighbors I will inform you that we have been met with a vary poor Stroke in the loss of Captain Daken and Leftene Curtis and thre privets, william grout J onathan Patson Nathanial Molton all of Sudbury and in the fight we lost three Captens and two Leftenants and one Ensine and two Sargnts and one Corporal and thirteen privets all out of our Regiment * * * and I will inform you that I Received your Letter this Day Dated June ye 29, and I Desier you would Send me a Letter as Sun as you Can I also Desier prayers for me and I hope that I shall Return to you in Due time--Know more at present So I shall Remain Your Dutifull Son
JOSIAH PUFFER."

He was a sergeant in Capt. Dakin's Co,, Col. Nicols' regt. at Worcester (list Jan 4 1759). He was in Captain Noah Mile's company, Colonel John Whitcomb's regiment Apr. 19, 1775, and took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill; also in Capt. Elisha Jackson's company to reinforce the northern army, 1777.

He was an active, influential citizen, of good judgment, able and upright. He was a Representative to the General Court in 1787, 1790, and 1791. He was the best educated man in town, except perhaps the minister. He retained his health to the day of his death. He mowed an acre of heavy grass the day before he died, and, indeed, died in the hayfield next day, while making his hay, pitchfork in hand, and was found dead by a neighbor. He deeded land to his son Samuel in 1805 (W.D. 163, 452). His will was dated Jan. 10, 1806. The 1790 census shows he was living in Westminster, head of a family of nine.

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GRID=84690600 

Josiah married READ, Mary on 29 Nov 1759 in Sudbury, MA. Mary (daughter of READ, Isaac L. and WILLIS, Experience) was born on 19 Mar 1741 in Sudbury, MA; died on 19 Jul 1831 in Westminster, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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It is unproven if these are Mary's parents. The Puffer Genealogy book, by Nutt, says her parents are Jacob and Experience Read.

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GRID=84690770 

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Zachariah married SAWYER, Jerusha on 23 Jun 1778. Jerusha (daughter of SAWYER, Nathaniel and FLINT, Jerusha) was born on 25 May 1762 in Westminster, MA; was christened on 5 Nov 1769; died on 13 Aug 1849; was buried in Pittsford, VT. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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GRID=57104726