My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN T. HARWOOD, a prominent farmer of Enfield, also engaged in butchering, was born in that place on May 6, 1825. He is a son of Abel and Polly (Townsend) Harwood and a grandson of Benjamin Harwood.

Benjamin Harwood, who was born in Hardwick, Mass., was one of the early settlers of Enfield. He was both a carpenter and a blacksmith, and followed both trades throughout the active period of his life. He served acceptably as Selectman of his town, and also as a Representative to the State legislature. He was a member of the Orthodox church. His death occurred in Enfield village, when he was eighty-six years of age. He was the father of seven children, all of whom attained maturity, but none are now living. They were: Betsey, Abel, Harriet, Benjamin R., Harlen, Ezra A., and Burnice.

Abel Harwood became a mechanic, and for twenty-seven years was employed in the Woods Brothers’ card manufactory at Enfield. Later in life he engaged in the meat business. He lived but fifty-seven years, dying on the old homestead. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Townsend, bore him six children, of whom four grew to maturity. Of these three are now living, namely: Benjamin T.; Myron W., a carpenter in Springfield, Mass.; and Charles E., a Congregational minister, living in Maine. The deceased were: William C., Elizabeth, and Reuel S.

Benjamin T. Harwood grew to manhood in Enfield, receiving his education in the public schools of that town. He then learned the trade of a butcher; and at his father’s decease he proceeded to start in the business alone, and has continued to follow it since that time. For twenty-seven years he ran a meat cart throughout Enfield and vicinity. He has made a specialty of killing veal calves for the Boston market, slaughtering as many as nine hundred in a single year. He has been engaged in this branch of his business during the past forty-six years. In addition to his meat business he owns a good farm, which he carries on with success. On May 1, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia P. Chaffee. She died on June 10, 1878. In 1881, on January 11, he married a, second time, taking for his wife Miss Frances A. Hutchinson. He is the father of four children — namely, Charles E., George S., Willard I., and Clara J. — all of whom reside in Enfield; and the last named lives at home. Mr. Harwood is one of the best-known residents of Hampshire County, and has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He votes the Republican ticket.