My Genealogy Hound

EBENEZER GOLDTHWAIT, one of the worthy and industrious agriculturists of Hampshire County, was born January 20, 1821, in South Hadley Falls. His father, also named Ebenezer Goldthwait, was born in the town of Granby, and there reared to manhood. Having gone to South Hadley Falls, he became an employee of the late Chester W. Chapin, driving the stage on the old route from South Hadley to Springfield. He subsequently went South, and for a few years was engaged as a stage driver at Richmond, Va. After his return to Springfield, he worked in the city stables for a time. Then he went to New Haven, Conn., where he spent his last years, dying in 1856. He was married three times. His first wife, Minerva Day, died in South Hadley in 1822, leaving two children: Ebenezer, the subject of this sketch; and George S., deceased. His second wife, whose maiden name was Esther Tibbie, died shortly after their marriage, leaving no issue. Almira Pardee, who became his third wife, was born at Branford, Conn., and died in New Britain. She bore him six children: Esther M., E. Augusta, Helen M., Charles E., Phebe H., and I. Henry.

Ebenezer, Jr., was the architect of his own fortune. By his untiring energy and sagacity and the diligent use of his opportunities he has steadily made his way toward the top rung of the ladder. After reaching his majority, he worked by the month for neighboring farmers for seven years. Then he went to Connecticut, and spent the next eight years at burnishing plated ware in a silversmith’s shop in Glastonbury. Returning after that period to Granby, he purchased twenty-six acres of land; and later, having prospered with his first purchase, he invested in more land, making the total forty acres. Mr. Goldthwait devotes his entire attention to his property, and the result is visible in several marked improvements. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, but has never sought official favors.

Mr. Goldthwait has been twice married. His first wife, Orpha C. Dickinson, a daughter of Abner Mosley and Ruth (Warner) Dickinson and a sister of Mrs. Francis S. Stebbins, died May 6, 1882. She left one daughter, Clara, wife of Willard A. Taylor, a sketch of whose life will be found on another page. On October 10, 1883, Mr. Goldthwait married his second wife. Miss Dorothy A. Avery, a native of Northampton, born February 6, 1832. Her father, Lyman Avery, was born in Wallingford, Conn., but afterward located in Easthampton, where he engaged in farming, living there until his decease, December 4, 1837. He married Rachel Clark, a life-long resident of Easthampton, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Julia Ann; Lysander Clark; Rachel Jane, deceased; Noyes Lyman, deceased; Dorothy A., Mrs. Goldthwait; and Lewis Lyman. Mr. and Mrs. Goldthwait are members of the Congregational church, and are active workers in religious circles.