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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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MARTIN WILLCUTT, widely known as a prosperous agriculturist and extensive stock-raiser, was born in Chesterfield, August 23, 1827, son of Major Joel and Malency (Bates) Willcutt.

Major Willcutt was a farmer of industrious habits, and soon after his marriage, which was performed in Cummington, settled on a farm in this locality, and followed his customary occupation for a time. He subsequently sold his original purchase, bought the homestead property where his son Martin now resides, and thereafter made its cultivation and improvement one of the chief objects of his life. He died in August, 1882. He was interested in military tactics, and for many years was drum-major in the old Home Guard. His wife, who was his faithful companion and counsellor for more than half a century, died in 1877. They reared a family of eleven children, namely: Jesse, a resident of Cummington; Clarissa, deceased; Malinda, wife of Ebenezer Shaw, of Cummington; Alvin, who died in Cummington in 1893; Martin, the subject of this sketch; Rhoda, deceased; Lucretia, wife of Henry Dyer, of Cummington; Lydia, wife of Alexus Wells, of Cummington; Clarissa, wife of Abner Damon, of Williamsburg; Joel, deceased; and Maria, wife of William Wells, of Williamsburg.

Martin Willcutt spent his childhood and youth in very much the same manner as most farmers’ boys, by turns attending school and helping in the labors of the farm, but remaining beneath the parental roof-tree until marriage. He afterward worked at the carpenter’s trade in this town and in Cummington for several years, and was likewise engaged to some extent in farming. After the death of his father Mr. Willcutt, who had always taken an interest in farm work, bought the claims of the remaining heirs in the homestead property, and has since carried on general farming with success. He has added much to the improvements already begun. There is a substantial and convenient set of buildings, with all the equipments required by a first-class modern agriculturist. He raises hay, corn, and the small grains, and makes a specialty of stock-raising, handling a large number of cattle each year.

On February 9, 1851, Mr. Willcutt was united in marriage with Miss Millury J. Shaw, a native of Cummington, being a daughter of Ebenezer Shaw, an early settler of that place. Mr. Willcutt champions the principles of the Democratic party, and, although not an aspirant for public office, has served his town as Road Surveyor, as well as in some of the minor offices. He is a true and loyal citizen in every respect, and has an unblemished reputation as a straightforward and upright man and a worthy member of society.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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