My Genealogy Hound

THE JUDD FAMILY has been prominently identified with the leading interests of Hampshire County since its earliest history. The emigrating ancestor, Thomas Judd, came from England to Massachusetts in 1633 or 1634, and settled in Cambridge, in that part of the town known then as “West End.” He built a house, and remained there two years; but in 1636 he moved to Hartford, Conn., whence he went to the town of Farmington, being one of the original proprietors of that place. He was an extensive land-owner and an influential citizen, being sent to the General Court in 1674. In 1678 his first wife died; and on December 2, 1679, he married the widow Clemence Mason, of Northampton, to which place he came in 1682. He was very active in church work, and was made Deacon of the church in 1668. Deacon Judd died a few years after coming to Northampton, his death occurring November 12, 1688. His widow survived him, dying November 22, 1696. He reared a family of nine children, the next in line of descent being his eldest son, William Judd.

William Judd, who was married March 30, 1658, died at Farmington, Conn., in 1690. He was known by his military title of Sergeant. His wife bore him seven children. She survived him, her death occurring October 27, 1718. His son Thomas, through whom the line continues, was a blacksmith and a farmer, and one of the leading men of his time, serving as Town Clerk, Deacon of the church, Captain of the militia, Justice of the Peace, and as a Deputy to the General Court. On February 9, 1688, he married Sarah Freeman, by whom he had six children, one son, William, and five daughters.

This second William Judd, who was a Captain in the militia and a Representative to the General Court, was first married January 21, 1713, to Mary Root. After her death, on December 10, 1757, he married Mrs. Hope Lee. He departed this life January 29, 1772, leaving five sons and two daughters, of whom Timothy, the eldest son, is the progenitor of this branch of the family.

Timothy Judd was a man of scholarly attainments, and was graduated from Yale College in 1737. His first wife, Mary Clark, whom he wedded March 29, 1744, died on the 8th of the following November. He then married, October 9, 1749, Mellicent (South) Mayo, a widow, who died March 26, 1763. On August 8, 1764, he married Ann Sedgwick, who lived but a short time; and after her decease he married on June 6, 1780, Mrs. Mary Foote. In October, 1782, she passed to the life eternal, and later the Widow Clanson became his fifth wife. Timothy Judd was a man of influence, and served as Justice of the Peace from 1765 until 1783, besides holding various other offices of trust. He died January 23, 1796, leaving six children.

Allyn Judd, son of the above-named Timothy, was born in 1757, and died in Windsor, N.Y., in 1803. In 1776 he married Joanna Seymour, who died October 5, 1833, having borne him eleven children. Jonathan Judd, Jr., son of the Rev. Jonathan Judd, graduated at Yale College in 1765. He began trade in Southampton in 1769, being the town’s first merchant. He continued in business here for half a century. He was a Justice of the Peace, once a Representative to the General Court, and was also busy in other public employments. He died January 30, 1819, aged seventy-five years.

Frederick Judd, son of the Rev. Jonathan Judd, was born January 9, 1760, and married Nancy Wait, daughter of Simeon Wait, of Southampton, December 15, 1785. He was a Representative to the General Court and a Justice of the Peace. He died May 23, 1840, aged eighty years four months. He had seven children.

Asa Judd, a son of Frederick Judd, succeeded his uncle as a trader in Southampton, and died here October 20, 1848, aged sixty years. On May 13, 1816, he married Lavinia Gridley, who was born October 12, 1792, the record of their children being as follows: Jonathan, born September 23, 1817; Anna Maria, born February 2, 1819, married Orrin R. More, of Southampton, August 11, 1846, their only child being one son, born April 26, 1853; Cornelia, born June 9, 1820, died February 6, 1841; Zeresh, born November 18, 1822, died May 15, 1823; Zeresh Jane, born March 12, 1824, was for many years a school-teacher in this vicinity; Ard Gridley, born November 22, 1825; and William D., born March 1, 1828.

Jonathan N. Judd succeeded his father, Asa, in the store and post-office, remaining here until his death, July 11, 1861, aged forty-three years. He was a Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and Treasurer, Selectman, and a member of the Congregational church. He was honored and esteemed by his towns-people as a man far above the average, one whose business capacity was superior, and whose counsel was recognized by all as valuable.

Ard Gridley Judd succeeded his brother Jonathan N. in business here, and was appointed Postmaster in 1861, having been connected with the office ever since. He was Town Treasurer during the trying days of the Civil War, is a member of the Congregational church and parish, and a faithful supporter of both organizations, and a stanch Republican in politics. He has been uncommonly successful in business, gaining a substantial competence, while retaining the respect and good will of his townsmen. He and his sister, Jane Z. Judd, still occupy the old homestead in Southampton where they were born. Jane Z. Judd received an education in the common schools and Sheldon Academy, afterward following the vocation of a school-teacher, in which she was unusually proficient and successful. She is a member of the Congregational church, prominent and active in its service.

William D. Judd grew to manhood in Southampton, and began his active work as book-keeper at Leeds, in this county, remaining a few years, when he accepted a similar position with C. P. Talbot, of Lowell, Mass., where he lived five years. Returning then to Western Massachusetts, he was engaged in the boot and shoe business in Greenfield for two years, coming back to the place of his nativity in 1857, dying here March 4, 1858, of consumption, resulting from pneumonia. While a resident of Lowell, in 1851, he was united in marriage with Malvina A. Carleton, a native of that city, where her birth occurred, October 13, 1828. Their only child, Frederick Eugene, was born in Lowell, Mass., March 30, 1852.

Frederick E. Judd was reared and educated in the city of Lowell, Mass., being graduated from the high school. After completing his education, he entered the employment of a Boston firm as book-keeper, continuing in that business several years. Mr. Judd then removed to Northampton, where he spent a year, coming thence to Southampton in 1872. Since his residence here he has won the repeat and confidence of his fellow-citizens, being deservedly popular throughout the community. His business tact and sound judgment are widely recognized, and he has served in various offices of responsibility. In 1877 he was chosen Town Clerk, a position which he has since held, and for the past five years has been Town Treasurer, and is one of the Trustees of the Easthampton Savings Bank, he is now copartner in the firm of A. G. Judd & Co. In politics he is a steadfast Republican; and, religiously, he and his wife belong to the Congregational church, of which he is organist, as well as parish clerk. He is a member of Ionic Lodge of A. F. & A. M. In September 12, 1889, Mr. Judd was united in marriage with Miss Catherine E. Parsons, who is a native of Southampton. Mrs. Judd was born February 13, 1858, of pioneer ancestry, being the daughter of Isaac and Rachel I. (Edmands) Parsons. She graduated at Mount Holyoke College, June 24, 1880. Two bright and active children enliven the home of Mr. and Mrs. Judd, namely: Helen Kathrina, born October 22, 1891; and William Frederick, born May 20, 1893.