My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM EWING, of Southampton, Mass., whose birth occurred April 1820, in County Donegal, Ireland, is a splendid type of those foreign- born citizens who have come to our country in a state of comparative poverty, and with laudable energy and ambition have toiled and saved until they have acquired a competency. His father, a prominent man of County Donegal, where he followed his trade of weaving and also engaged in farming, lived and died on the green sod of his native isle, his death occurring in 1842. He married Flora Butler, and they reared three children: William; Alexander, a farmer, residing in Northampton; and John, now living in Springfield, retired from active business. The mother came to this country with her son William, and here spent her remaining years, dying in July, 186l.

William Ewing was reared and educated in the place of his nativity, and there learned the weaver’s trade. Having friends in America, he determined to join them here, being attracted by the superior advantages afforded to the laborer in this country; and on March 10, 1850, accompanied by his mother and his bride, to whom he had been united four days before, and one cousin, he embarked for New York. His wife, formerly Mary Ewing, was a native of County Donegal, born December 18, 1826, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (O’Donnell) Ewing. Her parents afterward emigrated to Massachusetts, locating in Easthampton, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing landed in New York, April 21, 1850, after a six weeks’ voyage, and came directly to Easthampton, where his two brothers were then living. For seven years thereafter he worked at the weaver’s trade; and, having by dint of close economy and wise management saved enough money to warrant him in the purchase of a farm, he then bought sixty acres of land, which are now included in his present homestead. Toiling with unwearied interest to clear and improve his land, he has since added to the original acreage, and while advancing his own welfare has been an important factor in developing the agricultural resources of this section of the county. He carries on general farming and dairying, raising milch cows, and selling his milk to the local creamery.

The home circle of Mr. and Mrs Ewing has been enlarged by the birth of fourteen children, namely: Sarah, wife of John Daley, of Waltham, Mass.; John, living in Northampton; Samuel, of Haydenville; Flora; Margaret Ann, wife of Franklin Howard, of Westhampton; William, who resides with his parents; Maria J., wife of George Brown, of Chicago; Robert, now living at home; Elizabeth, wife of Lyman Clapp, now Selectman at Northampton; Alexander, a resident of Florence, Mass.; Emma, wife of George Hames, of Chelsea, Mass. Margaret Ann and two infants are deceased. Besides these fourteen children Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have an adopted daughter, Margaret N., whom they are rearing with the same care that they bestowed on their own children. Mr. Ewing takes a lively interest in the political affairs of the town, county, and nation, and, having the courage of his convictions, votes for the men and measures he deems the best, being bound by no party ties, although his sympathies are strongly with the Prohibitionists.