JOSHUA
BRITTON
(1819-1899)
JOSHUA
BRITTON, a retired manufacturer of Stoughton, was born in Easton,
Bristol County
,
Mass.,
November 27, 1819
, son
of Joshua and
Nancy
(Field) Britton. His grandfather, Joshua Britton, first, who resided
in
Easton
, was a justice of the Peace, and settled
many estates. He married
Cynthia
White, of
Mansfield,
Mass., and had a family of nine children ; namely Joshua, Keziah, Thomas,
James,
Fanny, Cynthia and Lucinda (twins),
Phoebe, and Charles.
Parents
of Joshua Britton
Joshua
Britton
Sr.
Nancy (Field) Britton
Wife
of Joshua Britton
Mrs.
Joshua Britton - Olive F. (White) Britton
Joshua
Britton, second, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Easton; and when a young man he there learned the trade of a blacksmith. For
some time he worked for General Leach in his native town, but later
engaged in burning charcoal, and still later was employed in teaming and in
other occupations. In 1827 he moved to
Sharon
,
Mass.
His last years were spent in
Stoughton
, where he died
November 6, 1866
. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Field, was a native of
Mansfield
. She was the mother of seven children, as follows: Nancy, who married
Horace Weld, of Livermore, Me. (both deceased) ; Richard W., who died
in 1840, aged twenty four years; Joshua, the subject of this sketch; Gilbert,
who died young; Lucy J., who married Edward Holmes for her first
husband and Hosea Y. Fuller for her second, and is now living in
Somerville, Mass.; Phoebe and Andrew J., both of whom died young.
Mrs. Nancy Field Britton died
July 18, 1872
.
Joshua, the second son, named for his father and grandfather, was bound
out at the age of nine years to Consider A. and Amasa Southworth,
cotton thread manufacturers, of
Stoughton
, for the term of seven years, during which time he attended school three months
in each year. He then worked one year for them for wages and subsequently was
employed in the Canton Hardware Factory for two years. He then worked at
North Easton
for the John Ames Knife Factory for a few months. Returning to
Stoughton
in 1838 he worked for Elijah Holmes in the Fisher Gay shop, at
the manufacture of shoe tools, for about seven years. About 1848 he began
business on his own account at the Fisher Gay water privilege in
Stoughton
, which in 1855 he purchased. He continued extensively engaged in the
manufacturer of tools upon his own account for forty years, or until failing
health caused him to abandon active business; and since 1888 he has lived in
retirement. He gained a wide reputation as a maker of awls.
Joshua
and Horace Britton Tool Holder Models
Further
information on Patent # 516294
Joshua Britton
Model
J. Britton (top) lower H. Britton
(lower)
Horace E. Britton Model
Joshua Britton Model with internal
attachments
Joshua Britton Model with an attachment in place
Britton
Awl Factory off School Street, Stoughton
On
October 2, 1839
, Mr. Britton was united in marriage with Olive F. White. She was
born in Sharon, August 24, 1820, daughter of John and Sally (Mitchell)
White, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer and lifelong resident of
Sharon, and the latter a native of Easton, To this union were born eleven
children; namely, Grenville C., Matilda L., Melissa L., Warren
F., Henry W., Ellen, Horace Edward, Ellis F., Emery
Clinton, Leander G., and Walter A. Grenville C.
Britton died at twenty-two years; Matilda L., Warren F., and Ellen
died at the age of two years; and Walter A. at twenty-one. Melissa
L. is the wife of Warren T. Morse, a native of
Sharon
, and now lives in
West Medford
,
Mass.
, and has one daughter, Marion T. Morse. Henry W., who is a banker
in
Stoughton
, married Emma K. Corbett, Horace E. Britton is now manager of his
father's factory; in July, 1875, he wedded Mary Mellison, a native of
Indiana
. Ellis F., who is engaged in mining at
Cripple Creek
,
Col.
, married Affa Linfield, and has two sons - Thornton E. and Warren
L. Britton. Clinton E. Britton is engaged in the delivery and
blacksmithing business in
Canton
. He married Lizzie Cobb, and has had two children Marjorie O.
and an infant deceased. Leander G. Britton, who is proprietor of a large
sale stable in
West Stoughton
, married Blanche Bright.
In his political views Mr. Britton is strongly Republican, and in his
religious belief he is a Universalist. He was made a Mason in Rising Star Lodge,
October 13, 1864
; was given the Royal Arch degree in Mt. Zion Chapter,
May 12, 1866
; and is a member of Bay State Commandery Knights Templars, of
Brockton
. He is a Past Master of the Blue Lodge and a Past High Priest of the Chapter.
House
built in 1843 by Joshua Britton using timber from the house built by Dea. Isaac
Stearns (1716).
Image
of a Britton Tool patented in 1894 by Horace E. Britton made in Stoughton
Source: Biographical Review - Volume XXV - Containing life sketches of
leading citizens of
Norfolk
County
Massachusetts
. (Boston, Mass., Biographical Review Publishing Co., 1898), pgs. 434-436.
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