Chicago Newspapers

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/889.html

Chicago's city newspapers grew steadily in the 1840s and 1850s, reaching 11 dailies and 22 weeklies by 1860. Although most pre–Civil War Chicago papers were short-lived, the Chicago Journal (1844), an afternoon Republican paper founded by J. Young Scammon, and the Chicago Times (1854), a morning Democratic paper, survived the war and flourished. The Journal became Democratic and in 1897 acquired Finley Peter Dunne's satirical Mr. Dooley columns, written in Irish dialect.

Chicago Defender Newsboy

The Times was sold in 1861 to Wilbur F. Storey, Chicago's most iconoclastic newspaper editor, who reasserted the paper's unpopular Democratic support for the Civil War. After the war, Storey, using the motto “to print the news and raise hell,” turned the Times into an outspoken, eccentric reporter and critic of Chicago society. Storey edited the Times until his death in 1884; in 1895 the paper merged with the Herald, a daily founded in 1881, and became a Republican voice.
              
The morning Chicago Republican (1865), sporting the motto “Republican in everything, Independent in nothing,” was edited briefly by Charles A. Dana and, in 1872, after passing through several hands, was renamed the Chicago Inter Ocean, an upper-class arbiter of cultural tastes. The Inter Ocean went into decline after 1895, when it became the property of Chicago traction boss Charles T. Yerkes, who used it as a tool in his political wars.

Obituaries etc.

Father: Leonard Burke Wight
Born: 31 Aug 1811, East Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut
Marriage: (1): Lucy Marcy, 31 Mar 1833, Holland, Hampden, Massachusetts
Marriage: (2): Mercy Wood Bigelow, 29 Nov 1842
Died: 4 Apr 1884, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, at age 72


Leonard married Lucy Marcy on 31 Mar 1833 in Holland, Hampden, Massachusetts.  (Lucy Marcy was born on 1 May 1814 in Holland, Hampden, Massachusetts  and died on 2 May 1842 in Wales, Hampden, Massachusetts.)

Leonard also married Mercy Wood Bigelow, daughter of Daniel Bigelow and Mercy Wood, on 29 Nov 1842.  (Mercy Wood Bigelow was born on 21 Nov 1812 in Chester, Hampden, Massachusetts.)


The Washington Post, Wednesday, January 29, 1896, pg. 12.  WILL OF THE LATE E. B. WIGHT.  The will of the late Eugene Barton Wight, dated September 3, 1891, was filed yesterday. It bequeaths all the testators property to his wife, Mary Dennie Wight, and she is named as executrix. The paper is witnessed by W. A. Day, Fred Perry Powers, W. P. Montague, and K. R. Hampton.

DC-OBITS-L Archives

Subject: The Washington Post, January 10, 1896 - WIGHT OBIT Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:05:50 -0700 (PDT)
The Washington Post, January 10, 1896, pg. 3
MR. E. B. WIGHT'S DEATH  One of the Best Known Newspaper Men of Washington.  HIS CAREER AS A CORRESPONDENT  For a Quarter of a Century He Had Represented Leading Newspapers at the Capital, and Was One of the Leaders as Well as Veterans of the Correspondents Corps His Comrades of the Press Gallery and Gridiron Club to Attend the Funeral.
The death of E. B. Wight, a veteran in the ranks of Washington newspaper correspondents, which occurred early yesterday morning at his residence, 1803 Nineteenth street, caused sincere grief to his many intimate friends and regret to many others who knew him chiefly as an able writer and public spirited citizen.  Mr. Wight had been in poor health for some months.  He consulted a physician in Boston last summer, and was informed that his malady was angina pectoris, which might terminate fatally at almost any time. He then determined to allow himself a little more relaxation from his work, and about the time Congress convened he arranged with Mr. O. P. Austin to assist him. Since the opening session Mr. Wight has not visited the Capitol, though he was at his desk in his office every day until last Saturday, when his condition became such that he was obliged to remain at home. He suffered considerably and was unable to lie down. He spent most of his time in an easy chair, and there he died at 6:30 yesterday morning. Mr. Wight leaves a widow and two sons, the elder about seventeen years old.Funeral services will be held at his late residence at noon to-day. The remains will be sent to Boston for interment at 3 oclock, accompanied by Mr. L. U. Paynter, who was an intimate friend of Mr. Wight.Action of His Associates.The press correspondents met in the Senate gallery yesterday afternoon, E. G. Dunnell presiding, and appointed the following committee to draft suitable resolutions to be forwarded to the family: John M. Carson, William E. Curtis, O. O. Stealey, John P. Miller, and William C. McBride.There was also a largely attended meeting last evening of the Gridiron Club, for the purpose of taking suitable action. Mr. E. G. Dunnell introduced the following resolutions, which were adopted unanimously:Mr. President: I ask that the following minute be entered upon the records of the Gridiron Club and that an engrossed copy be sent to Mrs. E. B. Wight:The death of our friend and companion, Eugene Barton Wight. Is a personal bereavement to us all. He was one of the founders and charter members of the Gridiron Club, and from its inception has been among its most useful and honored members. Whether as a patient and earnest worker in its ranks, or as an officer, always reluctant to accept recognition of his worth, he compelled the respect and warm esteem of his associates. As a journalist he early took and steadily maintained a high position in this community. For nearly thirty years he exhibited the characteristics of the high-minded, generous, and courteous gentleman. He brought to the exercise of his profession in Washington a well-trained and well-filled mind, a keen sense of honor, of personal integrity, and a gentleness of manner which intensifies his loss to those whose privilege it was to know him and to respect him. Whether in his relations to his fellow-journalists, or his connection with those outside the pr!ofession,his sterling manhood and ability, joined to an indefatigable industry and a pride in the performance of duty, made friends of acquaintances and enforced confidence and esteem.The Gridiron Club, to the institution and success of which he gave much of his time and solicitude, and in the furtherance of the aims, of which he was always a devoted worker, hereby places on record the expression of its deep sorrow at his loss and its affectionate sympathy with his family in their bereavement.A committee was also appointed to accompany the remains from the house to the railway station, consisting of President W. E. Annin, S. E. Johnson, O. O. Stealey, P. V. De Graw, E. G. Dunnell, F. A. G. Handy, Alfred Stofer, and George H. Walker. The club also decided to be present at the funeral services in a body. At the request of Mrs. Wight the Gridiron Quartet consisting of Herndon Morsell, Alex. Mosher, J. Henry Kaiser, and W. D. Hoover, will sing at the funeral.His Career as a Correspondent.Mr. Wights career as a correspondent was a brilliant one. For twenty-five years he represented leading daily newspapers at the Capital, the most important in recent years being the Chicago Inter Ocean. He was born in Wales, Mass., December 6, 1843, and at an early age went with his parents to Illinois, where they lived near Chicago. After acquiring an education at the University of Chicago, he spent some years in Germany, becoming a thorough master of the language, which was afterward of great use to him. He was afterward connected for some time with a law firm of which Attorney General Harmon was a member.  He came to this city about 1870, and accepted a position in the New York Times bureau. Three years later he became Washington correspondent of a paper which was started in New York in the interests of Gen. Grant. He next became Ben Perley Poore's assistant on the Boston Journal, and later succeeded the brother of Editor Medill, as head of the Chicago Tribune bureau. He occupied this position for nearly twenty years, retaining, however, his connection with the Boston Journal. He married a daughter of Mr. Clapp, who was editor and controlling owner of the latter paper.  Several years ago he accepted the position of Washington correspondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and represented both the Inter-Ocean and the Boston Journal at the time of his death.  His Collection of Press Clippings.  He was a tireless worker, and devoted a great deal of time to study and affairs outside of the regular run of his profession. One of his most valuable achievements was the collection of an enormous mass of newspaper clippings on important and interesting subjects. Added to his own collection, the accumulation of thirty years, was the collection made by the late Mr. Kingman, which was purchased by Mr. Wight. The collection has been kept complete up to day, and as he had prepared a comprehensive card index this vast fund of useful information is easily accessible, and makes a record of almost priceless value. Mr. Wight was also a photographer of considerable ability, his efforts in this line rivaling those of any professional.

The Value of Immigration

THE VALUE OF IMMIGRATION

The human family at irregular intervals seems to be seized with a mania for emigration. From the fact that love of one’s self and one’s family has a more controlling influence over mankind than the love of country from the remotest ages down to our own day political, religious, and social persecution and a general lack of material prosperity have sent out colonies and individuals from their native soil to seek a home and a future in foreign lands. It is to the combination of these causes that this country owes its origin. In the earlier part of this century the condition of the poor in European Countries was so intolerable that they were glad to come to America at any price, and to this end mortgaged the labor of their hands to secure their passage money. This custom which induced a species of slavery has, fortunately now ceased to exist, although the flood of emigration is constantly on the increase. It is with some satisfaction that an American discovers that, of all the countries in the world, his own is the one that is the favorite land of the emigrants. There are other regions which in fertility of soil, mildness of climate, and many other natural advantages fully equal and in some sense surpass, the physical advantages of this country; but the peculiar conditions of our political and social life, combined with abundant natural advantages, unite to attract the greatest aggregate of emigration to our shores.

Some German statisticians have recently undertaken to discover the capital value of immigration to this country, and we shall here endeavor briefly to state the interesting results of their investigations. In 1856 it was discovered that the average cash capital of each of the 142,342 immigrants of that year amounted to $68.08. But having become evident that such computations were very inadequate and unreliable on account of concealment of large amounts, through ignorance of the intent of the inquiries, this method of examination has been abandoned. It was, however, estimated that from 1854-’57 German immigrants alone brought in to the country annually an average of about $11,000,000. The several German governments keep a careful statistical account of the amount of money carried away by each emigrant, and from these official tables this amount is verified.

But these new comers bring other things than money. Their clothing, books, and tools, together with their average cash capital, it is believed, will make the total value of the property of each emigrant $150. During the year 1869 the total arrivals at the one port of New York, at which port, however, most of the emigrants land, was about 250,000, who added to the national wealth not much less than $37,500,000 in available capital. Each emigrant has an economic value aside from his ready, or convertible capital. One of the German statisticians, from whom we obtain our facts, divides the economic life of every individual into three periods: two unproductive, and one productive period. The first period is unproductive, extending to the fifteenth year and including the raising and education. The second, reaching from the fifteenth to the sixty-fifth year, is the fruitful time of life, and the third period, comprehending the decline of life, is productive of little but outlay, pain and sorrow. Since man, on arriving at the productive period of his life is in debt to his parents and the State, he must see to it that in those fleeting years he liquidate the expenses incurred for his support and education, supply himself with his current wants, and lay in store something for that evil day when he enters upon his second childhood. Tried by these standards an immigrant is worth to this country as much as it costs to raise and educate an average native laborer of the same ability. A skilled laborer is worth very much more than an unskilled laborer. It is estimated that the cost of raising a manual laborer in Germany for the first five years of his life is forty thalers, for the next five years fifty thalers, and from the eleventh to the fifteenth year sixty thalers, or a total of 750 thalers. By a similar computation the average cost of raising an American farmer is $1,500. An American girl, it is supposed costs only half as much, or $750, because her services are made available at an earlier period in the household. Making due allowance for the fact that one-fifth of the immigrants are less than fifteen years old, which is balanced by the excess of males over females, and by the skilled laborers, it is found that the average value of every person of either sex is $1,125. The number of emigrants who arrived at the port of New York from May 5, 1847 to January 1, 1869, is about 4,038,991. If to the average cost of $1,125 be added the average value of personal property owned by each emigrant, $150 per head, the national wealth has been increased by immigration more than $5,000,000,000. These figures seem even more startling when the daily amount of increase from this source is considered. The average annual rate of immigration to this country at present is in round numbers 300,00 persons, which is a total benefit to the country of almost $400,00,00, something more than one million each day.

Some curious facts have been discovered by computing the probable population of the country had it been the policy of the government to exclude foreigners from our shores. In the absence of immigration the gain of population would be represented by the increase of births over deaths, which is at the rate of 1.38 per cent. This would have given us in 1865 a population of 9,000,000, instead of 30,000,000, which was the actual number. This shows that the population of foreign extraction gained by the United States since 1790 is 20,965,755. In other words “immigration has enabled this country to anticipaye its natural growth some forty years.”

The Man is the Father of the Child. January 27, 1870, Chicago Weekly Republican

Weekly Republican
Chicago, Thursday January 27, 1870

“THE MAN IS THE FATHER OF THE CHILD”

It has come down to us from Hebrew story that the sins of the parents are visited upon the children; that the fathers eat sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge. It was considered a just reproach by the Jews to say, “Ye are the children of them which killed the prophets: Fill ye up, then, the measure of your fathers.” And they afterward lamented, “Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.” These broad recognitions of moral heritage by the ancient Jews are most strongly opposed by those trace the origin of their religion to the same source. But, whatever the objections, it seems to be true that many, if not all, of many physical, intellectual, and moral qualities come to him by the way of natural heritage.

Unity in diversity and diversity in unity is a law of nature and a law of God. Beauty sometimes, indeed, produces uniformity, and uniformity beauty. Genius has arisen from mediocrity, and virtue from vice. And it is a popular notion that great men frequently have fools for their children, and many distinguished names have been used as illustrations, among others Socrates of ancient times, and Henry IV., and Louis XIV., Oliver Cromwell, and napoleon of our own age. Indeed, so striking have been some of these instances, that it has sometimes been considered that diversity is the one law and uniformity the exception. But a greater weight of testimony can be adduced in support of the opposite view. An English physician, in a recent work, has gathered a large amount of evidence on this problem of natural heritage, from an examination of which one must conclude that children inherit, not only the general form and appearance of their parents, but also their mental and moral constitutions, even in those acquired habits of life, of intellect, of virtue, or of vice, for which their parents have been remarkable. And the saddest fact of all is that, while external form and color are subject to variations and while intellectual or moral qualities may not always be transmitted, an acquired or habitual vice will rarely fail to leave its trace upon the offspring. This influence of heritage over constitution and character has been recognized by the thoughtful men of all times. Nut the consequences have been so serious that the doctrine has been opposed by both legislator and theologian; the former, because a recognition of this doctrine woul d introduce difficulties into criminal legislation; the latter, because it is inconsistent with his dogmas. But, whatever the objections, there is conclusive proof that the fact exists. Besides, the theologians may possess themselves in peace, for whatever impulses may be hereditary, the will and conscience still exist.

The direct transmission of physical qualities none will question. Men see their own resemblance, their habits, their temperament and impulses, their intellectual tendencies and aptitudes, too frequently in their own children to deny this fact. This personal resemblance has become proverbial. The children of Abraham find easy recognition throughout the world. The gypsy tribes preserve a distinctive physiognomy. The reigning houses of Europe have nearly all some hereditary characteristic. The Bourbons have an aquiline nose. The House of Austria is distinguished by a thick lip. Stature is hereditary, as are also fecundity and idiosyncrasies, and not infrequently the deformities of parents. But the inheritance of intellectual and moral qualities has been most strenuously denied. The physician to whose treatise we have referred argues that the weight of evidence, both direct and analogical, is strongly in favor of this supposition. Of animals, it is true beyond doubt that their habits are transmitted. It seems to be equally true as regards men. The child of Indian parents brought up with white children will find it natural to adopt forest habits. “Our education begins with our forefathers.” It has been observed that children of wholly illiterate parentage and ancestry find great difficulty in learning languages, while the children of classical scholars acquire them with great facility.

The children of idiots are always idiots and no man of ability ever had an idiot for his father. Imbecility is likewise hereditary, even further than the “third or fourth generation.” And as a general rule the intellectual capacity of children are the same as those of their parents, although their education may be very different. There are innumerable instances which show that wise fathers do not hav foolish sons, and thet genuys in hereditary. There were two Pitts aned Two Foxes, two Scaligers and two Herschels, two COleridges, a family of malesherbes, and of Kembles, two Sheridans , and Mireabeau, father and son.

*** not finished. Seems opposite to the 2007 popular belief.

Our National Poverty. July 1, 1879, Chicago Courier

Chicago Courier, Chicago,

July 1, 1870

Our National Poverty

Carlyle once wrote of the poor of England with dreary humor: “some two millions, it is now counted, sit in workhouses, poor-law prisons, er have ‘out door relief’ flung over the wall to them; the workhouse bastile being filled to bursting, and the strong poor-law broken asunder by a stronger. Twelve hundred thousand workers in England alone; they sit there pent up, as in a kind of horrid enchantment; glad to be imprisoned and enchanted, that they may not perish starved.” The state of affairs in Europe is generally the same to-day. Of England it is said concerning the general working population that at no period during the present century has there been more prevalent distress than at this moment. On the continent the proletariat increases in extent and misery. In France the condition of the poor seems never to have been worse, and the lamentable condition of the unemployed classes renders poverty a constant source of apprehension to the government. In Spain the pauperism under the government of the baton of the marshals, is even greater than under the tyranny of the dethroned Bourbons. And wherever else one turns in Europe one meets with the same stern sad fact of the “dull millions that in the workshop or furrow-field grind foredone at the wheel of labor, like haltered gin-horses, if lame so much the better.”

In our own country we are indeed told by high authority that the rich are growing richer and the poor poorer; but the supposed increase of poverty does not assume the form of pauperism. Time was when poverty might almost have been termed the natural condition of our people. In the earlier years of the colonies and of the republic the beginnings of the prosperity of peace were hardly felt before the national treasury was depleted by war. Previous to 1820 we are told that the great fortunes were extremely rare, and that the people of that day had little else to boast of than “the bigness of their woodpiles and the cheapness of their liquor.” The statistics of the last dozen years show that notwithstanding the great increase of population and the desolations of war, the evil of pauperism is diminishing. In many of the eastern states, where the density of population, and the evils that result from it, very nearly resemble the conditions of European life, this is noticeably true. In Massachusetts where the density of population is greater than in Spain and Portugal, and but little less than in Ireland, Scotland and Prussia, the number of paupers has become materially less in the last dozen years. The decrease in the number of state paupers within four years has been twelve per cent, although the population during that period has increased eight per cent; and these paupers, less than one-third are of American parentage. In Ohio the reported number of paupers is not greater than before the war. Even in New York city, which is the most grievously afflicted with the disease of pauperism, the number of persons receiving charitable relief did not exceed, last year, twenty thousand in a population of a million; while the city of London with a population scarcely three times as great supports eight times as many common paupers – or from 150,000 to 160,000.

This remarkable difference in the conditions of poverty in this country and in Europe is mainly due to two causes: to our democratic institutions and to our enlarged philanthropy. The saddest fact of pauperism in Europe is that it is hereditary. The beggar of to-day is likely to have had a beggar for a grandfather, and possibly his grandchildren may, like himself, pass round the hat, or die upon the gallows. It is one of the greatest evils of European pauperism that the children of paupers as they grow up in the jail and workhouse form a hereditary pauper and criminal class. American philanthropists have done better. They have comprehended the fact that a nation will save in prisons what it spends in schools, and have set about to withdraw this class from the influences which surrounds and corrupts it, and to cut off the principal roots of pauperism and crime. The poor have been classified, the vicious separated from the simply poor, the sane divided from the insane, and the young educated, and taught to be manly and independent. Indeed, it is characteristic of American society that the son of a millionaire may suffer dire extremely for bread, and that the wards of the poorhouse and foundling hospitals may become the barons of Wall street. In diversified education for the poor this country exceeds all others.

This is a hopeful picture, and it shows that with all charges of materialism, the general tendency of our ideas and institutions is to ameliorate the condition of the humblest classes, to preclude the possibility of the formation of a pauper caste, and to extend the permanent benefits of the highest civilization.

E. B. Wight family genealogy

Thomas Wight Genealogy
"A Record of Thomas Wight of Dedham and Medfield and of his Descendants 1635 - 1890" by William Ward Wight, Milwaukee, Swain & Tate - Printers 1890

I know nothing of Thomas Wight’s arrival in New England, or his history there previous to the winter of 1635-6, at which time he seems to have been in Watertown. Over a year later he appears tangibly in Dedham. “”The 18th of ye 5th month, comonly called July 1637” Thomas Wight with eleven other persons, having been duly certified by the magistrate, and having subscribed unto the covenant, was admitted an inhabitant of Dedham. At this time his family consisted of his wife Alice or Elsie, and his children Henry, John, Thomas, and, doubtless, Mary. In the distribution of lands for homesteads, Thomas Wight received from the town the portion, twelve acres, allotted to each married man. The boundaries of this early grant to our ancestor, are given in the Town Records as follows:

“Thomas Wight twelve Acres more or lesse made up good by an enlargemt tune in amonst ye Rockes & for woode and timbr as it lyeth ye one side of the highwaye leading into the Rockes for ye most pte & John Luson from that wave upon a lyne southwest unto ye brooke as that side lyeth next John Luson towards the North. And the other side lyeth by Anthony ffisher throughout wth a c’rtyne p’cell of grounds for a Situacon of a house a yeard Roome & easmt of water by the Brooke within the said Antho. ffishers lyne as by the marks and dooles app’eth. The one head abbvutteth upon the waest towards the East and the other upon John Lusons Rockes towards ye west, the high waye leading towards the Ragged playne run’g through the same.”

The highway at that time passed over the hill to the southeast of where it now runs adjoining the residence of Thomas Wight. The outline of this grand will ever be easily traced by the Rockes and Brooke. In addition to the home lot, is a number of subsequent grants of “planting ground,” woodland and meadow. His tillage land besides the home lot, consisted of 15 acres on the east side of the present public road, extending from the cross road bounding his home lot nearly to the great common. (Wight’s Wight Family, 9, 10.) The history of this home lot I shall advert to in another place, p.5.

The life, then, which our ancestor had abandoned in England, he begins anuew in quiet and seclusion in the New England wilds. Far from the excitement of the contests between Charles I. and his embittered subjects, the career of Thomas Wight was, as I believe, most congenial and adapted to his character. E and his wife were received into the church “ye 6th of ye 7 mo. 1640” On October 8, 1640, he became a freeman (Register, III, 188). For six years, beginning in 1641, he was a selectman of Dedham (Mann’s Annals, 79). His name frequently occurs In the early records. He took an active part in the concerns of the town and was repeatedly selected for the performance of various public services (Wight’s Wight Family. 11) The earliest mention of his name in the Record of Births, Marriages and Deaths, occurs in 1639, in the following style: “Samuell, the Son of Thomas & Alice Wight, was borne the 5 of the 12 mo.” (Hill’s Records of Dedham, I., 1; Register, IV, 360). [Samuel was our line.] Thomas Wight’s name appears fourth on a list of Dedham inhabitants who (first of 11th month 1644) “taking into consideration the great necesitie of providing some meanes for the Education of the youth in sd Towne, did with an unanimous consent, declare by voate, their willingness to promote that worke, promising to put too their hands, to provide maintenance for a free school in our sd Towne.” Resolutions follow to raise L20 per annum, and put it with certain set apart lands in the hands of feofees to be improved for the school. This was the first free school in Massachusetts supported by a tax. (Register, XXII, 165). The last recorded instance of his labors for the commonweal in Dedham is in 1650,when he, with others, was deputed by the town to attend to the erection of a village for the Indians at Natick. Other instances of his and of his descendants’ regard for the aborigines will be noticed in their proper sequence. After 1650 hes name does not again appear in connection with Dedham affairs except on the lists made out from time to time of the division of lands among the origianl proprietors, and on the lists of persons assessed for the payment of the public charges. (Wight’s Wight Family, 11.)

As early as 1649 he became interested in the movement for dividing Dedham, which resulted in the formation of Medfield. Under the date of November 14, 1649, the following minute appears in the Dedham Records: “Chosen by the inhabitants assembled for the managing and transaction of whatever is or may be needed for the further performing of the erecting, disposing, and government of the said villages, the men whose names are hereunder written, who are fully authorized thereunto until there by such a company of men engaged in that plantation and associated together as the town of Dedham shall judge meet for that work and trust. Ralph Wheelock, Thomas Wight, Robert Hinsdell, Henry Chickering, John Dwight, Peter Woodward, Eleazar Lusher.” (Tilden’s Medfield, 36.) The agreement entered into by all who desired to be accepted as inhabitants of the village, is signed by Thomas Wight and his son John. On May 10, 1650, Thomas Wight was chosed the first of a committee of five – Thomas Wight, Robert Hinsdell, Timothy Dwight, Samuel Bulleyn and John Frairy – to assist and direct the measurer in laying out house lots in Medfield, and inasmuch as every grantee of house lots was directed to pay to the collector of the town one shilling for every acre in payment of the charges that concerned the town, Thomas Wight was chosen such collector. At the same meeting (May 10, 1650), Thomas Wight, was named to represent Medfield, to assist and advise in laying out the farm to the heirs of Mr. Edward Alleye, who had died in 1642. At the same meeting Thomas Wight, Robert Hinsdell and Samuel Bullen, were chosen to be present at the laying of the line betwixt Dedham and Medfield. At the same meeting Thomas Wight, Peter Woodward, John Dwight, Timothy Dwight, Samuel Bullen, and Eleazar Lusher were chosen a committee on laying out highways. (Tilden’s Medfield, 37-42.) On June 19, 1650, the committee proceeded to lay out thirteen house lots, no portion being more than 12 acres, the chairman of the committee mentioning his own and his son’s portion last, as follows:

12 – To Thomas Wight, twelve acres, touching upon Robert Hinsdale at one angle, otherwise upon waste land.
This was on what is now Green Street, a little way from North Street, Medfield.

13 – To John Wight, six acres, abutting on Thomas Wight on the southwest, all else on waste land.

“Wight’s Lane” led from North Street to these lots. (Tilden’s Medfield, 45.)

All this action for the management of town affairs in Medfield was taken in Dedham. On the first of the eleventh month, 1650 (January 11, 1651, N.S.) Dedham surrendered jurisdiction of Medfield. The date of the removal of Thomas Wight from Dedham to Medfield in not known. Whenever he removed he took with him his entire family, except his eldest son Henry. His family consisted of his wife and following children: Henry, John, Mary, Samuel and Ephrain. From the valuation of the town of Medfield in 1652, it wouyld appear that Thomas Wight was then the wealthiest citizen of the new town. His valuation was L322 and his son John L88. Thomas Wight had in 1653 a grant “to be laid oute on the North plains, to begine at that end toward natick.” There were also later grants to him as well as to other citizens. In 1654 Thomas Wight became selectman of Medfield, and served during the following years, 1654, ’55, ’58 - ’64 – the last being the year of his death. (Tilden’s Medfield, 56, 60 et. Seq.)

References to our progenitor in the Medfield records show various duties which he was called upon to perform: In 1654 “Brother wight and brother barber are requested and Deputed to pro Cure slepers & planks for the metting House ether by procuring planks sawen or to purchase them for the town.” (Tilden’s Medfield, 62.) The next year the town settled with Brother Wight for procuring glass for the meeting house. On February 6, 1660j, George Fairbanks received a grant of “such timber for fencing as shall make three hundred rails, with posts for it, as shall vew set out by brother Wight, and John Metcalf shall appoint him with what he has already fallen to make up three hundred rails.” (Jameson’s Medway, 26.) In 1660 John Thurston had become the wealthiest citizen, valuation L281; Thomas Wight stood second with a valuation of L266. In 1661 it became his duty to assist in seating people in the meeting house.

In 1664, 8th month, 19th day, Thomas Wight’s name was third signed with his sons Samuel and Thomas, and his son-in-law, Thomas Ellis, and 41 other inhabitants of Medfield to a memorial to the general court of the colony, stating that representations had been made to the king that there were divisions and dissatisfaction about the present government and “earnest desire for the continuance thereof and of all the liberties pertaining thereto, which are contained in the charter granted by King James and King Charles the first of famous memorie, under the encouragement and security of which charter we, or out fathers, ventured over the ocean into this wilderness through great hazards, charges and that they may not be subjected to the arbitrary power of any who are not chosen by the people according to their patent. “so earnestly begging ye sweete presence and blessing of God on all your faithfule Endeauors Wee shall rest full obedience to support the present Government with our Persons and estates.” This petition is in full in the Register XIII., 346, where it is stated that the original is signed with the own hands of the signers.

In 1667 Thomas Wight is mentioned as a deacon in the Medfield church.

In 1670 the selectman paid Thomas Wight “for hemp and bell rope making.” 1s, 6d.
On January 25, 1672, Thomas Wight was chairman of a committee, “To treat and conclud with John of Boggastow, we mene John a Wawameg of Natick for the interest and right he claims in the Lands within our Towne Bownes on the west side of Charles River.” – what was later Medway. (Jameson’s Medway, 17.) The business was promptly attended to, and under date of March 1, 1672, the record says: “This day the rate for the Endians pay was Drawen up it being 21L &7s.” Thomas Wight seems to have taken much interest in the future Medway. In 1659j he and his son Thomas had received grants of lots on the west side of Charles River, the former of 15 scres and the latter of 6 acres. This was in the Old Grant; in 1660 the New Grant immediately to the was divided by lot among the Medfield proprietors. In this division Thomas Wight received 166 acres, the largest except two, of 47 proprietors. I find no specific reference to these tracts in Thomas Wight’s will, but all his children (except Henry) and several of his grandchildren held land west of the Charles, for which we see their names. No Wights lived there until Nathaniel Wight moved about 1713 to Medway.

We find our ancestor useful in other ways. The inventory of the estate of Samuel Morse of Medfield was taken by Thomas Wight, George Barber and Ralph Wheelock, 10:5: 1654 (Register, IX, 141); of Abraham Harding, by Thomas Wight, Robert Hensdell and Ralph Wheelocke, 6:2: 1655 (Register, IX, 135); and of John Fisher of Medfield, by Capt. George Barber, William Avery, Peter Woodward, Thomas Wight and Henry Adams, 9:5: 1668 (Register, XIX, 36).

Thomas Wight and all his surviving sons in Medfield and his son-in-law subscribed for building the new brick college at Cambridge, now known as Harvard University. (Tilden’s Medfield, 76; Register, X, 49). Thomas Wight’s name occurs immediately after Mr. John Wilson’s and Mr. Ralph Wheelock’s;

Thomas Wight, Sr. 4 bushelles of Endian corne of which he have payd 3s in money.
Ephraim Wight, 2 bushelles of Endian corne.

Samuell Wight, 1 bushell of Endian corne.

Thomas Wight, Jr. 1 bushell of Endian corne.

Thomas Elice, 1 bushell of Endian corne and a half.

Thomas Wight died in Medfield March 17, 1673-4.

Of his first wife I know but very little. The Dedham records state that Alice, wife of Thomas Wight, was received into the church the 6th day of the 7th month of 1640. The Medfield record give her death July 15, 1665. It is with sincere regret that I am compelled to leave our great mother so meagrely chronicled. On December 7, 1665, Thomas Wight married for his second wife Lydia, widow of James Penniman of Boston, and sister of John Eliot the apostle to the Indians. Se a reference to her in Thomas Wight’s will Lydia Eliot was, probably, baptized at Nasing, Eng. July 1, 1610, her father being Bennett Eliot, (Register XXVIII, 145). She is the Lydia Eliot mentioned by Mr. Wm. H. Whitmore in the Heraldic Journal, Oct. 1868, p.199, he being then in doubt whether she cad crossed the ocean. I have not the date of he marriage to James Penniman, but of her nine children the eldest was baptized March 26, 1633; the youngest was born September 29, 1653. Her first husband died December 26, 1664. (Register, XXXVII, 168). Lydia Wight’s will was made December 2, 1673, and was probated July 27, 1676 – the latter act approximating the date of her death. In this instrument she mentions her former husband James Penniman executor, and her “loving cousin” Jacob Eliot and Theophilus Frary overseers. Inventory L109:11:04. Children mentioned: Samuel Penniman, Lydia Adams, Sarah Robinson, Bethia Allin; Hanna Hall, Abigail Corie, Mary Penniman. As to the Penniman family, see Bates’ Braintree Records. The signature to Lydia Wight’s will: [Lydia Wight]

This is not the Lydia Eliot concerning whom Rev. Samuel Danforth, colleague of the Apostle, wrote as follows on page 252 of Roxbury church records: “Anno 1655, 26d, 6m, Lydia Eliot being convict of theft & lying &pride, all wch became famous & notorious, she was cast out of ye church. Her theift was ye taking away of lace from one shop in Boston, & neer ye space of a year after, stealing away a Tiffany Hood out of another shop, and being charged wth these things by ye Owners, she denyed ym agn & againe, but afterwd was found out & made restitution (she stold also a skaine of yarn of halfe a pound, wch was found out after her excommunication). 2d 9m 1656, Lydia upon her humiliation was received againe & ye Church confirmed their love to her.” Ellsworth Eliot, M. D. of New York, to whom I am indebted for several favors, conjectures that this Lydia may have been one of the brothers who assumed the surname of he employer.

CHILDREN OF THOMAS WIGHT
2. – 1. Henry, born
3. – 2. John, born
4. – 3. Thomas, born
5. – 4. Mary, born
6. – 5. Samuel, born in Dedham, February 5, 1639.
7. – 6. Ephraim, born in Dedham, January 27, 1645.

WILL OF THOMAS WIGHT

In the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and seventy-two, the seventh day of the twelfth month, I, Thomas Wight, Senior, of Medfield, in the county of Suffolk, in New England, being by the good hand of God in some comfortable measure of health at the present, and sound in my memory and understanding, yet being grown fin age and accompanied with he infirmities incident thereunto, and thereby frequently put in mind of my mortality, do, therefore, in the name and fear of God (in preparation to my expected change), make and ordain this my last will and testament for the disposing and settling the things of this life wherewith it hath pleased God to intrust me, in manner and form as followeth: Wherein, I first give and commit my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ, my dear redeemer, and my body to the earth whence it was t5aken, to be after my decease christianly buried at the discretion of my executors.

Imprimis – Whereas Lydia, my present dear and well beloved wife, did before my marriage with her make and agreement with me in all respects concerning her supply from me in case of my departure out of this natural life before herself, which agreement, under my hand and seal, is yet remaining in the keeping of Mr. John Eliot, Pastor of the Church of Christ, in Roxbury, her brother.
Item – I do hereby fully settle and confirm unto and upon my son, Henry Wight, of Dedham, my eldest son, all those my houses and lands lying and being in Dedham, formerly contracted for, with all the rights and privileges thereunto belinging, and further I give unto the said Henry, my son, my two bigest books.
Item – I give and bequeath unto my son, Thomas Wight, the one half of that parcell of wood land which I formerly bought of Major Lusher, lying in Dedham bounds, and four acres of my swamp lying by William Cheney’s, on the side next the said William Cheney and of the swamp at the end of Month Street lotts, three acres adjoining to his own swamp, and the one half of all wearing clothes, both linen and wollen, boots, shoes and hats.
Item – I will and bequeath unto my son Samuel Wight, and to his heirs forever, all that parcell of meadow which I formerly bought of John Warfield of Medfield, and all that parcell of land granted me by the town of Medfield, lying and adjoining to the parcell last above mentioned, and also one other parcell of coarse meadow lying in the swamp called Maple swamp, as also one-half of all my wearing clothes, both linen and wollen, boots, shoes and hats.
Item – I will and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Ellis, the wife of Thomas Ellis, and her heirs forever, that my bed, bedstead, and all the furniture thereunto belonging, fitted in all respects for use, as it now standeth in the parlor chamber in my dwelling house, as also one half of all such brass, pewter and iron pots as I shall leave at the time of my decease.
Item – I will and bequeath unto my son, Ephraim Wight, and his heirs forever, all that my dwelling house, barn and outhouses belonging to the sme, with all that my house lot whereupon they stand and are situated, and all other the appurtenances and accommodations to that my house and lot, as well already laid out as tobe laid out whatsoever, both meadow, upland and swamp not formerly given and bequeasted with all town rights and priviledges any way belonging or any way appertaining to the same or any part thereof: as also the one half of all that tract of woodland which I formerly bought of Major Lusher, of Dedham, lying in Dedham bounds; as also twelve acres of land which I rformerly bought of John Ellis; as also four acres of meadow land lying on the mill brook; as also all that my parcell of land lying in Dedham bounds, comonly known by the name of the round plain, the ten acres formerly given to my son, Thomas Wight, exepted.
Item – I will and bequeath unto my grandchild, Juda Ellis, the daughter of my daughter, Mary Ellis, five pounds, to be paid to my executors in good and current country pay, within six months after my decease; and as for the residue of my estate, bills, bonds, debts, cattle, household stuff and moveables of what kind or sort soever, not formerly given and bequeathed (my just debts being paid and my fureral expenses discharged) are hereby willed and bequeathed unto my son Ephraim Wight.
Item – I do hereby nominate, appoint, ordain and constitute my wellbeloved son, Henry Wight of Dedham, and my son, Ephraim Wight, of Medfield, to be my executors to this my last will and testament to whom I give and commit full power and trust for the full execution and performance of this my last will and testament, to whom I give all respects as is above mentioned; and in witness that this is my last will and testament contianed in this sheet of paper, I do hereby renounce all other wills and bequeathments by me at any time formerly made, and have hereunto put my hands and seal, the date and year above written.

Signed, sealed and published
in the presence of his mark
George Barber THOMAS + WIGHT, and a seale
his mark
Henry H Laland

George Barber and Henry Leland, the two witnesses to this instrument, personally appeared before John Leverett, Esq., Govr., and Edward Tyng, Assist., April 2d, 1674, and deposed that they were present on the day of the date of this instrument, and then and there did heare and see :Thomas Wight, the subscriber, seal and publish the same as his last will and testament; and that when he so did, he was of sound disposing mind, to their best understanding. – Suffolk County Probate Records, Vol. 7, 444.

INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS WIGHT

A true inventory of the estate, both of Lands, Housings and Cattle and moveable goods of Thomas Wight sen., late of Medfield, in the county of Suffolk, in New England, who deceased March the seventeenth, 1673, with all other dues to him belonging, as it was apprized the 24th, 1 mo., 1673-4, by those underwritten:

IN THE PARLOR
Imprimis—To his books
To his wearing apparel
feather bed, bedstead and covering
money
a cup board, table and chairs

IN THE PARLOR CHAMBER

a bedstead and furniture
a chest of linen
several pieces of linen and woolen cloth
31 lb. Of yerne

IN THE LITTLE BEDROOM

a chest, bedstead and bedding
IN THE HALL

tables, forms and a chair
andirons, firepan, tonges, hakes
bellows, combs, hourglass, shears

IN THE BUTTERY
14 pieces of pewter
iron pots and brass vessels
frying pay, gridiron, mortar, spitt and seversl vessells and lumber

IN THE LEANTO CHAMBER

Flax, old iron, 8 corn sacks and lumber

IN THE HALL CHAMBER

a bedstead and bedding and spinning wheel

IN THE GARRETT

wheat and rye and Indian corn
fann and lumber

IN THE CELLAR

a tub of pork, suet, lumber

IN THE BACK LEANTO

several iron tools and instruments
spinning wheel, saddle and horse furniture, stock cards and grindstone

To a musket and pike
cart, plough, chains and hooks
cart rope and plough irons
two cows, two oxen, one yearling and one calf
hay in the barn,ladder and pitch forks
5 sheep and two swine
the dwelling house and barn and other outhouses, with twelve acres of land on which the building stands
pasture land and orchard adjoining to the house and lot
16 acres and one rod of swamp land
4 “ of meadow on the mill brook
11 “ of meadow land by Charles River
14 “ of land on round plain
7 “ and one rod of land
16 “ of land by Joseph Morse
8 “ of land by London farm
10 “ and half of woodland west Charles River
7 “ of land and 25 poles
16 “ and half of land on long plain
166 “ of land on the new grant
3 “ of swamp land
4 “ of meadow land
110 “ of land in Dedham bounds
Debts due to the estate

Remembered since in land
3 acres of land more
debts to be paid out of the estate

his mark
TIMOTHY + DWIGHT
HENRY ADAMS
JOHN MEDCALFE

{There is an error I the footing of the inventory, it should be L464 05 01.]
Henry Wight and Ephraim Wight personally appeared April 2, 1674, before John Leverett, Esq. Govr and Edward Tyng, Assist., and made oath that this paper contains a just and true inventory of the estate of their late father, Thomas Wight, of Medfield, to the best of their knowledge, and that when they know more they will discover the same. – Suffolk County Probate Records, Vol. 7, 447.
In the probate records, the date of the death of Thomas Wight, prefixed to the inventory of his estate, is March 17th 1678 –the year 1674, according to the manner of dating at that time, not commencing till eight days later, March 25. His estate wa apprized seven days after his decease, the 24th, 1 mo 1673-4. His death is recorded in the Medfield records under the year 1674, as it should be. (Wight’s Wight Family, 105-110.)

THE HOMES OF THOMAS WIGHT

The description of the home lot which Thomas Wight received in 1639 in Dedham has already been given, p.1. The house erected by him on this lot stood at the foot of a little rise of land on the margin of the plain on the northwest of the brook mentioned in the grand and but a little distance from it. This little house was of slender material and thatched. The frame building which succeeded this was occupied by Henry Wight when his father and the remainder of the family moved to Medfield. Whatever title Henry had to the premises was confirmed to him by his father, by his will probated in 1674. Under date November 25, 1678, occurs the following record: “Granted to Henery Wight so much timber of the Towne comon land as will make a dwelling House for his Son Joseph Eight, and to take also two or three loads of pine timber fore bord for the sayd House.” This dwelling house was an addition to the frame residence just mentioned. Upon the death intestate in 1680 of Henry, the title to these premises vested in his four surviving sons in common but finally settled in the elder of these, Joseph, who passed his life there, dying in 1729. His eventual successor in the residence and ownership was his son Ebenezer, whose nine children were born there. His eldest surviving son Joseph, born 1748, was the last Wight to occupy this aged frame. Here he was born, here his twelve children were born, and here he died in 1826. Here in 1774 had died the last of the aborigines in Dedham, Sarah Quabish, whose husband died in another town two years later. During the later life of Joseph and for a short period after his death, there were tenants in the old house – the latest occupant being Joel Stowell. About 1830 the anciend dwelling, the
home of six generations of Wights, was taken to pieces. Where the hearth stone was Danforth Phipps Wight M.D. (267), planted in 1840 an elm tree, which now flourishes, -- may it ever flourish! -- in remembrance of the common ancestor of us all. Upon the death of Ebenezer the title to the premises passed to his son Rev. Ebenezer (125), and after his death in 1821, it passed to his children in common. In the youngest of these Edward (270), the title finally rested and upon his death and the death of his widow in 1887, it has settled in their children. Thus this sacred little spot has been continuously in the Wight family from 1636 up to this hour. There are now no buildings upon it.

Rev. Ebenezer Wight did not live after manhood upon the old grant. Upon his marriage to Catherine Fuller he resided in the Fuller homestead on the main street in Dedham, about a stone’s throw from the old grant. This homestead finally vested in the children of Rev. Ebenezer, and here Danforth Phipps Wight, M.D., passed his long and useful life. Upon the death of the last survivor of these children, the title passed to Danforth Phipps Wight (570), a son of Rev. Ebenezer’s son Edward, in whom it now rests. His title is an estate for life with remainder to his widow and children. The old Fuller house, full of rare and ancient furniture, was inhabited until October, 1884 and stood upon its lot until December, 1884. From April, 1884, it was occupied by its owner Danforth Phipps Wight, who at the time was building upon the same lot a new residence in the colonial style. Some of the wainscoting of the old house was transferred to the lower hall of the new mansion and much of the old furniture ornaments, and gives a quaint flavor to, the recent building. Since October, 1884, the present owner has occupied his new home and dispenses, as I well know, a genial and abundant hospitality.

B. – IN MEDFIELD

As already stated, p. 2, the home lot of Thomas Wight in Medfield was twelve acres in quantity, “touching upon Robert Hinsdale’s at one angle, otherwise uipon waste land.” The six acres of John Wight joined his father upon the southwest. The houses upon these lots were a short dstance from North street and Wight’s lane, now Green Street, led from North street thereto. The residence build upon the twelve acres of Thomas was his home the remainder of his life. By consulting the inventory of his estate, p. 4, the reader can form his own conjecture as to the number and arrangement of the rooms in this house, and as to the wealth of its occupant. By his will the home lot, dwelling house, barn and outhouses went to his youngest son, Ephraim Wight (7). These home buildings escaped the torch of King Philip’s Indians in 1676, although structures close by fell victims to the flames. Said Ephraim dwelt uon this spot until his death in 1723, when his youngest son, Daniel Wight (42), inherited the place. It was his some until his death in 1744. His eldest son, Peter Wight (108), succeeded to the ownership; but in 1762 he sold the estate to John Hooker of Medway. This Medfield homestead was, therefore, in the family from about 1650 until 1762. The same year said Hooker resold to Nathan Coolidge. During the latter’s ownership the house was severed from the lot, and removed by Barachias Mason. The house became a part of the Mason homestead on North street opposite Dale street. This house descended to Johnson Mason, and was the one in which Lowell Mason the musician was born. The mason house, which thus annexed and absorbed the old Wight homestead, still stands, although itself divided and removed to other lots.

The old Wight lot, after the severance of the dwelling, remained in the Coolidge family until 1797. The Coolidges were neighbors of the Wights, Peter Coolidge, the first of that name in Medfield, having bought in 1732 from John Fisher the old Robert Hinsdale place above mentioned. At the division of the Coolidge estate in 1797, Margaret Ellis, grand daughter of said Peter Coolidge, and niece of said Nathan Coolidge, received this Wight lot as her Coolidge inheritance. In 1810 she and her husband, Obed Ellis, deeded it to Nathan Allen, Jr. He failed in business (butchering) some years after, and his creditors appear to have come into possession of the lot by sheriff’s deed. In 1824 they sold the lot to Amos Thayer and his son Otis W. Thayer, who, together carried on the samme business there. A few years subsequently the lot and the same business passed in to the hand of Elijah Thayer, another son of Amos. About 1854 he sold the place to John and Alson Dyer. After a few years they sold it to a Mr. Brown, who kept an hotel there. He, in turn, sold it to Solomon Cohoon, also a hotel keeper. Still later he sold the same piece of land to Alonzo B. Parker, the present owner. The lot has now no buildings upon it, but traces of the old Wight cellar are still visible.

CHAPTER II.
SECOND GENERATION

6. SAMUEL2 WIGHT (Thomas1) born February, 1639, is the earliest Wight mentioned in Dedham records: “Samuell ye some of our brother Thomas wight was baptised ye 15th of ye 7 month, 1640.” (Hill’s Dedham Records, II, 24.) He moved to Medfield aboutr 1650 with his father. In 1662 “Henirry Smith, John Bowers and Samervell wight ar Chosen to burn the woods in there severall parts of the town as they now live.” (Tilden’s Medfield, 68.) The ancient Bible of Samuel’s remote descendent, Martha Gibbs Wight (426) now of Marietta, Geo., thus records his marriage: “Mr. Samuel Wight and Miss Hannah Albee, of Medfield, Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, were married by the Rev. Mr. John Wilson of the town aforesaid, on the 25th day of March, 1663.” Samuel was made a freeman October 8, 1672 (Register, III, 242), and as early as 1673 was settled in the north part of the town. The same year he was constable. His name appears in the list of Medfield proprietors, made in 1675. (Tilden’s Medfield, 78). His home was burned by King Philip’s Indians, February 21, 1676, but was rebuilt, apparently on the same spot, the site of which is still visible near the house of Mr. William C. Allen o the west side of North St. (Tilden’s Medfield, 84, 512). On account of his losses by the Indians, Samuel’s subscription of one bushel of corn to the “new brick college,” at Cambridge, was forgiven.

For the same cause he petitioned for releif from his taxes, and the records of the General Court, May 9, 11678, show the following action:
“Samuel Wight of Medfield, having suffered great loss by fire by the indian enemy, brought very low humbly desired the favor of the Court to remit him the rates about three or four pounds already due for the last year, hoping God will enable him to pay rates again for the future” “The Court granted his request.” (Tilden’s Medfield, 96).

The name of Samuel appears in the early lists of Dedham tax-payers; his name and his wife’s appear among the members of Medfield parish church in 1697 (Tilden’s Medfield, 108, 109); and his name occurs among the proprietors of the “black swamp” Medway in 1702 (Jameson’s Medway, 40). His will was made May 19, 1710, appointing his sons Samuel and Joseph executors. He died December 21, 1716; his widow died April 24, 1723; both in Medfield. There also their children were born,

CHILDREN
28. - 1. Hannah, born March 25, 1664; died the same year,
29. - 2. Samuel, born November 11, 1665,
30. - 3. Hannah, born February 4, 1667,
31. - 4. John, born May2, 1670j; history unknown; is not mentioned in his father’s will
32. - 5, Nathaniel, born October 11, 1672; died October 1675
33. - 6. Benjamin, born January 30, 1674,
34. - 7. Abigail, born Spetember 7, 1679
35. - 8. Jonathan, born September 11, 1682.

Note 1. Samuel’s signature attached to papers relating to the estate of his brother Thomas in 1690:

Samuell Wight
(but Samuel made his mark to his will.)
Note 2. Hannah Albee, born in Braintree August 16, 1641 (Register III, 126) was daughter of Benjamin Albee (Albie, Alby), who about 1651, 1652 moved from Braintree to Medfield, and subsequently to Menden. (Savage’s Gen. Dict. I. 20; Tilden’s Medfield, 294).

CHAPTER III
Third Generation

35. JOSEPH3 WIGHT (Samuel2, Thomas1) born September 7, 1679, inherited his father’s homestead and buildings on North St. Medfield. His portion of the Black Swamp, Medway, upon its division in 1702, was 3 rods, 3 feet. (Jameson’s Medway, 40) The surname of his wife Mercy has thus far eluded most diligent search. She died January 31, 1724, in Medfield, where her children were born. Joseph was married in Boston, February 15, 1724, by Samuel Checkley, Esq., to Mrs. Martha Thayer of Bellingham, Mass. To this town he removed in 1729, selling his Medfield estate. His name appears, November 23, 1737, in the first list of members of Bellingham Baptist church, of which he was one of the deacons. He died October 25, 1758, his widow died October 14, 1759 – both in Bellingham. The administration upon Mrs. Wight’s estate, granted March 15, 1760, discloses that she had a daughter who was married to Jonathan Thompson.

CHILDREN

77. - 1. Mercy, born November 6, 1702,
78. - 2. Joseph, born January 14, 1704,
79. - 3. Samuel, born March 8, 1707, died in Medfield, August 14, 1708,
80. - 4. Rebecca (Rebekah in record), born June 2, 1709, nothing known,
81. - 5. Keziah, born November 22, 1712, died in Medfield, November 11, 1717
82. - 6. Elnathan, born December 22, 1715,
83. - 7. Martha, born September 18, 1718,
84. - 8. Keziah, born January 25, 1724.

82. ELNATHAN4 WIGHT (Joseph3, Samuel2, Thomas1), born December 23, 1715, moved to Bellingham with his father, and on December 30, 1743, he bought 16 acres there from Deacon Joseph Holbrook for L49. “It appears from the town records that he had a part assigned him in the transaction of publick business before his preparations for the ministry commenced. Being convinced of the necessity of education to the minister of the gospel, he thought it his duty to devote himself to study previous to his entering on the work. In contemplating this subject he had many discouragements to meet. He knew that money must be expended with little hope of receiving anything like a remuneration for his expenditures. He knew also that the prospect of being supported by his labors as a preacher were very small. In these trials he sought advice from ministers in the vicinity, but they refused to give him the direction and encouragement he desired and needed, because he did not agree with them on the mode and subjects of baptism. This was particularly afflicting to him, as he had none of his denomination with whom he could consult. He commenced his studies some time this year (1746) under the Rev. Graham of Southbury, Connect., where he pursued them for more than three years. The languages and theology seem to have occupied most of the time. Mr. Graham was to him a friend and a father. Towards the close of the year 1749 he wished to obtain a license to preach. This he sought from Presbyterian or Congregational ministers, but they refused to license him. When he found he could not be licensed in this way, he, by the advice of Mr. Graham and others, set out on a journey to New Jersey, to obtain his desire from Baptist ministers, but he found obstructions in the way and finally returned without reaching the place of his destination. Soon after his return he succeeded in obtaining from Pedobaptist ministers what he had before sought in vain. This was probably through the kindness of Mr. Graham, who had for a long time been his friend. After he was licensed he delayed to commence preaching for some time; and when he approached the time that he was to befin, his feelings were much depressed and his fears very great. He preached his first sermon March 4, 1750, and, not withstanding his previous fears, when he came to preach he found much composure and satisfaction. May 28, 1750, he was requested by the church of this place (Bellingham) to supply them one month as a candidate. At the end of that term they gave him a call to become their pastor. August 27, same year, Mr. Wight accepted the call of this church and proceeded to preach to them. The small number of Baptists in this quarter at that time rendered it difficult to obtain assistance in ordaining Mr. Wight from his own domination, in consequence of which application was made for the purpose to Presbyterian ministers; but they did not choose to ordain him. As Mr. Wight held to open communion he seems to have preferred being ordained by Congregational ministers, but he found that his catholicism was not reciprocated. By these attempts Mr. Wight’s ordaination was deferred till 1755. On the 14th day of January of this year a council was organized and proceeded to examine the candidate, and finding satisfaction they unanimously agreed to go forward with his ordination. From this time he continued to discharge his duty as a pastor with fidelity and acceptance till his death, which took place November 6, 1761. Thus he was suddenly cut off in the midst of his days in the 46th year of his age. Over his temper, which was naturally quick and irascible, he gained an ascendancy which made him a pleasant and instruction companion. He was a studious man. Most, if not all, of his sermons were written out and he generally read them. They were full of good sense and very doctrinal. But, notwithstanding his studiousness, he laboured much with his own hands. His support was always small amounting at the most to about $40 or $50 annually. His views of doctrine were highly Calvinistick, though not Antinomian. On the subject of addressing the calls of the gospel to sinners in general, he agreed with those who hold what has been called general atonement. In regard to the mode and subjects of baptism he was a Baptist. It is necessary, however, to observe that he held to open communion especially in the fore part of his ministry. He tried much to unity the Congregationalists and Baptists, thinking, as he says, that the Baptists were uncharitable in refusing to commune with those who were members of Congregational churches. But his exertions were unavailing. Mr. Wight was a very conscientious man, and of distinguished piety, as is evident from his diary and from the inscription placed over his door, “I know that thou wilt bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living.’ In his day, Mr. Wight sustained the character of a steadfast, able, enlightened and evangelical preacher” (Fisher’s Centennial Discourse). The sermon at his ordination Rev. Elnatian nimself preached and it was published. He was, especially in the early part of his ministry, an open communion Baptist. He was a man of eminently devout feelings, and his preaching was of a strictly evangelical type. He generally wrote his sermons and delivered them with the manuscript before him. (Sprague’s Annals VI, 68) An original sermon of Rev. Elnathan, owned by his descendant Gertrude Abbey Wight, daughter of Charles Leonard Wight (1798), of Chicago, is now lying before me. It is in the customary manner of the early New England discourses and has many subdivisions, in the last of whicgh the preacher says he “shall endeavour some suitable improvement by way of application.” The text is Isaiah L. 10. The sermon was preached July 20, 1755. Rev. Elanthan married August 13, 1754, Abigail Blood. After hes death his widow married August 15, 1764, Nathan Mann of Wrentham, who the same wear was appointed guuadian of Elnathan’s children Upon the death of Mr. Mann she returned from Wrentham and resided with her son Eliab in Bellingham, where she died aged 84, February 265, 1802. “She was a woman of more than usual power and excellence.”
CHILDREN

182. -1. Nathan, born in Bellingham, August 15, 1757.
183. -2. Eliab, born in Bellingham, June 20, 1760

Note. Abigail Blood’s ancestry is as yet undiscovered. There were many Bloods in Groton and in Concord, Mass. For the early bearers of the name see Butler’s Groton and Walcott’s Concord.


183. NATHAN5 WIGHT (Elanathan4, Joseph3, Samuel2, Thomas1), born August 15, 1757, was brought up at his stepfather’s home in Wrentham (Franklin) under the ministry of the venerable Dr. N. Emmons. Upon reaching his majority he, with his brother Eliab entered into the possession of their father’s Bellingham estate, where they lived for sometime together. Nathan ultimately resigned the entire possession to his brother. As Captain Nathan he married in Franklin November 6, 1780, Jerusha Metcalf, born there in 1760. Their five children were born in Bellingham. There is recorded in Springfield a deed dated November 11, 1796 of a farm in South Brimfield (now Wales) for $1600 from Daniel Munger to “Eliab and Nathan Wight, gentlemen.” The next year Eliab conveyed his share in this farm to his brother and Nathan removed to Wales. He was a prominent man in business and town affairs in Wales and was selectman in 1790, 1800 and 1802. Nathan was a farmer and drover and eventually became a shipper to Holland Purchase, N.Y., which latter circjmstance turned his attention to that state as a place of residence. He moved to Attica soon after the death of his wife which occurred April 8, 1817. Here he had a saw mill. He died of apoplexy in Attica December 1, 1832 “very much lamented by all his aquaintances.” So writes his son Theron to his brother Pliny December 9, 1832. The writer further states that Nathan, their father, had been at work in his mill the Thursday previous to his death and had been out of doors half an hour before he died.

CHILDREN
376. -1. Pliny, born June 2, 1783.
377. -2. James, born January 2, 1786, died unmarried in Wales, Mass, in June 1841
378. -3. Lucippa, born November 28, 1794.
379. -4. Theron, born March 23, 1794.
380. -5. Julitta, born July 17, 1799; named for her mother’s sister.

Note 1. Fac simile of Nathan’s handwriting:
[s] Nathan Wight
Note 2. The Metcalfs: For an account of the origin of this name see Jameson’s Medway, 502. Rev. Leonard Metcalf was born in 1545 and was rector of Tatterford, Norfolk, Eng. (Jameson’s Medway, 502.) His son Michael was born in Tatterford, 1586, and was a dornix weaver in Norwich, of which city he was made freeman June 21, 1618. His wife Sarah was born Hune 17, 1593, and was married October 15, 1616. Their seven eldest children were born in St. Benedict’s, Norwich, and four later at St. Edmondsbury. He was a man of much prominence in Norwich and was the object of the persecutions of Bishop Wren and his chancelor Corbet. See the statement of his reasons for emigrating made by Michael Metcalf in a letter “to all of the true professors of Christ’s Gospel within the city of Norwich,” written from Plymouth, Eng., on the eve of his departure for America, Register, XVI, 279. He sailed in April 1637, with his wife, eight children and his servant Thomas Comberbach. (Hotten’s Original Lists, 289) He was admitted a townsman of Dedham, July 14, 1637. His wife died November 30, 1644; he died December 24, 1664. (Hill’s Dedham Records, I, 127,9.) Three of his children are of present interest:

1. MICHAEL METCALF (August 29, 1620 - December 24, 1654) of Dedham, married April 2, 1644, Mary Fairbanks (36, Note). Their daughter Mary, born August 15, 1646, married, December 10, 1668, John Ware (153, Note 1) of Dedham. Another daughter Sarah, born December 7, 1648, married June 4, 16777, Robert Ware (153, Note 1), of Wrentham. The youngest child of Michael and Mary Metcalf was Eleazar, born March 20, 1653, deacon of the Wrentham church. He married, April 9, 1684, Milletiah Fisher. The oldest surviving son of Deacon Eleazar was Michael, born May 21, 1687, elder of the Wrentham church. He married Abiel Haven (Note 3) and had a daughter Jerusha, who married Nathan 5 Wight above. Abiel, the eleventh child of Michael and Abiel Metcalf, married Michael 5 Ware (58),. Eleazar and Milletian Metcalf had a younger son, Eleazar, born November 21, 1710, who married Margaret5 Ware 58).
2. JOHN METCALF (September 5, 1622 - November 27, 1675) of Dedham, married March 22, 1647, Mary Chickering and had a son, Eleazar Metcalf, father of Michael, father of Peletiah, father of Benjamin Metcalf, who married Eunice6 Ware (59). (Register XLI, 48).

3. DEACON THOMAS METCALF (December 27, 1629 - November 16, 1702), of Dedham, married, September 12, 1656, Sarah Paige. Their son, Thomas Metcalf, born May 7, 1671,.married Sarah Avery (46).
Authority: Register VI, 171.
Note 3. Haven: Richard Haven, with his wife Susanna, came from the west of England and settled in Lynn in 1645. There Susanna died February 7, 1682, and there Richard died in 1703. Among twelve children were:
1. NATHANIEL HAVEN (June 30, 1664 - 1746) of Framingham; wife Elizabeth. Their oldest child, Martha, born April 7, 1690, married, first, Samuel Wesson, and, second, January 12, 1714, Isaac Cozzens. Isaac and Martha had Rebecca Cozzens (March 24, 1730 - November 19, 1707), who, May 22, 1750, married Ezekiel Morse. Their son, Abner Morse, was father of Betsey Morse, who married Seneca6 Wight (380).
2. DEACON MOSES HAVEN (May 20, 1667 - November 14, 1747), of Lynn, married Mary Ballord. Their youngest child, Daniel Haven, born June 16, 1708, an octogenarian, lived in Framingham and Dover, and had, by wife Mehetabel, a daughter, Avial Haven, born July 1, 1732. She was the wife of Col. James Metcalf (Note 2). (Adams’ Haven Genealogy).
376. PLINY6 WIGHT (Nathan5, Elnathan4, Joseph3, Samuel2, Thomas1), born June 2, 1783, removed to South Brimfield with his father. There he married October 25, 1806, Anny Fletcher. Pliny having studied law settled for the practice of his profession in Hartford, Conn. Here his two eldest children were born. In 1811 he returned to South Brimfield to reside and here his five youngest children were born. The name of the town of South Brimfield was changed in 1828 to Wales, in honor of James Lawrence Wales a wealthy benefactor and honored citizen of that town, who had married Polly Fletcher, an elder sister of Anna. Upon his death childless July 3, 1840, he willed his property to the children of Pliny Wight. Pliny died June 5, 1835, his widow died June 12, 1856, both in Wales.
CHILDREN.

881. -1. CAROLINE METCALF, born September 20, 1807.
882. -2. PRESTON FLETCHER, born April 20, 1809.
883. -3. LEONARD BURKE, born in East Hartford, August 31, 1811.
884. -4. NATHAN DAVENPORT, born May 7, 1813.
885. -5. MARY LAWRENCE, born July 17, 1815.
886. -6. NANCY HAVEN, born February 7, 1818.
887. -7. JANE DAMARIS, born May 11, 1820, lives unmarried in Wales, Mass
888. -8. LYMAN LINCOLN, born July 21, 1822.

Note 1. Signature of Pliny Wight; [s] Pliny Wight

Note 2. The autograph of Rev. Elnathan4 Wight (82) which was not received in time for proper insertion, is here reproduced:

[s] Elnathan Wight Clerk

Note 3. The Fletchers: Robert Fletcher, born in 1592, died at his home in Concord, Mass., April 3, 1677. Among his five children were two, William and Francis.

1. WILLIAM FLETCHER, born in England 1622, maried in Concord October 7, 1645, Lydia Bates and settled in Chelmsford, Mass. He died November 6, 1677, his widow died October 12, 1704. Their son Joshua Fletcher (March 30, 1648 - November 21, 1713), had among ten children two sons:
A. JOSHUA FLETCHER , born about 1699, died October 19, 1732, lived in that part of Chelmsford now walled Westford. He married Dorothy Hale, who died August 20, 1770. Their son Gershom (July 27, 1720 - June 28, 1779), of Westford and Groton, by wife Lydia Townsend, had a son Rev. Joshua Fletcher (September 24, 1756 - August 15, 1829), of Plymouth, HJ. H. who married in 1775, Sarah Brown. His son Joshua Fletcher (May 16 1776 - May 21, 1852), a merchant inSan Felipe de Austin, Tex., married Sarah Pulsifer of Campton, N. H., and had a son Amos Fletcher of New Yourk, husband of Maria Wight, not yet identified. Amos and Maria had, 1. Willima Henry Fletcher, born July 4, 1842, who died in the Union Army in the Rebellion; 2. Angeline Fletcher, born February 10, 1846, wife of George Carman of New York, and mother of William, Charles and Fletcher Carman; 3. Eliza Jane Fletcher, 1854 - 1856. – A younger son of Rev. Joshua Fletcher was Samuel Fletcher (July 31, 1785 - October 28, 1858), Dartmouth 1810, a lawyer in Concord, N. H., treasurer of Andover Theological Seminary. He married, second, Hannah7 (Chickering) Briggs (47) the intentions being filed in Dedham, January 30, 1847, the marriage February 13, 1847.
B. CAPTAIN JOSEPH FLETCHER (June 10, 1689 - October 4, 1772) of
Westford married November 17, 1712, Sarah Adams of Concord, Mass, who died April 24, 1761. Their son Pelatiah Fletcher (May 3, 1727 - February 23, 1807), by wife Dorothy Hildreth, was father of another Pelatiah (April 4, 1676 - May 7, 1811). The younger Pelatiah married Spetember 22, 1788, Sally Woodward, and had a daughter Patty Fletcher, born June 28, 1789, who married April 9, 1807, Jacob Osgood (March 13, 1787 - May 12, 1857), of Westford. Their son Alden Pitt Osgood married Nancy7 Wight (1067)

FRANCIS FLETCHER, born in Concord, Mass, 1636, married August 1, 1656, Elizabeth Wheeler, and had a son Samuel (August 6, 1657 - October 28, 1744), selectman and town clerk of Concord. His son Timothy Fletcher born August 28, 1704, by wife Elizabeth had a son Ephraim, who was born February 5, 1740, and lived for a time in Brimfield. Ephraim married Sarah Davenport and died in Newport, N. H. January 1, 1836. Of his nine children were Polly, born July 7, 1771, who married James I. Wales and died childless September 8, 1844; and Anny, born in Sutton, January 8, 1781, wife of Pliny6 Wight, above. See Fletcher’s Fletcher Family, and Register XXII, 389.

883. LEONARD BURKE6 WIGHT (Pliny6, Nathan5, Elnathan4, Joseph3, Samuel2, Thomas1) born August 31, 1811, married in Holland, Mass, March 31, 1833, Lucy, daughter of Elisha and Lucy (Chandler) Marcy, of Holland, born there May 1, 1814. Lucy died in Wales May 2, 1842 (Chandler’s Chandler Family, 532). Leonard was town clerk of Wales, 1840 - 1843, and was selectman during the years 1845, 1846, 1847. He married November 29, 1842, Mercy Wood Bigelow, born in Chester, Mass, November 21, 1812, daughter of Daniel and Mercy (Wood) Bigelow, of Chester. Mercy had been a teacher at New Salem, Franklin, Shelburne Falls, and Charlestown, Mass. Leonard was a merchant while living n Wales. He removed from there to mercantile pursuits in Springfield, Mass, and in 1856 took up his residence in Chicago, Ill., where he died April 4, 1884. He widow resides with her son Eugene in Washington, D. C. Leonard’s children were born in Wales.

CHILDREN
1797. -1. Emily Lucy, born June 11, 1834
1798. -2. Charles Leonard, born October 20, 1839
1799. a.3. Albert L. Born August 19, 1841, died in Wales, May 7, 1842, of measles
1800. -4 Eugene Barton, born December 6, 1843

1799. Eugene Barton8 Wight (Leonard Burke7, Pliny6, Nathan5, Elnathan4, Joseph3, Samuel2, Thomas1), born December 6, 1843, graduated at Chicago University, and studied two years at the University of Berlin, and one year at the University of Paris. Upon returning to this country, he studied law with the present U. S. Chief Justice Fuller, became a lawyer in Chicago and was at the same time editorial writer upon the Chicago Tribune staff. By the fire of 1871 he was a heavy loser. Directly afterward he went to Washington, D. C. as correspondent of the Chicago Evening Post, and was later its business manager and associate editor. He became afterward connected with the Evening Press Association and a part owner of the Evening Post. He is better and longer known, however, as Washington Correspondent of the Chicago Tribune and Boston Journal. This latter paper he represented in Washington since 1872, and his communications to it by wire, over the signature Webb, may be read in that paper daily. In an article, “Men of the Quill.” In the Milwaukee Sentinel, May 31, 1885, Mr. Wight is mentioned as one who had made the name of Washington correspondent an honor to those who wore it. Eugene married December 29, 1875, Mary Dennie Clapp, daughter of William Warland and Caroline (Dennie) Clapp, of Boston. Mr. Clapp is the proprietor of the Boston Journal.

CHILDREN

2697 -1. Warland, born in Washington, March 11, 1880, nothing told
2698 -2. Delano, born in Boston, May 10, 1882. Nothing told.

Leonard married Lucy Marcy on 31 Mar 1833 in Holland, Hampden, Massachusetts.33 (Lucy Marcy was born on 1 May 1814 in Holland, Hampden, Massachusetts 33 and died on 2 May 1842 in Wales, Hampden, Massachusetts 33.)
Leonard also married Mercy Wood Bigelow, daughter of Daniel Bigelow and Mercy Wood, on 29 Nov 1842.33 (Mercy Wood Bigelow was born on 21 Nov 1812 in Chester, Hampden, Massachusetts 33.)

Mercy Wood 6 BIGELOW
14265.9 Mercy Wood 6 BIGELOW, daughter of Daniel 5 ( Joseph 4 , Daniel 3, Daniel 2, John1) and Mercy ( WOOD) BIGELOW , was born 21 November 1812 at Chester, Hampden co, MA. She married 29 November 1842 Leonard B. Wight, who was born 30 August 1811 at Wales, MA. He died 04 April 1884, place not stated. They had lived at Wales MA until his death. She then lived in Washington, DC, with their only son and was living in 1887.
Only child of Leonard B. and Mercy W. (Bigelow) Wight:
14265.91 Eugene Barton Wight, b 06 Dec 1843; d _____ ; m 29 Dec 1875 Mary D. Clapp; he was a lawyer in DC
Sources: Bigelow Family Genealogy Volume. I page 99; Howe, Bigelow Family of America; vital records Spencer & Chester, MA.
[http://bigelowsociety.com/rod/mer62659.htm]

Home | Quotations | Newspaper Articles | Special Features | Links | Search

For a short time in 1868 Mark Twain served as a correspondent for the Chicago Republican newspaper.
E. B. Wight was correspondent for the Chicago Republican around this time and into the ‘70’s.
The Republican was incorporated May 30, 1865, and majority owned by Jacob Bunn, a sugar baron, and one of Lincoln’s major promotors and then reorganized as the Inter-Ocean, March 1872 after having its plant burned in the Great Chicago Fire (Where E. B. Wight faced huge losses.) It was formed because of dissatisfaction with the Tribune.

[Jacob Bunn: Legacy Of An Illinois Industrial Pioneer
By Andrew Taylor Call
This is a remarkable account of the rise of the Bunn business empire in Illinois long before the Robber Barons of the Gilded Age, that provides a balanced and intriguing account of business ethics and integrity. Bunns patronage of Abraham Lincoln establishes an unknown connection between politics and business money in Lincoln's career, but represents a moderate, even compassionate, political model that 30 years later during the career of Mark Hanna seemed quaint by comparison. This book offers a new look at the connections between business and political power that, in these troubled days of Enron-like scandals, ought to be widely read, and more widely practiced. Dr. Kurt A. Hohenstein, Esq., Professor, Hampden-Sydney College Andrew T. Call presents a thorough, scholarly and engaging biographical business study of the career of Jacob Bunn, a remarkable man endowed with enormous entrepreneurial and organizational talents, high integrity, compassion for his community and commitment to excellence. The amount of solid research collected, evaluated and discussed in this book is very impressive. This treatise is more than a tale of a businessman and his business ventures; it is a description of the American ideal. Fredric J. Friedberg, Esq., Author of The Illinois Watch: The Life and Times of a Great American Watch Company, Schiffer Publishing, 2004, and Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.
P. about 127 to 130+
[http://books.google.com/books?id=Fy4SffeXmu0C&dq=%22the+chicago+republican%22&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0]

HISTORY OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM BY JAMES MELVIN LEE Director of the Department of Journalism New York University WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY «be ttiterrfiOe prcsd Cambribot 1917 COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY JAMES MELVIN LEE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
[Can be downloaded from Google books]
DEATH OF DANA Charles Anderson Dana, so long editor of The New York Sun, died on October 17, 1897. The paper which he had guided for nearly thirty years told of the occurrence in these two lines: — Charles Anderson Dana, editor of The Sun, died yesterday afternoon. There were no inverted column rules, there was no long article in praise of the deceased editor. The announcement in fact was typical of the editor whose death it recorded. For a short time after his death, The Sun was edited by his son, Paul Dana. Later, E. P. — initials which in The Sun office stand for Editorial Page — Mitchell became its editor. Mention has already been made how, in the handling of news, Dana wielded a tremendous influence, for he made The Sun a sort of school of journalism in which he trained bright young college men who had the itch, or, to use a more academic word, the urge to write. Dana saw no reason why the news column should not be as well written as any piece of literature, for to him reporting was an art. He also insisted that the headlines of the newspaper should have some sort of literary form, so that The Sun in time shone not only with a literary finish in its news columns, but also in its still larger rays in the headlines. Dana liked to quote Dickens as being a great police-court reporter; and pointed to the Bible as a place where stories were boiled down, the story of the Crucifixion, for example, being told in six hundred words. The making of a newspaper in all its phases required, so he asserted, the skill of an artist in every department, and when he came to put into a book his ideals about the editing and publishing of a paper, he called it "The Art of Newspaper Making." CHANGES IN CHICAGO The Herald has been unusually popular as a name for a newspaper. On March 11, 1881, The Herald appeared in Chicago. It had obtained the Associated Press franchise of The Telegraph, an old organ of the Greenback-Labor Party, and had no connection with two other papers of the same name which had been established in Chicago. Under James W. Scott, one of the chief owners of the United Press, the paper was Democratic, but when The Herald passed into the control of H. H. Kohlsaat one year before the historic campaign of 1896, it became a Republican paper. The Record later united with The Herald which was started almost at the same time. It first appeared on March 31, 1881, as the morning edition of The Chicago Daily News and was known as The Morning News until January 11, 1892, when it became The Record. In March, 1901, Frank B. Noyes, who had been associated with his father on The Washington Star, became the publisher on the 28th of that month of the united papers known as The RecordrHerald, the name under which it was published until May, 1914, when James Keeley, in consolidating The Record-Herald and The Interocean, called the new enterprise simply The Herald. The Interocean, started in 1872 as the political organ of the "Stalwart" Ring of the Republican Party of the West, was built upon the ruins of The Chicago Republican once edited by Charles Anderson Dana. The Chicago Daily News, a one- cent evening paper which first appeared on December 20, 1875, was started by Melville E. Stone with a capital stock of something like five hundred dollars and with its entire plant purchased on time. Within eighteen months it purchased The Chicago Post and Mail and in this way secured an Associated Press franchise. From the beginning The Daily News aimed to make the first page worth the price of the paper. It was one of the first papers to believe that women readers were more valuable than men. It published mystery stories and offered cash prizes to women readers for the best solution of the mystery. The City Press Association of Chicago was founded about 1885. At that time the Chicago newspapers paid a great deal of attention to suburban news, printing a page or two of personals or small society happenings in the Chicago suburbs. Minor weddings and club functions in Chicago were also given much space. J. T. Sutor conceived the idea of covering these events in a syndicate way for the Chicago papers. Sutor started with two men to help him. The work was acceptable to the papers and the organization, as time passed, gradually took over more and more territory for the newspapers. Various reorganizations and changes in management have occurred since then and the news-gathering organization, now known as the City News Bureau of Chicago, employs over fifty men, serves all the English papers, and covers all avenues of news in Cook County with the exception of finance, labor, and politics.

_________________________________________________________________________
Chicago Evening Mail, 1870–1875 (became Post & Mail)
Chicago Evening Post, 1865–1875 (became Post & Mail)
Chicago Evening Press & Mail, 1884–1897




\The Washington Post, Wednesday, January 29, 1896, pg. 12Will of the Late E. B. Wight.The will of the late Eugene Barton Wight, dated September 3, 1891, was filed yesterday. It bequeaths all the testators property to his wife, Mary Dennie Wight, and she is named as executrix. The paper is witnessed by W. A. Day, Fred Perry Powers, W. P. Montague, and K. R. Hampton.

DC-OBITS-L Archives
Archiver > DC-OBITS > 2004-04 > 1081883132
From: Jamie Perez < href="mailto:jamiemac@flash.net">jamiemac@flash.net

> Subject: The Washington Post, January 10, 1896 - WIGHT OBIT Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:05:50 -0700 (PDT)
The Washington Post, January 10, 1896, pg. 3MR. E. B. WIGHTS DEATHOne of the Best Known Newspaper Men of Washington.HIS CAREER AS A CORRESPONDENTFor a Quarter of a Century He Had Represented Leading Newspapers at the Capital, and Was One of the Leaders as Well as Veterans of the Correspondents Corps His Comrades of the Press Gallery and Gridiron Club to Attend the Funeral.The death of E. B. Wight, a veteran in the ranks of Washington newspaper correspondents, which occurred early yesterday morning at his residence, 1803 Nineteenth street, caused sincere grief to his many intimate friends and regret to many others who knew him chiefly as an able writer and public spirited citizen.Mr. Wight had been in poor health for some months. He consulted a physician in Boston last summer, and was informed that his malady was angina pectoris, which might terminate fatally at almost any time. He then determined to allow himself a little more relaxation from his work, and about the time Congress convened he arranged with Mr. O. P. Austin to assist him. Since the opening session Mr. Wight has not visited the Capitol, though he was at his desk in his office every day until last Saturday, when his condition became such that he was obliged to remain at home. He suffered considerably and was unable to lie down. He spent most of his time in an easy chair, and there he died at 6:30 yesterday morning. Mr. Wight leaves a widow and two sons, the elder about seventeen years old.Funeral services will be held at his late residence at noon to-day. The remains will be sent to Boston for interment at 3 oclock, accompanied by Mr. L. U. Paynter, who was an intimate friend of Mr. Wight.Action of His Associates.The press correspondents met in the Senate gallery yesterday afternoon, E. G. Dunnell presiding, and appointed the following committee to draft suitable resolutions to be forwarded to the family: John M. Carson, William E. Curtis, O. O. Stealey, John P. Miller, and William C. McBride.There was also a largely attended meeting last evening of the Gridiron Club, for the purpose of taking suitable action. Mr. E. G. Dunnell introduced the following resolutions, which were adopted unanimously:Mr. President: I ask that the following minute be entered upon the records of the Gridiron Club and that an engrossed copy be sent to Mrs. E. B. Wight:The death of our friend and companion, Eugene Barton Wight. Is a personal bereavement to us all. He was one of the founders and charter members of the Gridiron Club, and from its inception has been among its most useful and honored members. Whether as a patient and earnest worker in its ranks, or as an officer, always reluctant to accept recognition of his worth, he compelled the respect and warm esteem of his associates. As a journalist he early took and steadily maintained a high position in this community. For nearly thirty years he exhibited the characteristics of the high-minded, generous, and courteous gentleman. He brought to the exercise of his profession in Washington a well-trained and well-filled mind, a keen sense of honor, of personal integrity, and a gentleness of manner which intensifies his loss to those whose privilege it was to know him and to respect him. Whether in his relations to his fellow-journalists, or his connection with those outside the pr!ofession,his sterling manhood and ability, joined to an indefatigable industry and a pride in the performance of duty, made friends of acquaintances and enforced confidence and esteem.The Gridiron Club, to the institution and success of which he gave much of his time and solicitude, and in the furtherance of the aims, of which he was always a devoted worker, hereby places on record the expression of its deep sorrow at his loss and its affectionate sympathy with his family in their bereavement.A committee was also appointed to accompany the remains from the house to the railway station, consisting of President W. E. Annin, S. E. Johnson, O. O. Stealey, P. V. De Graw, E. G. Dunnell, F. A. G. Handy, Alfred Stofer, and George H. Walker. The club also decided to be present at the funeral services in a body. At the request of Mrs. Wight the Gridiron Quartet consisting of Herndon Morsell, Alex. Mosher, J. Henry Kaiser, and W. D. Hoover, will sing at the funeral.His Career as a Correspondent.Mr. Wights career as a correspondent was a brilliant one. For twenty-five years he represented leading daily newspapers at the Capital, the most important in recent years being the Chicago Inter Ocean. He was born in Wales, Mass., December 6, 1843, and at an early age went with his parents to Illinois, where they lived near Chicago. After acquiring an education at the University of Chicago, he spent some years in Germany, becoming a thorough master of the language, which was afterward of great use to him. He was afterward connected for some time with a law firm of which Attorney General Harmon was a member.He came to this city about 1870, and accepted a position in the New York Times bureau. Three years later he became Washington correspondent of a paper which was started in New York in the interests of Gen. Grant. He next became Ben Perley Poores assistant on the Boston Journal, and later succeeded the brother of Editor Medill, as head of the Chicago Tribune bureau. He occupied this position for nearly twenty years, retaining, however, his connection with the Boston Journal. He married a daughter of Mr. Clapp, who was editor and controlling owner of the latter paper.Several years ago he accepted the position of Washington correspondent of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and represented both the Inter-Ocean and the Boston Journal at the time of his death.His Collection of Press Clippings.He was a tireless worker, and devoted a great deal of time to study and affairs outside of the regular run of his profession. One of his most valuable achievements was the collection of an enormous mass of newspaper clippings on important and interesting subjects. Added to his own collection, the accumulation of thirty years, was the collection made by the late Mr. Kingman, which was purchased by Mr. Wight. The collection has been kept complete up to day, and as he had prepared a comprehensive card index this vast fund of useful information is easily accessible, and makes a record of almost priceless value. Mr. Wight was also a photographer of considerable ability, his efforts in this line rivaling those of any professional.Transcribed by: Jamie M. Perez
DisplayMail('flash.net','jamiemac');
jamiemac@flash.net Trying to confirm or refute that CORNELIUS McLEAN SR. (circa 1774-Sep. 12, 1836) of Washington, D.C., was the uncle of WILLIAM McLEAN CRIPPS (1799-1876) of Washington, D.C, and, furthermore, that Cornelius was born in Staten Island, NY.

___________________________________________________________________

Gridiron Club
3/26/2008

From:
Cheryl Arvidson [carvidson@cox.net] [Historian of Gridiron Club]

Poore was the first president of the club; E.B. Wight was the eighth president of the club. The Gridiron was founded in 1885.

CRA
From: Theodore Wight [mailto:tmwight@att.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 2:31 PMTo: 'Cheryl Arvidson'Subject: RE: Letter from Theodore M. Wight

Thank you. As I understand it, E. B. Wight succeeded Ben Perley Poore at the Journal. I will use your information. Ted Wight

From: Cheryl Arvidson [mailto:carvidson@cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:08 AMTo: 'The Gridiron Club'; tmwight@att.netSubject: RE: Letter from Theodore M. Wight

Dear Mr. Wight:

As Susan Hahn told you, there are no early records of The Gridiron Club in the office, but you could try some reference books to get a sense of The Gridiron’s early days. One is “Gridiron Nights” by Arthur Wallace Dunn, and another is “Forty Eight Gridiron Years” by Ernest George Walker. Another one of the Gridiron founders, Ben: Perley Poore, was a quite prolific writer of books, and there might be something in one of his books about the early years of the club. You might be able to find these books on Amazon although they are quite old and might be found easier at the Library of Congress since you are planning to be in Washington this spring.

The Gridiron archives also are at the Library of Congress and the early years are in volumes that are located in the Madison Building, the new structure across the street from the main Library of Congress building. You may need to sign up for a reference card, but that is not a burdensome undertaking. Then you can go to the reference room and check out the early volumes of historical material for the Gridiron. You are required to only take notes with pencil and cannot take anything with you except your notes upon leaving, but perhaps this will give you a little more information on your great gradnfather.

Good luck in your research.

Cheryl Arvidson
Historian, The Gridiron Club

From: The Gridiron Club [mailto:gridiron.club@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:40 AMTo: tmwight@att.netSubject: Re: Letter from Theodore M. Wight

Dear Mr. Wight:
I have received your letter regarding research on your great grandfather, Eugene Barton Wight, and his connection with the Gridiron Club. I have forwarded your query to the club historian. Briefly, I have found that Eugene Barton Wight, then of the Boston Journal, was a charter member of the Gridiron Club, was elected as the club's 8th president on May 12, 1894 -- and died January 9, 1896. That's all the info available in the tiny one-person club office in the National Press Building though you are welcome to stop by when you are in town -- just let me know when so I can be there. There are no historical records in the office that you could research, but okay with me if you want to see the office, The club historian is looking further and may be able to refer you to the Library of Congress -- many of the club's early records are now there.
Susan L. HahnThe Gridiron Clubgridiron.club@gmail.com(202) 783-4050 (office)(202) 256-2472 (cell)

(The National Press Building is at the corner of 14th and F St next to the J.W Marriott)