Ethan Davis [Parents] ¹ was born ¹ in 29 Feb 1766 in Holden, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He died ¹ on 29 Apr 1837. Ethan married Mary Waters.

HISTORY OF HOLDEN:

"Ethan Davis, Senior, commonly known in his mature years as 'Squire Ethan, was the youngest son of Captain James Davis, and was born in Holden, February 29th, 1766. Like his father, he was an extensive land owner. He seems to have been born with a propensity for trading in real estate, in live stock, or in anything in which he could indulge his taste for speculation. His dealings in cattle often occasioned remarks and now and then were the basis of jokes. It is related that in his younger days he and some of his friends, presumably at the tavern or store, were trying to chaff Dr. Thaddeus Chenery, who was then beginning to practice in town, and Mr. Davis, for fun, complained of not feeling well and asked the doctor to examine him. The doctor did so, and informed him he had a bad attack of farrow-cow fever. In conformity with the custom of those days, Mr. Davis ordered drinks for the party. He was a temperate man, however, and not much given to sports of any kind, but could, on occasion, give and take a joke with much relish. It may be said that the relish for a good joke was not, by any means, diminished by transmission to his children. Shortly after his first marriage, his father-in law called on him and tendered him a little good advice, counselling him not to "go too fast/' but to "begin as he could hold out." It being time for the eleven o'clock toddy, the son.in.law brought the old gentleman a mug of water, remarking that he was "beginning as he could hold out." After getting in his joke he entertained his relative in the usual way. About the year 1829 Mr. Davis was an active mover in forming the first temperance society of Holden, in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Bard well, and thereafter, and probably for a long time before, was a total abstainer from intoxicating drinks. Mr. Davis possessed the confidence of his townsmen to a great degree. He was a selectman for thirteen consecutive years ; assessor three years ; treasurer of the town twenty-one years, and represented the town in the legislature three years, in 1817, 1821 and 1826. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1817.

"By good management he accumulated a large property, and gave his large family of children all the education which they desired, besides giving them all needed assistance in starting in life. He was quite rigid in business affairs, but tried to render to all their just dues. The descendant of a woman whose money was in his hands says that, if for any reason the interest became overdue, he always paid interest on interest. 11 is charities were considerable. Following the example of his father, who had left a small legacy to the church, he also left one to it, besides one to the town and one to the Seaman's Friend Society.

"Though inclined to austerity, he was never unkind, and was an excellent neighbor, a steadfast friend, and a very kind husband and father.

"For many years last previous lo his death he occupied the estate just south of the common, later owned by his sons, and now in possession of Mr. Levi Howe. Mr. Davis, though of a very speculative turn, was much less a rover than most of the members of this branch of Dolor Davis' family. Dolor was very restless, moving eight or nine times, and neatly always acquiring real estate. Many of his descendants down to the last generation have equaled his record. A granddaughter of Ethan Davis, senior, yet living and in the prime of life, several years ago went to one of the territories alone, and took up a quarter section of prairie land, and, far from friends, with only one neighbor, and that one more than a mile away, lived there alone for eight months in order to secure her title. Having accomplished that, and being very much afraid of her only neighbor, who was, in her opinion, a barbarian, she made haste to get back among civilized people. Though she confesses that one experiment of the kind is sufficient, she is still given to travel and looking about the country.

"Of the numerous descendants of 'Squire Ethan' Davis not one now remains in Holden, the last grandchild and his children having removed a few months since.

"He was twice married. His first wife, and the mother of his children, was Sarah, daughter of I '.lishu Hubbard, and sister of Samuel W. and Deacon Silas M. Hubbard. They were married May 27th, 1792, and she died December 24th, 1818, aged forty-eight years. August 24th, 1819, he was married to Xillah, widow of Lemuel Abbott, and sister of Dr. Thaddeus Chenery and of the wife of Colonel Samuel Damon. No children were born of this marriage. His death, April 29th, 1837, was the result of an accident. His widow died March 8th, 1843.

Mary Waters ¹. Mary married Ethan Davis.

Edward Jones Davis [Parents] ¹ was born on 10 Feb 1838 in Holden, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. He died ² on 26 Apr 1916 in Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. He was buried ² in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Edward married Louisa Adeline Upton.

Louisa Adeline Upton was born on 2 Feb 1839 in Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. She died in Sep 1939. She was buried ¹ in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Louisa married Edward Jones Davis ².

George Washington Brakenridge was born on 19 May 1863. He died in 1949. He was buried ¹ in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. George married Gertrude L. Davis.

Gertrude L. Davis [Parents] was born in 1865. She died in 1949. She was buried ¹ in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Gertrude married George Washington Brakenridge.

Robert D. Brakenridge [Parents] was born on 27 May 1898 in Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 17 Jul 1992 in Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana, USA. He was buried ¹ in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Robert married Elizabeth Hutchinson.

Elizabeth Hutchinson was born on 24 Jul 1900. She died ¹ in May 1981 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA. She was buried ¹ in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth married Robert D. Brakenridge.

Jacob Gerbens Hoekstra [Parents] ¹ was born ² on 3 Sep 1853 in Tietjerksteradeel, Friesland, The Netherlands. He died ³ on 4 Jan 1909 in Dennenoord gem. Zuidlaren, Groningen, The Netherlands. Jacob married ¹ Matje de Vries on 8 Jan 1880 in Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Matje de Vries ¹ was born ¹ on 7 Aug 1844 in Hoogkerk, Groningen, The Netherlands. Matje married ¹ Jacob Gerbens Hoekstra on 8 Jan 1880 in Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Harm Haan ^{1, 2} was born ^{3, 4} on 18 Sep 1850 in Uithuizen, Groningen, The Netherlands. He died ^{2, 5} on 5 Sep 1912 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA. He was buried ⁵ on 7 Sep 1912 in Mount Greenwood Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA. Harm married ³ Sjoerdtje Gerbens Hoekstra "Susan" about 1899.

Other marriages:

Drolinger, Grace

Sjoerdtje Gerbens "Susan" Hoekstra [Parents] ¹ was born ^{2, 3} on 10 Jul 1855 in Tietjerksteradeel, Friesland, The Netherlands. She died ⁴ on 15 Apr 1944 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA. She was buried ⁴ on 18 Apr 1944 in Mt. Greenwood Cemetery, Cook County, Illinois, USA. Susan married ⁵ Harm Haan about 1899.

Susan immigrated ³ in 1887 to Illinois, USA from The Netherlands.

Other marriages:

Lubbers, Lammert Everts
Hoving, Peter

A step-son, Henry Hoving born Feb 1892, is found with Sjoerdtje in the 1900 census. It appears that he was the son of Sjoerdtje and Peter Hoving (born about 1851).