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WILLIAM S. KENT, (Capt. Daniel, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Eb

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enezer, John, Richard), first child by his 1st wife, Ruth (Watson) Kent, was born Feb. 6, 1806, in Leicester, Mass. He married Ist, January 11, 1831, Mary Howard, born May 21, 1807, daughter of Amos and Damaris (Bennett) Howard. She died April 5, 1847, in Leicester, Mass., aged 39y. 8m. 14d. He married 2d, October 3, 1847, Mrs. Louisa Beers, born October 10, 1807, daughter of Phinehas and Joanna (Barnes) Tyler. He is alive (Worcester). His occupation was that of card maker. No children by 2d marriage.

The children of William S., and Mary (Howard) Kent were: 235. 1, Charles Frederick, b. Sept. 23, 1834, in Leicester, m. May 6, 1856, Maria E. Bond.

236. 2, Mary Augusta, b. Aug. 3, 1837, in Leicester, m. Sept. 10, 1860, Samuel Harrington Howard.

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SAMUEL WATSON KENT, (Capt. Daniel, Ebenezer, Ebene

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zer, Ebenezer, John, Richard), brother to the preceding and second child of Captain Daniel by 1st wife, Ruth (Watson) Kent, was born January 21, 1808, in Leicester, Mass., married May 19, 1835, Clarissa Watson of Leicester. She was born February 16, 1813, in Leicester, Mass., and daughter of Samuel and Sukey (Vickery) Watson of Leicester. Mr. Watson was born in 1782, in Leicester, and was a leading citizen of the town and represented it in the General Court in 1838 and 1840. He was a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Bancroft) Watson of Leicester. Mr. Samuel Watson Kent was born and brought up on the old Kent farm, which is located in the north-easterly part of the town of Leicester, and educated at the school in that district. His business career was about as follows, viz: September 20, 1827, he engaged for two years with the firm of James & John A. Smith & Co., manufacturers of wire cards for machinery; factory about half mile south-west of Leicester Center; terms, $9.00 per month and board for the first year and $12.50 per month and board for the second year. In 1828-29 the company built what was known as the brick factory above and upon the same stream, to which they removed in 1829. The business being dull at the close of his engagement he remained unemployed until about the middle of April, 1830. In the meantime he visited his relatives in Vermont, and upon his return he engaged with Sargent & Jones (in the south-east part of Leicester, who made wire cards tor hand use) at $10 per month and board. Not being pleased with

the business he only remained with them until December 15 of same year. December 20, commenced for John A. Smith, who had dissolved his connection with his former partner, at $10 per month and board. This was in the old factory. Settled with Mr. Smith January 3, 1832, he having contracted with Morse & Southgate to manufacture cards by the foot. Engaged to Morse & Southgate to prepare or get out the leather at three cents per square foot. Continued with them until April 23, 1834, at which time he arranged with Nathan Ainsworth to learn card setting and other mechanical business; terms $190 for the first and $260 for the second year. Continued work for Ainsworth & McFarland, same business, at $1.25 per day until April 22, 1836. Then contracted to build one machine for them at $175, which was completed June 4, 1836 Returning after a brief visit to Vermont with his wife, he began at once to arrange for business on his own account in the building now owned by A. White & Son of Leicester, not only in building new machines but in general jobbing as well. Early in 1854 he formed a copartnership with parties in Worcester, Mass., for the manufacture of machinists tools in Merrifield's building, corner Foster and Cypress streets, Worcester, moving his family there April I. On June 14 following, the buildings were burned to the ground and the company nearly ruined by the failure of insurance company and the loss of tools uninsured. October, 29, 1856, he withdrew from the firm and with the encouragement of friends and former patrons in Leicester he resumed the manufacture of card clothing machinery in Goddard, Rice & Co's. building on Union street, Worcester. At the end of four years he returned to Merrifield's building, which had been rebuilt, and where he remained until a month before his death. His was an honest, upright life, thorough in everything, and he enjoyed the full confidence of all who had dealings with him and was able to secure a very comfortable living and disposed to do all he could for the needy poor. Early in life he manifested quite a musical talent, and at the age of fifteen commenced the study of both vocal and instrumental music and was identified with the church choir in Leicester for more than twenty-five years. In Worcester he was a member of the Mozart Musical Society, afterwards the Choral Union, and for several years sang with the Worcester County Musical Associatio. June 26, 1826, he was by Brig. Gen. Nathan Heard appointed a member of First Brigade Band of the Sixth Division of Massachusetts Militia, and remained until the Militia was dissolved. He joined the Congregational Church in Leicester, January 2, 1828, under the pastoral care of Rev. John Nelson, D. D. After their removal to Worcester, he and his wife took letters to the old South church in that city, under the care of Horace James; chosen one of the deacons January 2, 1861, resigned December 28, 1870, and took letters to the

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