Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/42

Sarah, Gardner and Averill. 6. Abner, m. Waity Ormsbee; whose ch were:—Waitstill, Sophronia and John S. His second wife was Lucinda Mason; whose ch were:—Lucinda and Abner O. His third wife was Mrs. Osburn. His fourth wife was a lady from Boston. Abner Kneeland, whose fame reached almost every country, was brought up in the good old-fashioned ways of our ancestors. Being naturally of a strong mind, he, with but little assistance, gained a good education, and was employed in the capacity of a school-teacher for some time. In 1802 he published a spelling-book of 200 pages, entitled the "American Definition Spelling Book." He was engaged as a merchant for a time, but adhering to the principle of justice and honesty, depending upon prosperity for a living, the tide of fortune rolled the wrong way, and he gave up the business for the carpenter's trade; saying, the only way to be rich, is to be contented with what you have; thus making the beggar as rich as the king could possibly be on his throne. In 1805 he was ordained as a Baptist minister in Langdon, N. H., and for several years was a member of that denomination. Afterwards he was a preacher of universal salvation for some years. Subsequently he became a deist, and was for many years the editor of the Boston Investigator. He d. in 1844, ae. 70. V. Lucy, m. Paul Stearns; whose ch. were:—Timothy Kneeland, Lucy, Thomas, John Milton, (who is a Counsellor and Attorney at law, in Williamsburg, N. Y.,) Sarah, Benjamin Franklin, (a merchant in Felchville, Vt.,) and George Washington, (twins,) (is a minister and physician in New Bedford, Mass.,) Paul W. and Honestus. 8. Sarah, m. Mr. Phinney. 9. Edward, d. 10. Silas, m. Martha Laws; whose ch. were:—Lucy, Maria, Martha, Ira, Joel, Nancy, Abel L. M., George W. S. and Mary. Mr. Kneeland d. in 1818, ae. 81.