Person Page - 131

     Earl Franklin Stevens was born on 17 April 1919 at Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA. He was the son of Guy Demmon Stevens and Vera Mae Hurlburt. Earl Franklin Stevens died on 18 December 1990 at Lancaster, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 71.

     Jerry Forrest Stevens was born on 1 June 1953 at Long Beach, Los Angeles Co., CA. He was the son of Earl Franklin Stevens and Effie May Coble. Jerry Forrest Stevens died on 28 April 1976 at Automobile Accident, Lancaster, Los Angeles Co., CA, at age 22.

     Silas Holcombe was born on 31 December 1784 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.² He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Lucy Holcombe. Silas Holcombe married Lucy Gillett, daughter of Deacon Samuel Gillett.

     Amassa Holcombe II was born on 18 June 1787 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Lucy Holcombe. Amassa Holcombe II married Gillett Kendall, daughter of Noadiah Kendall and Ruth Gillet, on 10 November 1808 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁴ Amassa Holcombe II married Maria Holcombe, daughter of Daniel Holcombe and Hepzibah Griswold, in 1861. Amassa Holcombe II died on 27 February 1875 at age 87. He was buried at Southington, MA.

Amassa was a scientist, clergyman, genealogist, inventor and manufacturer. He grew up almost without access to schools or instructors, but used his remarkable intelligence in self-instruction.

He taught in Suffield, Conn. at age 16 years, having a large attendance of pupils, many being much older than he. He gained possession of a large collection of scientific books, owned by his uncle, Abijah Holcombe, who was not accounted for and was believed to have been lost at sea. From these books he studied surveying and astronomy, the knowledge from which shaped his life. His mechanical genius, which led to his fame, developed early. From his study7 of astronomy he predicted accurately the eclipse of the sun in 1806. He made calculations which he published in an almanac, 1807-08, wile following surveying. He taught at his home students of astronomy, navigation and surveying for 20 years. Many of his apt pupils became famous. Surveying was his favorite employment having more calls by 1825 than he could answer. Abandoning teaching he engaged in the manufacture of surveying instruments, magnets, electrical machines and leveling instruments.


His manufacturing began on a small scale, but he worked up a good business in it, which he kept many years. When he took up making telescopes all his efforts were required there. In 1833 he invented the achromatic telescope and sold glasses to Clarke, noted telescope manufacturer. Smithsonian Institute has on display one of his reflecting telescopes. Committees of experts inspected his lenses and mountings and in 1834 awarded him medals. He was first to sell American-made telescopes, which he had made familiar by 1845, having the American field without domestic competition for 13 years. He sold at one-fourth the price of imported goods. He cast and ground his own lenses. In 1839 he began to make pictures by Daguerrean process on silver plates, which he continued.


His measurements and calculations on water power utilization were much resorted to in arbitrations and litigation in courts at Hartford, Conn. and Springfield, Mass. where his conclusions as an expert were highly respected.


He found time to be ordained as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1831 and availed himself o this license at intervals for the remainder of his life. Williams College conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts in 1837. He served as a Selectman of Southwick, Mass in 1816; served 3 terms in the House of Representatives after 1831 and 1 term in the Senate in 1852. He served for a long period after 1833 as Justice of the Peace. Between 1865 and 1875 he did much research into the history of the Holcombe family. His collection was acquired soon after his death in 1875 by Dr. William Frederick Holcombe, of New York City, who preserved and supplemented it extensively until his own death in 1904.


He was recorded in the 1850 census of Southwick, Hampden Co., Mass. as manufacturer of telescopes, owning $5,500 of real estate. His 1st wife and son, Franklin, being the only other members constituting family then at home with him.

Amasa and Gillet were enumerated in the 1860 Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, federal census. He was 72, she was 72. Also in the household were Henry 37, Keturah 38, and Amasa 7. Franklin and Sarah and family were enumerated next door.

Amasa and Maria were enumerated in the 1870 Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, federal census. He was a civil engineer, age 84, she was 66. Also in the household were Henry 47, and Amasa Jr. 17.


An online account of his life and work can be found at: Pioneer Telescope Maker.

     Infant Ward died in 1815.¹ Infant Ward was born in 1815.¹ Infant Ward was the child of Thomas Ward and Sarah Alderman.¹

     Chandler Holcombe was born in 1803. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Post. Chandler Holcombe married Juliett Moore, daughter of Selden Moore and Philura Holcombe. Chandler Holcombe died on 5 August 1853 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.²

Chandler was enumerated in the 1850 Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, federal census. He was a farmer, age 48. Juliett was not in the household. Children in the household were Catherine 13, and Hiram 8.

     Violet Holcombe was born in 1795 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Lucy Holcombe. Violet Holcombe married Elijah Church, son of Uriah Church Jr. and Martha Cowdry, in 1815. Violet Holcombe died in 1827.

     Hiram Holcombe was born on 4 January 1804 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Post.

     Betsey Holcombe was born on 4 July 1808 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Ives.

     Fanny Holcombe was born on 6 January 1810 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Ives. Fanny Holcombe died on 22 October 1866 at age 56.¹

     Newton Holcombe was born on 23 August 1812 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was the son of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Ives. Newton Holcombe married Fanny (?). Newton Holcombe died on 21 August 1892 at age 79.²

Newton and Fanny were enumerated in the 1850 census of Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was a farmer 37, she was 39.


Newton was enumerated in the 1880 Southwick, Hampden Co., MA, federal census. He was a farmer age 67. There were two servants enumerated in the household, but no family.

     Emeline Holcombe married William L. Whitney.¹ Emeline Holcombe was born in 1814 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Ives.

     Dolly Holcombe was born in 1815 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Elijah Holcombe and Betsey Ives.

     Rachel Hoskins was born circa 1786.¹ She was the daughter of Ashbel Hoskins and Rachel Marvin. Rachel Hoskins married Arden J. Holcombe, son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins, on 5 April 1805. Rachel Hoskins died on 2 January 1861; typhoid pneumonia.¹ She was buried at West Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

Rachel is recorded in the 1850 census living in the home of their son, Alson.

     Stephen Holcombe was born on 25 January 1787.² He was the son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Stephen Holcombe married Experience Miller, daughter of Solomon Miller and Lydia (?). Stephen Holcombe died on 4 December 1867 at age 80; apoplexy.² He was buried at West Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.²

Stephen and Experience apparently had three other children who did not live past childhood and are buried in the West Granby Cemetery. They are recorded without an indication of their sex, as having died in 1814, 1814, and 1818. ³

Stephen and Experience were separated in 1821, reconciled by 1850.

Stephen and Experience were recorded in the 1850 Granby, Hartford Co., CT census with their dughter Deborah's family in the household.

Stephen was recorded in the 1860 Granby, Hartford Co., CT, census, with his daughter Deborah's family in the household.

     Experience Miller was born circa 1790 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.¹ She was the daughter of Solomon Miller and Lydia (?).¹ Experience Miller married Stephen Holcombe, son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Experience Miller died on 13 April 1851.¹ She was buried at West Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.¹

     Almon Holcombe was born on 26 January 1789.² He was the son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Almon Holcombe married Harriett Higley, daughter of Enoch Higley and Rosalinda Moore, on 29 October 1821 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.³ Almon Holcombe married Mabel Caldwell. Almon Holcombe died on 30 September 1836 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 47; consumption.^2,3 He was buried on 1 October 1836 at West Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.²

     Harriett Higley was born on 2 September 1798 at North Granby, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.^2,3 She was the daughter of Enoch Higley and Rosalinda Moore.¹ Harriett Higley married Almon Holcombe, son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins, on 29 October 1821 at Hartland, Hartford Co., CT.³ Harriett Higley died on 18 February 1829 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT, at age 30; consumption.^4,3 She was buried at West Granby Cemetery, Granby, Hartford Co., CT.⁴

Farewell my friends and children dear, Prepare for death while I sleep here.

      Mabel Caldwell was also known as Mabel Cadwell.¹ She was born circa 1799.¹ She married Almon Holcombe, son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Mabel Caldwell was buried on 1 March 1862 or 3 March 1862.¹

     Humphrey Holcombe was born in 1793. He was the son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Humphrey Holcombe married Roxanna Case, daughter of Asa Case and Sarah Robe. Humphrey Holcombe died on 3 August 1854 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.²

Humphrey was recorded in the 1850 Simsbury census as a farmer, woning real estate, $4,000.

Except Watson and Mary Emma, others here offered as children are by inference and association, his wife, in 1850, Roxanna, being too young to have been the mother of any except Mary Emma, indicating that she was not his first wife.³

     Roxanna Case was born on 9 September 1797. She was the daughter of Asa Case and Sarah Robe. Roxanna Case married Humphrey Holcombe, son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Roxanna Case died on 10 March 1870 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT, at age 72. She was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.²

     Shaler Holcombe was born in 1795. He was the son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Shaler Holcombe married Candace Hoskins, daughter of Asa Hoskins and Abigail Case, on 1 February 1821 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² Shaler Holcombe died in 1835.³ He was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³

     Candace Hoskins was born on 4 October 1799. She was the daughter of Asa Hoskins and Abigail Case. Candace Hoskins married Shaler Holcombe, son of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins, on 1 February 1821 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.² Candace Hoskins died on 18 October 1886 at age 87.³ She was buried at Simsbury Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.³

     Also called "Tilla". Zillah Holcombe was the daughter of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins. Zillah Holcombe married Jason Case, son of Asa Case and Sarah Robe, on 19 February 1818 at First Congregational Church, Granby, Hartford Co., CT. Zillah Holcombe died on 7 February 1838 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT.

     Jason Case was born on 21 January 1794 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Asa Case and Sarah Robe. Jason Case married Zillah Holcombe, daughter of Lt. Col. Peter Holcombe and Zillah Hoskins, on 19 February 1818 at First Congregational Church, Granby, Hartford Co., CT. Jason Case died on 2 July 1829 at age 35. He was buried at Hopmeadow Cemetery, Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT.

     17 congress from NY-Benton. Elijah Spencer was born in 1775. He was the son of Elijah Spencer and Keziah Holcombe. Elijah Spencer died in 1852.

     Ezekiel Alderman was born in 1805.¹ He was the son of Chester Alderman and Dorcas Haskins.¹

     Martin Holcombe married Grace Loomis, daughter of Capt. Noah Loomis and Rhoda L. Clark. Martin Holcombe was the son of Martin Holcombe.

     Grace Loomis married Martin Holcombe, son of Martin Holcombe. Grace Loomis was born on 5 November 1763 at Westfield, Hampden Co., MA.² She was the daughter of Capt. Noah Loomis and Rhoda L. Clark.

     Samuel Holcombe married Sarah Johnson. Samuel Holcombe was the son of Martin Holcombe.

     Sarah Johnson married Samuel Holcombe, son of Martin Holcombe.

     Warren Holcombe was born at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was the son of Martin Holcombe and Grace Loomis.

     Grace Holcombe was born at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Martin Holcombe and Grace Loomis.

     Deziah Holcombe was born on 29 September 1767 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. She was the daughter of Martin Holcombe and Deziah Haynes. Deziah Holcombe married Bethuel Holcombe, son of Eldad Holcombe and Michal Church, on 2 March 1786.

     Bethuel Holcombe was born on 9 September 1758 at Granby, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Eldad Holcombe and Michal Church. Bethuel Holcombe married Deziah Holcombe, daughter of Martin Holcombe and Deziah Haynes, on 2 March 1786. Bethuel Holcombe lived at Plymouth Rock, Iowa.

The different birth dates are obviously misreadings of the same source, possibly a gravestone.

     Oliver Holcombe was born on 9 November 1775 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA. He was the son of Martin Holcombe.

     Noadiah Norman Holcombe was born on 20 May 1777.² He was the son of Martin Holcombe. Noadiah Norman Holcombe married Mary Loomis, daughter of Noah Loomis and Mary Dewey, on 27 February 1800.² Noadiah Norman Holcombe died on 7 June 1855 at age 78.² He was buried at Old Marcellus Village Cemetery, Marcellus, Onondaga Co., NY.

The family of his second cousin Hemon Holcombe, also is in Marcellus.

Noadiah "Holcumb" and Molly were enumerated in the 1850 Marcellus, Onondaga Co., NY, federal census. He was 73, she was 71. Also in the household were Noadiah N. 49, Russell 47, Justin 45, and Isaac 38.

      Mary Loomis was also known as Molly Loomis. She was born on 28 June 1778 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.³ She was the daughter of Noah Loomis and Mary Dewey. Mary Loomis married Noadiah Norman Holcombe, son of Martin Holcombe, on 27 February 1800.³ Mary Loomis died on 4 January 1866 at Marcellus, Onondaga Co., NY, at age 87.³ She was buried at Old Marcellus Village Cemetery, Marcellus, Onondaga Co., NY.

     Bowman does not list Clarissa, Seaver does, but Bowman does have a vacant place as 4th child where Seaver has her. Clarrissa Holcombe was the daughter of Martin Holcombe.

     Edmund Holcombe was born on 28 July 1780 at Southwick, Hampden Co., MA.¹ He was the son of Martin Holcombe. Edmund Holcombe married Sally Cardell. Edmund Holcombe died on 10 February 1857 at Van Buren Township, Onondaga Co., NY, at age 76.¹

Bowman does not list a 7th child, Seaver does.

David Waid indicates that the connection between this Edmond and Martin is from IGI records and further documentation is needed.

Edmund was enumerated in the 1830 Van Buren, Onondaga Co., NY census as head of the family; 1 male 20-30 yrs; 1 male 40-50 yrs; 1 female 5-10 yrs; 1 female 10-15 yrs; 1 female 40-50 yrs.

Edmund was enumerated in the 1850 Van Buren, Onondaga Co., NY census, age 70 yrs., b. MA; Sarah, 66 yrs., b. CT.

     Jonathan Pettibone was born in 1710 at Simsbury, Hartford Co., CT. He was the son of Samuel Pettibone and Judith Shepard. Jonathan Pettibone married Martha Humphrey, daughter of Thomas Humphrey and Hannah Hillyer. Jonathan Pettibone died in 1776.

Jonathan was a member of the General Assembly, 1773-5, was appointed colonel of the eighteenth militia Regiment and was at Bunker Hill and Long Island. A monument is erected to his memory in Simsbury.

     Martha Humphrey was the daughter of Thomas Humphrey and Hannah Hillyer. Martha Humphrey married Jonathan Pettibone, son of Samuel Pettibone and Judith Shepard.