Biography of Benjamin Simonds
by A.E. Brown, self-published, Bedford, Mass., 1891
The simonds family of this town originated in Woburn. The name first appears in the records of that town in 1644. The date of their arrival in this country is unknown. "William Simonds of Woburn m. Jan. 28, 1644, Judith, dau. of James Hayward." It is quite probable that William of Woburn was descended from William and Alice of England, to whom there is a memorial in the cathedral church, Winchester, Eng., with the following inscription: --
Here lieth William Symonds, Gentleman,
Of Winchester, twice Mayor & Alderman,
Alice, his wife, lies buried by his side.
The one in June, in July the other died.
On the 28th day, 1601, Shee;
On the 27th day, 1606, Hee.
His merit doth inherit Life and Fame!
For whilst this city stands, Symonds his name,
In poor mens hearts shall never be forgotten;
For Poorer Prayers rise when flesh lies rottn!
Members of the early generations of Simonds became associated with Bedford families through marriage, but established families do not appear here until the opening of the nineteenth century. Benjamin of Woburn, of the fifth generation, with sons Benjamin and Zebedee, settled in the south part of the town in 1805, and engaged in the manufacture of shoes.
Benjamin bought a portion of the Thomas Woolley farm in 1812. He m. Oct. 27, 1812, Mary, dau. of John and Mary (Smith) Simonds of Leominster, who d. Dec. 8, 1817; m. 2d, Aug 11, 1818, Elizabeth Butler of Leominster. He d. July 31, 1836; she d. Nov. 22, 1834. Ch. Caroline, b. Jan. 5, 1814, m. Cummings E. Davis of Harvard. Mary Ann, b. Nov. 22, 1815, m. Elijah C. Whitcomb of Fitchburg. d. Aug. 1891. By 2d wife, Jane, b. July 17, 1819. m. Eben Chenny of Royalston. Minerva, b. May 20, 1821, m. Sylvester Sawyer of Royalston. Justin, d. young. Justin, b. Spet. 7, 1825.
Benjamin Simonds was a schoolmaster, an extensive shoe manufacturer, and a man of influence for some years. He removed from Bedford to Clarksville, Mo., where he died.