Biography of Elwyn B. Lynde of Middleboro, Massachusetts

Among the well known residents of Middleboro, Massachusetts, is Elwyn B. Lynde, former treasurer of the Middleborough National Bank, who has been a resident of Middleboro since 1912.

Mr. Lynde is a direct descendant of Thomas Lynde, who was born in England in 1593-4, and came to this country at the age of forty years. He settled first at Wollaston, later known as Quincy, Massachusetts, and then at Charlestown, where he was made a free man in 1634-5, and died in 1671. He was prominent in the affairs of Church and State, and served as a deacon in the church. His son, “Ensign” Thomas, settled in Malden, and had a son Joseph, whose descendants have lived in Westminster for several generations. Joseph (2) Lynde, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Lynde, was born in Malden, September 2, 1690, and was one of the first proprietors of Westminster (then known as Narragansett) though he was not a grantee, and a resident in 1741. He was the owner of lot No. 9, the northeast corner of which was near the site of the dwelling later owned by Reuben P. Merriam. He built a house on the west side of the road leading to the Damon place, the cellar of which may still be recognized as a faint depression in the soil. He received a bounty for improving and settling his claim and for building a “good house,” but later returned to Malden, where he died in 1763. He married, October 21, 1714, Mary Sprague, and they were the parents of eight children, of whom one, Joseph, became the father of Benjamin, who owned lands on Bragg Hill, in Westminster. He erected a house there and was an occasional resident on the premises, but is not supposed to have been a voting citizen there. He had a son Benjamin, however, born 1784, who after reaching mature age settled in Westminster and took possession of part of the lands there. He married Nancy, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Larrabee, of Malden, and she, six years after her husband’s decease, married (second), October 3, 1826, John Jackson. Benjamin and Nancy were the parents of four children: 1. Edwin. 2. Alonzo. 3. John, of whom further. 4. Nancy. Of these John, born October 26, 1823, married Lucy Kendall, daughter of Edward W. and Lydia (Hoar) Kendall, and they had six children: 1. Ellen M. 2. Ada E. 3. Edward B., of whom further. 4. Emma. 5. Jennie L. 6. Chester E.

Edward B. Lynde, son of John and Lucy (Kendall) Lynde, was born December 7, 1853, in Westminster, Massachusetts, and has spent practically his entire life there. He received his education in the local public schools and then engaged in the meat and provision business, which he followed for thirty-six years. He is now living retired in Westminster. He married, January 27, 1875, Florence A. Barron, who was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, daughter of William B. and Phebe Barron, and they were the parents of three children: 1. Lester E. 2. Grace F. 3. Elwyn B., of whom further.

Elwyn B. Lynde, son of Edward B. and Florence A. (Barron) Lynde, was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, July 20, 1887, and received his early education in the public schools of that town. After completing his course in Westminster High School he continued his studies in Mount Hermon Preparatory School, in the Allen School of West Newton, and then completed his preparation for an active career by taking a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Boston. After completing his course in business college he entered the employ of his father and assisted him in the conduct of his meat and pro vision business for a year, and then, in 1912, came to Middleboro, where he accepted a position as cashier in the Middleborough National Bank. That position he held until 1916, when the bank was taken over by the Middleborough Trust Company, and Mr. Lynde was made first treasurer. In 1921 he resigned and removed to California for his son’s health, retiring to Middleboro in 1925. He has a beautiful home on South Main Street, and he also has a host of friends in Middleboro and vicinity, who hold in high esteem his genial personality, his sterling qualities of character, and his versatile abilities. He gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Mayflower Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Middleboro; Old Colony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar; Lafayette Lodge of Perfection; Giles F. Yates Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Mount Olivet Chapter, Rose Croix; Massachusetts Consistory; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Middleboro Commercial Club, which he serves as president; and a member of the Boston City Club; and of the Pacific Coast Club, of Long Beach, California. He is active in philanthropic and civic affairs and is one of the incorporators of Saint Luke’s Hospital, which he serves as trustee and treasurer; a member of the board of directors of the Young Men’s Christian Association; and a director of the Middleborough Trust Company. During the World War he was chairman of the committee which directed the Red Cross “drives,” and was also an associate member of the district exemption board. He is an attendant of the Central Congregational Church.

Elwyn B. Lynde was married, in 1913, to Mabel B. Wilbur, who was born in Larned, Kansas, daughter of Charles A. and Carrie (Solly) Wilbur. Mr. and Mrs. Lynde became the parents of three children: 1. Wilbur E., born September 11, 1914, died August 21, 1924. 2. Robert E., born December 16, 1916. 3. John B., born January 7, 1922.

The Wilbur family of which Mrs. Lynde is a member, is one of the very old New England families, tracing descent from Samuel Wildbore, who was admitted a freeman of Boston, March 4, 1634. He owned considerable property in Boston and also in Taunton, Massachusetts, and seems to have lived in both cities. In November, 1637, he was one of a party that was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of their religious views and which, upon the advice of Roger Williams, purchased the Island of Aquidneck from the Narragansett Indians. That island is the present State of Rhode Island. In 1638 he moved his family to the new location, and on March 7 of that year, eighteen persons founded, by solemn compact, a new colony. In 1645 Samuel Wildbore returned to Boston and later built at Taunton an iron furnace, the first in New England. He was clerk of the Town Board in 1638, constable 1639, and sergeant in 1644. He married, in England, Ann Bradford, of Doncaster in York, county of York. From them the line descends through their son Shadrach, born 1632, died February, 1698, married (first) Mary Dean, (second) Mrs. Hannah (Bass) Paine, widow of Stephen; their son (of first marriage), born December 5, 1672, died November 8, 1749, married, March 20. 1700, Joanna Neal, daughter of Henry and Hannah Prar; their son Meshach, born 1702, died December 25, 1793, married, December 11, 1729, Elizabeth Leonard, daughter of John and Mary (King) Leonard; their son Meshach, born December 6, 1731, died August 29, 1800, married Mehitable Williams; their son Meshach, born May 26, 1761, died February 27, 1803, married, October 7, 1786, Keziah Leonard, daughter of Gamaliel and Bethiah, no children; married (second), December 2, 1790, Nancy Williams, daughter Esmond and Susannah; son of the second marriage, Williams, born November 25, 1791, died in Hubbardston. Massachusetts, about 1892-3, married, December 28, 1815, Rebecca Browning, who died May 17, 1827, married (second) Lucretia Mann; son of first marriage, George Browning, born January 13, 1820, died July 13, 1914, married (first) Hannah Reid, married (second), about 1886. Frances Decker, no children: son of first marriage, Charles A., born March 19, 1850, died December 18, 1918, married March 1, 1887, Carrie Solly, who died February 6, 1926, mother of four children, among whom was Mabel B., born August 19, 1889, married, November 12, 1913, Elwyn B. Lynde, as stated above.