Buckminster Family of Framingham

The Buckminsters of Framingham were prominent for a long time in the history of that region before it was incorporated as a town and afterwards. They held civil and military positions of many kinds. Thomas Buckmaster, as the name was at first written, probably came from Wales, and is named in the Colonial. Records, April 30, 1640, when he received a grant from the Gen. Court. He was made a freeman, 1646. His will is recorded in Suffolk Probate, dated Sept. 2, 1656. He lived in Muddy River (Brookline).

The direct line of descent as regards the Fuller family runs thus: - (1) Thomas Buckmaster had son (2) Joseph, already called Buckminster in deed dated July 23, 1660.

2. Joseph married Elizabeth, dau. of Hugh Clarke. Their children were (3) Joseph, b. July 31, 1666; Elizabeth.

3. Col. Joseph, son of (2) Joseph, married Martha Sharp, dau. of John Sharp of Muddy River (Brookline), May 12, 1686. His children were eight in number, among them was (4) Joseph,. b. 1697. (3) Col. Joseph Buckminster was proprietor of lands in Framingham, 1693. The date of his removal to Framingham defects in the records. It is dated Dec. 28, 1712.

This first Abraham Williams is probably the Lieutenant Williams whose commission, signed by Sir Edward Andros and dated Feb. 12, 1686-87, but unfortunately omitting Christian name, is in the possession of the editor of this revised edition of the Fuller genealogy. Abraham Williams had children: Elizabeth; (2) William; John; Lydia.

2. William Williams d. Aug. 30,1702; he may have been the owner of the above mentioned commission. He had children: Thomas, d. in infancy; (3) Abraham, b. April 15,1695.

3. Col. Abraham Williams m. Jan. 5, 1715, Prudence Howe,. dau. of Thomas and Sarah. She d. Jan. 16, 1725, and he m. 2d, Dec. 22, 1725, Elizabeth Breck, dau. of Rev. Robert Breck. She d. Jan. 13, 1729, and he m. Elizabeth, who d. 1775. He was a prominent citizen, filled many town offices, and was justice of the peace. In 1757 he organized and commanded as captain a company to serve against the French and Indians. He attained the rank of colonel, and in 1775, at the age of 80, commanded the 3d regiment of militia of Middlesex and Worcester counties. He probably did not serve in the Revolutionary War on account of his great age. He d. July 10, 1781. He had numerous children (see Hudson), among them (4) Rev. Abraham Williams, minister of Sandwich, Mass., b. Feb. 25, 1727.

4. Rev. Abraham Williams was Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He strongly favored the Revolution. Two of his sons died in British prison ships. His slaves Titus Winchester and Phebe were bought in Framingham, and the bills of sale are still preserved by the editor. Titus refused manumission and stayed with his master until the latter died. A poem read at the Quarter-Millennial celebration of Sandwich and Bourne in 1889, mentions Titus as keeping order among the boys in Rev. Abraham Williams's church. Freed by the will of his master, Titus served in various capacities on sailing vessels and accumulated some property. At his death he left a bequest for a clock to be placed on the church. This clock has recently been replaced by a new one, but is still preserved in the vestry of the church (1902).

Sources: Hudson, Charles: History of Marlborough.