Ancestors & Descendants of Thomas Paine Barlow & Frances Anica Preble

Extracted from: Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania Volumes I-III Contributed by Susan BARLOW Holmes

Emma Barlow "Chambers" Humbird

Emma Barlow "Chambers" Humbird - "Mrs. James S. Humbird", is a great-granddaughter of the Revolutionary soldier, Aaron Barlow, who served from Connecticut. He was a son of Samuel Barlow, who married Esther Hull.  Another of their sons was the lawyer, diplomat, poet, Joel Barlow, who served from 1779 to 1783 as brigade chaplain with General Poor's brigade of the Massachusetts line. Joel Barlow was one of the earliest American poets and was the author of the epic "Columbiad" that attracted much attention.  Mrs. Humbird also obtains descent from General Jedediah Preble, of Falmouth - Portland, Maine, through the marriage of her grandfather, Thomas P. Barlow, to Frances Anica Preble.

The Barlow family of Redding,Connecticut, descends from John Barlow who appeared in Fairfield, Connecticut, as early as 1668, and died in 1674.  He was one of the earliest settlers of that town.  He was of English parentage and probably birth.  He was possessed of a large estate in Fairfield, part of which is yet called Barlow's Plain.  His will, dated March 28, 1674, mentions his wife Ann, and children John 2, Isabella, wife of Peter Chapman; Ruth, wife of Francis Bradley; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Frost; Martha, wife of James Beers; Deborah, wife of John Sturgis.

John (2) Barlow, son of John (1) and Ann Barlow, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut.  He inherited land from his father, which he cultivated and increased.

He married Abigail, daughter of Robert Lockwood.

Children: John 3     Joseph     Samuel    Abigail    Deborah     Elizabeth    Ruth

His estate was inventoried March 06, 1690.

John 3 Barlow, son of John 2 and Abigail (Lockwood) Barlow, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut. According to the parish records of Christ's Church of that town he "renewed the Covenant", February24, 1694, at which time his son John 4 was baptized.

He married _______

Children: John 4     Samuel     Abigail      Ann     Joseph      Francis     Sarah      Deborah    ---all baptized in Christ's Church, Fairfield---

The record of the last baptism is March, 1705, and she is named daughter of Lieutenant John Barlow. This title was due to his service in the war against the Indians.

Samuel Barlow, son of John 3 Barlow was baptized in Fairfield, April 26, 1696, died in Redding, Connecticut, December 20, 1773.  He removed to Redding about 1740 and settled in what is known as the Boston district.  He was a man of wealth.  When he removed to Redding he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres with "dwelling and buildings thereon" from James Bradley for which he paid 2500 pounds.  It was here his last four children were born and where he died.

He married first, Eunice, daughter of Daniel Wadley, of Fairfield, August 02, 1731; married second, August 07, 1744, Esther, born 1721, died August 22, 1775, daughter of Nathaniel Hull, of Reading.

Children of first marriage:    Daniel    Ruhamah     James    Jabez

Children by second marriage:    Nathaniel    Aaron    Samuel    Joel     Huldah

Of these children Samuel, Daniel and Ruhamah died early.  James settled in Ridgefield; Jabez settled in Ohio; Nathaniel settled in Connecticut.

Joel, born March 24, 1754, first entered Dartmouth College, but was graduated with honors from Yale, class of 1778, a classmate of Noah Webster. He early showed talent of a superior quality.

He was an intimate friend of Thomas Paine, who probably at that time had not become imbued with infidelity.  He studied law and divinity, and after being licensed as minister of the Congregational church became a chaplain in the Revolutionary army, serving until the close of the war.In 1773 he opened a law office in Hartford and became partner with Elisha Babcock in editing The American Mercury. In 1785 he was chosen by the general association of the Congregational church to revise the Psalms of Dr. Watts.  In 1787 he published his "Vision of Columbus".  His most popular poem was "Hasty Pudding", a work in three cantos showing decided poetic genius, written in France in 1793, where he was representing the "Scotia Land Company".  In 1795 he was appointed by President Washington consul to Algiers, where he effected a very important treaty, also one with Tripoli.  In 1805 he returned to the United States and settled near Washington, D. C., where he purchased beautiful "Kalorama" afterwards the home of his favorite nephew, Thomas Barlow, and his wife, Frances Anica "Preble" Barlow. In 1808 he published his greatest poem "The Columbiad" which was republished in London in 1811.

He was engaged in writing a History of the United States in 1812, when he was appointed United States minister to France.  While on his way to confer with Emperor Napoleon at Wilna, he was seized with a fatal illness and died at Zarwanica, Poland, October 02, 1812. He married Ruth Baldwin, of New Haven, Connecticut, a sister of Honorable Henry Baldwin, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.    More about Joel Barlow

Aaron Barlow, second son of Samuel Barlow and his second wife, Esther "Hull" Barlow, was born in Redding, Connecticut, February 11, 1750, died in Norfolk, Virginia.  He lived on a farm purchased by his father on Umpawaug Hill, Redding, which he owned and cultivated.  He served in the Revolution, as did three of his brothers.  He was ensign of Colonel Samuel Whiting's regiment of Connecticut militia, and a member of the Committee of Safety to raise the provision troops of the Connecticut line.  He was a man of ability, tall and of imposing bearing.  He removed after the war to Norfolk, Virginia, where he succumbed to an attack of yellow fever.

He married Rebecca Sanford, of Redding, Connecticut, a member of the early and prominent Connecticut family of that name.

Children:

Elnathan, a soldier and victim of the War of 1812

Samuel, removed to Ohio

Stephen, a lawyer of Ohio

Daniel, lived and died in Redding

Aaron, died at sea

Esther, died of yellow fever at Norfolk

Joel, died in Redding

Rebecca, lived and died in Redding

Thomas Paine, named by his uncle Joel, after his friend, Thomas Paine.

Thomas Paine Barlow, youngest child of Aaron and Rebecca "Sanford" Barlow, was born in Redding, Connecticut, 1794, died September, 1859. He was educated and adopted by his uncle, Joel Barlow, the poet, and accompanied him to France as his private secretary.  He was with him on the fatal journey to Wilna.  After the death of his uncle, he returned to the United States and established himself in the practice of law at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

While in France he met and married, July 28, 1817 at "Draviel", near Versailles, Frances Anica Preble, daughter of Henry and Frances "Wright" Preble, and granddaughter of Brigadier General Jedediah Preble, of Falmouth - Portland, Maine.  "Draviel" was the beautiful country seat of Daniel Parker, an American gentleman and Henry Preble's intimate friend.

Children of Thomas Paine and Frances Anica "Preble" Barlow:

Anica Barlow, second daughter of Thomas Paine and Frances Anica (Preble) Barlow, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1821, living in April, 1911.  Of her it was written:  "You can hardly meet with a more perfect character".

She married, in April, 1855, John D. Chambers, of Washington, Pennsylvania.  They lived in Washington in a home given Anica by her mother which Mr. Chambers enlarged and beautified. It was said to have been the "prettiest residence in Washington".   John D. Chambers was a son of James Chambers, major of Militia, Washington county, and Mary Dodds.

Children of John D. and Anica "Barlow" Chambers:

Emma Barlow

Anica, born June 02, 1857

Mary, born July 29, 1858

Henry Preble, born September 11, 1860

Harriet Barlow, born November 29, 1863, died January, 1868

Emma Barlow Chambers, daughter of John D. and Anica (Barlow) Chambers, was born February 11,1856. 

She married James S. Humbird, born in Cumberland, Maryland, September 01, 1853.  Mrs. Humbird is a member of Pittsburgh Chapter, Pennsylvania Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Children of James S. and Emma Barlow "Chambers" Humbird:

Grace, born December 19, 1875, married Ralph Longenecker, October 30, 1902

  Children:   Catherine, born January, 1904   Eleanor September 15, 1908   Ralph, January 15, 1911

Eleanor, born February 4, 1877, married Southard Hay

  Child: Malcolm, born May 19, 1907

John C., born February 27, 1879, unmarried

Emma C., born April 21, 1881, married William A. Robinson

  Children: Anica Barlow, born December 25, 1907   William Andrew, March 12, 1908

James S. Jr., born November 14, 1882, unmarried

Anica Barlow, born April 11, 1885, married James H. Reed Jr.

All living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Preble Line

Frances Anica "Preble" Barlow, wife of Thomas P. Barlow, was a daughter of Henry Preble, granddaughter of General Jedediah Preble, of Falmouth, now Portland, Maine, and great-great-granddaughter of Abraham and Judith "Tilden" Preble, the common ancestors of the American family.

Abraham Preble came over from England with the "Men of Kent" and settled somewhere about the year 1636 in Scituate, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts.  He was one of the earliest settlers and soon after his arrival married Judith, third daughter of Elder Nathaniel Tilden,of an ancient family in county of Kent, England.  After his marriage he removed to York, Maine, (then Gorgianna) where in 1642 he purchased a tract of land.  When York was incorporated as a city he was appointed the first mayor, and for the remainder of his life continued to hold responsible offices of the Province.  He was of the councilors or assistants, member of the general court, magistrate, treasurer of the county.  He held the military rank of major, and his life was devoted to the public service.

He died about March 30, 1663.

Children of Abraham and Judith "Tilden" Preble:

Abraham, who took an active and very prominent part in the public affairs of the province, and at the date of his death he held thirteen public offices

Rachel, married Joseph Carline   

Stephen    

Nathaniel   

John   

Benjamin   

Sarah married Henry Coombs

Benjamin Preble, youngest son of Abraham and Judith "Tilden" Preble,was born about 1657, died at York, Maine, March 25, 1732.Little is known of him beyond his marriage and his will which is recorded in York county, Maine.

He married, when about the age of forty, Mary, daughter of Thomas Baston.

Children:    Judah     John    Hannah     Judith     Abigail     Jedediah

Brigadier-General Jedediah Preble, youngest son of Benjamin and Mary "Baston" Preble, was born at York, Maine, 1707, died at Falmouth - Portland, March 11, 1784.  He was the first of his name that settled on the peninsula of ancient Falmouth, now the site of the city of Portland.  He is styled in various deeds "yeoman", "coaster", "Gentleman", "squire".   His commission as captain of infantry, signed by Governor Shirley, is dated June 05, 1746.  April 23, 1754, the same authority commissioned him lieutenant-colonel.   March 13, 1758, he was commissioned colonel by Governor Pownal.  March 12, 1759, he received from Governor Pownal a commission of brigadier-general of the forces raised by him to be employed in His Majesty's service in the ensuing campaign.  He earned these various promotions by service in the field.  Soon after the fall of Quebec he was appointed by the governor to the command of Fort Pownal a new fortress just completed on the Penobscot at what is now Fort Point. October 29, 1762, he purchased all the land surrounding Fort Pownal, twenty-seven hundred acres.  The same year he purchased at the settlement of the estate of his father-in-law, Androsse's Island, Mansion House, and garden, wharf, warehouses, breastwork and flats.  This is now valuable Portland real estate.  March 03, 1763, he was commissioned a justice of the peace.  In 1766 representative.  In 1763 he was a member of the House from Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth, and one of the "glorious ninety-two" who voted "nay" to the King's command to rescind the celebrated circular letter.  In 1773 he was chosen councillor.  January 25, 1774 he was chosen one of the committee of seven to make answer to letters received from the Boston Committee of Safety.  On October 27, 1774, the Salem, Massachusetts, Provincial Congress appointed General Jedediah Preble, General Artemas Ward and Colonel Pomeroy, general officers of the Provincial forces with General Preble in chief command.  On account of his years he declined and the appointment was given General Ward.  In 1775 General Preble was added to the Committee of Inspection when the wretch Mowatt burned Falmouth, and General Preble was a heavy loser in property, greater than any other in the town.  In 1791 he was in a measure reimbursed by land grants.  In 1776-77-80 he was representative to the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts.  June 20, 1780 he was elected councillor for the Province of Maine. In 1788 he was appointed justice of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the county of Cumberland September 04, 1780, under the new State Constitution, he was elected the first senator from Cumberland county.  In 1782-83  he held appointment as judge of Inferior Court under the new State Constitution, and these were the closing ones of his long career of activity, honor and usefulness.  Four days after the signing of a definite Treaty of Peace with Great Britain he breathed his last at his residence in Falmouth. General Preble is represented by contemporaries to have been a commanding and dignified presence, standing full six feet.  His common dress was the scarlet coat and laced hat, which previous to the Revolution were only permitted to be worn by the privileged classes.  He was of very quick temper, resolute and even stubborn in his purposes.  His opinion once formed there was no moving from it, hence the expression, among his descendants, when one shows a set purpose, "he has a touch of the Brigadier in him".

General Preble married first, March 21, 1733, Martha Junkins.

Four sons and a daughter were born to him:   Jedediah 2    Samuel    John    William      Lucy

Mrs. Martha Preble died at Falmouth, March 10, 1753.

He married second, May 09, 1754,Mrs. Mehitable Bangs Roberts, the childless widow of John Roberts Jr., daughter of Captain Joshua and Mehitable "Clarke" Bangs, originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Five sons and two daughters were born of this marriage:    Martha    Ebenezer    Joshua     Edward    Statira    Henry   

Edward, born August 15, 1761, commodore of the United States navy, a brave and most distinguished hero and patriot, who had the honor to be the first to carry the flag around Cape Horn.

Henry Preble, youngest son of General Jedediah and Mehitable "Bangs-Roberts" Preble, was born on Falmouth Neck, Portland, Maine, January 24, 1770, died at Allegheny, now Pittsburgh, N.S., Pennsylvania, October 25, 1825.  Very little is preserved of his early life.  He is first heard of definitely in England, where he was entrusted with letters for Miss Frances Wright and another English girl, who were prisoners in Paris during the mad career of Robespierre.  He fell in love with Miss Wright at sight and they were soon married.  The ceremony in Paris was a civil one as during the French Revolution no religious authority was acknowledged.  They soon went to England, where they were again married in church.  Returning to Paris Henry Preble made several voyages to the United States, and in 1801 went to Italy to open a mercantile house in Tuscany, but did not find a desirable location.  He returned to France and opened a commercial house in Havre, then at Nantes; not succeeding well, he went to Paris where as a commission merchant he was very fortunate, but lost his money in speculating in Colonial produce and sending ships to sea.  He regained his fortune in a similar business.  He fitted out privateers in France during the war of 1812 and made a great deal of money, but his fortune failed and he met with severe losses, after which he returned to the United States and passed the summer at "Kalorama" with his daughter Anica "Mrs. Thomas Barlow".  In 1819 he was appointed United States consulate Palermo in Sicily.  He collected much valuable information for his fort, while holding the mission, which he resigned in 1820.  After his return to the United States until his death, October 25, 1825, his home was with his daughter Anica, at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.  He was a man of culture and refinement, and while in prosperity remembered and aided those of his friends less fortunate.  In adversity he did not lose his dignity of character nor the respect and esteem of others.  He inherited the family taste for drawing and painting;  many of his drawings and watercolors are still preserved with an exquisitely drawn portrait of him by his daughter, Harriet.

Children of Henry and Frances "Wright" Preble were two daughters and a son:

Harriet, the eldest daughter, was born at Lewes, Sussex county, England, September 26, 1795, died unmarried at West Manchester, Pennsylvania, February 04, 1854.  Soon after her decease her memoirs with extracts from her correspondence, journals, etc , edited by Professor R. H. Lee, was published.  Reared in Paris during the days of Napoleon, she was acquainted intimately with the persons whose names so frequently occur during that period.  She was the friend of Lafayette and in after life often entertained her friends with incidents and anecdotes of Napoleon's first wife Josephine and her daughter Hortense by her first husband, the field marshal.  For many years of her life she consecrated all her natural gifts, her native virtues and many excellencies to the cause of religion.  She is buried at Pittsburgh.

Frances Anica, born in Paris, France, November 25, 1797, died December 24, 1876; she married, July 28, 1817, at "Draviel", now Versailles, Thomas Barlow, of Redding, Connecticut.   She was reared and educated in France, but on her marriage left that country and came with her husband to the United States, which was ever after her home.  The young couple took up their residence at "Kalorama", a beautiful house erected by Mr. Barlow's brother, Joel Barlow, the lawyer and poet, at Washington, D.C., and from thence they removed to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.  Here her children were born with the exception of the eldest who was born in Washington, D.C.  The Barlow's afterward lived at Washington, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Barlow died and where she died many years later.

Edward Henry, born in Paris, France. October 03, 1805, died unmarried at Versailles, France, July 14, 1826; he was a young man of great promise.

Connecticut Index

Pennsylvania Index