History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

216 History of Swansea
illustrate the filial love and justice of Mr. Weaver may not be deemed out
of place here. When he was young his father owned a large farm, but became
financially embarrassed. Stephen, in order to assist his father, worked on
the farm during summer, and gave his labor without charge towards the
clearance of the indebtedness, clothing himself by his wages as teacher in
the winter, continuing to do this until his twenty-fourth year. He married
Ruth A., daughter of BarziUia and Ruth (Chase) Buffinton, of Swansea,
Nov. 3, 1850. She was born April 8, 1830. Their children are Anna A.,
born March 1, 1854, married Rowland G. Buflfinton, had one child, Wallace
W., and died May 7, 1877; Emma B., born Jan. 8, 1856, married Thomas
H. Buffinton, has two children, Mabel L., who married Fred S. Clarner,
they have one child Doris B.; and Arthur H. who married Mary Edwards;
Arthur W., born June 9, 1859, married Lura R. Peck; Lillian F., born
Sept. 29, 1869, m. Arthur E. Horton.
Arthur Wallace Weaver has been selectman 13 years and chairman of
the Board 12 years; and also Assessor during the period and chairman of the
Board. Mr. Weaver is a farmer; a trustee of the South Somerset M. E.
Church of which he and Mrs. Weaver are members ; and also belongs to the
Swansea Grange.
Immediately upon his marriage Mr. Weaver rented a cottage near his
father's residence, and for three years worked on the farm, teaching school
during the winter seasons. He then rented a farm for himself and worked
that two years, and discontinued it for one year on account of the faiUng
health of his wife, he working out by the month. He then removed to
Somerset, where he rented a farm and remained thirteen years. By
industry and economy he accumulated some money, and, in partnership
with his wife's father, purchased a farm and mill in Swansea, continuing
there only eighteen months. By reason of ill health he was compelled to
relinquish labor, and selling out his share of the mill, he went and resided
with Mr. Buffinton. Mr. Weaver suffered from severe nervous prostration
for two years, and was much broken in health, but finally fully regained his
health, when he succeeded to the management and possession of the farm
of Mr. Buffinton. On this he has made valuable improvements, erected a
splendid barn, and made it one of the best-arranged farms in the town. He
is a pushing, energetic man of enterprise and thought. While agriculture
had been his avocation, he kept apace with the thinking minds of the day,
and grappled with the most advanced ideas. He was well read and thoroughly
informed, not only in the events of the day, but in the practical and
useful improvements in his life-work, agriculture. He cultivated about
eighty acres of land, and in addition had thirty acres of woodland, and was
one of the substantial citizens of Swansea.
BarziUai Buffinton was born in Swansea in 1798, and was son of Job
and Phebe (Chase) Buffinton. He was a farmer and peddler of earthenware.
He was a hard-working and self-denying man, accumulated a fine property.
He married Ruth, daughter of James and Rebecca (Mott) Pierce, of Somerset.
They had five children,—Amanda M. (deceased), married WiUiam
Richardson, of Newport, R. I., had one child; Job (deceased); Rachael P.,
married Benjamin A. Chace, has two children; Phifip, has two children,
and lives in Warren, R. I.; and Ruth (Mrs. Stephen Weaver). Mr.
Buffinton and wife began housekeeping at Somerset viUage, but finally
purchased the place now occupied by Mr. Arthur W. Weaver and removing
thither, passed the rest of his life there, dying May 7, 1879, aged eightythree.
He was a birthright Friend and Mr. and Mrs. Weaver members of
the same society. He was a selectman for many years, and held other positions
of pubhc trust. He was a calm, deliberate, reserved man of few words,
but good judgment and great decision of character. Possessing a robust
constitution, he enjoyed labor and worked hard. He was a man of great