FULLER
It is safe to assume that the original bearer of this surname derived it from his occupation, that of fulling cloth. The first of the name in New England were Edward and Dr. Samuel Fuller, who came to Plymouth with the Pilgrims in 1620 and signed the famous compact in the cabin of the "Mayflower." They were followed by two other immigrants - Lieutenant Thomas, who was residing at Woburn, Mass. in 1640 and John Fuller, who came in the "Abigail" with John Winthrop Jr., in 1635, and settled in that part of Cambridge, Mass., which was afterward set off as the town of Newton.
Captain Josiah Fuller, about to be mentioned, was of a Connecticut family, but a diligent research of the records for the purpose of discovering his parents and line of descent proved fruitless.
(I) Captain Josiah Fuller, a native of Conn., born in 1761, followed the sea when a young man and became a shipmaster. Abandoning the sea he went from his native state to Vermont, residing for a time in Middlebury, and in 1795 purchased land in the town extending from Pleasant street to the creek, upon which he built a tannery. In the succeeding year he purchased more land in the same locality, and in 1804 erected another and presumably a more pretentious abode. This residence was subsequently remodeled and occupied by Rev. Benjamin Larrabee, D.D., president of Middlebory College.
In 1806 Mr. Fuller removed to Postadm, New York, where he spent the remainder of his life. After settling there he carried on a tannery and also engaged in the hotel busines, establishing one of the first hostelries in that town. He owned twelve acres of land lying on the island, which he probably used for agricultural purposes. His death occurred in Potsdam, Dec. 4, 1835, at the age of seventy-four years.
Information at hand states that he was twice married and that the Christian name of his first wife was Deliverance, but fails to give the maiden name of either.
Children of first union were:
Josiah, Millie, Mrs. Philander Sawlin, Mrs. ____ Giffin, Mrs. Lyman Simmons, Mrs. ____Freeman.
Those of second marriage were:
Dorcas, Loudophicus W., Henry.
(II) Loudophicus W., second son of Captain Josiah Fuller, was born in Middlebury, Vermont, May 8, 1806, died in Potsdam, N.Y., Dec. 13, 1868. He accompanied his parents to Potsdam when an infant, and was educated in the district schools of that town. When a young man he engaged in tilling the soil, became the owner of a large farm and carried on general farming of a large tract upon an extensive scale.
He married Maria Stoughton, who was born in Chateaugay, New York, died in Potsdam, Feb. 22, 1842, aged thirty-eight years. She became the mother of six children:
1. Marshall L., who became a planter in Louisiana.
2. Samuel S., see forward.
3. Eliza A., became the wife of John Grant and resides [1910] in Potsdam.
4. Josiah, who is no longer living.
5. Henry, who served in the civil war with Company C. Ninety-second Regiment, New York Volunteers, and was killed in battle.
6. Loudophicus, who served in the Forty-ninth Regiment, New York Volunteers during the rebellion, and is now residing in Oklahoma.
(III) Samuel Stoughton, second son of Loudophicus W. and Maria (Stoughton) Fuller, was born in Potsdam, May 21, 1834. After concluding his attendance at St. Lawrence Academy he engaged in farming at the homstead, first with his father and later upon is own account. He eventually acquired possession of three hundred acres of excellent tillage land, which he cultivated successfully for many years, giving special attention to dairy products and keeping an average of forty cows. In 1889 he reliquished his activities, and moving into town, has ever since resided with his son, George W. Fuller.
In politics he is a Republican and formerly served as tax collector. In his religious belief he is a Presbyterian.
Jan. 2, 1860, he married Marinda Lucertia Church, born in Massena, New York, Aug. 2, 1837, died in 1901. She was a daughter of Harvey and Lucretia (Day) Church, and a granddaughter of Marinda Day, of Holyoke, Mass. (See Day VIII).
Of this union there are two sons: Frank J. and George W.
(IV) Frank John, M.D., eldest son of Samuel S. and Marinda L. (Church) Fuller, was born in Potsdam, Jan. 10, 1866. His early studies in the district school were augmented with the regular course at the State Normal school in Potsdam, and after graduating from that institution he devoted the succeeding three years to educational pursuits, teaching school at Saranac Lake, Somers (West Chester county) and Lake Placid. His professional studies were completed in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1895, and commencing his professional labors the same year in his native town, he has ever since practiced there with gratifying success.
At the present time [1910] Dr. Fuller holds the responsible position of health officer of the town of Potsdam, and he also acts as medical examiner for the Knights of Columbus, Masonic Life of Buffalo, Phoenix Mutual of Hartford, Conn., Aetna Life, New York Life, Commercial Travellers' Mutual Accident of Utica, Maccabees, Foresters, Modern Woodmen and Eagles.
In politics he is a Republican. Although his professional duties absorb the major portion of his time, his usefullness is not confined exclusively to the healing art, and his numberous society affiliations - professional, social, fraternal, religious, etc. fully attest to his widely extended popularity. In addition to the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, he is a member of Raquette River Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and St. Lawrence Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Order of the Eastern Star; Excelsior Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Independent Order of Foresters; the Maccabees; the Modern Woodmen of America; the Eagles; and the Presbyterian church.
June 12, 1900, Dr. Fuller married Lucille Orne, of Marblehead, Mass., daughter of William Hawkes and Lucille Harriet (Young) Orne. Dr. and Mrs. Fuller have two children:
1. Margaret, born June 3, 1904.
2. Frank John Jr., Nov. 16, 1905.
(IV) George Washington, youngest son of Samuel S. and Marinda L. (Church) Fuller, was born in Potsdam, Feb. 28, 1868. He was graduated from the State Normal school, Potsdam, in 1889, was afterwards a student in the law department of the University of Michigan, receiving the degree of L.L.B. in 1894 and that of L.L.M. the following year. He became a member of the Michigan bar in 1894 and was admitted to the bar of his native state in 1896, in which latter year he entred into partnership with Norman N. Claflin and began the practice of his profession in Norwood, N.Y., under the firm name Claflin & Fuller.
In 1898 he returned to Potsdam and the following year became associated with Frank L. Cobley under the firm name of Fuller & Cobley. In 1900 Messrs. Fuller and Cobley joined forces with Judge Theodore Swift, establishing a law firm of Swift, Fuller & Cobley, whikch was afterward changed to Swife & Fuller, owing to the withdrawal of Mr. Cobley. The latter partnership was dissolved in 1907, and since that time Mr. Fuller has practiced alone.
In politics he is a Republican and in 1908 was elected county judge for a term of three years. Aside from his legal and judicial duties, Judge Fuller is actively interested in a real estate enterprise known as the Rockville, Long Island, House and Home Company, of which he is a director and also secretary. From 1905 to 1908 he was first vice-president of the Raquette Valley Agricultural and Horticultural Society. He is prominent in the Masonic Order, being a member of Raquette River (Blue) Lodge, St. Lawrence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Potsdam Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Lodge of Perfection at Norwood. He is also a member of the Kappa Sigma (college) fraternity, and the Presbyterian church.
Judge Fuller married, Aug. 20, 1902, Helen Cartwright, born in Pierpont, N.Y., daughter of Samuel and Jaanna (O'Brien) Cartwright. Her father is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and her mother was born in Ireland.
Judge and Mrs. Fuller have two children:
1. Elizabeth Lois, born Dec. 16, 1903.
2. Adelaide Marinda, May 16, 1907.
[transcriber's note: Since this material was published in 1910, it is hard to say whether or not this couple went on to have other children; it's always possible.]
SECOND ENTRY:
Robert Fuller, immigrant ancestor, came from Southampton, England, on the ship "Bevis," in 1638, and settled in Salem, Mass. He became interested in lands at Rehoboth, Attleborough and Seekonok, as early as 1645. He may have been in Rehoboth some of the time, but apparently was of Salem until 1668, when he located at Rehoboth. His wife and two sons were slain in King Philip's war and he took refuge in Salem, where he lived until 1696, when he returned to Rehoboth. He drew shares in Rehoboth land divisions of 1661-68.
He married (first) Sarah ____, who was killed Oct. 14, 1676. He married (second) Margaret Waller, widow. He died May 10, 1706.
Children:
Jonathan, born 1640.
Elizabeth, 1645.
John, 1647.
Samuel, mentioned below.
Abigail, 1653.
Benjamin, 1657.
(II) Captain Samuel, son of Robert Fuller, was born at Salem in 1649. He lost his life with his brother John and brother-in-law, Nehemiah Smith, in King Philip's war, Nov. 25, 1676, leaving his infant son Samuel to be brought up by his father. Robert left his farm at Rehoboth to this son Samuel, and for one hundred and sixty years it remained in the possession of the family. Captain Samuel Fuller married, Dec. 17, 1673, Mary Ide. She married (second) Dec. 27, 1677, John Radway.
Child, Samuel, mentioned below.
(III) Samuel (2), son of Captain Samuel (1) Fuller, was born Nov. 23, 1676, died Dec. 19, 1724. He married, Dec. 16, 1700, Dorothy Wilmarth.
Children, born at Rehoboth:,br>
Samuel, Oct. 23, 1702.
Ebenezer, mentioned below.
Dorothea, July 12, 1706.
Ruth, Nov. 14, 1708.
Timothy, March 8, 1710-11.
Mary, March 9, 1712-13.
Moses, Oct. 27, 1715.
Aaron, Oct. 27, 1715 (twin).
Noah, Aug. 4, 1721.
(IV) Ebenezer, son of Samuel (2) Fuller, was born at Rehoboth, Oct. 26, 1704. He married there, June 1, 1731, Rachel Robinson. She died May 30, 1772.
Children, born at Rehoboth:
Abiah, July 10, 1733, died July 23, 1733.
Judith, July 2, 1734, died Dec. 26, 1751.
Jemima, Feb. 27, 1736-37.
Noah, mentioned below.
Ebenezer, April 23, 1741.
Levi.
(V) Noah, son of Ebenezer Fuller, was born at Rehoboth Feb. 26, 1738-39. He married (first) Oct. 30, 1760, Dorothy Hunt, of Rehoboth, who died Aug. 16, 1762. He married (second) Rachel ____.
Child of first wife:
Josiah, mentioned below.
Children of second wife:
Noah, born May 28, 1764.
Rachel, Sept. 16, 1667 [sic., must be 1767].
Noah, Feb. 21, 1769.
Judith, Sept. 28, 1770.
Huldah, Dec. 22, 1772.
Phebe, Jan. 14, 1775.
Joshua, June 2, 1777.
Chloe, March 10, 1779.
(VI) Josiah, son of Noah Fuller, was born at Rehoboth, Mass., Nov. 16, 1761. He appears to have settled when a young man in the neighboring town of Brooklyn, Windham county, Conn. In 1790 the federal census shows that he had three females in his family. He removed from Connecticut to Middlebury, Vermont, and thence in 1806 to Potsdam, New York, where he had a tannery and conducted a hotel for many years. He had the military title of captain. He died at Potsdam, Dec. 4, 1835, aged seventy-four years. Among his children ws Lodophicas Wells, mentioned below.
(VII) Lodophicas Wells, son of Captain Josiah Fuller, was born in Middlebury, Vermont, May 8, 1806. He was but a few weeks old when the family removed to Potsdam. He was educated there in the public schools and followed farming there most of his life. He died there Dec. 13, 1868.
He married (first) Feb. 22, 1829, Maria R. Stoughton, born Aug. 3, 1804, died Feb. 22, 1842. He married (second), March 12, 1843, Jeanette Bently Grant, widow.
Children of first wife:
Marshall.
Samuel S.
Josias.
Eliza A.
Henry.
Lodophicas W. Jr.
(VIII) Samuel Stoughton, son of Lopophicas Wells Fuller, was born in Potsdam, N.Y. May 21, 1834. He was educated there in the public schools, and at the St. Lawrence Academy. His occupation throughout his active life has been farming. He is a member of Racquette River Lodge, No. 213, Free and Accepted Masons.
In politics a Republican, and in religion a Presbyterian.
He married Marinda Lucretia, born Aug. 2, 1837, died Nov. 29, 1901, daughter of Harvey and Lucretia (Day) Church. She had brothers: Asa W., Charles and Frank Church, and sisters: Mary A., Martha S. and Ella E. Nathan Church, father of Harvey Church, was born in Massachusetts, July 27, 1808, died July 31, 1866; he came to Chester, Vermont, from Mass.; married Catharine Fitch, also from Mass.; children: Harvey, Nathan, Charles, Cephas, Orrick, Eliza (married a Gilman), Almira (married a Gilman), Annis (married a King), Catherine (married a Tucker), Susan (married a Day), and Harriet (married a Whitcomb).
Lucretia (Day) Church, wife of Harvey Church, was born in Springfield, Aug. 24, 1813, daughter of Chester and Marinda Day, who had also two sons, Frank and Asa Day. Marinda, wife of Chester Day, was born Oct. 7, 1793, died April 11, 1890, daughter of Asa and Esther (Chapin) Day; Asa was born Aug. 25, 1760, died Aug. 23, 1853. Children of Asa and Esther (Chapin) Day: Octavinia, John E., Marinda, Asa, Betsey S., Robert I. and Mattoon Day. Asa Day enlisted in the revolutioln in 1781 and served until the end of the war, being mustered out with the rank of sergeant. Chester Day was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Children of Samuel Stoughton & Marinda Lucretia (Church) Fuller:
1. Dr. Frank J., born at Potsdam, Jan. 10, 1866.
2. George Washington, mentioned below.
(IX) George Washington, son of Samuel Stoughton Fuller, was born at Potsdam, N.Y. Feb. 22, 1868. He attended the public schools of his native town and graduated from the State Normal School at Potsdam in the class of 1889. He also graduated from the University of Michigan, law department, in the class of 1894, taking the degree of L.L. M. from the same university in 1895. In the year 1894 he was admitted to the bar of Michigan, and in 1896 to the bar of New York. He began to practice at Norwood, N.Y. in 1896, in partnership with Norman N. Claflin under the firm name of Claflin & Fuller. The firm was dissolved after two years, and Mr. Fuller entered into a copartnership with Frank L. Cubley, with offices at Potsdam. A year later this firm was dissolved and Judge Theodore H. Swift joined the partners in the new Swift, Fuller & Cubley. In 1906 the firm became Swift & Fuller. Since 1907 Mr. Fuller has been alone in practice.
He is interested in real estate and is a director and secretary of the Rockville Center House and Home Company, a corporation engaged in the development and sale of building lots in Nassau county, Long Island, N.Y.
He was first vice-president of the Racquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Agricultural and Horticultural Society from 1905 to 1908.
In politics he is a Republican, and in 1908 was elected special county judge of St. Lawrence county for a term of three years. He is a member of the Racquette River Lodge, No. 213, Free and Accepted Masons, of Potsdam; of St. Lawrence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of St. Lawrence Commandery, Knights Templar; of the Lodge of Perfection at Norwood, N.Y.; of Media Temple, Mystic Shrine, Watertown, N.Y. and of the Kappa Sigma college fraternity.
He is a Presbyterian.
He married, Aug. 20, 1902, Helen Margaret Cartwright, born Jan. 27, 1867, at Pierrepont, N.Y., daughter of Samuel Cartwright, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and of Joanna (O'Brien) Cartwright, a native of Ireland.
Children:
Elizabeth Lois, born Dec. 16, 1903.
Adelaide Marinda, May 16, 1907.
[Transcriber's note: This material was published in 1910, so any subsequent children this couple may have had are not listed.]
THIRD ENTRY:
This is one of the class known as occupative surnames, and dates from the twelfth century or later, and has the same significance as Tucker or Walker, "one who thickens and whitens cloth." Various persons named Fuller have won distinction in both England and America. Nicholas Fuller, born 1557, was a distinguished Oriental scholar; another Nicholas Fuller, died 1620, was a priminent lawyer and member of parliament; Isaac Fuller, died 1672, was a noted painter; Andrew Fuller, born 1754, was an eminent Baptist minister and writer; Thomas Fuller, English divine and author, born 1608, was chaplain extraordinary to Charles II, and a prolific writer. A high authority said of him: "Fuller was incomparably the most sensible, the least prejudiced great man of an age that boasted of a galaxy of great men."
Sarah Margaret Fuller, Marchioness of Ossobi, born 1810, was a prominent teacher, editor and author. Melville M. Fuller, born 1633, distinguished as a jurist, was until recently (1910) chief justice of the United States.
In all probability this surname originated in the county of Suffolk, formerly the chief seat of the woolen manufacturing industry in England, and became a prominent one in the southeastern counties.
John Fuller, supposed to have come with Governor Winthrop, settled at Cambridge village (now Newton) in 1644. Thomas Fuller, who arrived in 1638, located first in Woburn and later in Middleton. John Fuller, of Ipswich, and another John Fuller, who settled in Saugus or Lynn, were both early immigrants and have often been mistaken for one and the same person. Another Thomas Fuller appears in the records of Dedham, Mass., as a resident there in 1642, and his grandson John resided in Roxbury until 1733.
(I) The records of Topcroft, Norfolk, England, show that Robert, son of Ralph Fuller, was baptized Aug. 21, 1604. This may have been the Robert Fuller who was the immigrant ancestor of a very numerous progeny. It is certain that he was born before 1620, and was the first bricklayer in New England and the only one for many years. He sailed from Southampton, England, in 1638, and settled at Salem, Mass. He purchased rights in Rehoboth in 1645, when his holdings were valued at one hundred and fifty pounds, and about 1668 removed to that town, the division of lands and settlement being made at that time and he being one of the original proprietors. On the outbreak of King Phillip's war, he lost his wife and two sons, and in 1676 returned to Salem, where he remained twenty years. He then returned to Rehoboth and died there March 10, 1706. He was a man of large means for his time and possessed lands in Rehoboth, Attleboro, Sekonk and on the Pawtucket river. In 1676 he paid a war tax of four pounds ten shillings three pence.
His first wife was killed Oct. 14, 1676, and he married (second) in Salem, Margaret Waller, who died Jan. 30, 1700. Their children were:
Jonathan, Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Abigail and Benjamin (mentioned below).
(II) Benjamin, youngest child of Robert and Sarah Fuller, was born about 1657, in Salem, and diedc Jan. 27, 1711, in Rehoboth. He received a deed of lands from his father on attaining his majority, and again upon his marriage. For some years he resided in Salem and then removed to Rehoboth. He was a man of retiring nature and habits, mingling none in public affairs, but was known to his few intimates for his high principles and noble character. His descendants are widely scattered throughout the United States.
He married (first), in 1686, Mary ____, who died Feb. 27, 1695; married (second), Jan. 13, 1698, Judith Smith.
Children:
Benjamin, John, Mercy, Ezekiel (mentioned below), Amos, Joshua and Abiel.
(III) Ezekiel, third son of Benjamin and Mary Fuller, was born Feb. 11, 1695, in Rehoboth, and resided in Attleboro, Mass. till 1726. In September that year he purchased land in Lebanon, Connecticut, near what is now (1910) Chestnut Hill Station, in Columbia, formerly a part of Lebanon; presumably he settled there the following spring. Jan. 26, 1744 he purchased land in Hebron, Conn., and there resided until his death in 1776. Two years before that he deeded his homestead farm to his son-in-law, Joseph Tuttle.
His first wife, Elizabeth, died May 13, 1725, and he married (second) Hannah Thompson.
Children of first wife:
Ezekiel, Elizabeth, George and Zebedee (twins).
Of second wife:
David (mentioned below), Nathan, Jerusha, Ebenezer and Mary.
(IV) David, fourth son of Ezekiel Fuller and eldest child of his second wife Hannah Thompson, was born Aug. 17, 1728, in Lebanon, and resided in Mansfield, Conn., where he was a farmer. He married, Dec. 19, 1753, Desire, daughter of Stephen Hopkins.
Children:
Desire, Stephen, Ann (died young), Ann, David (died young), Aaron, David, Jonathan (mentioned below), Molly and Nathan.
A David Fuller was a recruit of the Second regiment, Conn. line, enlisted July 5, dischared Dec. 9, 1780.
(V) Jonathan, fifth son of David and Desire (Hopkins) Fuller, was born Aug. 19, 1769, in Mansfield, and settled in New Haven, Vermont, where he died Jan. 1, 1832. He was a practicing physician, and a faithful member of the Congregational church.
He married, Oct. 15, 1795, Sabry Huntington, born Dec. 21, 1772, in Windsor, Conn., daughter of Abner and Mary (Whitman) Huntington, of Lebanon. (See Huntington, V.)
Children:
Erastus, John, Mariah, Desire H., Albert J. (mentioned below), Sophia, Mary W., and Nancy, all escept Mariah, Nancy and Albert died in Moira, N.Y.
(VI) Albert Johathan, third son of Jonathan and Sabry (Huntington) Fuller, was born Jan. 9, 1805, probably in Mansfield, and was an infant when his parents removed to New Haven, Vermont. He attended the common schools, and engaged in mercantile business in Willistown, Chittenden county, Vermont, whence he removed to Moira, New York in 1853; there he engaged in farming and production of butter and cheese on a large scale, until his retirement in 1880.
In early life he was a Whig, was a strong Abolitionist, and among the first supporters of the Republican party. His house was the headquarters of noted Abolition speakers in Vermont during the campaign there.
He died Dec. 9, 1887, in Malone. With his family he was associated with the Congregational church, of which he was a deacon.
He married, Dec. 6, 1832, in Williston, Vermont, Mary Anna Morton, born June 28, 1810, in that town, second daughter of Roswell and Almira (Winslow) Morton. Roswell Morton was a son of Deodat Morton, and his wife was a daughter of Nathaniel Winslow, manufacturer of wrought nails.
Children:
Ellen Jane, Albert Webster and Mary Huntington (mentioned below).
The eldest daughter became the wife of Hon. P. K. Gleed, of Morrisville, Vermont.
(VII) Mary Huntington, junior daughter of Albert J. and Mary A. (Morton) Fuller, was born March 4, 1848, in Williston, Vermont, and became the wife of John Lincoln of Malone. (See Lincoln VII). She survives him, resides in Malone, N.Y., and has been active in the work of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, filling important committeeships in the state organization.