Chateau Fairmount

History / People / Families

Families of the house

The families who built, bought and lived in the stone house at 236 Fairmount Street, traced forward from the house to the present. If you think you descend from one of them, look for a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent below: each name shows the line back to the house on Belvidere Hill, and to the Lowell the family knew.

Every person here rests on records we have read and cite: births, marriages, deaths, censuses, deeds and newspapers. Only people who have died are named. Later generations who may be living are researched privately and never published; where a line reaches them, the tree says so. Names link to a full profile where we have written one. The families’ earlier generations, their parents and grandparents, are on each profile under “Family lines” and in the family trees on the People page.

Descendants of Abel T. Atherton, builder of 236 Fairmount Street (1883)

Abel T. Atherton, a Lowell machinist and manufacturer, assembled the lot on Fairmount Street in 1880-82 and built the stone house and its stable in 1882-83. He lived there with his second wife, Georgiana, until 1887, when the family moved its machine business to Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His only child, Charles Thomas Atherton, boarded in the new house as a young man; Charles's six children were born in Rhode Island, and one line continues to the present through his daughter Margaret.

  1. Abel Thomas Atherton (1839–1912)[C-407, C-002, C-078]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, in August 1839. Died at Providence, Rhode Island, on March 28, 1912.Built the stone house at 236 Fairmount Street in 1883 and lived there until 1887.

    Married May 1, 1863, at Lowell, Massachusetts: Mary Ann (Conlan) Atherton (born about 1842)[C-069]

    1. sonCharles Thomas Atherton (1864–1914)[C-407, C-069]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on May 3, 1864. Died at Providence, Rhode Island, on August 29, 1914.Abel Atherton's only child; boarded in the new stone house as a young man, about 1883-87.

      Married December 5, 1888, at Haverhill, Massachusetts: Alice Rebecca (Day) Atherton (about 1864–about 1946)

      1. grandsonRandall Day Atherton (1890–1964)[C-409]Born at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on June 3, 1890. Died on June 27, 1964.Grandson of Abel T. Atherton. Buried North Burial Ground, Providence. No children found.

        Married: Frances V. Atherton (born about 1890)

      2. granddaughterMargaret (Atherton) Kendrick (1891–1972)[C-408]Born at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on November 6, 1891. Died at Jamestown, Rhode Island (last residence), in December 1972.Granddaughter of Abel T. Atherton; the line to living descendants runs through her.

        Married May 11, 1918, at Providence, Rhode Island: Lowell Clapp Kendrick (about 1887–about 1922)[C-408]

        1. great-granddaughterMargaret-Lowell (Kendrick) Crawford (1919–2007)[C-408]Born at Providence, Rhode Island, on June 24, 1919. Died at Pinellas Park, Florida, on March 5, 2007.Great-granddaughter of Abel T. Atherton. Buried North Burial Ground, Providence.

          Married: George Lewis Crawford (about 1914–1996)[C-408]

          Show later generations (2 people)
          1. 2nd-great-grandsonSidney Lowell Crawford (1942–2018)[C-408]Born at Glendale, California, on July 11, 1942. Died at Dunedin, Florida, on July 12, 2018.Great-great-grandson of Abel T. Atherton. Captain, U.S. Army (nuclear weapons specialist); nuclear power and quality-assurance engineer; retired to Ozona, Florida, an avid birder (obituary). His two sons and six grandchildren survived him.

            Later generations are living (8 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

          2. 2nd-great-granddaughterSusan Dana (Crawford) Makara (1944–2020)Born on June 21, 1944. Died at Palm Harbor, Florida, on August 14, 2020.Great-great-granddaughter of Abel T. Atherton. No children found: her mother's 2007 obituary names grandsons only through Sidney.
      3. grandsonThomas Day Atherton (1893–1959)[C-409]Born at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on June 19, 1893. Died on March 17, 1959.Grandson of Abel T. Atherton. World War I service; later in Queens and Staten Island, New York, with frequent sea voyages 1944-53.

        Married: Alice Harriet (Tujague) Atherton (about 1895–about 1930)

        1. great-grandsonThomas Day Atherton Jr. (1924–1999)[C-409]Born at New York, on May 5, 1924. Died at Cleveland County, Oklahoma, on March 24, 1999.Great-grandson of Abel T. Atherton. Buried Saint Ann Cemetery, Cranston, Rhode Island. No marriage or children found.
      4. granddaughterMary Hope (Atherton) Behrens (1896–1929)[C-409]Born at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on May 16, 1896. Died at Providence, Rhode Island, on July 21, 1929.Granddaughter of Abel T. Atherton; died at 32 as Hope Behrens. No children found.
      5. granddaughterMarion Day Atherton (1899–1974)[C-409]Born at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on August 19, 1899. Died at Jamestown, Rhode Island, in August 1974.Granddaughter of Abel T. Atherton; unmarried; lived with her mother through 1940.
      6. grandsonCharles Miller Atherton (1904–1977)[C-409]Born at Providence, Rhode Island, on January 22, 1904. Died at Los Angeles, California, on November 23, 1977.Grandson of Abel T. Atherton. No children found.

        Married July 26, 1930, at Manhattan, New York: Kathleen Harriet (Campbell) Atherton (about 1897–about 1988)

    Married December 17, 1884, at Lowell, Massachusetts: Georgiana (Spearing) Atherton (1847–1912)[C-407, C-105]

8 living descendants are in our research; their names are kept private. If you are one of them, we would love to hear from you.

Descendants of Arthur P. Bonney and Emma A. (Call) Bonney

Arthur Perkins Bonney, a Lowell lawyer and bank president, bought the stone house at 236 Fairmount Street on Belvidere Hill in 1887 and died there in 1896. His only child, Clara, married Charles S. Lilley at the house in 1891; their daughter grew up there and sold it in 1925.

  1. Arthur Perkins Bonney (1828–1896)[C-010, C-046, C-074]Born at Plympton, Massachusetts, on July 9, 1828. Died at Lowell, Massachusetts, on March 25, 1896.Bought 236 Fairmount Street in 1887 and died there in 1896.

    Married September 5, 1851, at Lowell, Massachusetts: Emma Augusta (Call) Bonney (1828–1892)[C-011, C-080]

    1. daughterClara (Bonney) Lilley (1855–1894)[C-045, C-077]Born on June 19, 1855. Died at Lowell, Massachusetts, on July 19, 1894.The Bonneys’ only child; married Charles S. Lilley in the parlor of 236 Fairmount Street in 1891 and died in 1894, three months after their daughter’s birth.

      Married April 14, 1891, at 236 Fairmount Street (then No. 170), Lowell: Charles Sumner Lilley (1851–1921)[C-014, C-048, C-106]

      1. granddaughterClara Bonney (Lilley) Dunbar (1894–1976)[C-411, C-100, C-049, C-016, C-142]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on April 9, 1894. Died at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, on January 2, 1976.Grew up at 236 Fairmount Street, married there in 1917, and sold the house in 1925.

        Married June 6, 1917, at Lowell, Massachusetts (at her home; divorced by 1930): Philip Richards Dunbar (1879–1967)[C-412, C-143]

        1. great-grandsonBruce Lilley Dunbar (1920–2008)[C-410, C-411, C-142]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1920. Died at Charlotte County, Florida, on March 8, 2008.Great-grandson of Arthur P. Bonney and grandson of Judge Charles S. Lilley; the only known child of Clara and Philip Dunbar. Lived with his father at Newton in 1930; a flight-crew member arriving at New York in 1953; later of West Palm Beach, Florida.

          Later generations are living (1 person in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

1 living descendant is in our research; their names are kept private. If you are one of them, we would love to hear from you.

Descendants of Charles and Cynthia (Huntley) Lilley, and of Judge Charles S. Lilley

Judge Charles S. Lilley lived at 236 Fairmount Street from the 1890s until his death in 1921, with his daughter Clara, who grew up there, and his parents Charles and Cynthia Lilley, who both died in the house. His two brothers left no children, so the family's line to the present runs through Clara Bonney (Lilley) Dunbar, married at the house in 1917, and her son Bruce.

  1. Charles Lilley (1820–1903)[C-106, C-014]Born at New Hampshire, on July 12, 1820. Died at Lowell, Massachusetts, on June 15, 1903.Father of Judge Charles S. Lilley; lived with his son at 236 Fairmount Street from at least 1900 and died in the house in 1903.

    Married December 2, 1847, at Lowell, Massachusetts: Cynthia H. (Huntley) Lilley (1823–1907)[C-106]

    1. sonCharles Sumner Lilley (1851–1921)[C-014, C-048, C-106]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on December 13, 1851. Died at Boston, Massachusetts, on April 16, 1921.Raised his daughter at 236 Fairmount Street; his funeral was held at the house in 1921.

      Married April 14, 1891, at 236 Fairmount Street (then No. 170), Lowell: Clara (Bonney) Lilley (1855–1894)[C-045, C-077]

      1. granddaughterClara Bonney (Lilley) Dunbar (1894–1976)[C-411, C-100, C-049, C-016, C-142]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on April 9, 1894. Died at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, on January 2, 1976.Grew up at 236 Fairmount Street, married there in 1917, and sold the house in 1925.

        Married June 6, 1917, at Lowell, Massachusetts (at her home; divorced by 1930): Philip Richards Dunbar (1879–1967)[C-412, C-143]

        1. great-grandsonBruce Lilley Dunbar (1920–2008)[C-410, C-411, C-142]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1920. Died at Charlotte County, Florida, on March 8, 2008.Great-grandson of Arthur P. Bonney and grandson of Judge Charles S. Lilley; the only known child of Clara and Philip Dunbar. Lived with his father at Newton in 1930; a flight-crew member arriving at New York in 1953; later of West Palm Beach, Florida.

          Later generations are living (1 person in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    2. sonAlfred F. Lilley (1859–1908)[C-413, C-099]Born on January 7, 1859. Died on May 31, 1908.Younger brother (and probably a twin of Arthur) of Judge Charles S. Lilley; lawyer at Westfield, admitted to the bar 1888; indexed as an associate justice at his death. No children: in 1900 his wife had borne none in ten years of marriage.

      Married January 16, 1890, at Westfield, Massachusetts: Lillie S. (Lambson) Lilley (1859–1931)

    3. sonArthur Lilley (1859–1874)[C-413, C-106]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1859. Died in 1874.Brother of Judge Charles S. Lilley; died at about fifteen and is buried at Lowell Cemetery. Some indexes read his birth entry as 'Allen'.

1 living descendant is in our research; their names are kept private. If you are one of them, we would love to hear from you.

Descendants of Charles Brooks Stevens and Edith (Ames) Stevens

Charles Brooks Stevens, a Tewksbury textile manufacturer, and his wife Edith, a granddaughter of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, owned 236 Fairmount Street from 1925 to 1944 and let it as apartments; her brother, the former congressman Butler Ames, was one of the first tenants. Their four children grew up in Lowell and Tewksbury, and in 1930 their daughter Harriet Robey lived next door at 234 Fairmount Street with her young sons. Their descendants carry the names Stevens, Robey, Miner, Rutherford and Read, among others. Their daughter Edith married John Peters Stevens Jr. of Plainfield, New Jersey, who by a family tree, not yet checked against a record, was of the J. P. Stevens textile family.

  1. Charles Brooks Stevens (1864–1949)[C-416, C-017, C-016]Born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1864. Died at Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on June 26, 1949.Owner of 236 Fairmount Street, 1925-1944, with his wife.

    Married: Edith (Ames) Stevens (1873–1958)[C-416, C-420, C-088]

    1. sonAmes Stevens (1897–1977)[C-416]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on May 31, 1897. Died on August 6, 1977.Son of the owners of 1925-1944; lived in Lowell (1930 census, Ward 9) a few doors from 236 Fairmount.

      Married: Phyllis (Brooks) Stevens (1897–1987)

      1. grandsonEdward Brooks Stevens (1922–2013)Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on March 23, 1922. Died on May 11, 2013.Grandson of the owners; born in Lowell.

        Married: Ann Chester (Johnson) Stevens (1923–about 2020)

        Later generations are living (3 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      2. grandsonGeorge Stevens (1924–2015)Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1924. Died at Gloucester, Massachusetts, on July 1, 2015.Grandson of the owners.

        Married: Sally Marie (Potter) Stevens (1926–2005)

        1. great-grandsonBradford Potter "Fordy" Stevens (1953–2013)Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on October 8, 1953. Died at Denver, Colorado, on November 21, 2013.Great-grandson of the owners.

          Later generations are living (3 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

        Later generations are living (7 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      3. granddaughterPriscilla Ames (Stevens) Rutherford (1927–2019)Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on March 22, 1927. Died at New Canaan, Connecticut, on April 16, 2019.Granddaughter of the owners.

        Married: Dr. James Woodson Rutherford (1925–2009)

        Later generations are living (6 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      4. grandsonAmes Stevens Jr. (1929–2003)Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on June 22, 1929. Died at Boston, Massachusetts, on November 15, 2003.Grandson of the owners; last residence Lowell (SSDI).

        Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      Later generations are living (16 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    2. daughterEdith Ames (Stevens) Stevens (1899–1989)[C-416, C-418]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on January 23, 1899. Died at New Jersey, on November 22, 1989.Daughter of the owners of 1925-1944; married John Peters Stevens Jr. of Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1921 (that he was of the J. P. Stevens textile family rests on a family tree and is not yet checked).

      Married: John Peters Stevens Jr. (1897–1976)[C-418]

      1. granddaughterEdith Ames (Stevens) Sheldon (1922–1995)[C-418]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on February 20, 1922. Died at Hennepin County, Minnesota, on April 14, 1995.Granddaughter of the owners.

        Married: Albert Millard Sheldon II (1922–1982)

        Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      2. granddaughterPhebe Ten Broeck (Stevens) Miner (1923–2018)[C-418]Born at Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on September 10, 1923. Died at North Andover, Massachusetts, on April 11, 2018.Granddaughter of the owners; born in Tewksbury.

        Married: Joshua Lewis Miner III (1920–2002)[C-418]

        Later generations are living (5 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      3. grandsonJohn Peters Stevens III (1926–2019)[C-418]Born at Plainfield, New Jersey, on May 21, 1926. Died at Gloucester, Massachusetts, on April 26, 2019.Grandson of the owners.

        Married: Margaret (McHolme) Stevens (1938–2002)

        Later generations are living (7 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      4. grandsonBenjamin Hazard Stevens (1929–1997)[C-418]Born at Plainfield, New Jersey, on January 20, 1929. Died at Boston, Massachusetts, on December 9, 1997.Grandson of the owners; residence Hightstown, New Jersey.

        Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      Later generations are living (12 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    3. daughterHarriet Lyman (Stevens) Robey (1900–1993)[C-416, C-417]Born at Gloucester, Massachusetts, on July 19, 1900. Died at Lexington, Massachusetts, on October 16, 1993.Daughter of the owners of 1925-1944; in 1930 lived with her husband and sons at 234 Fairmount Street, next door.

      Married: Andrew Alexander Robey (1898–1975)[C-417]

      1. grandsonAndrew Alexander Robey Jr. (1924–1998)[C-417]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on May 20, 1924. Died at Gloucester, Massachusetts, on March 30, 1998.Grandson of the owners; as a boy lived at 234 Fairmount Street (1930 census).

        Married: Nancy (Hurlburt) Robey (1924–1993)

        Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      2. grandsonDr. John Stevens Robey (1926–1998)[C-417]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on April 17, 1926. Died at Brunswick, Maine, on July 24, 1998.Grandson of the owners; as a small boy lived at 234 Fairmount Street (1930 census).

        Married: Alice Jacqueline (Goodrich) Robey (1928–1993)

        Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      3. grandsonDr. Ames Robey (1929–2004)[C-417]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on April 26, 1929. Died at Stoneham, Massachusetts, on September 23, 2004.Grandson of the owners; a psychiatrist (obituary index styles him Dr.); infant at 234 Fairmount Street in 1930.

        Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      Later generations are living (4 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    4. sonCharles Brooks Stevens Jr. (1902–1981)[C-416]Born at Lowell, Massachusetts, on December 20, 1902. Died at Concord, Massachusetts, on November 27, 1981.Son of the owners of 1925-1944.

      Married: Janet (Hubbard) Stevens (1904–1977)

      1. grandsonBrooks "Jerry" Stevens III (1926–2012)[C-419]Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on October 8, 1926. Died at Sandpoint, Idaho, on November 19, 2012.Grandson of the owners. Placed here from his obituary, which names his parents as Brooks Stevens Jr. and Janet Stevens; he is not in the family tree, and no birth record has been read.

        Later generations are living (4 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      2. granddaughterJanet (Stevens) Read (1929–1996)Born at Boston, Massachusetts, on March 3, 1929. Died at Concord, Massachusetts, on March 3, 1996.Granddaughter of the owners.

        Married: Kenneth Richard Hodgson Read (1928–1977)

        Later generations are living (3 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

      Married: Caroline (Cutter) Stevens (1907–1997)

      Later generations are living (7 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    Later generations are living (39 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

137 living descendants are in our research; their names are kept private. If you are one of them, we would love to hear from you.

Descendants of Thomas J. Murphy and Eleanor Grace (Lybrand) Murphy

Grace Murphy, born Eleanor Grace Lybrand in Lowell and a teacher at the Moody School, bought 236 Fairmount Street in 1944, and she, her husband Thomas J. Murphy, an Irish-born salesman, and their two children lived in its third-floor apartment for a few years after the war. Their son James, Capt. James F. Murphy in his wife's obituary, raised a family whose children were born in Hawaii and California. Their daughter, born about 1937, is named on her parents' pages; her later life has not been traced.

  1. Thomas J. Murphy (born about 1900)[C-421, C-385, C-174]Born at County Tipperary, Ireland, in about 1900.Owner and resident of 236 Fairmount Street with his wife, 1944-1951.

    Married: Eleanor Grace (Lybrand) Murphy, later Scott (1901–1989)[C-421, C-386, C-388]

    1. sonCapt. James Francis Murphy (1933–2000)[C-421, C-390, C-389]Born at Arlington, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1933. Died at Newport, Rhode Island, on April 16, 2000.Son of the owners; lived at 236 Fairmount Street as a boy (1946 directory lists the family on the third floor).

      Married: Ardith Helen (Aylward) Murphy (1935–2010)[C-421]

      1. granddaughterGrace Eleanor Murphy (1961–1966)[C-421]Born at Hawaii, on April 3, 1961. Died at Columbus, Indiana, on February 18, 1966.Granddaughter of the owners; died in childhood.
      2. grandsonThomas Paul Murphy (1962–1977)[C-421]Born at California, on August 12, 1962. Died at Lorton, Virginia, on June 13, 1977.Grandson of the owners; died aged 14.

      Later generations are living (4 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    Later generations are living (5 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

8 living descendants are in our research; their names are kept private. If you are one of them, we would love to hear from you.

Descendants of Alexander T. Herron and Agnes E. (Manderson) Herron

Alexander T. Herron, a Lawrence-born textile man who had worked in the mills of upstate New York, and his wife Agnes bought 236 Fairmount Street in 1951 as an apartment house, while living at 8 Mansfield Road; in 1956 and 1957 they sold the land and the house to The Battles Home. Their three children married into the Cardozo, Cacy and (through a German-born wife) Schetelich families, and their descendants are found in Virginia, New England and Washington State.

  1. Alexander Thomas Herron (1887–1982)[C-422, C-423, C-085]Born at Lawrence, Massachusetts, on May 7, 1887. Died at Lowell, Massachusetts, on December 3, 1982.Owner of 236 Fairmount Street with his wife, 1951-1957, who sold it to The Battles Home; they lived at 8 Mansfield Road, Lowell, not in the house.

    Married: Agnes Ellen (Manderson) Herron (1887–1974)[C-422, C-085]

    1. daughterBarbara Gertrude (Herron) Cardozo (about 1916–1963)[C-422]Born at Lawrence, Massachusetts, in about 1916. Died at Rye, New York, on July 23, 1963.Daughter of the owners of 1951-1957.

      Married: Peter Stirling Cardozo (1916–2012)

      Later generations are living (4 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    2. daughterBernice Evelyn (Herron) Cacy (1917–1983)[C-422]Born at Lawrence, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1917. Died at Waterbury, Connecticut, on January 25, 1983.Daughter of the owners of 1951-1957.

      Married: Albert Evans Cacy (1916–1997)

      Any later generations may be living; their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    3. sonRobert Chester Herron (1919–1975)[C-422]Born at Lawrence, Massachusetts, on May 17, 1919. Died in May 1975.Son of the owners of 1951-1957.

      Married: Sigrid (Schetelich) Herron (1924–2001)

      Later generations are living (4 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

    Later generations are living (8 people in our research); their names are kept private. If you are a descendant, we would love to hear from you.

23 living descendants are in our research; their names are kept private. If you are one of them, we would love to hear from you.

Are you a descendant?

We would love to hear from you, and to see any photographs, letters, diaries or drawings your family has kept from the house or from Lowell. We publish nothing without permission, credit every contribution, and correct a tree when the evidence says we should.

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