FIRST GENERATION 1. Samuel Wells WILLARD. History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts. 1736 - 1900. by Lucy Cutler Kellogg. Greenfield, Mass, Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1902. p. 522. The eldest son, Samuel Wells Willard, resided as late as 1812 on the place owned by the late Hartley Hale on the "Green,' having there in a portion of his house, a store. The business he afterwards transferred to the site of I. Hale's store, and still later, in 1827, with the late Gov. Cushman, he kept a hotel and store, the firm name being S.W. Willard & Co. SECOND GENERATION 2. Ruel WILLARD was born in 1756 in , Worcester, Massachusetts. He died on 24 May 1806 in Bernardston, Franklin, Massachusetts. History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts. 1736 - 1900. by Lucy Cutler Kellogg. Greenfield, Mass, Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1902. p. 521. Served in the Indian and Revolutionary wars; was a trader in Greenfield about 15 years, during which time he acquired land in Bernardston and other towns. About 1792-3, he took up his residence here, but soon returned to Greenfield. His farm was on South street, and is now owned by Mr. Harris. In the Greenfield paper, dated Dec. 13, 1802, appears this advertisement. FOR SALE. Noted Tavern and Farm adjoining, 5 miles from Greenfield Street on the Stage Road to Vermont, now occupied by John Pinks. 126 acres of land, three dwelling houses, two barns, three excellent wells. The Tavern house almost new. For terms of sale apply to Ruel Willard, Greenfield. Presumably the hoped for sale did not take place, for about 1805, Ruel Willard again took up his residence in town at his "farm and tavern stand," where he died May 24, 1806. He left home in the morning apparently well, a short time after, was found dying about a half mile from his house. It was supposed that being taken suddenly ill, he must have fallen from his horse. His family continued to reside here until 1810 or 11, when they returned to Greenfield. He was married to Margaret WELLS. 3. Margaret WELLS was born on 4 Oct 1766 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. Ruel WILLARD and Margaret WELLS had the following children: i. Amanda WILLARD. Vital Records of Greenfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass. 1915. p. 233. of Bernardston, Mass. - 1811. 1 ii. Samuel Wells WILLARD. iii. Justus WILLARD was born on 5 Apr 1790 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. History of the Town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts. 1736 - 1900. by Lucy Cutler Kellogg. Greenfield, Mass, Press of E. A. Hall & Co., 1902. p. 522. Became a man of note, retiring in 1862 to the enjoyment of private life in Springfield, Mass. THIRD GENERATION 6. Samuel WELLS was born on 28 Oct 1729 in Deerfield River, Franklin, Massachusetts. He died on 25 May 1801 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. Genealogies of Hadley Families, Embracing the Early Settlers of the Towns of Hatfield, South Hadley, Amherst and Granby, Compiled Sylvester Judd, published in 1905. p. 152. Grandfather of Hon. Daniel Wells of Greenfield, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and Samuel Wells, Esq. of Northampton, clerk of the Courts.. History of Deerfield, Volume II, by George Sheldon, Published by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, MA, 1896. p. 368 Lieut.; Greenfield; I suppose he built the "Wells house," recently remove at the west end of Greenfield street. He was married to Margaret MC CRELLIS on 11 Nov 1751. 7. Margaret MC CRELLIS was born about 1730 in Nottingham, Rockingham, New Hampshire. She died on 29 Aug 1802 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. Vital Records of Greenfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass. 1915. p. 295. Dysentery. She was buried in Federal Street Cemetery, Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. Vital Records of Greenfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass. 1915. p. 127. of Colrain, Mass. Samuel WELLS and Margaret MC CRELLIS had the following children: i. Col. John WELLS was born on 8 Oct 1754 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. He died on 21 May 1813 in Rowe, Franklin, Massachusetts. The Early Settlers of Colrain, Massachusetts, by Charles H. McClellan, W. S. Carson, Printer, Greenfield, Mass. 1885. p. 76 Removed to Rowe, Mass. History of Deerfield, Volume II, by George Sheldon, Published by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, MA, 1896. p. 366 Settled in Rowe and many years a leading man there; sol; esq. rep. etc. Vanished Pioneer Homes and Families of Shelburne, Massachusetts, by Leila Stone Bardwell. Published by the Shelburne Historical Society, 1974. p. 38a of Rowe, Mass., 1778. The History of the Town Whately, Mass. 1661 - 1899, by James M. Crafts, published by D.L. Crandall, Mann's Bloch, Orange, Mass. 1899. p. 614. of Rowe, Mass. ii. Col. Daniel WELLS was born on 2 Oct 1760 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. He died on 26 Jul 1815 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. He was buried in Federal Street Cemetery, Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. The Early Settlers of Colrain, Mass., by Charles H. McClellan, W.S. Carson, Printer, Greenfield, Mass., 1885. p. 76 Settled in Greenfield, Mass. Vital Records of Greenfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass. 1915. p. 128. Name listed as Daniel (s. Samuel in later handwriting) History of Deerfield, Volume II, by George Sheldon, Published by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, MA, 1896. p. 366 Col.; of Greenfield, Mass.; was of Guilford, Vt. 3 iii. Margaret WELLS. iv. Col. Samuel WELLS was born on 3 Dec 1769 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. He died on 16 May 1838 in Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. He was buried in Federal Street Cemetery, Greenfield, Franklin, Massachusetts. History of Deerfield, Volume II, by George Sheldon, Published by E. A. Hall & Co., Greenfield, MA, 1896. p. 78 of Greenfield, Mass.; was of Guilford, Vt., 1788