Billings, Samuel Partridge

The following data is extracted from Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925.

SAMUEL PARTRIDGE BILLINGS, as deputy collector of internal revenue for Franklin and Hampshire counties, is rendering efficient service in local public office.

Mr. Billings traces his descent from Richard Billings, who was in Hartford, Connecticut, with his wife, Margery, in 1640. He removed to Hatfield, Massachusetts, in 1661, and died there March 3, 1679. The line descends through their son, Samuel Billings, who married Sarah Fellows, daughter of Richard and Ursula Fellows. Their son, Samuel Billings, who married Hannah Church. Their son, Fellows Billings, born February 15, 1704, died June 29, 1784; removed to Conway during the Revolutionary War, in which conflict he served with the rank of lieutenant; was representative in 1757, and for ten years following. He married, November 27, 1735, Mary Eastman, daughter of Joseph and Mercy Smith Eastman. Their son, William Billings, of whom further, great-grandfather of Samuel Partridge Billings.

William Billings, son of Fellows and Mary (Eastman) Billings, was born July 20, 1744, and died November 8, 1812. He chose the legal profession, and after graduation from Yale College, in 1765, was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. He took an active interest in public offices, serving as justice of the peace and as representative in 1769-70-72. He married Jerusha Williams, daughter of Colonel Israel Williams, of Hatfield, and they had a son Israel, of whom further.

Hon. Israel Billings, son of William and Jerusha (Williams) Billings, was born in Conway, Massachusetts, January 12, 1784, and died in Hatfield, Massachusetts, June 4, 1856. He was a graduate of Williams College, and was a lawyer of note, his offices being located in Northampton, though he resided in Hatfield. He served as representative to the Legislature, was county commissioner for many years, and was a man of wide influence. He married, January 4, 1816, Hepzibah Partridge, daughter of Samuel and Mabel (Dickinson) Partridge, born December 11, 1796, and died August 21, 1865. Their children were: 1. Israel W. 2. Samuel P. 3. Charles W. 4. George D., of further mention. 5. Edward Coke, who was judge of the United States District Court of Louisiana.

George D. Billings, son of Hon. Israel and Hepzibah (Partridge) Billings, was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts, May 2, 1824, and died in 1890. As a young man he spent twenty years in New York City, during which time he served on the police force for a period of four years. He was engaged in the grain business for a time but in 1858 removed to Deerfield, Massachusetts where he followed farming. George D. Billings married May 2, 1860, Elizabeth Sophia Cowles, born January 9, 1839, and died May z, 1900, daughter of Deacon Rufus and Jane Cowles, who came to Hatfield, Massachusetts, in 1660, through John (2), Jonathan (3), Timothy (4), Ira Rufus (6), Deacon Rufus (7), born in 1805, died in 1878, married Olive Dickinson. Children of George D. and Elizabeth S. (Cowles) Billings were: Erastus S., Gertrude D., Samuel Partridge, of whom further.

Samuel Partridge Billings, son of George D. and Elizabeth Sophia (Cowles) Billings, was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 18, 1867, and was brought to Deerfield, Massachusetts, when he was two years of age. He received a good education in the schools of Deerfield, and then engaged in farming, but his sound judgment and general ability soon caused his services to be required in public capacity, and most of his life has been spent in public office. He served on the Board of Assessors for fifteen years, as clerk of the board, and the bookkeeping and clerical work connected with the duties of that position occupied his entire time for nine months in the year. During the remaining three months he painted the exteriors and interiors of houses in Deerfield and vicinity, thus filling the entire year with useful activity. Since 1920 he has been deputy collector of internal revenue for Franklin and Hampshire counties, with offices in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Billings is widely known in and about Deerfield, and has a host of friends in that locality. He is a member of the Orthodox Congregational Church.

Samuel Partridge Billings married, May 31, 1894, Minnie Evelyn Harris, of Newark, New Jersey, daughter of Francis Williams and Sarah Elizabeth (Morton) Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Billings are the parents of four children: 1. Francis Samuel, born May 5, 1895; married (first) Isabelle O. Despin. She died March 18, 1923, married (second), October 4, 1924, Lena May Despin, sister of his first wife. He has one child by the first marriage, Francis Sidney, born February 19, 1923. 2. George Morton, born September 24, 1900; a graduate of Dartmouth College; is now (1925) associated with the Aetna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut 3. Forrest Cowles, born July 8, 1907; is a student in Dartmouth College, class of 1924. 4. Dorothy May, born May 13, 1915.

Source: Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925

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