TOWN OF BECKET, BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

Jonas Henry Childs was born in Becket, Berkshire County, MA February 18, 1791 and was married to Amelia "Lydia" Kingsley, also of Becket, in 1811. He was the son of Deacon Daniel Childs (1768-1853) who is buried at Beckett Center Cemetery and Elisabeth Sally Betsey Hatch. The parents of Daniel Deacon Childs were Capt Jonas Childs 1743-1805 and his wife Eunice Alford 1735-1799 and both buried at Beckett Center Cemetery.

Amelia Lydia Kingsley, the daughter of Enos Kingsley, was born in Becket September 2, 1790. In 1812 he was drafted into the army and went to Boston; was soon discharged and returned home. In 1816 he visited Ohio, making most of the journey on foot, and returning in the same way. While here he purchased land from E. Wadsworth in lot fifteen, tract two [Bailbridge, Geauga Co, OH], to which he removed his family in the winter of 1818. The family consisted of himself, wife and two boys, the eldest about three years old. Four children were born after their settlement in Bainbridge. On their arrival here they occupied the house of Enos Kingsley (a half brother of Mrs. Childs) while a cabin was being built on their place, to which they removed in the spring, and occupied several years, when a large brick house was erected on the corners nearly opposite the residence of C.S. Sanderson, where they resided until the marriage and removal from home of all their children.

His children were:

Jonas Milton Childs, m. Charlotte Beckwith.

Albert H. Childs m. 1842 to Maranda Ely. 4 children

Stephen Childs, m. 1841 to Nancy Warren

Alanson Childs m. Charlotte Kingsbury and Sarah Walters

Amanda Childs m. Artemis Howard in 1846. 2 children.

Abigail Childs m. 1846 to Theodore Burgess.

Henry was a farmer and for many years a Deacon at the Congregational Church of Bainbridge Ohio. He was a very large man standing about 6' 6" tall and weighing close to 300 pounds! He was known around town for his strength and personal courage.

Lydia Childs died August 4, 1868 on the homestead and Jonas Childs died March 18, 1875 at the age of 84 in Kirtland, OH.

See article below for further information.

Submitted courtesy of Missy Martin missymartin8 [at] yahoo.com