John Russell

Biography

John Russell farmed at Townsend, in northern Massachusetts near the New Hampshire border, and carried produce to Boston. Crane’s Worcester County history describes him driving an ox team into the city and returning with groceries and other merchandise. The work connected his farm with a wider trading network.

The same account names his wife as Lydia, identified in family genealogies as Lydia Marble, and records children born at Townsend, including Andrew in 1816, William in 1818, Ensworth Tyler in 1822, Samuel, and Ruhama. Andrew later followed him into farming and hauling.

John died on July 11, 1840. His memorial associates him with Howard Street Cemetery in Northborough, east of Worcester in Massachusetts. His parentage remains unresolved; the town history and the current family reconstruction name different fathers.