Captain Joshua Bemis

Capt Joshua Bemis lived on the north side of Searle Rd on Norwich Hill Huntington, Ma. Large house and very large barn. The house remains in 2016 but the barn fell to ruin in the 1970's.

He married Martha M. Wright Dec 31, 1868 when Martha was 46. This was a second marriage for both.Martha's husband Thomas Chandler Wright had died May 13,1860. In her diary, Martha always referred to her husband as "Mr. Bemis". Martha's Great Grandson Gordon A. Smith Sr. was told by his mother Nellie Wright Smith that Mr. Bemis was also known as Captain Bemis. In N. Chester, Ma there is a Captain Bemis Rd.

On January 5, 1880, Capt. Bemis was "thrown from his sleigh" returning from Huntington, breaking his hip. His hip was set at home but he never recovered, dying on September 16, 1880. After his death, Martha wrote in her diary that his funeral was very large with "teams" from many towns. She had to quickly vacate the house. On Sept 24 she was "picking up her things and getting ready to move". On Sept 26, her son Will Wright stayed to help her pack. On Sept 27, she notes that "Win and Loretta came up to be sure she wasn't stealing anything". I assume Win and Loretta were Joshua's children from his first marriage to the late Mary Clark. On Sept 30, 1880, she moved to son Will Wright's house on Sampson Rd as a housekeeper. I think she remained there until her death on Nov 29, 1891 at age 68.

Martha kept a detailed diary of daily activities. I have 11 years: 1871, 1877, 1880, 1883 -1885, 1877 - Jul 1891.