203. James⁷ Fillebrown (Richard⁶, Isaac⁵, Thomas⁴, Thomas³, Humpfrey² Phillibrowne, Robert¹ ffilebrowne)⁽²⁵³⁸⁾ was born in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay November 23, 1751.⁽²⁵³⁹⁾ James died October 22, 1816 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at 64 years of age.⁽²⁵⁴⁰⁾ His body was interred circa 1816 in Cambridgeport, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁴¹⁾ He was buried, with Masonic Honors, at a cemetery in Cambridgeport that was torn up in the 1840s, It is not known at this time (2009) where he was moved or if he was moved at all.

He married twice. James married Elizabeth Prentice June 5, 1774 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁴²⁾ The date was also reported as June 6th and 8th. Binney reported she "married James Fillebrown brother to Edward F., of Cambridge" but this author does not find (2013) that this James had a brother named Edward.

Elizabeth was born before March 1754.⁽²⁵⁴³⁾ Elizabeth⁽²⁵⁴⁴⁾ was the daughter of Jonas Prentice and Mercy Pierce. Elizabeth died March 1, 1797 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at 43 years of age.⁽²⁵⁴⁵⁾ Elizabeth was baptized a Puritan, Church of England at the Church of Christ at Cambridge September 29, 1754 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁴⁶⁾ She was baptised by Mr. Emmerson.

When Elizabeth was age 21 and James Fillebrown was age 23 they became the parents of James Fillebrown Jr. November 3, 1774/5 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁴⁷⁾ When Elizabeth was age 24 and James Fillebrown was age 26 they became the parents of Elizabeth Fillebrown September 26, 1778 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁴⁸⁾ When Elizabeth was age 26 and James Fillebrown was age 29 they became the parents of Samuel Sprague Fillebrown November 30, 1780 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁴⁹⁾ When Elizabeth was age 29 and James Fillebrown was age 31 they became the parents of Richard Fillebrown August 8, 1783 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁵⁰⁾ When Elizabeth was age unknown and James Fillebrown was age unknown they became the parents of John Fillebrown before December 1785 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁵¹⁾ This is a bit of history.⁽²⁵⁵²⁾ Elizabeth Prentice "...gave quitclaim in her mother's dower rights March 30, 1790".

This is a bit of history.⁽²⁵⁵³⁾ In February 2013 Keith MacKinnon, curator and historian, Cambridge Masonic Temple and Past Master of the Amicable Lodge proposed a solution for the source of two paintings by a Jonas Prentice. One is located in the Museum of National Heritage in Lexington and the other is in the Amicable Lodge.

"It is known that a certain painting that we have at Cambridge and one that is in the Museum of National Heritage in Lexington was painted by a man named Jonas Prentice. This painting that the Museum has was donated by Hiram Lodge, now of Arlington Massachusetts. Jonas was a carriage painter with a carriage maker in West Cambridge. West Cambridge later became Arlington Massachusetts. At that time West Cambridge was a village, but was part of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Jonas Prentice was also a member of Hiram Lodge of Lexington, Massachusetts. It could be that if James who married Elizabeth Prentice and IF she is the daughter of Jonas Prentice, who MAY be the same one as a member of Hiram Lodge then a mystery is solved. We never knew the connection of the two paintings and how Amicable Lodge got theirs. It is not recorded where it came from, but is recorded in an early inventory of the Lodge belongings going back to 1819." So IF Jonas is the same father of Elizabeth who was a painter of carriages and a member of Hiram Lodge and the painter of both Masonic paintings, it could be connected like this. James the son-in-law of Jonas, could have asked Jonas to paint the painting for Amicable Lodge. It is known that the painting from Hiram Lodge is older of the two, and if the connections work, then we now know how the painting got to Amicable. James must have known that IF it is the correct Jonas, painted a, what is called a, "Masters Carpet "for Hiram Lodge, asked Jonas to paint one for Amicable. There are just too many connections here for it not to work and HOPEFULLY thanks to your family tree we may have answered a two hundred year old question. I have attached a picture of the painting in question."

James married Phebe Russell May 24, 1798 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁵⁴⁾ Phebe was born circa 1759.⁽²⁵⁵⁵⁾ Phebe⁽²⁵⁵⁶⁾ was the daughter of Seth Russell. Phebe died November 28, 1851 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at 92 years of age.⁽²⁵⁵⁷⁾ When Phebe was age 40 and James Fillebrown was age 47 they became the parents of Silas Barnard Fillebrown August 15, 1799 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁵⁸⁾ Phebe, as James's wife, resided with him in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁵⁹⁾ The residence was on the "...easterly side of Holyoke Street between M. Auburn Street and what is now (1910) Massachusetts Avenue". It was home for many years.

When Phebe was age 42 and James Fillebrown was age 50 they became the parents of William Jenks Fillebrown January 29, 1802 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁶⁰⁾ She was listed as a beneficiary in James Fillebrown's will November 12, 1816 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁶¹⁾ "In it he names his 'wife Phebe Fillebrown' and granddaughter. Mary, the daughter of my late son James,' also 'daughter, Elizabeth Wood,' and the children of my late son, Samuel Sprague deceased.'" Phebe's maiden name was probably not Barnard as she was described as a widow at the time she married James Fillebrown.

James was baptized a Puritan, Church of England at the Second Church in Cambridge December 1, 1751 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁶²⁾ When James was age 23 and Elizabeth Prentice was age 21 they became the parents of James Fillebrown Jr. November 3, 1774/5 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁶³⁾ James served in the military July 8, 1776 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁶⁴⁾ James Fillebrown shown on a "List dated, Cambridge, July 8, 1776, showing bounties paid men who served in the Continental Army in Northern Department; said Fillebrown hired by Enenezer Bradish..."

James served in the military October 11, 1776 in Ticonderoga, Essex County, New York.⁽²⁵⁶⁵⁾ James Fillebrown shown as "Sergeant, Col. Ephraim Wheelock's regt.; return of officers dated Ticonderoga, Oct. 11, 1776..." serving in the Continental Army.

James served in the military January 12, 1778 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁶⁶⁾ James Fillebrown shown in the Continental Army in "Capt. John Walton's co., Col. Eleazer Brook's regt. of guards; joined Jan. 12, 1778; service to April 3, 1778, 2 mos. 22 days, guarding troops of Convention at Cambridge and Charlestown....".

James served in the military September 3, 1778 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁶⁷⁾ James Fillebrown shown in the Continental Army as a member of "Capt. John Walton's co., Col. Samuel Thatcher's regt.; joined Sept. 3, 1778; discharged Sept. 4, 1778; service 2 days, with guards at Fort No. 2, Cambridge".

When James was age 26 and Elizabeth Prentice was age 24 they became the parents of Elizabeth Fillebrown September 26, 1778 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁽²⁵⁶⁸⁾ When James was age 29 and Elizabeth Prentice was age 26 they became the parents of Samuel Sprague Fillebrown November 30, 1780 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁶⁹⁾ When James was age 31 and Elizabeth Prentice was age 29 they became the parents of Richard Fillebrown August 8, 1783 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁷⁰⁾ When James was age unknown and Elizabeth Prentice was age unknown they became the parents of John Fillebrown before December 1785 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁷¹⁾ James was employed at Christ Church, Cambridge as a clerk in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts date unknown.⁽²⁵⁷²⁾ When James was age 47 and Phebe Russell was age 40 they became the parents of Silas Barnard Fillebrown August 15, 1799 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁷³⁾ James was employed at Harvard College as steward (now called bursar) in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁷⁴⁾ James resided in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁷⁵⁾ The residence was on the "...easterly side of Holyoke Street between M. Auburn Street and what is now (1910) Massachusetts Avenue". It was home for many years.

When James was age 50 and Phebe Russell was age 42 they became the parents of William Jenks Fillebrown January 29, 1802 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁷⁶⁾ James was a member of the Masons in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts circa 1805.⁽²⁵⁷⁷⁾ James was the Master of the Amicable Lodge in 1810 having become a member in 1805. He was buried in 1816 with Masonic honors. Within the Masons he was a member of the Washington Encampment. Keith MacKinnon reported (2013) that It "Seems that Washington Encampment was a group that broke away from Washington Lodge in Roxbury. Seems the Lodge was doing some non-Masonic degree work. The Grand Lodge pulled the Charter of the Lodge but later healed everyone involved including James Fillebrown, who by then became a member of Amicable Lodge. Washington Lodge which I think James belonged to was located at that time in Roxbury Massachusetts."

James was employed at organization unknown as a carpenter in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts circa 1805.⁽²⁵⁷⁸⁾ This is a bit of history.⁽²⁵⁷⁹⁾ "An interesting document is found in Probate Court at Cambridge, dated September 6, 1805, which reads as follows: 'I, James Fillebrown, of Cambridge, gentleman, do testify and say, that my son James Fillebrown of said Cambridge, housewright, died during a voyage to the northwest coast, whereof the news arrived within a year past; that he left a widow named Elizabeth and two children, the eldest about six years of age and both daughters': signed by James Fillebrown, and attached is a document bearing autograph of Betsey Fillibrown (sic)."

This is a bit of history.⁽²⁵⁸⁰⁾ I Jose Eaton do seriously declare upon by honor, that, unbiassed (sic) by friends, and unworthy motives, I freely and voluntarily offer myself a candidate for the mysteries of freemasonry; and that I am soley (sic) prompted thereto by a favorable opinion conceived of the institution, a desire of knowledge, and a sincere wish to be serviceable to my fellow creatures; and that I will cheerfully conform to the ancient established usages and customs of the Society. Witness my hand, Jos Eaton Witnesses We the subscribers, members of Amicable Lodge, freely and voluntarily declare, that we are intimately acquainted with Richard Fillebrown, the subscriber to the above declaration, that we are convinced he is a man of fair reputation and promising talents, and that we sincerely believe he will be an honorable member of the society; we will vouch for his integrity and reputation, and shall feel a pleasure in greeting him, ass Brother and fellow laborer in our mysteries. James Fillebrown Joseph Ayers

This is a bit of history.⁽²⁵⁸¹⁾ In February 2013 Keith MacKinnon, curator and historian, Cambridge Masonic Temple and Past Master of the Amicable Lodge proposed a solution for the source of two paintings by a Jonas Prentice. One is located in the Museum of National Heritage in Lexington and the other is in the Amicable Lodge.

"It is known that a certain painting that we have at Cambridge and one that is in the Museum of National Heritage in Lexington was painted by a man named Jonas Prentice. This painting that the Museum has was donated by Hiram Lodge, now of Arlington Massachusetts. Jonas was a carriage painter with a carriage maker in West Cambridge. West Cambridge later became Arlington Massachusetts. At that time West Cambridge was a village, but was part of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Jonas Prentice was also a member of Hiram Lodge of Lexington, Massachusetts. It could be that if James who married Elizabeth Prentice and IF she is the daughter of Jonas Prentice, who MAY be the same one as a member of Hiram Lodge then a mystery is solved. We never knew the connection of the two paintings and how Amicable Lodge got theirs. It is not recorded where it came from, but is recorded in an early inventory of the Lodge belongings going back to 1819." So IF Jonas is the same father of Elizabeth who was a painter of carriages and a member of Hiram Lodge and the painter of both Masonic paintings, it could be connected like this. James the son-in-law of Jonas, could have asked Jonas to paint the painting for Amicable Lodge. It is known that the painting from Hiram Lodge is older of the two, and if the connections work, then we now know how the painting got to Amicable. James must have known that IF it is the correct Jonas, painted a, what is called a, "Masters Carpet "for Hiram Lodge, asked Jonas to paint one for Amicable. There are just too many connections here for it not to work and HOPEFULLY thanks to your family tree we may have answered a two hundred year old question. I have attached a picture of the painting in question."

He made a will May 10, 1816 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁸²⁾ James's funeral was held October 24, 1816 at his home in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁸³⁾ "Of his death and funeral the Boston Gazette... " said "At Cambridge, Mr. James Fillebrown, aged 65. His burial was attended with Masonic funeral rites. The members of Amicable Lodge and brethren of neighboring lodges desirous of attending are requested to assemble at Mr. Israel Porter's at two o'clock P.M.. Per order Ephraim Forbes, Secretary of Amicable Lodge."

James's will was probated November 12, 1816 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁸⁴⁾ "In it he names his 'wife Phebe Fillebrown' and granddaughter. Mary, the daughter of my late son James,' also 'daughter, Elizabeth Wood,' and the children of my late son, Samuel Sprague deceased.'" His last name was reported as Fillebrown, Fillibrown in the "Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War".

James Fillebrown and Elizabeth Prentice had the following children:

+ 408 i. James⁸ Fillebrown Jr. was born November 3, 1774/5.

409 ii. Elizabeth Fillebrown⁽²⁵⁸⁵⁾ was born in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay September 26, 1778.⁽²⁵⁸⁶⁾ Elizabeth married Joseph Seaver September 1795 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁸⁷⁾ The Marriage was reported in the newspaper the Columbian Centinel September 30, 1795. (Additional notes for Joseph Seaver⁽²⁵⁸⁸⁾)

Elizabeth Fillebrown was listed as a beneficiary in James Fillebrown's will November 12, 1816 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁸⁹⁾ "In it he names his 'wife Phebe Fillebrown' and granddaughter. Mary, the daughter of my late son James,' also 'daughter, Elizabeth Wood,' and the children of my late son, Samuel Sprague deceased.'" She is called "daughter, Elizabeth Wood" in her father's will but to date no record of a marriage to a Mr. Wood has been found.

+ 410 iii. Samuel Sprague Fillebrown was born November 30, 1780.

+ 411 iv. Richard Fillebrown was born August 8, 1783.

+ 412 v. John Fillebrown was born before December 1785.

James Fillebrown and Phebe Russell had the following children:

413 vi. Silas Barnard Fillebrown⁽²⁵⁹⁰⁾ was born in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts August 15, 1799.⁽²⁵⁹¹⁾ Silas died April 27, 1857 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at 57 years of age.⁽²⁵⁹²⁾ Silas married Rebecca R. Richardson July 4, 1824 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁹³⁾ Rebecca⁽²⁵⁹⁴⁾ was the daughter of Elias Richardson.

414 vii. William Jenks Fillebrown⁽²⁵⁹⁵⁾ was born in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts January 29, 1802.⁽²⁵⁹⁶⁾ William died circa 1829 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁹⁷⁾ He died unmarried at the house of his half-brother John. William married Abigail Avery Wilkins circa May 1824 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.⁽²⁵⁹⁸⁾ The Marriage was reported in the newspaper the Columbian Centinel May 3, 1824. It said William Jencks Fillebrown married Abigail Avery Wilkins in Boston. Although this marriage is not proven it seem to fit this William. (Additional notes for Abigail Avery Wilkins⁽²⁵⁹⁹⁾)

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