1806. Albert Lester¹² Fillebrown (Albert Paul¹¹, Albert Augustus¹⁰, George Miller⁹, James⁸, James⁷, James⁶, Thomas⁵, Thomas⁴, Thomas³, Humpfrey² Phillibrowne, Robert¹ ffilebrowne)^(15040) was born in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts June 26, 1909.^(15041) Lester died December 14, 1982 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at 73 years of age.^(15042)

Lester married Leah P. Lufkin October 3, 1935 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15043) Leah was born February 9, 1911 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15044) Leah^(15045) was the daughter of Harry Porter Lufkin and Una Atherton Chaffin. Leah was listed as a daughter in Harry Porter Lufkin's household on the 1920 Census in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15046) Leah, Harry Porter Lufkin's child, resided with Harry in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts January 1920.^(15047) Harry rented a home on Groton Road wher he, Una, Leah, & Virginia lived.

A bit of history.^(15048) In 1930 Albert and Leah lived next door to near each other in Ayer, Massachusetts. Albert, age 20, lived in the home of his parents at 74 East Main Street. Leah, age 19, lived at the home of her step-grandfather, Gorham K. Brooks at 80 East Main Street.

Leah was employed at the telephone company as an operator in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts circa 1930.^(15049) Leah was listed as a step-granddaughter in Gorham K. Brooks's household on the 1930 Census in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15050) Mary reported he age as 60 but she was actually 63. Gorham was age 50 at the time.

Leah, Gorham K. Brooks's step-child, resided with Gorham in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts circa 1930.^(15051) Gorham owned the home, valued at $3500, located at 80 East Main Street.

When Leah was age 26 and Albert Lester Fillebrown was age 28 they became the parents of David Lester Fillebrown November 22, 1937 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15052) When Leah was age 30 and Albert Lester Fillebrown was age 32 they became the parents of Paul Brooks Fillebrown August 2, 1941 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15053) Leah, as Lester's wife, resided with him in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts September 1947.^(15054) The family moved to 3 Linden Court on this date.

When Leah was age 37 and Albert Lester Fillebrown was age 39 they became the parents of John Porter Fillebrown December 28, 1948 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15055) Leah resided in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts circa 1999.^(15056) The address was 3 Linden Court.

A relative visited.^(15057) On September 4, 1999 Charles Jerry Fillebrown, his wife Sue, and Zelda Moore nee Fitch visited Leah Fillebrown nee Lufkin in her home in Ayer, Massachusetts. Leah was the wife of Albert Lester Fillebrown. Lester was a 7th cousin once removed to Jerry their common ancestors being Thomas and Anna Fillebrown the first Fillebrown family in America.

Lester was listed as a son in Albert Paul Fillebrown's household on the 1930 Census in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15058) Lester, Albert Paul Fillebrown's child, resided with Albert in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts circa 1930.^(15059) The home valued at $5000 was owned by Albert and the address was 74 East Main Street.

Lester was employed at a local grocery store as a clerk in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts circa 1930.^(15060) A bit of history.^(15061) In 1930 Albert and Leah lived next door to near each other in Ayer, Massachusetts. Albert, age 20, lived in the home of his parents at 74 East Main Street. Leah, age 19, lived at the home of her step-grandfather, Gorham K. Brooks at 80 East Main Street.

When Lester was age 28 and Leah P. Lufkin was age 26 they became the parents of David Lester Fillebrown November 22, 1937 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15062) David Lester Fillebrown was named after Albert Lester Fillebrown November 22, 1937 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15063) When Lester was age 32 and Leah P. Lufkin was age 30 they became the parents of Paul Brooks Fillebrown August 2, 1941 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15064) Lester resided in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts September 1947.^(15065) The family moved to 3 Linden Court on this date.

When Lester was age 39 and Leah P. Lufkin was age 37 they became the parents of John Porter Fillebrown December 28, 1948 in Ayer, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.^(15066) This is a bit of history.^(15067) The following was originally published in "The Public Spirit" of Ayer, MA in October 1997. It was entitled "Five generations of Fillebrowns have fought fires in Ayer" by C. David Gordon, Chief Correspondent. "AYER- Serving in the community's fire department either as a regular firefighter or an on-call volunteer could be said to build in families living in Nashoba Valley towns. In Ayer, for example, three generations of Johnstons and three in the Pedrazzi family have served. Speculation has it that four generations could have helped fight fires and/or provided emergency medical services in the Kidder Family. The likes of this type of devotion can be found in fire departments in other area towns.

Perhaps setting a record in the entire area, though, is the Fillebrown family in Ayer. No less than five generations have served in the Fire Department there. The time span reaches back almost to the founding of Ayer, in 1871. First to serve was Albert Augustus Fillebrown, born in Readfield, Maine, in 1854. He had engaged in the hardware and plumbing business in Monmouth, Maine, starting in 1880, then moved to Ayer in 1884. Once there he continued pursuing the same trades, establishing the steam, hot air, and water heating firm he named A.A. Fillebrown and Company. Albert certainly became active in town affairs. In addition to serving as chief of the Fire Department, he was at one time or another constable and water commissioner in town as well as a Middlesex County deputy sheriff. He served in various offices in local fraternal organizations, becoming a district deputy grand master in the area's Masonic district. This Fillebrown must have been around when the Col. Daniel Needham hand-pump engine was utilized.

Albert's son, Albert Paul Fillebrown, born in 1880, joined the call company as a volunteer firefighter in 1902. A 1902 mounting of pictures of the 16 members of the George J. Burns Hook and Ladder Company includes a photo of this Fillebrown.

The next generation saw Albert Lester Fillebrown, the son of Albert Paul differentiating himself by being known by his middle name, first as a call firefighter and then a full-time department employee. Lester served in the days when the department had but two full-time firefighters. The town built the Central Fire Station in 1935, during Lester's watch, using W.P.A. funds. He served on the department for 27 years. Lester's three sons took their places as firefighters and are serving at the present time.

Paul B. Fillebrown joined the department in 1962 and has 35 years of experience in the Ayer department, becoming chief in 1992. David L. Fillebrown has 40 years of experience, having joined in 1957. He was a full-time firefighter in the Fort Devens department, now retired. Currently he is a lieutenant in the call company.

Brian L. Fillebrown joined the department's call company in 1987 and has built up 10 years of experience.

Representing the fifth generation, Paul B. Fillebrown, Jr. joined the call company in 1985, before his Uncle Brian. A year before his father became chief he entered full-time service in the Fire Department, where he is now a lieutenant. He is one of six full-time employees -- each also an EMT.

Looking back on his family's involvement in the Ayer Fire Department, Chief Paul Fillebrown notes 'We've all had our share of fun.' He also said that with all the family connections the Fire Department has enjoyed, this has encouraged a certain camaraderie to develop. In reviewing the changes in the department since 1962, Chief Fillebrown says, 'Now you've got to be educated. Training has tripled. It takes 40 to 50 hours of training to get on now, either as a call or full-time firefighter. Education is the way of the fire service today.' In an earlier day a firefighter 'saw a fire, ran in and put it out.' Now he will stop to analyze what's being burned, pull on full protective gear and go to work at it. In the balance the chief notes there are 'so many hazards out there it's a reactive situation now.' While 'a lot more attention is paid to the safety of the firefighter now, the chemicals out there make it more hazardous.' This has been what he calls 'a dramatic change.' He can say 'it's been found out fire chiefs are not on the job as long' today due to pressures of the job. But he can also look at the six full-time firefighters/EMTs and a fine call company made up of 35 individuals and say, 'My job is much easier due to the men and women on full-time or on call.'

The on-call people 'volunteer a lot of their time to do a great deal for the town to benefit citizens.' With their fund raising functions they raise money for new equipment including the town ambulance. They also sponsor a Boy Scout Troop. And of course, having these volunteers available 'has worked out well for the town. They save the town a lot of money,' being paid for actual hours of work or by the call. His son, Lieutenant Paul Fillebrown, Jr., says, 'I never thought I'd have this profession.' A graduate of Fitchburg State College, he taught ninth graders technical education and coached football and wrestling in the Fitchburg public school system for three years. While for a time he was 'torn between the two' careers, as he came closer and closer to the firefighter's 'craft' now in looking back he say, 'I don't know why I didn't do it earlier' -- make the change to his present profession. He continues to make use of his education, using teaching skills directly as a teacher in the SAFE program in the elementary school. Now he is one of ten individuals working to develop a curriculum for the state in this program. Echoing his father, Paul Jr., says 'Everyone in the Fire Department is one big family.' Then he goes on to say, 'The town of Ayer's a great place to live in and work or serve in.'"

Albert Lester Fillebrown and Leah P. Lufkin had the following children:

David Lester Fillebrown
1937 - 2010
Undated

Obituary Photograph

+ 2254 i. David Lester¹³ Fillebrown was born November 22, 1937.

+ 2255 ii. Paul Brooks Fillebrown (still alive).

John Porter Fillebrown
Senior Class Of 1966
Ayer High School
Ayer, Massachusetts
1966

WWW.Ayer66.Com

+ 2256 iii. John Porter Fillebrown was born December 28, 1948.

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