Israel Washburn

For this man's son, the Governor of Maine, see Israel Washburn Jr.

Israel Washburn Sr. (November 18, 1784 – September 1, 1876)^[1] was a Massachusetts politician.

Early life

Washburn's family was from Massachusetts, to which their ancestor emigrated from England in 1631.^[2] He was born in Raynham, Massachusetts, in 1784, the son of Israel Washburn and Abiah King. His brother was Reuel Washburn.

Settlement in Maine

Today's Israel Washburn Homestead (also known as The Norlands) in Livermore, Maine.

Washburn moved north to Maine in 1806. He was a school teacher for a couple of years, before working in the shipbuilding industry at White's Landing on the Kennebec River.^[1]

In 1809, at age 25, Washburn bought a homestead with some acres of farmland at The Norlands in Livermore, Maine. He settled there, working on the farm. He also opened a general store.^[3]

Political career

Washburn was elected twice and he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, in 1815–1816 and 1818–1819.^[4] He remained very active in local politics until 1829.

Personal life

On March 26, 1812, Washburn married Martha "Patty" Benjamin^[5] (1792–1861), daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Benjamin, a Revolutionary War veteran. They had eleven children with her,^[6] ten survived, including seven sons. Their sons included Israel Washburn Jr., Elihu B. Washburne, Cadwallader C. Washburn, and William D. Washburn. Charles Ames Washburn was an elector and a diplomat.

Later life and death

In 1829, Washburn's general store failed, and he returned to farming. In 1859, at age 75, he became blind. Two years after, he became a widower upon the death of Martha.

Washburn died in 1876, aged 91. He was interred in Waters Hill Cemetery in Livermore,^[6] alongside his wife.