Eighth Generation

1723. George Lawrence HOWLAND¹⁸⁴ was born on 26 December 1832 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA. He died on 23 November 1911 at the age of 78 in Northampton, Hampshire Co., MA. He was buried in Pittsfield Cemetery, Berkshire Co., MA. Middle name sometimes spelled Laurence.

George Howland is listed in Pittsfield records as a painter.

In the 1860 Census, George L. Howland was living in Lenox next to his father, Joseph Howland, Jr., with his wife, Josephine C., born in Vermont, son Henry S., 2, and daughter Effie C., 11 months. George is listed as a farmer, as was his father.

In the 1870 Census, George L. Howland, 36, born in MA, living with wife Josephine, 33, born in NY, son Henry, 12, and daughter Lena M., 4.

George L. Howland, 46, born in MA, listed in 1880 Census with daughter Lena, 14. No mention of wife or Henry. Both dead? He lived at 18 Union Street, Pittsfield, in the 1890 voter registration and had lived at 20 Dunham St. on May 4th of that year. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1864 and 1883 and presumably the years in-between.

He is listed in the 1900 Census as a patient in the Northampton Insane Hospital, widowed. It is likely he died there. Mental illness may have been caused by lead poisoning from lead-based paint he used in painting houses.

My mother told me Arthur Kells' favorite cousin was William Howland. Son of George Howland? No record. Could it have been a William Kells?

From Patricia McMackin via e-mail, 8 October 2007:

Massachusetts Death Index October 23, 1911, son of Joseph Howland and Jerusha

Obit( Berkshire Eagle) on this date:

"George L. Howland 79 years of age, a painter, died this morning at the insane hospital in Northampton, MA. where he had been for 13 years. He was born in Lenox and moved to this city when 35 years of age. He is survived by one son Henry F. of Brooklyn, NY. The funeral probably will be held from the Clapp Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be in the Pittsfield Cemetery. Mr. Howland was a member of the Methodist Church."

1910 census shows 76 year old George in the State Hospital in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.

Josephine C. MONNIER, daughter of Francis X. MONNIER and Mary ROBBINS, was born on 16 December 1836 in Greenwich, NY. She died on 18 April 1874 at the age of 37 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA.¹⁸⁵ She was buried in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA. She was 37 years, 4 months, 2 days, when she died. She died of chronic muco-entintis, was a housekeeper, and resided in Pittsfield, according to the death record. Death date and age calculate to a birth date of December 16, 1836.

A Josephine Howland, age 33, housekeeper, b. in NY, in 1870 Census with George L. Howland M593 602 134. Henry S. Howland, age 12, was living with them, as was daughter Lena Howland.

Josephine E. Howland was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Pittsfield in 1864.

Was she born in Greenwich or Greenbush, NY, or Greenfield, MA? I found a Jenny born at about the right time in Greenfield, MA. It is supposition that she is Josephine's sister -- remains to be proven. Looks doubtful.

George Lawrence HOWLAND and Josephine C. MONNIER had the following children: