Colonel Thomas Stevens, of Devonshire, England, who moved to London, was the father of William, Thomas, Richard, Cyprian and three daughters. Thomas and Cyprian came to New England with Captain Greene about 1660. Cyprian was of Chelsea and afterwards of Lancaster. (History of Framingham, by Rev. William Barry.)
(II) Cyprian, son of Colonel Thomas Stevens, was born in England, 1649, was a citizen of Lancaster, Massachusetts, and died probably there, date unknown. He married, January 22, 1672, Mary Willard, born September 7, or 27, 1653, daughter of Major Simon Willard, of Lancaster, and his third wife, Mary Dunster, a relative of Mr. Dunster, president of Harvard college. Major Simon Willard was a founder of Concord, Massachusetts, deputy to the general court 1636-54, assistant 1654-76, commander-in-chief of the expedition of the United Colonies against Ninigret, sachem of the Nyantics, 1655; led the heroic relief at the battle of Brookfield; commanded the Middlesex regiment of Massachusetts troops in King Philip's war. (Year Book, Society of Colonial Wars, 1896, page 417.) The "Willard Memorial" gives the following: "In 1659 Major Simon Willard removed to Lancaster, where he lived for twelve years, when in 1671-72 he removed to his farm lying in the southern part of Groton; and his residence at Lancaster, one of the finest situations in that pleasant town, was conveyed by him to his son-in-law, Cyprian Stevens, who married his daughter Mary (the second of that name). This was intended for Mrs. Stevens' dowry." This house was used for a garrison house, and in 1676 sheltered for six weeks eight families and a guard of soldiers. (See Lancaster Records.) Cyprian Stevens was one of the five purchasers of a tract of land twelve miles square, six miles wide, which is now the town of Rutland, Massachusetts. The deed was executed and delivered December 22, 1686, the purchase price being twenty-three pounds of the then currency. There does not seem to be any evidence that he ever settled on his purchase, although Lancaster was not far distant. His children, however, settled there and erected homes. His garrison house at Lancaster, Massachusetts, was attacked by Indians February 10, 1675-76. (Bodge, pp. 352-3 and 400. See also Nourse's Early Records of Lancaster, pp. 85-86, 101.) In garrison at Groton, Massachusetts, February 29, 1675-76, under Captain Thomas Wheeler. (Bodge, pp. 114 and 360.) Under Ensign Peter Joslin at Lancaster, Massachusetts, April 15, 1704. ( Nourse's Early Records of Lancaster, p. 144.)
(III) Deacon Joseph, youngest son of Cyprian and Mary (Willard) Stevens, was born 1682-83, was a citizen of Rutland, Massachusetts, and died in Rutland, November 15, 1769. He married Prudence, daughter of John Rice, of Sudbury, Massachusetts. She died about 1776. They had nine children. Rutland was incorporated as a town July 6, 1722. At the first legal meeting ever held in Rutland, Ensign Joseph Stevens was chosen one of the selectmen, one of the assessors, and town treasurer. He was clerk of the proprietors and one of the committee to set off their land, a deacon in the church, and a captain of the militia. He was proprietor of house lots Nos. 15 and 56. Part of his division land was located on Stevens Hill, and two hundred acres on and adjoining Turkey Hill. The following is taken from Reed's History of Rutland, Massachusetts, and Temple & Sheldon's History of Northfield, Massachusetts: On August 14, 1723, Deacon Joseph Stevens with four young sons went to the meeting house meadow to collect fodder for the coming winter. Whilst making hay they were attacked by Gray Lock with a party of four Indians. Two of the boys were killed, and two, Phinehas and Isaac, made prisoners. Phinehas and Isaac were carried to Canada, where they were held in captivity for upwards of a year. Phinehas was redeemed, after which he moved to Charlestown, New Hampshire, where he was a captain of the militia. He became distinguished in the Cape Breton war, and also for his brave defense of that plantation April 4, 1747, with a command of about thirty men against an attack of four hundred French and Indians under Mons. Debeline. (Reed's History of Rutland, Mass., pp. 103-105. Hudson's History of Sudbury, Mass., pp. 171-172. Blake's History of Rutland, Mass., and the Indian Troubles of 1723-30, pp. 45-46-47 Also Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 51, p. 399. Nourse's History of Lancaster, Mass., p. 318.)
(IV) Isaac, youngest son of Deacon Joseph and Prudence (Rice) Stevens, was baptized December 14, 1718, in the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts. He married for his second wife Abigail Parling, on September 7, 1748. When carried captive to Canada, he was given by Gray Lock to the Cagnowagas, and was regained with much difficulty. A full acount of the matter is given in Reed's History of Rutland, Mass., pp. 103-104, and in the Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 51, p. 399; Vol. 72, p. 258; Vol. 11 [sic], p. 407; Vol. 51, p. 382.
(V) Luther, eldest son of Isaac and Abigail (Parling) Stevens, was born in Rutland, Massachusetts, July 22, 1749. He married Lucy Stearns, born June 26, 1762, died September 7, 1812. He served in the revolutionary army as follows — Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 12, p. 83: "Appears with rank of private on Lexington Alarm Roll of Capt. Thomas Eustes' Company, which marched on the alarm of April 19th, 1775, from Rutland to Cambridge." Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 35, p. 94, "Appears in a receipt for advance pay given by Company dated July 13th, 1775, at Charlestown Camp, payable to himself. Pay due on account of service in Capt. Adam Wheeler's Company, Col. Doolittle's Regiment." Colonel Doolittle's regiment served at the battle of Bunker Hill. According to the same records, he continued to serve throughout the war, appearing with the rank of sergeant on muster and pay roll of Captain Ephraim Stearns' company, Colonel John Rand's (Worcester Co.) regiment.
Lucy Stearns, wife of Luther Stevens, is descended through Captain Elizah Stearns and his wife, Lucy Lane, daughter of Job Lane, from Colonel John Lane, 1661-1715. Colonel John Lane was born in Billerica, Massachusetts, and was a citizen of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Lieutenant in command of troop, Billerica, Massachusetts, 1693 (History of Billerica, by Hazen, p. 129, Lane papers mss.); in service as scout in King William's war. Captain 1702-05 (History of Billerica, pp. 135-136-137, Lane papers mss.) Major 1711, Queen Anne's war, (Lane papers) in continual service until his death. (New England Register,, vol. 10, p. 356 vol. 11, pp. 102-231.) Lucy Stearns, wife of Luther Stevens, through Martha Ruggles, wife of Job Lane, is descended from Governor Thomas Dudley, 1576-1653. Born in Northampton, England; citizen of Massachusetts Bay Colony, died in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Second governor Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1634-40-45-50; deputy governor in 1630, et. seq. ad interim; assistant, 1635-6, 1641-4; in office continuously twenty-two years; commissioner 1643-47-49 for, and twice president of the United Colonies; major-general, 1646; signed charter of Harvard college, 1650 (Year Book, Colonial Wars Society, 1896, p. 312). Whitmore's Civil Lists (passing) History (Whitman & Roberts), p. 135, or the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, Mass. Dudley family, p. 70, et. seq.
(VI) Isaac, son of Luther and Lucy (Stearns) Stevens, was born in Rutland, Massachusetts, August 8, 1795, died July 31, 1835. He married Maria Cecelia Parsons, born February 6, 1806, died August 30, 1889, daughter of Winthrop and Sarah Terry Parsons, of Enfield, Connecticut. Maria Cecelia Parsons, wife of Isaac Stevens, through the families of Rev. Nathaniel Collins, of Enfield, Connecticut, and Rev. William Adams, of Dedham, Massachusetts, and others, is a descendant of William Bradford, governor of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. (Year Book, Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1901, pp. 114-396).
(VII) Albert Parsons, son of Isaac and Maria C. (Parsons) Stevens, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, April 10, 1835. He was but an infant when his father died. He grew up in Springfield, where he was educated, October, 1853, he came to Albany, and there began his useful active, business life, covering a period of half a century. He began as clerk in the Albany Exchange Bank, then located in the second story of the Exchange building, Broadway and State streets, where the postoffice building now stands. He held various clerical banking positions in different institutions until 1869, when he became one of the organizers of the National Savings Bank of the City of Albany. He was chosen secretary and treasurer, and held these offices continuously until his retirement from business in January, 1905, a period of thirty-six years. His activity has not been bounded by the demands of business, but has been noticeable in the religious and charitable work of Albany. He has been associated for many years with the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, and was president of the board of directors when the present building corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets was dedicated. He is now president of the board of trustees, having held that position since 1901. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, which he serves officially as president of the board of trustees. He also served as treasurer of the Albany Presbytery, and is a member of the committee on Synodical Home Missions of the Presbyterian synod of the state of New York. Through his distinguished colonial ancestry, he has gained membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the New England Society of the City of New York. His social club is the Fort Orange, of Albany.
He married, December 30, 1856, in the First Presbyterian church, Emma Henrietta McMullen, of Albany, daughter of Thomas and Henrietta (Van Benthuysen) McMullen, born August 31, 1835, died February 15, 1891. Children, born in Albany:
- Albert Wheeler, November 3, 1858, died October 14, 1861.
- Carrie Hooper, August 21, 1860, died January 24, 1863.
- Helen Louise, March 7, 1864, died August 4, 1888.
- Clarence Winthrop, October 10, 1869; educated in Albany Academy, and immediately after leaving school entered the Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank, and. now (1910) holds the position of assistant treasurer of the Mechanics' & Farmers' Savings Bank. He is a member of the Albany Academy Alumni Association, the Society of Colonial Wars, and the New England Society of the City of New York. He served five years as a member of Company A, Tenth Battalion, N. G., N. Y., and is a member of the Old Guard. He married, April 4, 1894, Anna L. Van Antwerp, daughter of William Meadon and Susanna (Irwin) Van Antwerp, of Albany. Children:
- Clarence Winthrop Jr., March 5, 1896, died March 5, 1896;
- Winthrop Parsons, January 30, 1898;
- Anna Van Antwerp, September 27, 1899;
- Gertrude Van Antwerp, October 23, 1901.
- Frederic Bliss, June 9, 1871, educated at the Albany Academy. Entered the National Savings Bank of the city of Albany as messenger, where he now (1910) holds the office of treasurer, filled so long and capably by his father, and is also secretary of Savings Bank Associations of the State of New York. He served five years as a member of the Third Signal Corps, N. G. N. Y., part of the time with the rank of sergeant. He is a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, New England Society of the City of New York, Society of Colonial Wars, Albany Institute and Historical and Art Society, Fort Orange and Country clubs, the Albany chamber of commerce, and Albany Academy Alumni Association. He is unmarried.