Historic leaves, volume 7, April, 1908 - January, 1909

Isaac Brooks Kendall was a well-known resident of Winter Hill, for the house in which he lived (338 Broadway) was built by his father in the fifties of the last century. Mr. Kendall was descended on his father's side from Francis Kendall, the first of the name in America, who, born in England, settled in Woburn in 1640, and became a large land and mill owner, as well as for eighteen years Selectman. The grandparents of Mr. Kendall were Isaac (died July, 1833) and Lucy (Sables) Kendall, of Woburn. They were the parents of Isaac, Jr., born in Woburn April 23, 1806, died in Somerville June 27, 1894. Isaac, Jr., married at Charlestown, May 1, 1833, Nancy, daughter of Seth Bradford, of Medford, where she was born March 8, 1805. She [72] had been brought up by Mrs. Kendall Bailey, of Charlestown, and had as a stepmother a sister of her husband's mother. Mrs. Nancy (Bradford) Kendall was a lineal descendant of Governor William Bradford, of Plymouth Colony. She died at her home on Winter Hill July 10, 1888.

Isaac Brooks Kendall, the second child of his parents, and the only one to survive infancy, was born in Charlestown June 4, 1835. He married (1874) Alice R. Fitz, of Somerville, only child of the late George H. and Rebecca S. (Moulton) Fitz. Her mother is a resident of this city. The three children of this marriage are: Dr. Arthur I. Kendall, bacteriologist, of New York City; Rebecca A. (Mrs. George A. Gray) and Richard F. Kendall, of Somerville.

In early life Mr. Kendall united with the Mount Hermon Lodge of Medford (A. F. and A. M.), was later transferred to John Abbot Lodge of Somerville, and still later became a charter member of Soley Lodge. He belonged to the Orient Council of Massachusetts, to the Boston Commandery, and to the Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Royal Arcanum, besides the Somerville Historical Society. For many years he had been treasurer of the old Charlestown Training Field Association. He had built up from his young manhood a large insurance business, with office in Charlestown. In business he was a man of character and integrity. In social life he showed geniality, kindness, and the other qualities belonging to a good neighbor. He was a member of the Winter Hill Universalist Church.

In preparing this report, the committee is indebted for information to the Somerville Journal, Mrs. F. D. Lapham, Miss Anna P. Vinal, Frank M. Hawes, W. B. Holmes, Miss Lizzie G. Knapp, and Mrs. Lilla E. Arnold.

Respectfully submitted,