David Nevins Jr.

David C. Nevins (Jul 30, 1839 - Aug 24, 1898), also referred to as "David Nevins, Jr.", was one three of the "Methuen city fathers" who grew rich in the city of Methuen, Massachusetts during the industrial boom of the late 19th century. With his family he built Nevins Memorial Library in memory of his father. After his death his wife Harriet F. Nevins (née Harriet F. Blackburn) used his fortune to leave a legacy for the public that includes Nevins Farm and Equine Center in Methuen as well as Blackburn Hall and a stone fountain in Walpole, Massachusetts.

Also carrying David C. Nevins' surname (as well as that of fellow "Methuen city fathers" Edward F. Searles and Charles H. Tenney) is the "Searles Tenney Nevins Historic District" established by the City of Methuen in 1992 to preserve the "distinctive architecture and rich character of one of Massachusetts’ most unique neighborhoods". According to the City of Methuen:

Today, the trio’s collective vision can be seen in mills, housing, schools, mansions, churches, monuments, playgrounds, the library, and the architectural fantasies that resulted from their artistic rivalry. The historic district boundaries were established to include properties and buildings constructed or used by the Searles, Tenney and Nevins families and the people who worked for them.

A short distance from above-mentioned library Nevins Memorial Library is the Henry C. Nevins Home for Aged and Incurables, an old age home established in 1906 and named for his brother.

Notes

According to a 4 August 2008 communication from Sharon Morley, Reference Librarian at Nevins Memorial Library:

David Nevins Sr. was born in Salem NH on December 12, 1839 To John and Achsah Swan Nevins. When he reached 21, he moved to New Bedford and sold supplies to the crews of the whaling vessels. In 1818, Nevins married Eliza Coffin. She was the daughter wealthy ship merchant Jared Coffin of Nantucket. Nevins later went in to business importing cloth. In 1842, protective taxes began hurting the textile importing business, so Nevins switched to manufacturing textiles instead. In 1859, he purchased the ill-fated Pemberton Mill, and in 1864, he purchased the Methuen Cotton Company on the Spicket River. Mr. & Mrs. David Nevins Sr. and their two sons returned to the Methuen area in the early to mid 1860's. David Sr. Died in 1881 at the age of 72. His wife and sons had the Nevins Memorial Library built as a memorial to him. David Nevin's sons, David Jr. and Henry Coffin Nevins took over the manufacturing businesses when their father Died. David Jr. born JULY 30, 1839 ran the textile mills which by that time included India Bagging Company and Bengal Bagging Company in Salem, MA. Henry c. born on January 10, 1843 became the agent of the family's textile brokerage firm called Nevins and Company. Not only did the company sell the cloth from the Nevins' family mills, but by this time it was importing textiles from abroad. David Jr. Died in 1898 and Henry in 1892.

David Nevins Sr. born-Dec.12, 1809-died-March 19, 1881 Eliza Coffin Nevins born June 1, 1817 - died Dec. 30, 1895 David Nevins Jr. Born Jul 30, 1839 - Died Aug 24, 1898 Henry Coffin Nevins Born Jan. 10, 1843-Died June 25, 1892