Sunday’s Obituary – Bessie E Hicks, young daughter of Bertha Ann Shackford (Blog 422)

March 27, 2017June 2, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 1 Comment

According to birth records, Bessie E Hicks, the daughter of Joseph E and Bertha Ann (Shackford) Hicks was born on July 6, 1905 and had a male twin who died on the date of her birth. For some reason her death record lists her birth date as Sept 17, 1904 which is most likely incorrect as there was a child born on Oct 12, 1904 who only lived a few minutes. One other possibility is that Bessie is the female Hicks with a birth record of Sept 16, 1903 but if that Bessie were still living, it would be odd for the family to name a second child with the same name…

Sadly Bessie died of leukemia on Sept 28, 1911 at a very young age, somewhere between the age of 7 and 8.

Obituary Bessie E Hicks Hillsborough Messenger (Hillsboro, N. H.), 5 October 1911 Bessie E Hicks

Daughter of Joseph W. and Bertha
M. Hicks, passed away last Thursday
afternoon at the home of her parents on
Butler street, after an illness of several
months, which was borne with great
patience. She was born in Canaan,
coming home with her parents several
months ago, and her age was 8 years
and 11 days.
Prayers were held at the home by the
Rev. Walter F. Whitney at 3 o’clock

Sunday afternoon and George Boyston
sang “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”
The body was taken to Canaan Monday
for internment.
The immediate relatives are the pa-
rents, a brother and two sisters, who
have the sympathy of friends in their
bereavement.
There were many floral tributes as
folows: Pillow “Our Darling,” famil;
closed book, “Bessie” neighbors and
friends, Hillsboro; spray of pinks, Mr.
and Mrs James Melrose; spray of pinks,
Mr. and Mrs Chester Young and son;
cresent, Brotherhood I B. M W. E.,
Concord, spray of pinks, auxillary of I.
B. M. W. E.; spray of pinks, Mr. and
Mrs. Bert Robinson and daughter of
Canaan; spray of pinks, Mr. and Mrs
Herbert Brown, Hillsboro; sray of
pinks, Rev. and Mrs. W> F. Whitney
pink roses MR and Mrs Harry Clough,
bouquet Florencee Colby, arias and cut
flowers, Mr and Mrs Jack Wheeler,
wreath Mr and Mrs E E Wet; cut
flowers Mrs Gould, spray of pinks,
Mr and Mrs R R Hicks, Canaan, spray
of cut flowers Ethewys Gordoe
Canaan.
Card of Thanks
We desire to extend our most heart-
felt thanks to all who so kindly assisted
at the sickness, death and burial of our
darling Bessie Especially would we
thank the singer and those who sent
flowers
Mr and Mrs Joe Hicks and Family

All posts on this website are a work in progress. We’d love to learn of any corrections or additions to the information shared. Also we’d love it if you’d like the post here or at http://www.facebook.com/shackfordgenealogy) as that helps share the post with others. Thanks!

SOURCES:

1910 United States Federal Census, Grafton County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Canaan, enumeration district (ED) 80, Sheet No 11A, visited 389, family 403, Joseph Hicks; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 March 2017).

“Bessie E Hicks,” Hillsborough Messenger (Hillsboro, N. H.), 5 October 1911; digital images, (http://fuller.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 19 March 2017)

New Hampshire “New Hampshire Birth Certificates, 1901-1915,” digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 April 2016), Bessie Hicks

New Hampshire “New Hampshire Birth Certificates, 1901-1915,” digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 February 2017), Hicks, b. 16 Sep 1903.

New Hampshire, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947, , Hicks, 6 July 1905; index and digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ : accessed 26 March 2017).

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Death Records 1654-1947, , Bessie E Hicks d., 28 September 1911; digital images, FamilySearch, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947 (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 January 2015).

Wedding Wednesday – Miss Elsie M Shackford’s 1923 Derry, NH Wedding to Benjamin S Hoisington (Blog 421)

March 22, 2017June 14, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 2 Comments

Elsie M Shackford the daughter of Franklin Pierce and Helen (Lewis) Shackford was born September 8, 1888 in Chester, New Hampshire. We find her listed in the 1900 census in Chester and listed in the honor roll records when she was 15. Elsie then attended Colby Academy. She’s listed as teaching school at the age of 21 in the 1910 census, moving in 1912 with her family to Lawrence, Massachusetts, returning to Derry by 1916 when she worked as a bookkeeper for the W. B. S. company, and as the bookkeeper for a shoe factory in the 1920 census.

Elsie and Benjamin probably met at work as they were employed at the same shoe factory. They filed their intention to marry on Jan 15th and were married on January 23rd which was reported in this detailed article in The Derry News on February 2nd, 1923.

wedding-announcement-elsie-m-shackford-pretty-home-weddng-miss-elsie-m-shackford-and-benj-s-hoisington-the-bride-and-groom-the-derry-news-derry-new-hampshire-2-february-1923 — The Derry News, 2 Feb 1923

On Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock
a pretty home wedding was solem-
ized at the residence of Mr. and Mrs.
Frank P. Shackford, 7 Everett street,
when their only daughter Miss Elsie
M. Shackford and Benjamin S. Hois-
ington were united in mar-
riage by the Rev. J. H. Nichols of this
town. The double ring service was
used. The bride was given away by
her father. The matron of honor was
Mrs. Wilber Woodbridge of Laenie,
who was a classmate of the bride at
Colby academy The best man was
Walter A. Hoisington a brother of the
groom. Miss Doris Gatermulk of Dor-
chester, a cousin of the bride played
the wedding march from Lobagrin.
The bride and groom were under a
large floral bell, the decorations of the
room being in green and white, and
the decorations of the dining-room
of yellow and white. Streamers of
theme colors, potted plants and eve
flowers made a very attractive appear-
ance.
The ushers were Louis Shackford of
Somerville, Mass, the brother of the
bride, and Wilber M. Woodbridge, of
Laconia. Only immediate relatives
and friends witnessed the ceremony.
The bride’s dress was of brown chif-
fon velvet, with a hat of brown and
gold to match and she carried a bridal
bouquet of white roses, sweet peas and
lilies of the valley.
The groom’s gift to the bride was a
beautiful bar pin, set with sapphires
and diamonds and the bride’s gift to
the matron of honor was a pair of ear-
drops set in platinum. The bride gave
to Miss Gutermuth a rich Paisley
shawl, and the groom’s gift to the best
man and ushers was solid gold cuff
links. Mr. and Mrs Hoisington re-
ceived many very valuable and useful
wedding present.
The bride had been the bookkeeper
in the W. M. Taply shoe factory the
past two years and the groom is as-
sistant superintendent there. He is
also a member of the Men’s club, of
the fire department and of the D. A. A.
having been manager of the baseball
team the past year.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoisington left on the
5 o’clock train for Boston and New
York. They will return to make their
home in Derry.

Elsie’s husband Benjamin worked in the shoe business as a cutter, foreman of the factory and then proprietor of a newsstand while Elsie worked as a stitcher, then bookkeeper of a shoe factory.

While Benjamin had four children from his previous marriages, we don’t believe he and Elsie had any children together. Benjamin and Elsie remained at 7 Everett Street in Deery but may have traveled to Ponoma City, California for a bit in 1956. Benjamin died in April 1969 at the age of 86 and Elsie died in December 1973 at the age of 85. They are both buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry.

SOURCES:

1900 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Chester, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 184, Sheet No 7, dwelling 172, family 189, Frank Shackford; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 21 May 2015).

1910 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Derry, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 240, Sheet No 33B, 7 Covenant St, visited house 739, family 754, Frank P Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 May 2015).

1920 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Derry, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 117, Sheet No 18B, 7 Everett, dwelling 332, family 422, Franklin P Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2015).

1930 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Derry, enumeration district (ED) 8-9, Sheet No 24A, 7 Everett, dwelling ?, family ?, Banjamin Hoisington; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 March 2017).

Annual Reports of the Selectmen, Overseer of the Poor, Town Treasurer, Town Clerk School Board, Library Trustees, and Auditors of the Town of Chester for the Year ending February 14, 1903. (Deery, N. H.: Charles Bartlett, Printer, 1903), page 34; digital images, My Heritage Library Edition (http://myheritagelibraryedition.com : accessed 28 January 2015.

“Former Shoe Employee Dies,” The Derry News (Derry, New Hampshire), 20 December 1972; digital images, Derry Public Library (http://derry.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 24 February 2017).

New Hampshire, New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900, , Shackford, 7 September 1888; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 21 May 2015).

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Marriage Records, 1637-1947, , Benjamin S. Hoisington m. Elsie M Shackford, 23 January 1923; index and images, Family Search (http://familysearch.org : accessed 19 September 2013).

“U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995,” database, Ancestry.com (www/ancestry.com : accessed 22 March 2017), Frank P Shackford

“U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014,” index, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 February 2016), Elsie Hoisington.

Military Monday- Lester Harlow Hicks, the son of Bertha Ann Shackford, was Hillsboro NH’s First WWI Death (Blog 420)

March 20, 2017June 19, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 3 Comments

Today’s blog honors Lester Harlow Hicks (1899-1917), the 18 year old son of Bertha Ann Shackford and Joseph Waldo Hicks who contracted pneumonia aboard the battleship Maine and died a few weeks later on June 23, 1917 at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital in New York.

We Begin to Realize

A feeling of gloom was cast over the
town this week when the body of Hills-
boro’s first contribution to the terrible
conflict we are now engaged in, came
home, Lester Harlow Hicks, son of
Joseph W. and Bertha A. Hicks.
Young Hicks was born in Westford,
Vt., March 28, 1899, and came to town
six years ago with his parents.
He enlisted April 7, in the Navy and
was sent to Newport, R. I. and from
there put on the battleship Maine
where he contracted pneumonia, and
was sent to the Brooklyn naval hospt-
al and Bright’s disease developed. He
was sick ten of the twelve weeks he
was away and died Saturday.
The body arrived here by express
Monday night in a heavy mahogany
metallic casket provided by the Naval
department, and was taken to the
home of his parents on Water street.
The funeral was held Tuesday at 2:30
from the Methodist church, both Rev.
Mr. Buckler and Rev Mr. Beal officiat-
ing. Members of the local guards
acted as escort with the boys who
have enlisted, but as yet have not been
called into service.
The bearers were Dennis Bowie of
Hillsboro, Co. H, National Guards,
Arthur Gruenler of Hillsboro, Co. M.
Harry Sanborn and Fred Merrill of
Newport, both of Co. M. George
Boynton sang two selections, “No
Night in Heaven” and Lead Kindly
Light,” The G. A. R., W. R. C. S.,
of V, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and
a delegation from the Deborah club
attended the service and the church
was crowded with sympathizing
friends.
There was a profusion of beautiful
flowers from relatives and friends.
The services were impressive and
brought tears to many eyes.
In the casket with the body was a
handsom silk flag sent by Harold Ab-
bott, now of the the battleship, Illi-
nois Abbott and Hicks left town
the same day for enlistment and ex-
pected to be assigned to the same ship,
but were separated when their assign-
ments were given out.
Young Hicks, though not a rugged
looking boy, got by and was accepted
where many of his acquaintances failed
to pass. He offered himself willingly
and entered the service full of enthus-
iasm and expected to be in the service
with young Abbott
While the grim horrors of a naval
battle are not associated with the end-
ing of this young manhood, neverthe-
less he has given his life to the service
and has done all that any man can do.
The sincere sympathy of the entire
community goes out to the father,
mother, sisters, and grandmother in
this hour of their sad affliction. The
body was taken to Canaan Wednesday
for burial.

SOURCES:

1900 United States Federal Census, Grafton County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Canaan Town, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 53, Sheet No 14 (A79), Elma Shackford; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 8 February 2014).

1910 United States Federal Census, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Plainfield, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 319, Sheet No 10A, Rollo Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 March 2014).

New Hampshire “New Hampshire Deaths and Burials, 1784-1949,,” index, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 19 March 2017), Lester H Hicks

“We Begin to Realize,” Hillsborough Messenger (Hillsboro, N. H.), 28 June 1917; digital images, (http://fuller.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 19 March 2017).

Sunday’s Obituary – Bertha Ann (Shackford) Hicks (1882-1943), Gold Star Mother (Blog 419)

March 20, 2017March 27, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 2 Comments

Bertha Ann Shackford, the daughter of Norman H and Emma Elmira (Hodgman) Shackford was born June 27, 1882 or June 27, 1882 in Danbury, New Hampshire – her birth record states the year 1882 but her death record and obituary list the years as 1883. Although the birth record would normally be our primary source, she has a sibling with a birth date of Nov 3, 1881 which would make it difficult to believe the 1882 year as they would have been six months apart.

Although Bertha’s marriage record states she was 18 when he married Joseph Waldo Hicks on December 10, 1897, in Milton, Vermont we believe she was only 16 or possibly 15 based on her birth record. The marriage record states Joseph was 21 but he was still 20.

Sometime after their marriage, the young couple moved into Bertha’s mother’s home in Canaan, NH where we find them in 1900 with son Lester H Hicks. In 1910 they were still living in Canaan with two new children – Venessa and Bessie – son Lester is living with Bertha’s sister Esther W Chambers. The 1911 census lists four children living but we can only account for these three.

Bertha’s son Lester joined the Navy and sadly died of influenza in Brooklyn, New York at the age of 18 on June 23, 1917. He was a seaman, second class. It must have been horrible to have received the news of her son’s death at such a young age.

Bertha shows up in the 1920, 1930, 1940 census records in Hillsboro, New Hampshire with her husband Joseph who was working as a carpenter for the railroad, a construction foreman , and an assistant supervisor of the steam railroad.

Bertha died on August 13, 1943 in Hillsboro due to cardiac failure and was buried in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan, New Hampshire. We learn more about her from her obituary. Also if you have access to Ancestry, many pictures of Bertha and her family are posted there.

Funeral Service

For Mrs. Bessie

M. Hicks

Mrs. Bertha M. Hicks passed away
in her sleep at her home in Lower
Village Aug. 13 after a long period
of ill health. A good neighbor, kind
friend and wonderful homemaker
she will be greatly missed.
Mrs. Hicks was born in Danbury,
Jan. 27, 1883, daughter of Norman
and Emma (Hodgdon) Shackford.
She was a Gold Star Mother and
member of the American Legion
Auxiliary of Plymouth.
Survivors are her husband, Jos-
eph Hicks, two daughters, Mrs Earl
Beard and Mrs. Clarence Davis of
Hillsboro; two sisters, Mrs. Esther
Chambers of Springfield, Vt., and
Mrs. Stella Whaley of Richford,
Vt., also three grandchildren, one
great grandchild and several
nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held at the
home Sunday afternoon with Rev.
Frank A. M. Coad officiating cler-
gyman; Bernice Coad sang “Some
Day We’ll Understand.” A delega-
tion from the Gleason Young Post,
American Legion, attended.
Bearers were Earl Beard, Elton
Kemp, Walter Carter, Morris White,
Francis Beard and Leon Kemp.
Burial was in Wells cemetery
Canaan, under the direction of
Fred H. Matthews, funeral director,
with committal prayers by Rev.
Coad.
Attending from out of town were
Mr. and Mrs. Harlon Hicks, Mrs
Archie Spaulding, Essex Junction,
Vt’ Mr. and Mrs Lester Gardner,
Springfield, Vt.’ Mrs Alfred Walk-
er, Ludlow, Vt., and Mr. and Mrs.
Brce Chapman, Henniker.

CHILDREN:

Lester Harlow Hicks (1899-1917) – Seaman, second class, died of pneumonia in Brooklyn, NY

Vanessa Estella Hicks (1900-1991) – married Cedric Earl Beard, lived in Hillsboro, NH

Bertha Ardella Hicks (1902-????) – married Clarence Harvey Davis,

Bessie E Hicks (1904-1911) – died of Leucemia [sic]

SOURCES:

1920 United States Federal Census, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Hillsborough, enumeration district (ED) 76, Sheet No 12, Dwelling 300, family 327, Joseph W Hicks; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://familysearch.org : accessed 19 March 2017).

1930 United States Federal Census, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Hillsborough, enumeration district (ED) 6-56, Sheet No 12, 143 Calef Road, dwelling 235, family 248, Joseph W Hicks; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://familysearch.org : accessed 19 March 2017).

1940 United States Federal Census, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Hillsborough, enumeration district (ED) 6-20, Sheet No 4A, home visited – 79, value 2500, Joseph Hicks; digital images, FamilySearch.org (http://familysearch.org : accessed 19 March 2017).

“Funeral Service For Mrs. Bessie M. Hicks,” Hillsborough Messenger (Hillsboro, N. H.), 19 August 1943; digital images, (http://fuller.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 24 February 2017).

New Hampshire, New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900, , Bertha Shackford, 27 June 1882; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 8 February 2014).

New Hampshire, Death and Disinterment Records, 1754-1947, , Bertha Ann Hicks, 13 August 1943; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 March 2017); New England Historical Genealogical Society. Citing New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records, Concord, New Hampshire.

Vermont, Vermont Vital Records, 1760-2008, Image 2473, page 181, Shackford, Bertha m. Joseph W Hicks, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XFH1-KM2, 10 December 1887; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 29 April 2013).

Charles W M Shackford’s Songs, an 1895 Article from the Indianapolis Journal (Blog 418)

March 17, 2017March 17, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ Leave a comment

We found this article while looking through Indianapolis newspapers for references of Shackfords. We’ve written previously about Charles Shackford but appreciate an 1895 newspaper article that describes his singing and writing skills. Also this is the first time we’ve heard about Charles’ poetry skills. We’ll see if we can find a good copy of Love You More and More and Sunlight in the Shadows to share – we know we haven’t found any sheet music for Granpa’s Story yet but will keep looking. Also this article is the first reference to My Star My Queen which we’ll add to our listing all of Charles’ music.

Charles Shackford's Songs., Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 8 August 1895 There has been a musical genius at Wild-
wood ever since the summer opera company
came to Indianapolis and the people are
just beginning to find it out. It is the lead-
ing baritone, Mr. Charles Shackford, who
was almost unable to sing for the first two
weeks on account of a severe cold con-
tracted in Peoria. Since Mr. Shackford got
rid of his throat trouble he has been ad-
vancing rapidly in the favor of those who
can appreciate a good voice. Mr. Shackford
is both a song writer and a poet of no
mean ability, although he never likes to
have the poet business spoken of in his
presence. He has written a number of songs
that are selling rapidly and, in fact, he
might retire from the operatic business and
live on his royalties were it not
for the fact that he has been in
it for so long that he is at home no-
where except behind the footlights. Dur-
ing the week of “Mascot” at Wildwood he
sang his latest song for the first time on
any stage, and it promises to become a
rage. It is a simple little ballad called ”
Love You More and More,” and nearly 300
copies have already been sold in Indianpo-
lis. Mr. Shackford’s most famous song is
“My Star, My Queen,” which he never sings
except as a serenade in “Fra Daivolo.” It
was his first song and has always been in
manuscript until his coming to In-
dianapolis, when he finally yielded to the
eloquence of his publishers and gave it to
the world. Had the present company con-
tined here until next week Mr. Shackford
would have sung the serenade. Two of his
best-known outside of the ones mentioned
are “Sunlight and Shadows.” and “Grand-
pa’s Story,” the latter having a very pretty
refrain in waltz time.

SOURCES:

“Charles Shackford’s Songs.,” Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 8 August 1895; digital, Hoosier State Chronicles (newspapers.library.in.gov : accessed 26 August 2016).

Treasure Chest Thursday – Jonathan Shackford’s 1895 Probate Records Show His Estate Valued at $2,000 (Blog 417)

March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 1 Comment

We found this announcement in the Derry newspaper announcing that Franklin P Shackford had been appointed as the Administrator of his father’s estate:

Probate Notice NOTICE, The Derry News (Derry, New Hampshire), 6 September 1895 — The Derry News, 6 Sep 1895

The subscriber gives action that he has
been duly appointed Administrator of the
estate of
JONATHAN SHACKFORD, late of Chester,
in the county of Rockingham, deceased.
All persons indebted to said estate are requested
to make payment, and all having claims to present
them for adjustment.
FRANKLIN P. SHACKFORD
Dated Chester August 25th 1895

This led us hunt in the the New Hampshire County Probate records where we found that Jonathan had not left a will and that his wife Harriet (Farnum) had asked the court to approve Jonathan’s son Franklin as the administrator – this document also showed that Franklin, his mother, and his sister had posted a $2,000 bond.

Further research led us to the Docket documents showing that Jonathan’s real estate was valued at $1986 and his personal property was valued at $178.45.

Jonathan Shackford Probate Records Rockingham County Page 549
Jonathan Shackford, Chester, Adm, at
Raymond, Aug. 20-95. Franklin P. Shack-
ford, of Chester, Admin B. $2,000. Harriet
Shackford and Olive A Symms
Sure
Invy Sept 10-95. Real $1986. Pers. $178.45
Lic Pers at Portsmouth Sept 10-95

We haven’t found the documents showing distribution of the estate.

SOURCES:

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, County Probate Records, 1660-1973, Jonathan Shackford; digital images, FamilySearch, http://www.familysearch.org (: accessed 16 March 2017); Rockingham>Probate records 1893-1900 vol 196-199>Page 442>Image 593 of 946..

“NOTICE,” The Derry News (Derry, New Hampshire), 6 September 1895; digital images, Derry Public Library (http://derry.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 24 February 2017).

Mystery Monday – Why Was Samuel Quimby Shackford Suing Ship Hermann in California in 1850? (Blog 416)

March 14, 2017February 10, 2020 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ Leave a comment

Samuel Quimby Shackford, the eighth child of Samuel and Hannah (Currier) Shackford was born in Chester, New Hampshire September 25, 1822. When he was 19 years old, his father died and left everything to his mother Hannah and his brother Jonathan. Samuel Q and his siblings received $1 as a token of remembrances. On January 7, 1843, his brother, Richard Shackford of Boston assumed his guardianship. Seven years later, on January 31, 1849, Samuel and two of his brothers John and Luther headed to California aboard the Steamer Corsair.

Sometime thereafter Samuel filed a lawsuit against Ship Hermann and Owners. This is all we know about the lawsuit:

Samuel Q Shackford vs Ship Hermann DISTRICT COURT, Daily Alta California (San Francisco, California), 14 August 1850 — Daily Alta California, Aug 14, 1850

DISTRICT COURT-Judge Parsons – Samuel Q Shackford vs Ship Hermann and Owners. – This was a motion to set aside writ of attachment. Motion argued and overruled.

Unfortunately Samuel died in Sacramento, California on Oct 9, 1850, 45 days after filing the lawsuit – he was only 28 years old. Someday we hope to learn more about why Samuel sued the Ship Hermann

SOURCES:

“California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000,” database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 February 2020), Samuel L Shackford, d 19 Oct 1850.

Chase John Carroll, History of Chester New Hampshire Including Auburn A Supplement to the History of Old Chester Published in 1869 (Derry, New Hampshire: John Carroll Chase, 1926), page 357-358; digital image, Archive.org (https://archive.org : accessed 27 December 2016.

“DISTRICT COURT,” Daily Alta California (San Francisco, California), 14 August 1850; digital images, California Digital Newspaper Collection (https://cdnc.ucr.edu : accessed 11 March 2017).

Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 5 April 2015), Samuel L Find A Grave Memorial# 140723334.

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Birth Records, 1659-1900, , Samuel Quimby Shackford, 25 September 1822; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 July 2013); “New Hampshire, Birth Records, through 1900.” Online index and digital images. New England Historical Genealogical Society. Citing New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records, Concord, New Hampshire.

“Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers,” index, American Ancestors (www.americanancestors.org : accessed 10 February 2020), Samuel Q Shackford Guardianship.

Updated 2020 to include reference to Samuel Q’s guardianship and a source regarding his death.

Sunday’s Obituary – Harriet N (Farnum) Shackford of Chester, NH (1823-1904) (Blog 415)

March 13, 2017March 13, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 2 Comments

We’re pretty certain that Harriet Farnum Shackford was the daughter of John and Olive Farnum and that she was born in Manchester, NH on Oct 20, 1823. Our only hesitation was finding her obituary listing her maiden name as Varnum but we believe this is a typo. We believe we’ve found her in the Chester census in 1850 at age 28 living with parents John and Olive and 12 year old Elisabeth Vinson but know little of her heritage.

Our only source of Harriet’s marriage is John Carroll Chase’s book History of Chester New Hampshire Including Auburn A Supplement to the History of Old Chester Published in 1869 which states that Jonathan Shackford married in 1853 Harriet N Farnham. We then find her and Jonathan and their children in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 census. She probably had a tough life as the wife of a farmer in Chester, NH in the mid 1850 – 1880s but it may have been eased by her husband’s inheritance of the family homestead farm along with other neighboring property.

Harriet’s husband Jonathan died on August 4, 1895 in Chester and she followed her son-in-law George Symmes and her daughter Olive A to Canada where we find the family in 1901. Olive died in Quebec in 1903 and Harriet returned to Kingston, New Hampshire where she died on January 3, 1904. The cause of death was listed as senile, fall & injury to the neck.

Her obituary is shown below – we think it has a few typing errors – her maiden name is listed as Varnum and her son-in-law’s last name is misspelled Simms.

obituary-harriet-farnham-varnum-shackford-the-derry-news-derry-new-hampshire-8-january-1904 — The Derry News, 8 Jan 1904

Harriet (Varnum) Shackford, widow of
the late Jonathan Shackford, died Sunday at
the home of her son-in-law, George Simms in
Kingston, at the age of 81 years and 3 months.
Her remains were brought here Tuesday and
placed in the receiving tomb to await internment
in the Village cemetery. After the death of
her husband several years ago she went to
Canada to live with her daughter Mrs Olive
Simms, and since her death about one year
ago has made her home with her son-in-law in
Kingston. Of her immediate family she is
survived by one son, Franklin P. Shackford.

Harriet’s will which was dated Dec 12, 1903 left $1.00 to her son Franklin Pierce Shackford and the remainder to her son-in-law, George W Symmes. Based on Harriet’s cause of death which was listed as senile, we wonder if the will was contested.

CHILDREN:

Franklin Pierce Shackford (1854-1926) – married Helen A Lewis, lived in Derry, NH and worked as a mason.

Samuel Q Shackford (1855-1868) – died at the young age of 8, buried in Chester, NH

Harriet E Shackford (1857-1876) – died at the young age of 18, buried in Chester, NH

Olive A Shackford (1859-1903) – married George W Symmes of Canada, lived in Manchester, then Canada where she died of valvular heart disease at the age of 43

SOURCES:

1850 United States Federal Census, Rockingham, New Hampshire, population schedule, Chester, Page 646 (penned), dwelling 594, family 645, John Farnum; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 12 March 2017).

1860 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Chester, Page No 23, dwelling 188, family 195, Jonathan Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2015).

1870 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Chester, Page No 7, dwelling 53, family 56, Jonathan Shackford; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 May 2015).

1880 United States Federal Census, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Chester, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 200, Page No 9, dwelling 93, family 97, Jonathan Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 May 2015).

“Canada Census 1901,”, database, FamilySearch (www.FamilySearch.org : accessed 21 May 2015), George Symms

“Harriet (Varnum) Shackford,” The Derry News (Derry, New Hampshire), 8 January 1904; digital images, Derry Public Library (http://derry.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 24 February 2017).

New Hampshire, County Probate Estate Files, Samuel Shackford; “New Hampshire, County Probate Estate Files, 1769-1936,” digital images, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 8 July 2013); Rockingham County Case No 14275, Will found in Image 512 of 1140

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Death Records 1654-1947, , Harriet N. Shackford, 3 January 1904; digital images, FamilySearch, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947 (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 26 May 2014).

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, Death Records 1654-1947, , Jonathan Shackford, 4 August 1895; digital images, FamilySearch, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947 (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 May 2014).

New Hampshire, New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FSVP-QBX, Franklin P Shackford, 5 July 1926; index and digital images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ : accessed 20 May 2013).

“New Hampshire, Wills and Probate Records, 1643-1982,” digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2017), Harriet N Shackford.

Quebec, Canada, Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967, , Olave A Shackford wife of George W Symms, ; digital images, Ancestry.ca (http://ancestry.ca : accessed 27 January 2014).

Military Monday – Seth Ring Shackford – Died in the Battle of Saratoga October 7, 1777, age 23 – Honored at Saratoga National Historical Park Memorial Day 2016 (Blog 414)

March 7, 2017June 20, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ 2 Comments

When we arrived at Saratoga National Historical Park on June 7, 2016 to learn about Seth Ring Shackford and the Battle of Saratoga, Park historian Eric was in the midst of an excellent presentation to a school group totally engaging a group of sixth graders about life in the Revolutionary Army. He provided an outstanding description of the background, battles, and outcomes of the Battle of Saratoga at a level perfect for the young school children, adults with little background of the battle (myself), and those with a background of the battle (my husband).

When Eric was finished we asked him about Seth Shackford and learned that Seth had just been honored at the park on Memorial Day along with the other many soldiers of the 3^rd New Hampshire who died fighting at the Battle of Saratoga. He also showed us a map on the area outlining the places where Seth had most likely been camped and where he most likely fought on September 19^th, and where he had been on the battlefield when he died. We were pleased to be able to share Seth’s birth date and our source for that information with Eric.

Seth Ring Shackford was the fourth son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ring) Shackford born Sept 22, 1754 in Newington, New Hampshire[1]. He most likely was very aware of the political climate of the time as his father who had been serving as Selectman, Town Moderator, and had been one of the parties responsible to ensure members of his community signed the Declaration by the Inhabitants of New Hampshire on April 12, 1776[2].

Seth served in many military units – the first record we found is his service under Captain David Copps unit which went to Winter Hill in Somerville, Massachusetts in December 1775[3]. On July 28, 1776 he mustered in Col Wingate’s Regiment[4] . His name then appears on a payroll for the same unit headed to Ticonderoga. In January 1777 we find him with Captain Richard Wear’s Company commanded by Colonel Scammel.

On April 1, 1777 Seth enlisted under Capt Isaac Frye. He’s listed in the US Revolutionary War Rolls on 15 Jun 1777[5] and showing as under Captain Wear’s Company on September 1 1777. That same document lists him as a sergeant and states “ killed October 7, 1777”[6][7]. Some references list Seth as a private when he died, and others as a sergeant – none of the documents remind us that he had just turned 23 years old about three weeks before he died.

On October 17, 1777, ten days after Seth’s death, the British under General Burgoyne, surrendered to the American Colonists led by General Gates. This victory is seen by historians as the “Turning Point of the American Revolution.”

We assume that Seth was one of the many soldiers who were buried on the battlefield. While driving through along the excellent driving tour through the park we listened the mobile web app and read the well done interpretive stations. Along this driving route we found this special memorial honoring the many soldiers who died in the Battles of Saratoga.

Memorial at Saratoga Springs Historical Park Unknown Soldier whole monument photo by Joanne Parkes.jpg — The Unknown American Soldiers photo Joanne Shackford Parkes

THE UNKNOWN AMERICAN SOLDIERS

WHO PERISHED IN THE BATTLES OF
SARATOGA
SEPTEMBER – 19 AND OCTOBER 7 – 1777

AND WERE HERE BURIED IN UNMARKED
GRAVES
HELPED TO ASSURE THE TRIUMP OF THE
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
TO CREATE THE REPUBLIC OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO ESTABLISH LIBERTY THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD
IN HONOR OF THESE PATRIOTS
AND IN RECOGNITION OF THE
BICENTENNIAL OF THE BIRTH OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON
THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED
BY THE
DAUGHERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
OF NEW YORK STATE
1951

There also was a separate memorial placed in honor of the New Hampshire Men who fought in these decisive battles.

SOURCES:

[1] Hardon Henry W, Newington, New Hampshire Families in the Eighteenth Century (Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc, 1991), page 168

[2] American Archives Documents of the American Revolution (http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/ : accessed 14 May 2014), Signers in Newington.

[3] Fitts James Hill, Rev. and Edited and Arranged by Rev. N. F. Carter, History of Newfields New Hampshire 1638-1911 (Concord, N. H.: 1912), page 263; digital images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 16 February 2014.

[4] Muster Roll for the Company in Col Wingate’s Regiment.

[5] “U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783,” digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 June 2016), Seth R Shackford.

[6] McClintock John Norris, Colony Province State 1623-1888 History of New Hampshire (Boston: B. B Russell, Cornhill, 1888), page 389; digital images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 16 February 2014

[7] Metcalf Henry H, Editor and Manager, The Granite Monthly A New Hampshire Magazine Devoted to History, Biography, Literature and State Progress. (Vol. VLI, No 7, July 1909, New Series, Vol 4, No 7) (Dover, N. H.: H. H. Metcalf, Publisher, n.d.), page 231, Volume One 1877-8; digital images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 16 February 2014; New Hampshire at Saratoga.

Sunday’s Obituary – Amelia (Blow) Shackford (1861-1939) (Blog 413)

March 6, 2017March 6, 2017 ~ Joanne Shackford Parkes ~ Leave a comment

obituary-amelia-blow-shackford-amelia-shackford-nashua-telegraph-nashua-new-hampshire-19-january-1939 — Nashua Telegraph, Jan 19, 1939

Mrs Amelia Shackford, widow of
Charles W. Shackford and a former
well known resident of this city
died at her home 3081 30th st in
Astoria, Long Island, N. Y. Tuesday
Jan 17.
She was born in Scotia, N Y a
daughter of the late Mr and Mrs
Antonie Blow. Mrs Shackford had
been a resident of Long Island for
many years and her friends resid-
ing in this city will earn of her
death with sorrow.
She is survived by one niece,
Mrs Eva Fields, and one nephew
Oscar W. Leazotte, both of Nashua.

Interestingly, Amelia had a living daughter when her obituary was written – Myrtle Belle (Shackford) (Keith) McDevitt. We don’t know why she wasn’t mentioned in this obituary but a second article about the funeral states that her body was accompanied to Nashu accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law with whom she had been living for many years. We do believe that the niece and nephew mentioned were the children of her sister Delphine (Blow) Leazott.

Amelia who later went by Millie was born in May 1861 in Scotia New York to Antonio and Olive Blow or Blowe or Blau of Canada – we’re still trying to learn more about her parents. We find her and her sister Delphine with their father in Nashua in the 1870 census.

She married Charles Wilbur Shackford in Nashua in 1879 and in 1880 was living with Charles’ older brother Henry. She a. nd Charles then moved to New York where he became very involved in the mill industries until he died of a heart attack in 1912. In 1925 we find her living with her son-in-law William McDevitt and her daughter in Long Island and in Queens in 1930. Amelia died on Jan 17, 1939 and is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashua, New Hampshire along side her husband and all three of her children.

CHILDREN:

Myrtle Belle Shackford (1881-1963) – married Charles Otis Keith, William McDevitt, and Willard Howard Parker

Charles Lester Shackford (1882-1884) – born in Nashua, died in Manhattan

Lawrence Baustt Shackford (1886-1889) born in New Hampshire, died in Manhattan

SOURCES:

1880 United States Federal Census, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, population schedule, Nashua Ward 8, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District 151, Page 19, Supervisor’s Districe 87,, Charles W Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 May 2013).

1900 United States Federal Census, Kings County, New York, population schedule, City of New York, Borough of Brooklyn, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 261, Sheet No 7 (B), dwelling 63, family 144, Charles W Shackford; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 January 2014).

1925 New York State Census, New York County, New York, population schedule, Long Island, Queens, enumeration district (ED) Block No 2, Election District No 31,, Page No 17, family 500, Wm E McDevitt; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 June 2015).

1930 United States Federal Census, Queens County, New York, population schedule, First Assembly District, New York City, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 41-32, Sheet No 1B, dwelling 23, family 24, William McDevitt; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 November 2015).

“AMELIA SHACKFORD,” Nashua Telegraph (Nashua, New Hampshire), 19 January 1939; digital images, Nashua Public Library (http://nashua.advantage-preservation.com : accessed 24 February 2017).

Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 October 2016), Millie Blow Shackford, Find A Grave Memorial# 170886610.

SHACKFORD Family History

Sharing Our Discoveries of the Descendants of William Shackford (abt 1640-1720)

Month: March 2017

Sunday’s Obituary – Bessie E Hicks, young daughter of Bertha Ann Shackford (Blog 422)

Wedding Wednesday – Miss Elsie M Shackford’s 1923 Derry, NH Wedding to Benjamin S Hoisington (Blog 421)

Military Monday- Lester Harlow Hicks, the son of Bertha Ann Shackford, was Hillsboro NH’s First WWI Death (Blog 420)

Sunday’s Obituary – Bertha Ann (Shackford) Hicks (1882-1943), Gold Star Mother (Blog 419)

Charles W M Shackford’s Songs, an 1895 Article from the Indianapolis Journal (Blog 418)

Treasure Chest Thursday – Jonathan Shackford’s 1895 Probate Records Show His Estate Valued at $2,000 (Blog 417)

Mystery Monday – Why Was Samuel Quimby Shackford Suing Ship Hermann in California in 1850? (Blog 416)

Sunday’s Obituary – Harriet N (Farnum) Shackford of Chester, NH (1823-1904) (Blog 415)

Military Monday – Seth Ring Shackford – Died in the Battle of Saratoga October 7, 1777, age 23 – Honored at Saratoga National Historical Park Memorial Day 2016 (Blog 414)

Sunday’s Obituary – Amelia (Blow) Shackford (1861-1939) (Blog 413)