Mercy Rose, the daughter of Eber and Elizabeth (Green) Rose and my third great grandmother was born on January 24, 1795 in Newburyport. She was their second daughter named Mercy – the first Mercy was born in 1792 and died in 1793.
Mercy was 17 when she married William Shackford, son of Levi and Tampson (Greenleaf) Shackford. They had ten children, nine living ranging in ages from 1 to 19 when William, a mason, died of pleurisy on May 15, 1831. We don’t know how Mercy supported her large family after William died — this may be why on January 18, 1834, she married Joseph Newell who was thirty years her senior. In 1850 Joseph, age 84 was head of household with Mercy and children Abner and Emeline in the home but by 1855 Mercy was living in her son Abner’s home with son Thomas. Joseph died shortly thereafter in Boston at the age of 89 of old age in Brookline, Massachusetts on October 31, 1856.
After Joseph’s death, Mercy lived with her son-in-law Edward Cushing and her daughter Louise in Weymouth. In 1865 she was living with her son-in-law Joel Whittemore and daughter Caroline along with son Abner.
Gravestone Image Taken by Jacki who Graciously Gave Her Permission to Share in this Blog
Mercy died on March 21, 1875 of old age at the age of 80 in Brookline and is buried near her son Thomas in Weymouth, Massachusetts with a gravestone which states “OUR MOTHER”. We haven’t found an obituary for Mercy yet — we are honoring her life with this blog.
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:
1850 United States Federal Census, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Boston, Ward 10, no page number, dwelling 783 family 1214; digital images, FamilySearch(http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 March 2014).
1855 Massachusetts State Census, Suffolk County, population schedule, Boston, Ward 10, page 30 (penned), dwelling 180, family 210, Abner Shackford; digital images, Family Search(http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 October 2013).
1860 United States Federal Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Weymouth, page 65-2?, dwelling 1424, family 1645, Edward Cushing; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 July 2014).
1865 Massachusetts Census, Suffolk County, population census, Boston, Ward 11, Page 23-19, dwelling 2200, family 3434, Joel Whitteman; digital images, FamilySearch(http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 March 2014).
Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 July 2017), Mercy Rose Shackford, Find A Grave Memorial# 94226790.
“Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910,” database, FamilySearch(http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 19 July 2017), Joseph Newell.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , Marcy Rose, 24 January 1795; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2018); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, p. 427, NEWBURYPORT MARRIAGES William, and Mercy Rose, Mar. 19, 1812, ; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 July 2013); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , William Shackford, 15 May 1831; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2018); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , Joseph Newell m Mercy Shackford, 18 January 1834; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 July 2017); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records.
Copyright 2018 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)
Thomas Shackford, the son of William and Mercy (Rose) Shackford, my second great uncle was born on October 30, 1815 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Thomas was a very successful deaf-mute who received his early education at the American Asylum in Hartford, worked as a carpenter and became chairman and later treasurer of the Association of Deaf-Mutes. He was working on a petition for state funding when he died on his way home in Brookline on January 29, 1874 in Boston due to heart disease.His last rites were held at his sister’s home (Caroline L Palmer) and he was buried in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Most likely the law required Thomas’ sister Caroline to first obtain permission from her husband, Charles L Palmer in order to be the administrator of her brother’s estate which is why a copy of this letter of permission was filed in Thomas’ probate records.
I, Charles L Palmer, husband of Caroline E Palmer, hereby assent to the appointment of my said wife as administratrix of the estate of Thomas Shackford late of Brookline, Massachusetts, deceased.
Brookline, Feby 10th 1874
Charles E Palmer
The other treasure we find in the probate record is this listing of Thomas’ living siblings. My second great grandfather, William Brown Shackford was not included as he had died in 1866 but the listing includes my third great grandmother Mercy (Rose) (Shackford) Newell.
16396:4
To the Honorable the Judge of the Probate Court in and for the Country of
Norfolk:
Respectfully represents Caroline E Palmer, married woman
of Brookline in the County of Norfolk that Thomas Shackford who last dwelt in Brookline in said County of Norfolk, died on the twenty ninth day of January in the year of our Lord, died on the twenty ninth administered, leaving no widow, whose name is and as his only next of kin, the persons whose names, residence, and relationship to the deceasedare as follows, viz:
Mary Newell, of said Brookline, mother of deceased [Mercy (Rose) Shackford married Joseph Newell after the death of her husband William Shackford in 1831, jsp]
Louisa Cushing, of Wymouth, Mass, sister of deceased [Louisa married Edward Cushing, tsp]
Emeline Cushing, of Weymouth, ” sister ” ” [Emeline married Peter Cushing — I have a DNA match with one of these descendants, jsp]
Caroline E. Palmer “sister ” ” [Caroline married Charles Lewis Palmer, Lebbeus H Varney, and Joel Whittemore, jsp]
That your petitioner is entitled, as next of heirs of said deceased, to take such administration, and that the deceased, leaves no debts.
Wherefore your petitioner prays that she may be appointed Administratix of the estate of said deceased.
Dated this tenth day of February A.D. 1874.
Caroline E. Palmer
The undersigned, being all the parties interested in the foregoing Petition, desire the same may be granted, without further notice.
Mercy Newell
Louise Cushing
Abner R. Shackford
Emeline Cushing
Caroline E Palmer
Unfortunately the records that are available at this time don’t let us know what was included in Thomas’ estate.
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:
“Norfolk County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1793-1877,” database with images, New England Historical Genealogical Society(https://www.americanancestors.org : accessed 2 May 2018), Thomas Shackford; Norfolk Cases, Case 16396:1.
Copyright 2018 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)
Thomas Shackford, the son of William and Mercy (Rose) Shackford was born on October 30, 1815 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He received his education at the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford, Connecticut and was identified as deaf & dumb in the 1850 census where he is shown as working in Nashville, New Hampshire.
By 1854 he was living in Dorchester, Massachusetts where he was elected Chairman of the Boston Society of Deaf Mutes and in 1855 he was living with his brother Abner R and his mother Mercy (Rose) (Shackford) Newell in the same dwelling as his brother William B Shackford.
Thomas remained active in deaf-mute organizations becoming Treasurer of the Deaf-Mutes of Boston in 1872 and presenting a petition to the Massachusetts Senate on behalf of the Deaf-Mute Organization.
Thomas fell down dead on the sidewalk on his to his home in Brookline on January 29, 1874 in Boston. The cause of death was heart disease. His last rites were held at his sister’s home (Caroline L Palmer) and he was buried in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The Boston Deaf Mute Library Association honored him with this beautiful tribute:
Boston Daily Globe, 7 Feb 1874
Thomas Shackford
Resolutions by the Boston Deaf Mute Library
Association
The following resolutions have been passed
by the Boston Deaf Mute Library Association, realtive to the death of Mr. Thomas Shackford, late
their esteemed Treasurer:
Resolved, That in his death “The Boston Deaf
Mute Library Association” has occasion to mourn
the loss of a beloved member, a faithful officer and
a sincere friend.
Resolved, That we remember with gratitude his
many kindly acts, and while we shall miss from
amongst us his cheerful and winning face, we shall
ever cherish his memory, as one who, while here, did
what he could to serve the cause of humanity.
Resolved, That we heartily sympathize with his
widowed mother and other relatives in their loss, and
commend them all to the care of Him who doeth all
things well.
Resolved, that the charter of the association be
draped in mourning for the space of three months.
Resolved That these resolutions be published in
the Boston daily papers, in the Advance and the
Silent World, and a copy be sent to the mother of
the deceased.
Thomas was my second great granduncle.
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:
1850 United States Federal Census, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Town of Nashville, page 399 (penned), 200 (stamped), dwelling ???, family 147, Josiah Knowles; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 23 October 2013).
1855 Massachusetts State Census, Suffolk County, population schedule, Boston, Ward 10, page 30 (penned), dwelling 180, family 210, Abner Shackford; digital images, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 October 2013).
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The Journal of the Senate for the Year 1874 (Boston: Wright & Potter, n.d.), page 61; 1874, HathiTrust (http://babel.hathitrust.org : accessed 3 August 2014.
Fourteenth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum, at Hartford for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, Exhibited to the Asylum, May 8, 1830 (Hartford: Hudson and Skinner, 1830), page 4; digital images, Hathi Trust (http://babel.hathitrust.org : accessed 3 August 2014.
“Letter from Abner R Shackford to Samuel Shackford,” (25 November 1888); folder: “Research on Shackford family genealogy, 1988.325.1,” Research on Shackford family genealogy; Winnetka Historical Society, Winnetka Illinois.
Massachusetts “Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915,” database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 March 2014), Thomas Shackford b Oct 1814.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915, DEATHS REGISTERED in the Town of Brookline for the Year eighteen hundred and seventy-four, page 230, Thomas Shackford, death, 29 January 1874; digital images, Family Search (http://familysearch.org : accessed 10 August 2013).
N. E. Gallaudet Association of Deaf Mutes, The Proceedings of the Constitutional Committee, Convened at Henniker, New Hampshire, January 4, 1854 (Bradford, Vt: 1854), page 14, PROCEEDINGS of the MEETING of Deaf Mutes Held in Boston, on the Evening of March 9, 1854; digital images, Google Books (http://gaislandora.wrlc.org : accessed 21 July 2017.
“Organization of the Boston Deaf and Dumb Library and Lyceum Association,” Mexico Independent and Deaf-Mutes’ Journal (Mexico, New York), 14 November 1872; digital images, NYS Historic Newspapers (http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org : accessed 21 July 2017).
Copyright 2017 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)
US Department of Veteran’s Affairs – History of Veteran’s Day
We know of seventy seven SHACKFORD descendants of the immigrant William Shackford who served in the military. We’d love to hear about any details of the military service of these or other Shackford veterans who may be missing from this list. (Note: We do not write about living Shackfords unless they give permission or comment directly on the WEB page)
ABNER R SHACKFORD(1827-1900) – 11th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, Co K
ALONZO C SHACKFORD (1879-1947) – 23rd Infantry in China, 1916, WWI, Pvt 24th Infantry, Sgt QMC 328th, at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1920
BARTLETT CHAUNCY SHACKFORD (1895-1984) – Naval Reserve 1937, served Dec 17, 1941 to March 19, 1946 – gravestone says also served in WWI
CARY RICHARD SHACKFORD (1941-2017) – per his obituary, he was an US Army Veteran, discharged in 1965
CHARLES ALBERT SHACKFORD(1848-1903) – 61st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, survived Andersonville Prison Camp
CHARLES AUGUSTUS SHACKFORD(1922-2013) – son of Charles Augustus Shackford and Alice May Short enlisted at age 19 in Boston, Mass on June 27, 1942.
CHARLES FREDERICK SHACKFORD(1883-1965) – 2nd Lt, Fifteenth Regiment Infantry Regiment, commissioned July 22, 1919
CHARLES J SHACKFORD (1834-1894) – Sixth Regiment Infantry Co D, Lowell, April 7, 1857
CHARLES LEE SHACKFORD (1919-2006) – son of Charles Lee Shackford and Katherine Howard Gay enlisted on 31 August 1943 at age 24. He served in Europe in the 16th Armored Division, was transferred to the 1st Infantry Division, saw duty in Bamberg, Hammelburg and Deggendorf. He has living children.
CHAUNCEY SHACKFORD (1877-1964) – Spanish American War, Naval Aide under President Roosevelt, WWI Navy Cross Recipient, WWII, retired Naval Captain
HENRY FRANCIS SHACKFORD (1928-2006) – son of Henry David Shackford and Frances Riley enlisted at age 17 at Fort Banks, Boston, Massachusetts on Feb 7, 1946.
HIRAM SHACKFORD (1829-1892) – 1st Regiment, New Hampshire Heavy Artillery, Civil War
HORATIO H SHACKFORD (1834-1901) – 18th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry, Civil War
JAMES ATKINS SHACKFORD (1912-1957), son of John Walter Shackford and Love Branner Atkins enlisted at the age of 30 on January 17, 1942. From his obituary we know that he served as a chaplain and then as editor-in-chief in the Army’s Atlanta headquarters., WWII
JOANNE SHACKFORD PARKES (living) – served 26 years in the USAF retiring in 2006 as a LtCol. Served as a Medical Support Squadron Commander in Japan and Korea
JOHN SHACKFORD (abt 1678-1738) – Served in 1708 in Her Majesty’s Fort William and Mary in the Province of New Hampshire
JOHN SHACKFORD (abt 1698-1786) – Served in Expedition against the French Forts in 1755
JOHN SHACKFORD (1753-1840) – enlisted July 17, 1775. When John Shackford died in Eastport, Maine, the New York Spectator published his obituary stating that he was a “soldier of the revolution, accompanied Arnold in his expedition to Quebec”, and was taken prisoner in that city. It also said that his “discharge from the Army bore the signature of Washington and he treasured it as a precious relic.”
JOHN E SHACKFORD (1825-1873) – 3rd Regiment, Missouri Infantry, Civil War
JOHN TYLER SHACKFORD(1841-1910) – 44th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, Civil War
JOSEPH AARON SHACKFORD (1919-2003) – son of Jessie Elmer Shackford and Pauline Hurd. enlisted at age 22 in Manchester, New Hampshire on April 2, 1941., WWII
JOSIAH SHACKFORD(1747-1829) – Josiah served as a 3rd Lieutenant on the “Raleigh” in 1776.
LESLIE THEODORE SHACKFORD (1913-1968) – son of Edwin Augusta Shackford and Bessie Littlefield enlisted at age of 28 in Manchester, NH on Jan 27, 1942. WWII
LESTER BORDON SHACKFORD (1893-1971) – he enlisted May 27, 1919, per gravestone served as Hospital Sgt, US Army, WWI
LEVI SHACKFORD (1766-1833) – Kilby’s Eastport and Passamaquoddy: A Collection of Historical and Background Sketches states that Levi who was a brother of John, was wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill, however, we can not find any other documentation of this and based on Levi’s death record he was 67 when he died in 1833 and therefore would have been about eight years old when the battle of Bunker Hill occurred.
LOREN BROUGHTON SHACKFORD (1920-1984) – Enlisted May 27, 1942, served aboard the U.S.S. Salamonie
MOSES AUSTIN CARTLAND SHACKFORD (1873-1944) – served Aug 1900 at Fort Douglas, Utah
PAUL SHACKFORD(1702-1786) – A Miss Maria Louise Grouard references Paul Shackford in her Daughters of the American Revolution application stating that “Paul Shackford, who had served in the early wars, was a patriot of the Revolution. He was born in Portsmouth, N.H.; died in 1787 in Newburyport, Mass.” The Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War states that he was a Private in Capt Tobias Lord’s Co, marching Jan 29, 1776 and that he served for 9 months and 28 days defending the seacoast at Falmouth.
PAUL SHACKFORD (abt 1720-????) – served 1755-1760 in French-Indian War
PAUL SHACKFORD (abt 1750-abt 1840) -Appears with rank of Private on Muster and Pay Roll of Capt Tobias Lords York Co
RICHARD LEWIS SHACKFORD (1914-1974) – son of Irwin Lewis Shackford and Annette Mabel Parsons enlisted at age 27 in Springfield, Mass on August 7, 1942. WWII
RICHMOND IRVING SHACKFORD (1925-1997), son of Richmond I Shackford and Josephine E Severance enlisted at age 18 on January 13, 1944. WWII
ROBERT LEWELLYN SHACKFORD (1926-2010) – served about 1945 in Navy Seabees, also the USAF Reserves, WWII
ROBERT SMITH SHACKFORD (1916-2008) – son of Robert Smith Shackford and Carolyn Hildegard Payne enlisted at age 26 in Los Angeles, California on April 10, 1943, WWII
ROBERT WALTON SHACKFORD (1918-1987) – World War II Ace, a VF-2 F6F pilot, buried at Fort Rosencrans National Cemetery, San Diego
ROLAND ALFRED SHACKFORD (1901-1961) – enlisted Nov 9, 1919, stationed in Niedermendig, Germany
SAMUEL SHACKFORD (1728-1812) – Mrs Martha Shackford Meserve Jordan references Samuel Shackford in her Daughters of the American Revolution application stating that he served in the Burgoyne and Rhode Island Campaigns. Also John Shackford Meserve mentions that he served in Langdon’s New Hampshire Light Horse Volunteers. His service is also documented in the American Series of Popular Biographies. We also know that on April 12, 1776, he signed the Declaration by the Inhabitants of New Hampshire.
SAMUEL SHACKFORD (1761-1844) – Samuel Shackford of Sanford received a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War and is listed in the June 1, 1840 York County list of Pensioners where he is recorded as living with his son Christopher Shackford. His gravestone is visible at FindAGrave, Memorial# 41683165.
SAMUEL SHACKFORD (1840-1909) – 1st Regiment1840-19 California Calvary
SAMUEL ADAMS SHACKFORD (1810-1864) – Commissioned by Gov. Edward Everett brigade inspector, First Brigade, Fourth Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
SAMUEL BURNHAM SHACKFORD (1888-1949) – enlisted in Pennsylvania on May 18, 1917, WWI
SAMUEL GARLAND SHACKFORD(1818-1885) – 8th Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, Company G, Civil War
SETH RING SHACKFORD(1754-1777) – Private Seth Ring Shackford was killed in action at Saratoga on October 7, 1777. American Revolution
THOMAS LEON SHACKFORD (1892-1959) – enlisted in Marine Corp May 27, 1917, commissioned Dec 16, 1918, discharged about Jan 20, 1920, has living children
WALTER EMORY SHACKFORD (1847-1865) – 5th Regiment, Virginia Calvary. Mortally wounded April 1, 1865 at Five Forks, Virginia
WILLIAM SHACKFORD(abt 1641-1720) – soldier in the militia, called Captain, fought Indians at Breakfast Hill
WILLIAM SHACKFORD (1706-1773) – Invasion of Canda 1746, Capt at Fort Drumner 1750
WILLIAM SHACKFORD (1753-????) – Private Wm Shackford marched with Capt Moses Nowell (Newell?) from Newburyport, April 19, 1775 against the British troops. The Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War also documents that he served in Capt Ezra Lunt’s company, Col Moses Litttle’s regiment.
WILLIAM SHACKFORD (1830-1900) – Served 1864-1865 aboard USS Home, Nahant,
WILLIAM WALLACE SHACKFORD (1897-1973) – Georgia Sgt US Army World War I
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 (see individual articles):
Copyright 2018 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)
Back in January 2002 a very nice person from Oxnard, California posted a notice on one of the RootsWeb message boards that they had received unsolicited a marriage record for Peter Cushing and Emeline Shackford. I was stationed in Korea at the time but was regularly searching the message boards for Shackford and asked to see a copy of the record. I still have a copy of her wonderful e-mail dated January 6, 2002 where she shared what is most likely a summary of the marriage record we can now can see online at
Marriage Record Peter Cushing and Emeline Shackford
My summary of this record was as follow:
MARRIAGES Registered in the Town of Weymouth for the year 1854, page 240
No 33, November 24, Peter Cushing, resident of Weymouth, age 27, born in Weymouth, stabler, parents Peter H & Deborah Cushing, first marriage, Emeline Shackford, resident of Boston, age 24, born in Boston, parents Joseph Shackford, 1st marriage, married by John E Davenport, Clergyman, Weymouth
The note from the wonderful person from California said “Now that you have the father’s name and the place where she was born, perhaps you can follow-up and find out a lot more.”
Since 2002, Emeline has been listed in my database with a birth date of abt 1830 as the child of Joseph and every once in a while I’d look for records that helped me determine which Joseph this was.
We then realized that the Peter Cushing Emeline had married lived in Weymouth and found multiple census records showing the couple in Weymouth. Then we realized that Emeline was one year old when her father William died and her mother then married Joseph Newell who probably raised her. It was Joseph who was alive when Emeline married Peter Cushing which is probably why her father is listed as Joseph in her marriage record.
We reviewed census records and find Emeline with Joseph and Abner in 1850, with Peter Cushing, a stable keeper in 1855, with Peter, a boot maker in 1860, in the 1865 census, in the 1880 census with Peter’ parents, and as a widow in the 1900 census with her son Frederick. (Peter had died in 1883 and was buried in Weymouth.) We don’t know when Emeline died, where she was buried or much else about her — she did raise a son and daughter.
CHILDREN
Frederick Herbert Cushing (1855-1939) – married Mary Binney Our, teamster and driver
Mary Emma Cushing (1860-1933) – married Wallace Herbert Allen,
Research Questions:
When did Emeline (Shackford) Cushing die and where was she buried. Was she mentioned in any church bulletins or newspapers?
This (and all other posts on this website) are a work in progress. We’d love to learn of any corrections or additions to the information shared here as we are hoping to learn more of these families or hear from any descendants. We’re also looking for any other source information pertaining to this family line. And if you liked or learned something new from this post, please like the post or the Facebook version (www.facebook.com/shackfordgenealogy) as that helps share the post with others. Thanks!
SOURCES:
1850 United States Federal Census, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Boston, Ward 10, no page number, dwelling 783 family 1214; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 March 2014).
1855 Massachusetts State Census, Norfolk County, population schedule, Weymouth, no page number, dwelling ??9, family 133, Peter Cushing; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 August 2014).
1860 United States Federal Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Weymouth, Page No. 400, dwelling 1422, family 1673, Peter Cushing; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 17 October 2016).
1865 Massachusetts State Census, Norfolk County, population schedule, Weymouth, dwelling 5, family 6, Peter Cushing; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 June 2016).
1880 United States Federal Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Weymoth, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 534, Page No 3, dwelling 29, family 31, Peter H Cushing; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 October 2016).
1900 United States Federal Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Weymouth, enumeration district (ED) Enumeration District No 1083, Sheet No 16, West St, dwelling 355, family 371, Frederick H Cushing; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 June 2016).
Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 October 2016), Peter Cushing, Find A Grave Memorial# 39326548.
“Letter from Abner R Shackford to Samuel Shackford Nov 25, 1888,” 1988.325.1, [Research on Shackford family genealogy], ; Samuel Shackford, Winnetka Historical Society, Winnetka Illinois.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915, , Emeline Shackford m. Peter Cushing, 2 November 1854; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 July 2013).
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , Peter Cushing, 7 January 1883; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2016); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
Caroline Elizabeth Shackford, the daughter of William and Mercy (Rose) Shackford was born Dec 19, 1823 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. (While the Massachusetts Births and Christenings Record only gives us a year and location of her birth, this letter from her brother Abner provides us with an exact date of her birth).
Caroline and Lebbeus H Varney announced their marriage intention on Dec 1, 1844 in Roxbury, Massachusetts and married on Jan 6, 1845. Their marriage was announced in the Boston Post which stated they both lived in Jamaica Plain. We haven’t been able to find much about Lebbeus but do find we find 36 year old Lebbus H Varney with a 26 year old Caroline Varney in the 1850 census — he’s working as a carpenter and has 900 in real property.
We have found no other record of Lebbeus H Varney in the Massachusetts area and have not found a divorce record but do find a record showing that on September 4, 1864, Caroline E Varney with parents William Shackford and Mercy Shackford married Joel Shackford, a jeweler, son of Joel and Catherine. Joel was also the father of Georgianna, the wife of Abner, Caroline’s brother.
In May 1865 we find Joel, age 65, a watchmaker, with Caroline, age 44, her brother Abner, age 37, his wife and Joel’s daughter, Georgianna, and Abner & Georgianna’s 11 year old daughter Frances A Shackford. Also living in this home was 70 year old Mercy Newell, the mother of Caroline and Abner. That September Joel who had been married previously to Margaret Hersey updated his will defining which property (mostly pictures drawn by his deceased daughter Helen) was to be given to his children and stating that his wife Caroline Elizabeth would be his exectrix and would receive the remainder of his property. Unfortunately Joel died of pneumonia two months later on November 28, 1865.
On September 2, 1866, Caroline married Charles Lewis Palmer, a painter whose first wife, Hannah Z French had died on August 11, 1865. He was raising multiple children who were still living at home. After his marriage to Caroline, we find the family recorded in the 1870 census in Brookline with six children ranging from age 24 to age 9. Unfortunately Caroline died of bilious colic tubercular peritonitis on November 18, 1877. We’re not sure where she was buried.
We still have some research questions regarding Caroline:
Who were Lebbeus H Varney’s parents and when did he die?
2. Where was Caroline buried?
This (and all other posts on this website) are a work in progress. We’d love to learn of any corrections or additions to the information shared here as we are hoping to learn more of these families or hear from any descendants. We’re also looking for any other source information pertaining to this family line. And if you liked or learned something new from this post, please like the post or the Facebook version (www.facebook.com/shackfordgenealogy) as that helps share the post with others. Thanks!
SOURCES:
1850 United States Federal Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Roxbury, dwelling 2486, family 3264, Lebbeus H Varney; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 1 November 2014).
1865 Massachusetts Census, Suffolk County, population census, Boston, Ward 11, Page 23-19, dwelling 2200, family 3434, Joel Whitteman; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 10 March 2014).
“Letter from Abner R Shackford to Samuel Shackford Nov 25, 1888,” 1988.325.1, [Research on Shackford family genealogy], ; Samuel Shackford, Winnetka Historical Society, Winnetka Illinois.
“MARRIED.,” Boston Post (Boston, Massachusetts), 8 January 1845; digital images, Newspapers. com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 8 July 2014).
Massachusetts “Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915,” database, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 8 July 2014), Caroline Shackford.
“Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910,” index, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 November 2014), Lebbeus H Varney m Caroline Shackford 6 Jan 1845.
“Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910,” index, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 October 2013), Joel Whittemore m Caroline E Shackford Varney 4 Sep 1864.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Death Records, 1841-1915, , Joel Whittemore, 28 November 1865; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 September 2016); Massachusetts Vital Records, 1840–1911. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915, , Caroline E Whittemore m Charles L Palmer, 2 September 1866; digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 12 April 2015).
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , Caroline E Shackford m.i. Lebbeus H Varney, 1 December 1844; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 September 2016); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
While searching for Shackford’s we came across this notice in the Fourteenth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum, at Hartford for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, Exhibited to the Asylum, May 8, 1830 which shows that Thomas Shackford of Boston, Mass. was admitted to the Hartford School for the Deaf in 1829 and is still as student at the school. :
Fourteenth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum, at Hartford for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, May 8, 1830
The 28th Report of the Directors show that Thomas Shackford was admitted at the age of 13 in 1829 which indicated he must have been born about 1816. The document showed that the cause of his deafness was congenital, listed no parents, showed that he was supported at the school by the State of Massachusetts, and tells us that he was being trained as a mechanic.
We reviewed our Thomas Shackfords born 1815 +/- five years and find:
Thomas Shackford, b abt 1815 to Joseph and Mary (Palmer) Shackford, mariner, died July 30, 1882 in Boston, buried Rainsford Island Cemetery in Boston. (know very little about this Thomas)
Thomas S Shackford b. 1817 in Eaton, NH, d. 1873 in Eaton, NH., have him in Eaton in many future censuses
As we continue to research Thomas Shackford’s who were deaf, we find a Thomas, age 34, listed as deaf & dumb listed in the 1850 census living in Nashville, NH in the household of Thomas Knowles, a carpenter who is deaf & dumb.
These two censuses help us verify that the Thomas Shackford who was deaf was the son of William and Mercy (Rose), was born Oct 30, 1815 and died Jan 29, 1874. We then went back to our Ancestry trees, looked and detached some the sources that referred to a carpenter that we’d attached to Thomas #2 above and moved them to Thomas #1.
Further research indicated that Thomas Shackford was involved in the New England Gallaudet Association of Deaf Mutes – he served as chairman at a Cambridge meeting. He was also the treasurer of the Boston Deaf and Dumb Library and Lyceum Association, serving as it’s treasurer. He submitted a petition for aid from the state for this organization to the committee on Public Charitable Institutions on Jan 28, 1874.
We’re pretty certain that Thomas lived at 11 Indiana in Boston in 1869 and 1870. Other residents at the same address were William Allen, a machinist, James C Leavitt, Matilda G Leavitt, a dressmaker, and Joseph Wells, a barber. We wonder if they were also deaf.
Thomas died on January 29, 1874, probably of heart disease. He was buried in the Village Cemetery in Weymouth, Massachusetts near his sister Louisa (Shackford) Cushing.
The Deaf-Mute’s Journal honored Thomas Shackford with this statement in 1882, eight years after his death:
Deaf-Mute’s Journal, 30 March 1882
The late Thomas Shackford, of Boston, Mass.,
had a number of relatives and residents in Wey-
mouth, Mass. The tombstone over the remains
of Mr. Shackford, can be seen in the village
cemetery. Mr. S. was a respectable and popular
deaf-mute.
We believe that Thomas Shackford’s probate was filed in Brookline as case number 16396.
We still have these unanswered research questions regarding Thomas:
Are there any other newspaper articles mentioning Thomas Shackford’s involvement in deaf mute organizations?
Can we find the probate records for Thomas Shackford – Brookline, Massachusetts No 16396?
Can we find Thomas Shackford in the 1860 census records?
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:
1850 United States Federal Census, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, population schedule, Town of Nashville, page 399 (penned), 200 (stamped), dwelling ???, family 147, Josiah Knowles; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 23 October 2013).
1855 Massachusetts State Census, Suffolk County, population schedule, Boston, Ward 10, page 30 (penned), dwelling 180, family 210, Abner Shackford; digital images, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 23 October 2013).
The Boston Directory, Embracing the City Record, Genera Directory of the Citizens, and a Business Directory. No LXV. For the Year Commencing July 1, 1869 (Boston: Sampson, Davenport, & Co, 1870), page 596, Thomas Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2016).
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The Journal of the Senate for the Year 1874 (Boston: Wright & Potter, n.d.), page 61; 1874, HathiTrust (http://babel.hathitrust.org : accessed 3 August 2014.
Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 February 2014), Thomas Shackford, Find A Grave Memorial# 94226650.
Fourteenth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum, at Hartford for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, Exhibited to the Asylum, May 8, 1830 (Hartford: Hudson and Skinner, 1830), Thomas Shackford; digital images, Hathi Trust (http://babel.hathitrust.org : accessed 17 October 2016.
“The late Thomas Shackford,” Deaf-Mute’s Journal (New York, New York), 30 March 1882; digital image, Fulton History (http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html : accessed 31 July 2016).
N. E. Gallaudet Association of Deaf Mutes The Proceedings of the Constitutional Committee Convened at Henniker, New Hampshire, January 4, 1854 (Bradford, Vt: Inquirer Office, 1854), Proceedings of the Meeting of Deaf Mutes Held in Boston, on the Evening of March 9, 1854; digital images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 31 July 2016
“Norfolk County, MA Probate Index 1793-1900,” database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 July 2014), Thomas Shackford.
Organization of the Boston Deaf and Dumb Library and Lyceum Association,” Mexico Independent and Deaf-Mutes’ Journal (Mexico, New York), 14 November 1872; dgital images, New York Historic Newspapers (http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/ : accessed 31 July 2016).
Massachusetts, Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915, DEATHS REGISTERED in the Town of Brookline for the Year eighteen hundred and seventy-four, page 230, Thomas Shackford, death, 29 January 1874; digital images, Family Search (http://familysearch.org : accessed 10 August 2013).
The Twenty-Eighth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum, at Harvard, for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. Exhibited to the Asylum May 11, 1844 (Hartford: Case, Tifany and Burnham, 1844), ; digital images, Hathi Trust (http://babel.hathitrust.org : accessed 3 August 2014.
“U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995,” database, Ancestry.com (www/ancestry.com : accessed 9 October 2016), Thomas Shackford.
Updated 7/18/2017 to delete research question regarding an obituary in the Boston papers.
Copyright 2017 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)
Our only source for the birth of William Shackford, the son of Levi and Tamson (Greenleaf) Shackford, is Abner R Shackford’s letter to Samuel Shackford which states that William was born July 22, 1789.
William, married Mercy Rose, the daughter of Eber and Elizabeth (Greene) Rose of Newbury in Newburyport on March 19, 1812. According to Abner’s letter, she was born January 24, 1795.
William’s first two children William Brown and Joseph were born in Newburyport in 1812 and 1814, his other children Thomas, Abner R. (died young), Mary B, Louisa, Caroline Elizabeth, Abner R, Lucinda, and Emeline were born in either Weymouth or Boston which indicates that he moved to Boston.
By 1820, William was a mason and lived at Elliot Street, then in 1825 on Carver Street, in 1826 in Rear 39 Warren Street and by 1830 at 29 Boylston Street.
When we reviewed the 1832 and 1833 directories we find his widow Mercy living at the same address. This helps confirm that the William Shackford we find in these directories is the same William Shackford.
Boston Directory 1830Boston Directory, 1831Boston Directory, 1832Boston Directory, 1833
William died on May 15, 1831 of pleurisy in Boston and was buried in South B Gd. His death was reported in the New Hampshire Gazette on June 9, 1831.
William’s widow Mercy married Joseph Newell on January 18, 1834 who was living 29 Boylston in 1835, 1837, 1838, and 1840. The 1837 directory lists Mercy’s two children William B and Joseph living at the same address.
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:
1830 US Federal Census, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Boston, page 365, William Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2018).
“DEATHS,” New Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), 7 June 1831, page 3, William Shackford; digital images, NewsBank (infoweb.newsbank.com : accessed ), America’s Historical Newspapers.
“DIED,” New Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth, New Hampshire), 7 June 1831; digital images, NewsBank(infoweb.newsbank.com : accessed 9 June 2018), America’s Historical Newspapers.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , Marcy Shackford m Joseph Newell, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 June 2016); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , William Shackford, 15 May 1831; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 October 2016); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records.
Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, , William Shackford, 15 May 1831; digital images, Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2018); Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records..
Shackford Abner R, (Roslinda, Massachusetts) to Samuel Shackford, letter, 25 November 1888; Samuel Shackford Collection, privately held by Winnetka Historical Society. [address for private use], Winnetka, Illinois, 2016
Vital Records of Newburyport Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 Volume II Marriages and Deaths (Salem, Mass: The Essex Institute, Newcomb & Gauss, 1911), page 427; digital images, Archive.org (https://archive.org : accessed 7 October 2016.
“U.K. and U.S. Directories, 1680-1830,” database, Ancestry(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2018), William Shackford.
Copyright 2018 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not just copy this material and paste it elsewhere). Updated June 9, 2018 – reworded to summarize William’s life.
On November 25, 1888, Abner R Shackford, the son of William and Mercy (Rose) responded to a letter from Samuel Shackford. We’re very fortunate that this letter was kept by Samuel and preserved by the Winnetka Historical Society. because the enclosed Family Record page he completed included information about his family that we have not found elsewhere in our Shackford Family History Research. From the letter we learn:
That Abner lived in Roslindale when he wrote to Samuel.
Abner was impressed with Samuel’s letter and hoped to meet him someday and ends his letter saying he hoped to hear from Samuel again.
The reference to Thomas Joseph and probably refers to Abner’s uncles Thomas G Shackford and Joseph Shackford who lived in Newburyport. Thomas did have a son George who died at the age of nine months.
Abner did not know the death dates of his two sisters Caroline and Louisa May.
Samuel’s letter probably mentioned William Brown Shackford, his wife Catherine and their children as Abner tells Samuel that their daughter May who married a Mr Lougrin had died, that Catherine is living in Dorcester (interesting — as we find her in the 1887 and 1890 Syracuse directories living with her son – perhaps she was visiting someone in Dorcester), and that Joe has two boys ages 14 and 8.
Abner has a wife and daughter.
The Family Record page includes the first information of birth and death dates for Abner’s parents that we’ve seen and lists siblings that we have not yet hear of.
We’ll spend the next few weeks focusing on these families – sometimes when you have dates it’s easier to find more information about the families.
Letter Abner Shackford to Samuel Shackford – page 1 of 3
Roslindale Nov 25th 1888
Mr Samuel Shackford
Dear Sir
Received
your kind letter was glad to
hear from you although I
have never seen you but would
like to have you come and see
us if you are east. I will give
you all the information I can.
I don’t know anything about
Thomas Shackford and his
son, there are some Shackford’s
living in Newburyport Mass
perhaps if you write there you
can find out something about
them. I will send you a list
of my Father’s family the name
you wanted to know about is
Joseph. There are two more deaths
that I will try and find out –
about they are my sister Caroline’s
and Louisa’s death I will write
and let you know when I find
out. May K. Shackford is dead
she married a Mr Loughrin
she only lived 13 months after
she was married. I would like
to have you write to me again
and tell me some more about
the Shackford’s. Mays mother
is living in Dorchester. her son
Joe lives in Syracuse N. Y.
he has two little boys about
14 and 8 years old. There are
only 3 of us myself wife
and daughter. I will close
hoping to hear from you again
Your’s Truly
Abner R. Shackford
Attached Family Record Page [note: appears to be annotated in pen by Samuel before sending and after he received the document] Please fill up the following Family Record as fully as possible with all the details you have in your own possession, or can gain access to in the possession of others, and return as soon as possible to [hand written] Samuel Shackford Chicago Ill
Family Record of William Shackford – Your Father
NAMES OF HEADS OF FAMILY,
with the children in order of birth BORN DIED
William Shackford July 22ed 1789 v
Married (give date left blank]
Mercy Rose Jan 24th 1795
Page 85
New Book
Children William B Shackford Aug 10th 1812
Joseph Shackford Aug 5th 1814 Thomas Shackford Oct 20th 1815
Abner Shackford Nov 16th 1817
Mary B Shackford July 4th 1819 Louise Shackford July 18th 1821 m Cushing L1 child, Ms Louth [added] Caroline E Shackford Dec 19th 1823 m. Varney; Whitmore; Palmer no child Abner R Shackford Jan 19th 1827
Lucinda W Shackford April 21st 1828 married July 28 1839 [added but not correct, jsp] Emeline Shackford Feb 7th 1830
Abner Shackford Oct 15th 1818 William B Shackford May 16th 1831 father
Lucinda W Shackford July 20 1839
Joseph Shackford Sept 14th 1839
Mary B Shackford Dec 27th 1841
William B Shackford Nov 13th 1866
Thomas Shackford Jan 29th 1874
Mercy Rose Shackford Mar 1875 mother
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:
“Letter from Abner R Shackford to Samuel Shackford Nov 25, 1888,” 1988.325.1, [Research on Shackford family genealogy], ; Samuel Shackford, Winnetka Historical Society, Winnetka Illinois.
Correction made 10/7/2016: changed William Shackford’s birth date to July 22, 1789 as it was improperly transcribed in the earlier version of this blog
Correction made 7/19/2017: changed Mercy Rose Shackford’s death date to March 1875 as it was improperly transcribed in the earlier version of this blog
Copyright 2017 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)
I, Charles L Palmer, husband of Caroline E Palmer, hereby assent to the appointment of my said wife as administratrix of the estate of Thomas Shackford late of Brookline, Massachusetts, deceased.
16396:4
William, married Mercy Rose, the daughter of Eber and Elizabeth (Greene) Rose of Newbury in Newburyport on March 19, 1812. According to Abner’s letter, she was born January 24, 1795.
William died on May 15, 1831 of pleurisy in Boston and was buried in South B Gd. His death was reported in the New Hampshire Gazette on June 9, 1831.
Please fill up the following Family Record as fully as possible with all the details you have in your own possession, or can gain access to in the possession of others, and return as soon as possible to [hand written] Samuel Shackford Chicago Ill
SHACKFORD Family History 