Multiple newspaper articles document that Samuel B Shackford and his son Charles B Shackford died within hours of each other on Jan 1 and Jan 2, 1881 – Samuel died of hand cancer and Charles of consumption. Many articles mention that Charles knew that his father was also dying. Many of the articles mistakenly state that father and son died on the same day but this particular article has the dates of their deaths correct.
While Samuel was 63, his son Charles was only 40 years old and left three young children – Samuel Burnham, age 9; Moses A C Shackford, age 7; and Martha Hale Shackford with his wife Caroline Burnham Shackford, age 5.
Second Sight
A remarkable case of second sight of a dying man is mentioned by the Dover (N.H.) Enquirer. Charles B. Shackford, solicitor of the country, died on the morning of January 2, aged forty, after a lingering illness, from consumption. His father died in Chelsea, Mass. a few hours earlier, on the midnight of January 1-2, the former day being the sixty-fourth anniversary of his birth. About that hour Charles told persons about his bedside that he knew his father was dying, or would die before morning. This case recalls the well-known instance of the Buckministers, distinguished clergyman of the early years of the present century, the only difference being that the father was forewarned of the death of his son. The father died while on a visit to Vermont in 1812, and shortly before he breathed his last said, solemnly: “Joseph is dead.” The announcement proved true, for the younger Buckminister died in Boston on the same day, but a little earlier than the elder. Those interested in this strange incident will find further facts in the memorials of her relatives by Mrs. Eliza Buckminister Lee.
SOURCES:
“DEATHS,” Boston Post (Boston, Massachusetts), 4 January 1881; digital images, Access Newspaper Archive (http://access.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 2 September 2014).
“MAJOR S. B. SHACKFORD,” National Republican (Washington City (DC)), 8 January 1881; digital images, Library of Congress Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 26 July 2013).
“News and Notes,” Davenport Daily Gazette (Davenport, Iowa), 12 January 1881; digital images, Access Newspaper Archive (http://access.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 2 September 2014).
“PERSONAL,” Anglo American Times (London, England), 28 January 1881, page 16-17; Access Newspaper Archive (http://access.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 2 September 2014).
“PERSONALITIES,” National Republican (Washington City (DC)), 8 January 1881; digital images, Library of Congress Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 31 August 2014).
“Second Sight,” The Mohawk Valley Register (Fort Plain, New York), 25 March 1881; digital images, Fulton History (http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html : accessed 1 January 2016).
“SINGULAR COINCIDENCES,” New Albany Public Press, 25 April 1883; digital images, Access Newspaper Archive (http://access.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 2 September 2014).
SHACKFORD Family History 