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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Looking Back on the Month


My new cousin, Claire, through the John Adams line in Batavia, New York sent me a photo showing a coverlet his daughter Betsey E. Addams made (my blog of April 15).  Then Claire sent me a link to the Henry Ford museum with a coverlet exhibit. Claire wrote, "The coverlet of Clarissa Garter is the same as I have in red! Tyler is listed in Genesee County as a weaver. So interesting!!"

What this all means is, there is a lot of information about this weaver.  Initially, I thought Betsey made the coverlet herself, but now it appears she didn't. And as to the misspelling of her last name Adams to Addams, I like to think the weaver or his helper who made the mistake!

The 'Coverlet Eagle' design was also on a stamp. There is more information about the designer / weaver, Harry Tyler as well. http://www.usps.com/news/2002/philatelic/sr02_044.htm

Sherry wrote because I had given her an extra brother in her genealogy..., she found my tree online and kindly let me know.  Clearly there was an error on my part. After several exchanges of emails, I sent her over 12 pages of information, some of which came to me from her late aunt about 10 years ago! Turns out Sherry and I are 5th cousins.

Jerry wrote after seeing my Davis genealogy posted on the internet. He proved me with a private genealogy manuscript he had commissioned about 20 years ago from a genealogist! I love this part from his email, "By the way, what is a blog and how do I access it? I am 72 years young and not up on all the latest terminology." In many ways, he sounds like me.

Two other connections will be covered in separate blogs.

As you can see, I've been busy, and I've been extremely lucky in receiving wonderful bits of genealogical information. In addition, I helped about six other people. The photo was taken on my last trip to Salt Lake City, a nice reminder of the trip, and I hope all those there now are having a fabulous time.

I intend to do less writing during the summer and try to lower my piles of stuff. All my Tuesday Tombstones and Saturday Surnames are done through August. But, I won't be sitting back and doing just the "piles," I'll continue to read all the blogs and work on getting O R G A N I Z E D.

"'You can't really know who you are and where you're going unless you know where you came from.' Bruce Springsteen, receiving an Ellis Island Family Heritage Award yesterday in New York." From The Boston Globe April 22, 2010.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday - LORD of Connecticut

Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme, New London Co., Connecticut

Richard Lord
Born:  May 16, 1647, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
Died: April 27, 1727, Old Lyme, New London Co., Connecticut

His Wife Elizabeth Hyde
 Elizabeth Hyde Lord
Born:  August 1660, Norwich, New London Co., Connecticut
Died:  July 23, 1736, Old Lyme, New London Co., Connecticut

Richard and Elizabeth Lord are my 7th great-grandparents.

A good example of three photos of the same cemetery stone can look very different.  See Find-A-Grave for an example of Richard Lord's cemetery stone.

Wikipedia information for Old Lyme, Connecticut

Nearby is the lovely Florence Griswold Museum

Sunday, April 25, 2010

1972 Wedding, History and a Good Meal

On April 15, 1972, I attended a wedding in Sudbury, Massachusetts. The above menu is from that day. Yesterday, April 24, 2010, my husband and I went to the Sudbury Inn and ate there. They still serve the Yankee Pot Roast and Chicken Pot Pie, both are still delicious (prices much higher though).
The Inn / Restaurant shown above.
"Longfellow's Wayside Inn is proud to be the oldest operating Inn in the country, offering comfort and hospitality to travelers along the Boston Post Road since 1716." 


Revolutionary War events still taking place.

The wedding in 1972 was held at the Martha-Mary Chapel, just feet from the Inn.  Movie lovers may have see the Chapel on film, as it has been in many movies, including a few coming out this year.
Across the street is a beautiful, still working grist mill.
For additional information on Henry Ford's Historic Preservation (1923-1960)

Good decision for me

If I hadn't canceled my trip to Salt Lake City (SLC) for the week of National Genealogical Society NGS lectures and Family History Library research, I would be on the plane now. However, I changed the November reservations a month ago, and believe it was the best decision...at least that is what I tell myself. Why? The main reason is, I wasn't prepared and all the material I found there less than two years ago is still in a pile on my desk, with nothing entered in my computer. I could have gone to the Library and done the same look-ups as in the past.

I love the Family History Center at SLC, I would live there if possible, but when it is too crowded, no thanks. A discussion with DAR and NEHGS librarians and other people made me feel better because they also felt the same way, too many people at one place. Now, I will follow my own advice and order some lectures after the conference, as written in Can't Get to a Conference? The blogging attendees will keep me and others informed of their activities, and I look forward to reading their posts. Granted they will meet new people, see old friends, go out to eat, socialize and have a great time. I will follow along on the computer and hope all of you have a wonderful time. Don't forget to do some research.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Surname Saturday -- BOCKUS (Germany to New York to Canada)

More people write me pertaining to the surname of BOCKUS than any other surname. Although 324 Bockus names in my database is a fair amount, I have double that for several other names. The majority of those researchers are working on their Bockus Canadian line. The reason I have so many names is due to my access to New York records, from the NEHGS library in Boston. Once I found out about their New York connection, I wanted to help my Canadian cousins, because few had access to the records I found. I am hoping this listing will help additional Bockus researchers.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 1

1. JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS (JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, BOCKUS1) was born ABT 30 SEP 1677 in Genheim, Germany, and died AFT 1719. He married ELISABETHA CATHARINA JUNG. Children of JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS and ELISABETHA CATHARINA JUNG are:

+ 2 i. Johann Ernst BOCKUS.
+ 3 ii. Johannes BOCKUS.
+ 4 iii. JOHANN PIETER BOCKUS was born 23 DEC 1712 in West Camp, Ulster Co., New York.
5 iv. Anna Margaretha BOCKUS was born 1714. She married Johann Georg WINTER 25 SEP 1721 in Kingston, Ulster Co., New York.
6 v. Johann Mattheus BOCKUS was born 1 MAR 1714/15 in West Camp, Ulster Co., New York, and died 9 MAR 1714/15.
7 vi. Maria Barbara BOCKUS was born 23 JUN 1717 in West Camp, Ulster Co., New York.
+ 8 vii. Johann Freiderich BOCKUS was born 29 SEP 1719 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

2. Johann Ernst BOCKUS (JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, Misc. BOCKUS1). He married Catharina SCHAFFER\N BEF 1727 in Kingston, Ulster Co., New York.

Children of Johann Ernst BOCKUS and Catharina SCHAFFER\N are:

9 i. Elisabetha BOCKUS was born ABT 9 APR 1727 in Kingston, Ulster Co., New York. She married Christian KELLER.
10 ii. Peter BOCKUS was born ABT 1730. He married Anna VEGAN.
11 iii. Balthasar BOCKUS was born ABT 30 DEC 1731. He married Barbara KUHN.
12 iv. Anna Maria BOCKUS was born 14 SEP 1735 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York.
13 v. Jacob BOCKUS was born ABT 23 MAY 1742.
14 vi. Johannes BOCKUS was born ABT 22 JUN 1746.
15 vii. Magdalena BOCKUS was born 15 OCT 1748 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York.

3. Johannes BOCKUS (JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, BOCKUS1). He married Anna Margaretha RAU.

Children of Johannes BOCKUS and Anna Margaretha RAU are:

16 i. Anna Maria BOCKUS.
17 ii. Elisabetha BOCKUS was born 17 OCT 1744 in Greene Co., New York.
18 iii. Gottfried BOCKUS was born 28 SEP 1747 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York.

4. JOHANN PIETER BOCKUS (JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, BOCKUS1) was born 23 DEC 1712 in West Camp, Ulster Co., New York. He married EVA MARIA MILLER \ MULLERING BEF 1739, daughter of JOHAN GERHARD MULLERING \ MILLER and EVA MILHEN. She was born ABT 1719.

Children of JOHANN PIETER BOCKUS and EVA MARIA MILLER \ MULLERING are:

19 i. Eva Elisabetha Catharina BOCKUS was born 14 DEC 1739 in Athens, Greene Co., New York.
20 ii. Peter BOCKUS was born 4 JUL 1744 in Athens, Greene Co., New York, and died 1777 in Killed at the Battle of Bennington, Bennington Co., Vermont.
21 iii. Eva BOCKUS was born ABT 27 APR 1746 in Red Hook, Dutchess Co., New York.
22 iv. Anna Barbara BOCKUS was born 22 SEP 1748 in Red Hook or Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York.
23 v. Catherina BOCKUS was born 25 OCT 1749 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York. 
 24 vi. ANNA \ HANNAH BOCKUS was born ABT 29 MAY 1752 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 19 APR 1821 in St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 25 vii. John\Johannes N. BOCKUS was born ABT 25 AUG 1754 in of Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 1 DEC 1823 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 26 viii. Elizabeth BOCKUS was born ABT 2 FEB 1757 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 18 SEP 1838 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
27 ix. Catharina BOCKUS was born ABT 22 APR 1759 in Albany, Albany Co., New York.

8. Johann Freiderich BOCKUS (JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, Misc. BOCKUS1) was born 29 SEP 1719 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., New York. He married Anna Maria NETZBACHES.

Children of Johann Freiderich BOCKUS and Anna Maria NETZBACHES are:

28 i. Henrich BOCKUS was born ABT 14 SEP 1741.
29 ii. Cretche BOCKUS was born ABT 23 AUG 1742.
30 iii. Barbara Elisabetha BOCKUS was born ABT 26 JAN 1745/46.
31 iv. Magdalena BOCKUS was born 4 SEP 1748.
32 v. Petrus BOCKUS was born ABT 9 FEB 1752 in Kingston, Ulster Co., New York.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 3

24. ANNA \ HANNAH BOCKUS (JOHANN PIETER BOCKUS5, JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, BOCKUS1) was born ABT 29 MAY 1752 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 19 APR 1821 in St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She was buried 21 APR 1821 in Krans Cemetery, St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married PETER ROSENBERGER, son of JACOB ROSENBERGER and REGINA ZITZER. He was born 23 NOV 1745 in Athens, Greene Co., New York, and died 24 APR 1829 in St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was buried 26 APR 1829 in Krans Cemetery, St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

Children of ANNA \ HANNAH BOCKUS and PETER ROSENBERGER are:

+ 33 i. Jacob ROSENBERGER was born ABT NOV 1773 in (Prob.) New York, and died 14 OCT 1848 in St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 34 ii. Peter ROSENBERGER was born 18 JUN 1776 in (Prob.) New York, and died 15 SEP 1838 in St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 35 iii. HENRY ROSENBERGER was born 21 SEP 1784 in Brunswick, Rensselaer Co., New York, and died 29 MAR 1845 in St. Armand W. (Philipsburg), Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 36 iv. Rakena (Rowhena) ROSENBERGER was born 26 JUL 1791 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and died 14 AUG 1861 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

25. John\Johannes N. BOCKUS (JOHANN PIETER BOCKUS5, JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, BOCKUS1) was born ABT 25 AUG 1754 in of Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 1 DEC 1823 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was buried 3 DEC 1823 in Krans Cemetery, St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He married Hannah BRIMMER, daughter of Jacob BRIMMER and Maria Magdelena ROSENBERGER. She was born 15 JAN 1769 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 3 JUN 1818 in Philipsburg, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She was buried 5 JUN 1818 in Krans Cemetery, St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

Children of John\Johannes N. BOCKUS and Hannah BRIMMER are:

+ 37 i. Maria (Mary) BOCKUS.
+ 38 ii. Peter BOCKUS was born 1786 in New York, and died 26 NOV 1851 in Stanbridge, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 39 iii. Magdalene (Lany) BOCKUS was born ABT 10 FEB 1789, and died 10 JUN 1872 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 40 iv. Jacob BOCKUS was born 1792, and died 11 MAR 1841 in St. Armand W., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 41 v. John BOCKUS was born ABT 22 NOV 1792 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 1 NOV 1864 in St. Armand W., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 42 vi. Catherine BOCKUS was born 1796, and died 1880.
+ 43 vii. Jeremiah BOCKUS was born ABT 11 MAY 1798 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 11 SEP 1874 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
44 viii. Elizabeth (Betsey) BOCKUS was born 15 MAR 1800, and died 15 JUN 1867 in of St. Armand W., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
45 ix. Hannah BOCKUS was born ABT 1802 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 12 SEP 1860 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married Christian MCDONALD 4 SEP 1828 in St. Armand W., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married Peter PRIMERMAN 6 FEB 1833 in St. Armand W., Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, son of Frederick PRIMERMAN and Elizabeth BOCKUS. He was born 19 APR 1794 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 9 MAR 1879 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 46 x. Daniel BOCKUS was born 17 OCT 1806 in Quebec, Canada, and died 4 APR 1888 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.

26. Elizabeth BOCKUS (JOHANN PIETER BOCKUS5, JOHANN REITZ BOCKUS4, JOHANN REITZBACKES3, BOCKUS2, Misc. BOCKUS1) was born ABT 2 FEB 1757 in Albany, Albany Co., New York, and died 18 SEP 1838 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She was buried in Ploss Cemetery, Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. She married Frederick PRIMERMAN in of Hoosick, New York. He died 1822.

Children of Elizabeth BOCKUS and Frederick PRIMERMAN are:

+ 47 i. Henry PRIMERMAN was born ABT 1778 in United States, and died 1859.
+ 48 ii. Catherine PRIMERMAN was born 1785, and died 19 OCT 1846 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
49 iii. Elizabeth PRIMERMAN was born 1789, and died 1850. She married Gilbert HYATT. She married John Neher\ NEER 12 AUG 1834 in Stanbridge, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada. He was born 1792, and died 1866.
50 iv. Conrad PRIMERMAN was born ABT 31 AUG 1791 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 31 AUG 1864 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 51 v. Peter PRIMERMAN was born 19 APR 1794 in St. Armand, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada, and died 9 MAR 1879 in of Bedford, Missisquoi Co., Quebec, Canada.
+ 52 vi. Hannah PRIMERMAN was born 1798, and died 1820.
53 vii. James J. PRIMERMAN was born ABT 1802 in Lower Canada, and died 1860.

Friday, April 23, 2010

DNA Day, Dr. Sykes and Me

Last fall, I wrote about meeting with Dr. Sykes and shared that meeting with you in a piece called Kathryn Hepburn and My DNA. Just the other day I received an email from him stating he would like to meet with me to go over my results.  What a surprise, since I didn't know I was going to get any results. Oh my, what would they be, I wondered.  Because of the volcano eruption in Iceland, he wasn't sure about the flight situation, but as it turned out, he was on one of the first planes that left London, and we were able to meet today.

Normally, I would have shared this post in my "Looking Back" post for April 30th, but there is a bit of urgency tonight.  It is because today is DNA Day, and the 23andme Company is offering their most expensive DNA test kit at $99, a savings of $400.  This wonderful offer is only available today, so I am giving you a little over six hours to take advantage of it.  My husband ordered one, once he heard about my results tonight.

In a nutshell with mine, I found out that out of 25 people in our group, I am one of two who have 100% European ancestry. The other thing I was interested in was the medical information, fortunately, I was quite pleased. He gave me all the reasons for not sharing it with me, but I was pretty firm on that aspect, I wanted to know.

Before I dash this off to you, we talked about "Who Do You Think You Are" and he is quite familiar with it, since the show began in England. He asked who was on tonight, and when I said, "Susan Sarandon," he mentioned that he had done her DNA a few years ago.

Dr. Sykes is writing a book based on the recent findings from the DNA results, and I gave him permission to use my name, instead of Kathryn Hepburn.  NOTE: He did not use any of the names he gave us, because of privacy issues of the movie icons.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Bits of News, Magazines

Genealogy and Google just seem to go together, then throw in any information about computers.  Now you have three topics that make for an educated person, even if you don't know what the heck they are writing about. You are educated in the sense you read it, but do you understand it?  Sometimes magazines speak our language a bit simpler, so once again, I'm discussing some recent magazines I received.

PC World has a number of articles pertaining to computer security. Family Circle has a nice article called "Backup Plan" covering software, online backups and external drives.  Smart Computing has several that I enjoyed and understood. Included are, "Google, More than a Search Engine," "Cruising In the Cloud" and "Share Your World on the Web" Head-to-Head: Blog Services, a three full page review of five blog hosting services.

Tombstone Tuesday -- SECCOMB of Salem, Massachusetts

The past several days, I've mentioned Joseph Seccomb twice.  First in his genealogy and then yesterday with parts of his diary.  Now to show where he and his wife are buried.

Joseph Seccomb
Born:  December 07, 1736, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts
Died: November 02, 1810, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts

Ruth Brooks w/o Joseph Seccomb
Born:  August 02, 1741, Medford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts
Died:  June 02, 1779, Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts
Old South Cemetery
On Peabody / Salem line, Massachusetts

Monday, April 19, 2010

Still Celebrating April 19th, Patroits Day in Boston and Lexington

Today is a state holiday and the state offices, many schools and businesses are closed. But it is far from boring in Boston. Today was the 114th running of the Boston Marathon. It was my first trip in to see it, and it was because my nephew was running, and he completed it. Although we were packed like sardines in the city, I think the 28,000+ runners and all visitors and press had a wonderful time. The day began very cool, but it warmed up nicely and it seemed that everybody was in a slow hurry to get out of town. We relaxed and drove through Cambridge, Arlington, and of course Lexington.
Boston Public Library with flags and runners, seconds from the finish line.
Runners just passed the Finish line.
My nephew finishing the Marathon. We are so proud of him.

After the race, we strolled through the Boston Public Gardens and saw the State Capitol.
Famous swan boats.
State Capitol

The trip home was through Lexington, MA
Below are the library, my old Jr. High School, Visitors Center and one of the Fire Stations, just about everything is decked out in flags.

Muzzey Jr. High School is now used as housing.

Visitor Center, above. Now (Jan. 2020) being enlarged.

Monday Madness -- April 19, 1775 -- Diary of Dea. Joseph Seccombe

My ancestor, Joseph Seccombe, made entries in his "Text Book" and they can be seen in the publication, directly below. When I first discovered this, I made copies of the book pages, then saved them to read in Lexington. It was a Sunday afternoon, and I couldn't wait to begin. Although Joseph Seccombe wasn't in Lexington on the 19th, clearly he read about it, took action regarding his family and wrote about it.


Seccombe, Joseph Dea., Extracts From 'Text Books' of Joseph Seccombe. Essex Institute Historical Collections, Vol. XXXIV, (Salem, MA: 1898). Vol. 34: 23-39.

(Names in green are my direct lines, and I only copied names that were in his family.)

Page 24
Nov. 23d 1760 -- This daya (Mrs. Ruth Brooks that was) and I was out bride and bridegroom.
Dec. 7th 1760 -- This day I am 24 years old.
Feb. 14, 1762 -- This day I Joseph Seccomb and Ruth my wife openly renewed our baptismal covenant and were received into the first church of Christ in Danvers.
March 28th 1762 -- This day my child was baptized Rebecca by Mr. Clark.
Aug. 7, 1763 -- My child baptized Ruth.
Aug. 26, 1764 -- I put up this day a note for the death of my sister Mehitable, who died yesterday was a week ye 18 instant.


Page 25
Dec. 30, 1764 -- I at home. not able to go out : my child carried out and baptized Mehetable. Mr. Benjamin Deland held her up to be baptized.
Nov. 29, 1767 -- Sister Rebeccah Hall, died last Monday morning ye 23d. Note: Sister of wife.
Jan. 14, 1770 -- Daughter [born] ye 11th Instant Baptized this Day Mary.


Page 26
Aug 29, 1771 -- [my] son [born] last Thursday ye 24th Instant. Baptizd this Day Thomas.

Page 29
April 18, 1773 -- Mr. Thomas Seccombe [Medford] Died last Thursday Night ye 15th Instant of a Complication of disorders Aged 62 years.


Page 30
Sept. 12, 1773 -- Had a note up for ye Death of our youngest Child John who Died last Fryday.

Pgs. 35-36 Narrative of April 19, 1775


"Wednesday April 19, 1775. The Troops of his Brittannick Magesty commenced Hostilities upon the People of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay a Detachment from the Regular Army at Boston went out on ye Evening of ye 18th and marchd for Concord and in their way thro Lexington which they reachd before sunrise, on ye 19th they met with a Company of Militia of about 100 men mustered near the Meeting House : upon their coming up to our men they ordered them to disperse and; throw down their Arms, calling them Rebels; upon which the Troops huzzad and immediately one or two Officers discharged their Pistols which were instantaneously followed by the Firing of 4 or 5 of the Soldiers and then their seemed to be a general Discharge from the whole Body. Eight of our men were killed and nine wounded. In a few minutes after this action the Enemy renewed their march for Concord at which place they destroyd some of the Province Stores, here they killed two of our Men, but our People obligd them to retreat back to Lexington where they met with Lord Percy with a large Reinforcement, however after halting a while they retreated again and kept on firing upon our men, Pillaging almost every House they Passed by breaking and destroying Doors, Windows, Glass and carrying off Clothing and other valuable Effects : Burnt some houses. It appeared to be their Design to burn and destroy all before them and nothing but our vigorous Pursuit (under Providence) prevented their infernal Purposes from being put in Execution. But the savage Barbarity exercisd upon the Bodies of our unfortunate Brethren who fell, was almost incredible. Not content with shooting down the unarmed aged and infirm they disregarded the Cries of the wounded, killing them without mercy and mangling their Bodies in the most shocking manner as they Retreated back to Charlestown. We had 7 men belonging to Danvers killed and; a Number belong, to other Towns but ye Number of the Regulars was far greater. We have the Pleasure to say that notwithstanding the highest Provocations given by the Enemy not one Instance of Cruelty that we have heard of, was committed by our victorious Militia; but listening to the Merciful Dictates of the Christian Religion they breathed higher Sentiments of Humanity (Essex Gazette April 25, 1775).


After this Tragical event we had frequest Alarms, were threatned with haveing our Sea Port Towns burnt down by the King's Ships. The Towns of Marblehead & Salem, moveing out into the Country all in confusion and; distress. On the First of May I removed with part of my family, part being gone before and; part of my goods to New Salem in Hampshire to my Mother's where we remained untill the 21st of September when we returnd again to Danvers leaving some of our goods at Salem."

Page 36
Sept. 24, 1775 -- This Day we had a Note up for the Death of Brother Ebenezer Brooks.


Page 38
May 26, 1776 -- [My] son [born] on Tuesday the 14th Instant, Baptizd this Day Caleb Brooks.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Sentimental Sunday -- Growing up in Lexington, Massachusetts

When I began my 4th fourth grade at the Adams School in Lexington, Massachusetts, I knew nothing of my new town's history.  My parents moved there from two previous towns in Connecticut, and from my first fourth grade in California.  I consider Lexington to be my favorite town of all the places I've lived.

Many of us have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, as well as ancestors who were born in Lexington. I've several who fought in the War and were born there, and even my "brick wall" person, John Adams was also in Lexington at the time of the war.

During several of my school years, our local history played an important part in our learning. My early classes took field trips down the street to see and learn about what happened. My Girl Scout troop planted flowering bulbs in the fall at some of the historic homes, and the church we attended was the tall one at the Lexington green.

Every April 19th, my Girl Scout troop marched in the Lexington Patriot's Day parade, there were two parades, I marched in the one at 7 AM! Of course, being much younger, I didn't mind, but sometimes it was cold. My mother was ecstatic about one 2 PM parade, when Sen. John F. Kennedy marched. I remember her pointing him out, but I thought, "who is he." Both the 7 AM and 2 PM parades marched just two blocks from my house, and it was a very big deal. Many years after we moved, my mother always went back on that date to see it and visit with old friends. She even did that on the day she died, on her return trip home from Lexington. And whenever I returned for visits from Virginia, I always visited Lexington. Even now, it is about a 30 minute trip, so we go there frequently.

For eight years, I was in the Lexington school system, until my 11th grade, then we moved again. During my 8th grade, our class got to rename our junior high school, as there was another junior high being built. It had to have a patriotic name. I can't remember what I wrote about and why I chose the name, but the two winners were Diamond and Muzzy, so there were new names for each of the schools.  Many years later, Muzzy Jr. High became condos. Always changing, but then, nothing looks changed. It is a beautiful town, see photos below.

The town, April 11, 2010
Lexington Green
Cary Memorial Library
Afternoon parade.
Years after we moved, I had to show a boyfriend where I lived!
40 years later....still going there.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Surname Saturday -- SECCOMB (3 generations) of MA and NH

The Seccomb line is another old Massachusestts line.  My direct lines are in green.  As with many names, this one has been spelled Secomb, Seccombe, Seccom, and I am sure there are other ways. If you happen to share this lineage, I would love to hear from you.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 1

1. JOHN SECCOMB (RICHARD SECCOMB1) was born in England. He married MEHITABLE SIMMONS 26 NOV 1702 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JOHN SIMMONS and ELIZABETH BOYNTON. She was born 30 APR 1677 in Bradford, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Children of JOHN SECCOMB and MEHITABLE SIMMONS were:

2 i. John SECCOMB was born 19 NOV 1703, and died ABT 1703.
3 ii. Joseph SECCOMB was born 14 JUN 1706 in Medford or Boston, Massachusetts, and died 15 SEP 1760 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He married Mary WAITE\THUREIL 17 JAN 1737/38 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She was born 17 JUN 1704 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1 APR 1775 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
4 iii. Mehitable SECCOMB was born 22 FEB 1707/08.
+ 5 iv. SIMMONS SECCOMB was born ABT 20 MAY 1711, and died 1740 in Manchester, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
6 v. Mary SECCOMB was born ABT 6 NOV 1715.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

5. SIMMONS SECCOMB (JOHN SECCOMB2, RICHARD SECCOMB1) was born ABT 20 MAY 1711, and died 1740 in Manchester, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. He married ELIZABETH RAND 11 JAN 1731/32 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, daughter of ROBERT RAND and ELIZABETH WELCH. She was born ABT 20 JUN 1714.

Children of SIMMONS SECCOMB and ELIZABETH RAND were:

7 i. Elizabeth SECCOMB died 12 JUL 1794.
+ 8 ii. John SECCOMB was born 6 JUN 1733 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 14 JAN 1796 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
+ 9 iii. JOSEPH SECCOMB was born 7 DEC 1736 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 2 NOV 1810 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+ 10 iv. Mehitable SECCOMB was born 16 NOV 1738 in Manchester (was Derryfield), New Hampshire, and died 18 AUG 1764 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+ 11 v. Simmons SECCOMB was born 1 DEC 1740 in Manchester, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died 10 JUN 1810 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Descendant Register, Generation No. 3

8. John SECCOMB (SIMMONS SECCOMB3, JOHN SECCOMB2, RICHARD SECCOMB1) was born 6 JUN 1733 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, and died 14 JAN 1796 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. He was buried in Amherst Town Hall Burying Ground, Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. He married Mary SMALL 13 NOV 1777. She was born 1753, and died 6 APR 1781 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. She was buried in Amherst Town Hall Burying Ground, Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire. He married Elizabeth CARTER 14 JUN 1784. She was born 12 MAR 1754 in of Hollis, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died 27 AUG 1807. She was buried in Amherst Town Hall Burying Ground, Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.

Children of John SECCOMB and Mary SMALL were:

+ 12 i. John SECCOMB was born 31 AUG 1778 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died 20 JUL 1856 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
+ 13 ii. Daniel SECCOMB was born 6 APR 1781, and died 12 JAN 1846 in Mont Vernon, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.

Children of John SECCOMB and Elizabeth CARTER were:

14 i. Elizabeth SECCOMB was born 24 APR 1785 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died 1 APR 1865 in Peterborough, New Hampshire. She married William Earl TREADWELL 23 JAN 1810. He was born in of Peterborough, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
+ 15 ii. David SECCOMB was born 1 MAR 1787 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died 22 DEC 1844 in Milford, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
16 iii. Mary "Polly" SECCOMB was born 4 DEC 1789, and died 20 JUL 1793 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
17 iv. Sally SECCOMB was born 2 DEC 1791, and died 29 JUL 1793 in Amherst, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.
18 v. Mary SECCOMB was born 20 JUN 1794, and died 20 NOV 1872 in Peterborough, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire.

9. JOSEPH SECCOMB (SIMMONS SECCOMB3, JOHN SECCOMB2, RICHARD SECCOMB1) was born 7 DEC 1736 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 2 NOV 1810 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Old South Cemetery. Peabody (on Salem line), Essex Co., Massachusetts. He married RUTH BROOKS 20 NOV 1760 in Medford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of CALEB BROOKS and MARY WINN. She was born 2 AUG 1741 in Medford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, and died 2 JUN 1779 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Old South Cemetery, Peabody (on Salem line).

Children of JOSEPH SECCOMB and RUTH BROOKS were:

+ 19 i. REBECCA SECCOMB was born 25 MAR 1762 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 23 NOV 1832 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
20 ii. Ruth SECCOMB was born 17 JUL 1763 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married Joseph TIPPET 29 JAN 1782 in Methuen, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He was born 1761.
+ 21 iii. Mehitable SECCOMB was born 17 DEC 1764 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
22 iv. Joseph SECCOMB was born 6 DEC 1766 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 10 DEC 1817 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
23 v. Elizabeth SECCOMB was born 31 MAY 1768 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married Joshua HALL 3 JUL 1791 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
24 vi. Mary SECCOMB was born 11 JAN 1770 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married Andrew BLANEY ABT 23 APR 1799 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He was born in of Chelsea, Massachusetts.
+ 25 vii. Thomas SECCOMB was born 24 SEP 1771 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
26 viii. John SECCOMB was born 22 JUN 1773 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 10 SEP 1773 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
27 ix. John SECCOMB was born 18 OCT 1774 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 18 JUL 1793 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
+ 28 x. Caleb Brooks SECCOMB was born 14 MAY 1776 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 28 JUL 1807 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

10. Mehitable SECCOMB (SIMMONS SECCOMB3, JOHN SECCOMB2, RICHARD SECCOMB1) was born 16 NOV 1738 in Manchester (was Derryfield), New Hampshire, and died 18 AUG 1764 in Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts. She married James CLOUGH, son of Isaac CLOUGH.

Child of Mehitable SECCOMB and James CLOUGH was:

29 i. Mehitable Secomb CLOUGH.

11. Simmons SECCOMB (SIMMONS SECCOMB3, JOHN SECCOMB2, RICHARD SECCOMB1) was born 1 DEC 1740 in Manchester, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, and died 10 JUN 1810 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He was buried in Plains Cemetery, Kingston (All in center sec. Plot 297). He married Mary TAPPAN 10 OCT 1770 in So. Hampton, New Hampshire, daughter of Samuel TAPPAN and Dorothy MOODY. She was born 27 SEP 1742 in Newbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 21 MAR 1813 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She was buried in Plains Cemetery, Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Children of Simmons SECCOMB and Mary TAPPAN were:

30 i. Dorothy SECCOMB was born 9 JUL 1771 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died 19 OCT 1777 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
31 ii. Elizabeth SECCOMB was born 10 FEB 1773 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died 7 SEP 1777 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
32 iii. Mary SECCOMB was born 11 JUL 1775 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
33 iv. Mehitable SECCOMB was born 15 MAR 1779 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
34 v. Dorothy SECCOMB was born 15 MAR 1779 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died 25 OCT 1837 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
35 vi. Elizabeth SECCOMB was born 9 FEB 1781 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died 13 FEB 1869 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She married Daniel PEASLEE 3 FEB 1805 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
36 vii. Sarah SECCOMB was born 12 JUN 1783 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died 26 AUG 1855 in Tamworth, Carroll Co., New Hampshire. She married Jacob POLLARD 28 NOV 1805 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.
37 viii. Joseph Toppan SECCOMB was born 2 MAR 1786 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. He married Jane STEPHENS in New Hampshire. She was born 17 JUN 1782 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and died 29 AUG 1838 in Kingston, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Bits of News -- Twitter Posts to be in the Library of Congress

"Library of Congress plans to archive Twitter posts Privacy concerns raised, but tweets offer slice of history By Jon Swartz USA TODAY SAN FRANCISCO — If you tweet this, it will be in the Library of Congress. On Wednesday, the library said it has acquired Twitter’s service started four years ago. The implications for Twitter’s more than 100 million users could be huge: it runs 55 million tweets every day, which means billions of tweeta are being archived." The entire article is in today's (April 15, 2010) USA Today newspaper.

In the same article, "Google is introducing Google Replay, a feature to search historical public tweets around a specific topic and date."

Treasure Chest Thursday -- Coverlet by Betsey E. Adams, 1849

On March 27, 2010, I posted several generations of my Adams lineage from Genesee Co., New York and Connecticut. John Adams is my long-standing brick wall. So it was an unbelievable thrill to receive a message that same day from Claire who informed me that Betsey E. Addams is in her line. We compared notes, and although she isn't working on the Adams line just yet, she presented me with the nicest gift, that being several photos of a coverlet made by Betsey at age 19.  Betsey was my 1st cousin, 4 times removed.

We are not sure why Betsey spelled her last name as Addams instead of Adams, but without a doubt, she is the same person. Claire, the owner, wrote, "The size of the coverlet 70" X 90" width. It was (from what I read) sewed together down the middle. The coverlet has in the opposite front corner of the name the same name/date/county but backwards. The condition of the coverlet is pretty good."


On the day I did my blog, Claire also wrote, "I was told by my parents it was a gift to my parents handed down years ago at the time they were married. They have been married 58 yrs. I have been searching on line a couple of weeks now and came across yours today! I too wondered about the Adams family name since my dad thinks he heard that Betsey E Adams was a descendant of ? some Adams in history of ? background!!" That last statement ties into what I've always heard. Our John Adams is somehow related to the President. What I never mentioned was the fact that in our foyer was an etching or drawing, of John Quincy Adams...he was the first thing I saw every time I entered the house. And why in the heck, did we move to Lexington, Massachusetts (a town where John Q. Adams visited)? Is there a connection? I need a detective to figure this mystery.

I am very happy that Claire picked the very day that my blog was posted to do a Google search. Because of that, I now have a 5th cousin, once removed.

Additional information about Betsey's family:

Betsey E. ADAMS (Horace ADAMS2, JOHN ADAMS1) was born NOV 1830 in New York, and died 18 FEB 1906 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York. She was buried in Stafford Rural Cemetery, Stafford, Genesee Co., halfway between Batavia and LeRoy, NY.. She married Orin Joseph DEWOLF, son of Orin Clemens DEWOLF and Nancy Zobedia PERKINS. He was born 14 MAR 1830 in New York, and died 1892 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York. He was buried in Stafford Rural Cemetery, Stafford, Genesee Co., halfway between Batavia and LeRoy, New York.

Children of Betsey E. ADAMS and Orin Joseph DEWOLF are:

2 i. Herbert L. DEWOLF was born 16 MAY 1856 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York, and died 4 MAY 1886 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York.

3 ii. Ada L. DEWOLF was born 1859 in New York, and died 1943.

+ 4 iii. Charles Freemond DEWOLF was born 1861 in New York, and died ABT 12 MAR 1913 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York.

5 iv. Frank S. DEWOLF was born JUN 1863 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York, and died 1943.

6 v. Maryette DEWOLF was born 1865 in New York, and died 10 APR 1887 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York.

7 vi. Fred L. DEWOLF was born 24 JAN 1867 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York, and died 14 APR 1895 in Stafford, Genesee Co., New York.

8 vii. Howard DEWOLF was born AFT 1867 in New York, and died BEF 1900.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday -- LAY Line of Connecticut

Old Cemetery
Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut

Robert Lay
Born: January 27, 1679/80, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
Died: July 01, 1738, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
His wife was Mary Grinnell (forgot to take photo)
They were my 7th grandparents

His son, Daniel Lay is below.
Daniel Lay
Born: October 03, 1712, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
Died: December 28, 1781, Westbrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
His wife, Anne Bull below.
Anne Bull Lay
Born: March 15, 1711/12, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
Died: March 05, 1790, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Connecticut
Daniel and Anne were my 6th grandparents.

View of the three Lay stones.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

America's First Garden Cemetery

"Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831 as 'America's first garden cemetery', or the first 'rural cemetery', with classical monuments set in a rolling landscaped terrain." This statement and a full history can be located on Wikipedia and photos of the most beautiful of cemeteries.  Personally, I think some people might think of it as a garden filled with sculpture. The official site for the Cemetery is located here, I decided to show the photos.

My husband I left rather early in the morning for the short drive to Cambridge, Massachusetts, we have been there before, but never to take pictures.  Of course I had to take some flowering shrub photos, as spring has just sprung, but it isn't fully in color.


(Above shot shows Boston in the distance.)