Marblehead Massachusetts

Abbot Family of New England

A genealogical dictionary of the first settlers of New England vol 1

Arthur Abbot, Marblehead Perhaps removed to Ipswich, joined Winthrop 1634, in the settlement of that town, was living in 1671, and probably died before 1679. We know of issue, only Philip, whose descendants have tradition that he came from Totness in County Devon, where he left good estate of which for several years after migration the income was enjoyed by him. Arthur Abbot, Ipswich Perhaps son of the preceding in 1671 made freeman then called Jr. and, in 1674, 35 years old; by wife Elizabeth who died 17 Feb. 1738, aged 90, had Elizabeth born 6 June 1686, and probably … Read more

Free Massachusetts Vital Records

Vital Records of Bellingham Massachusetts to 1850

This is a collection of free vital records books, most of them known by “Tan Books” for Massachusetts towns. Generally, these records go up to 1849/1850 at which, the genealogist can use the census records to assist in identifying the family connections further. They’re called “tan books” because they were bound by tan cloth. Included with this article is an account of why and how these manuscripts were published along with links to all 205 Massachusetts vital records pdfs which can be freely read or downloaded.

The Descendants of Thomas White of Marblehead

The Descendants of Thomas White

The book “The Descendants of Thomas White, of Marblehead, and Mark Haskell of Beverly, Mass: With a Brief Notice of the Coombs Family” by Perley Derby, published in 1872, provides a genealogical overview of these interconnected families. Despite possessing extensive materials, the compiler chose to present a concise pedigree of each family branch to fulfill the originator’s intent of preserving their lineage for future generations. The work highlights the frequent intermarriages among the White, Haskell, and Coombs families, emphasizing their longstanding connections. While acknowledging gaps in early records, especially for Thomas White, the book aims to inspire further research and a more comprehensive historical account of these families.

Ezekiel Cheever and some of his Descendants

Ezekiel Cheever and some of his descendants

The paper entitled Ezekiel Cheever and Some of his Descendants was prepared for, and published in, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register for April 1879. The same type has now been used to print a few copies in pamphlet form, for private distribution. There has been added to it, as an Appendix, the Cheever Manuscript in the Library of the Boston Athenaeum, now for the first time printed in full.

Sea Captains – Hooper to Humphreys

Baroque Washington

Hooper, Asa Born July 6, 1767. 1780 Seaman “Ship Thorn,” Capt. Richard Cowell. 1801 Schooner “Hope,” 92T 1803 Selectman. 1812 Captain of Privateer Brigantine “Thorn,” captured in 1812. 1816 Schooner “Ardent.” ____ Schooner “Mary.” (Lost G. C.) 1828 Schooner “Teazer.” 1833 Schooner “Daniel Baxter,” 81T. 1806-1812-1814-1823 Representative to the General Court. Commission of Asa Hooper as Captain of the Privateer Brigantine “Thorn” in possession of the Marblehead Historical Society. Hooper, Henry Bpt. July 12,1761. 1799 Schooner “Hannah.” Hooper, Ebenezer Born July 31, 1813. Ship “Duxbury.” Ship “Harriet.” (Lost G. C.) Brigantine “Generous.” Sold in Mozambique in 1836. (Essex Institute Records). … Read more

Old Marblehead Sea Captains

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This volume is intended to be a fairly accurate list of the Old Sea Captains of Marblehead, and the vessels in which they sailed, going to and from foreign ports. The information contained in this volume has been obtained by careful and persistent research from widely distributed sources viz: the Marblehead and Salem and Beverly Custom House Records, original books of the Marblehead Marine Insurance Company, covering five thousand policies running from 1800 to 1840, list of Marblehead Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War (compiled in 1912-13 by the author), old log books, old letter books, old newspapers, list of Privateersmen of 1812 made up by Capt. Glover Broughton in a memorial to the 34th, 35th and 36th Congresses asking for grants of land for services rendered, and from the descendants of the men mentioned.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Edward Horatio Foster

Dr. Edward Horatio Foster, formerly a well-known medical practitioner of Concord, was born October 13, 1839, in Canterbury, N.H., son of David M. and Sarah (Bradley) Foster. He is a direct descendant of Reginald Foster, who settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. His grandfather, Asa Foster, served in the French and Indian War, and under General Pepperell was at the capture of Louisburg. During the Revolutionary War Asa was one of General Arnold’s body-guard at the time of the General’s desertion. When he died in Canterbury in 1862, he was ninety-six years old. His son, David M. Foster, a native … Read more