Descendants of Richard Sears

Fifth Generation

(Continued)


430. Daniel Sears (Daniel , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 17 Jun 1744 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. He died 25 Sep 1776 and was buried in W Brewster, Barnstable, MA.

S.P. May p.141 The inventory of Daniel Sears was filed 21 Mar 1777.
The last four children are mentioned in the will of their grandfather, Dea.
John Sears 10 Mar 1789.
BURIED: Ancient Sears Cemetery

Submitter: James Nohl Churchyard
CHAN DATE 15 DEC 1995

Mayflower Index: No. 29,916 Daniel; spouse Priscilla Sears; father Daniel and mother also MD

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 200 {Nathan Stone's} things were brought to him from Boston ... and were carted from the shore to the Manse by Christopher Crowell and Daniel Sears (1744-1776).

DVR - p 7, Daniel and Mercy Sears of Yarmouth a record of the births and names of their children

Daniel married Priscilla Sears, daughter of John Sears Deacon and Deborah Crowell, on 3 Dec 1767 in Yarmouth, MA, MA. Priscilla was born 5 Apr 1749 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. She died 11 Mar 1777.

S P May, p 91, No 240, b., m.
DVR p 7 Pricillah

Daniel and Priscilla had the following children:

  1501 F i Kezia Sears was born 25 Oct 1769 in Yarmouth, MA and was christened 27 Oct 1776. She died 29 Jul 1787 and was buried in gr-st, 561.

CHAN DATE 15 DEC 1995
+ 1502 F ii Rhoda (Or Jehodah) Sears
+ 1503 F iii Dinah Sears
+ 1504 F iv Priscilla Sears
  1505 F v Mercy Sears was born 17 Feb 1777 in Yarmouth and was christened 16 Mar 1777. She died 9 Jun 1855.

CHAN DATE 15 DEC 1995

431. Phebe Sears (Daniel , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 13 Mar 1747 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. She died Jan 1818.

S P May, p 85, No 213, b., married John Sears

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 226

DVR, p 7

Phebe married John Sears Capt, son of John Sears Deacon and Deborah Crowell, on 26 Dec 1771 in Yarmouth. John was born 20 Jul 1744 in Yarmouth, MA. He died 9 Jun 1817 in Dennis, MA.

S.P. May p.153(No 237) Died of consumption. Capt Sears will be long remembered on
Cape Cod in connection with his invention of the process of making salt by solar evaporation.
In 1776, he constructed a vat, one hundred feet long, and ten feet wide.
Rafters were fixed over it, and shutters were contrived to move up and down,
that the vat might be covered when it rained, and exposed to the sun in fair
weather. But the works were leaky, and the first year he obtained but eight
bushels of salt.
He was ridiculed by his neighbors, and his invention was styled, "Sears' Folly
Capt. Sears persevered, the works were made tight, and the second year thirty bushels of salt were obtained.
In this and the third year the salt water was poured into the vat from buckets a tedious and laborious operation.
In the fourth year he rigged a pump, procured from the wreck of the British
man-of-war "Somerset," which had been cast away upon the Cape; it was worked by" hand which was still great labor.
In 1785, at the suggestion of Maj. Nathaniel Freeman of Harwich, Capt. Sears contrived a pump to be worked by wind, thus greatly abridging the labor.
Covers to move on rollers were invented by Reuben Sears, a carpenter of
Harwich; and Capt. Sears was further assisted in the improvement of the works by Capt. Wm Crowell, Capt. Christopher Crowell and Capt. Edward Sears of Dennis.
These persons assigned to him their right and title in the invention, he
applied for a patent, which he obtained in 1799.
Incidently to this industry, the manufacture of Glauber Salts, once much used in medicine, became an important branch of the business.
Rev Ephraim Briggs of Chatham, a skillful chemist, greatly improved the
process of manufacture.
The salt business was for many years one of great value and importance in
Barnstable County.
In 1832 there were in the county 1,425,000 feet of vats, producing 358,250
bushels, but in 1834 the industry was checked by the reducito of the duty.
The development of the Salt Springs in New York and elsewhere served to make the business unprofitable, and there are now (1887) few works standing and in operation.
Like many other inventive geniuses, Capt Sears had fits of abstraction, and
his neighbors gave him the nickname "Sleepy John," which he held till the
success of his invention caused it to be diplaced by that of "Salt John."
He once undertook to build an Orrery, and rigged up an old cart-wheel, to the spokes of which he affixed his planets. This was hung up over the door of his shop, in which he used to fasten himself while at work on his hobbies.
One day his wife wishing to enter the shop forced the door, when the
contrivance fell upon her, injuring her severely.
When asked what was the matter with her,a neighbor said:"John Sears' earth
fell upon her."
He was in Lieut. Micajah Sears' Co., and served 3 days from 6 Sep 1778, on
alarm at Dartmouth and Falmouth; and as Sergeant in Capt. Elisha Hedges' Co.,
in Col. Freeman's Regt., 13 to 18 Sep 1778; 52 miles travel.

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 226, (1747-1817), p 210,

DVR p 7

John and Phebe had the following children:

  1506 F i Olive Sears was born 8 Dec 1772 in Yarmouth. was buried in , 633.
        Olive married Zoeth Berry Capt on 27 Nov 1794 in Dennis, MA. Zoeth was born 1768 in Brewster, MA.

DVR p 52, Zoheth Berry of Harwich and Ollive Sears of Dennis their intentions of marriage entered 7 of August 1794 and published 10 of August
  1507 F ii Deborah Sears was born 19 Sep 1774 in Yarmouth.

SPM No 634

DVR p 56, shows Francis Baker and Deborah Sears Both of Dennis Intend marriage Entered February 3:1798 [could that be this Deborah?]
  1508 M iii Daniel Sears was born 19 Apr 1777 in Yarmouth. He died 1797 in Died At Sea and was buried in , 635.
+ 1509 M iv Heman Sears
+ 1510 F v Jerusha Sears
+ 1511 M vi Enos Sears
  1512 F vii Lavinia Sears was born 6 Sep 1785 in Yarmouth. was buried in , 639.
+ 1513 M viii Moody Sears
  1514 F ix Fanny Sears was born 28 Apr 1791 in Yarmouth. was buried in , 641.

432. Paul Sears Captain (Daniel , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 2 Jun 1750 in Yarmouth, MA. He died 3 Sep 1808 in Ashfield, MA.

S.P. May p.142 Paul Sears at one time owned and sailed whaling vessels;
removed to Ashfield, and lived on Cape street till his death in 1808. "Paul
Sears, from Hampshire Co.," was in Capt. Benj. Phillips' Co., Col Elisha
Porter's Regt, 10 Jul to 12 Aug 1777, and a corporal in Capt. Sam'l Westcott's Co., Col Jos. Ashley's Regt, 19 Sep to 18 Oct 1777, in Northern army.

Mayflower Index: No. 30,002 Paul; spouse Eleanor Smith; father Daniel

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 208, ... Captain Paul Sears (1750-1808) continued to make whaling voyages.

DVR, p 7, b.

Paul married Eleanor Smith on 25 Oct 1782 in Chatham, CT. Eleanor was born 23 Jul 1760 in , CT. She died 3 Aug 1824 in Ashfield, MA.

They had the following children:

  1515 F i Lydia Sears was born 29 Jul 1783 in Ashfield, MA. She died Mar 1815 and was buried in , 566.
        Lydia married Gray. Gray was born 1779 in .
  1516 F ii Jerusha Sears was born 7 Oct 1784 in Ashfield, MA. She died Apr 1864 in Unm. and was buried in , 567.
+ 1517 M iii Lemuel Sears
  1518 F iv Fanny Sears was born 27 Aug 1787 in Ashfield, MA. She died 12 Apr 1790 and was buried in , 569.
+ 1519 F v Achsah Sears
+ 1520 M vi Nathan Sears Dr
+ 1521 F vii Fanny Sears
  1522 F viii Clarissa Sears was born 26 Nov 1795 in . She died Mar 1864 and was buried in , 573.
        Clarissa married Sanford Boice on 15 Sep 1814. Sanford was born 1791 in <, 573>.
+ 1523 F ix Betsy Sears
  1524 M x Paul Sears was born 4 Apr 1800 in Ashfield, MA. He died in New Orleans, Unm., LA and was buried in , 575.

S.P. May p.142 He dealt largely in real estate, buying and locating soldier's
claims in Texas, about Houston, and is reputed to have been very wealthy.
  1525 M xi Henry Sears was born 25 May 1802 in Ashfield, MA. was buried in , 576.

S.P. May p.142 Henry was twice married, and had several daughters. Was judge
of Circuit Court in AR, during many years, and removed to Texas about 1843. Was
a prominent man there.
  1526 F xii Priscilla Sears was born 31 Dec 1805 in Ashfield, MA. She died 7 Jun 1866 and was buried in , 577.
        Priscilla married Emmons Pratt. Emmons was born 1801 in Buckland.

433. Enos Sears (Daniel , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 11 Jun 1752 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA and was christened 30 Aug 1752 in 2d Ch.. He died 17 Jul 1822.

S.P. May p.143(No 215) Enos Sears was deranged for many years previous to his death.
Remd to Ashfield.

Mayflower Index: No 29,942 Enos; spouse Rebecca Kelley; father Daniel

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 211 large group removed to Ashfield 1770's

DVR, p 7, b.

Enos married Rebecca Kelley, daughter of Sylvanus Kelley, on 11 Feb 1777 in Yarmouth. Rebecca was born 1756 in .

They had the following children:

+ 1527 M i Daniel Sears
+ 1528 M ii William Sears
+ 1529 F iii Hannah Sears
+ 1530 F iv Tamsen Sears
  1531 F v Dinah Sears was born 1744 in .

S.P. May p.143 Dinah livs in South Hampton, MA

Mayflower Index: No. 29,924 Dinah; spouse Ezekial Baldwin; father Enos
        Dinah married Living
  1532 F vi Mercy Sears was born about 1799 in . She died 16 Dec 1821.

434. Edmund Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 3 Jan 1743/1744 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. He died 16 Mar 1832 in W Brewster, Barnstable, MA.

SPM p.146(No 213) Edmund Sears was admitted to the Ch., Dennis 24 Jul 1809.
He was a soldier in Lieut. Micajah Sears' company, and on the alarm at Dart
mouth and Falmouth, 6 Sep 1778, marched and did 13 days' service.
His will, dated 1820, was proved 1832, and mentions wife, Hannah; children,
Sally Crowell, Zerviah Howes, Molly A. Howes, Hannah Howes, Priscilla Howes,
Edmund, Jacob, Judah and Paul Sears.
!S.P. May hand note p.147 Early in the century Mr Edmund Sears of E Dennis ran a Boston packet called the "Betsy" for a number of years. Later, his two sons, Judah and Jacob, ran a packet schooner called the "Sally & Betsy", named for their two wives. This was previous to 1828. About that time Capt Dean Sears ran a Boston packet schooner called the "Eliza & Betsy", and at the same time Capt Joseph H Sears was running a sloop called the "Combine." In 1833 two new schooners, the "David Porter" and the "Combine" were put on this line, the latter seeming to be a popular name in this locality. The old vessels were withdrawn, and Capt Dean Sears commanded the "David Porter," and Capt Joseph H Sears the "Combine." The former continued to run as a packet after all the others had given up the business, and was not withdrawn until about 1874. She had, however, several masters. Capt Dean Sears left packeting to command ships.
Captains Constant Sears, Enos Sears, Stillman Kelly (from 1840 to 1849), and
______ Sears had charge of her at various times. The "Combine" had a much
shorter career as a packet.
Capt Joseph H Sears also left her to take charge of ships in the foreign trade , and to run and manage them.

CHILDREN: DENNIS, MA VITAL RECORDS, Vol I; 1793-1900; Plymouth, General
Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1993; p 23, 139; Cape Cod Genealogical
Society-ISBN 0-930270-26-6; Dennis Town Records 1794-1820 page 40; Births and
Deaths Early 1700s to Date: Part I page 36
Edmund Sears and Hannah his wife A Record of the Births and names of their
Children:
Jacob
Judah
Molly
Paul
Sally
Zurvier
Molly Atwood
Hannah
Prisa
Edmund
Lydia

DVR, p. 123 CONFLICT:says he d. 19 Mar 1832
Mayflower Index: No. 29,931 Edmund; spouse Hannah Taylor; father Edmund

Edmund married Hannah Taylor, daughter of Jasher Taylor and Thankful Sears, on 24 Jan 1771 in Yarmouth, MA. Hannah was born 1753 in Hyannis, MA and was christened 25 May 1755. She died 7 Jul 1828 and was buried in W Brewster?.

S.P. May Another account says she was born in Plymouth, 1752; was adm. to Ch.
E yarmouth, 23 Apr 1775

Edmund and Hannah had the following children:

+ 1533 M i Jacob Sears
+ 1534 M ii Judah Sears Capt
  1535 F iii Mary "Molly" Sears was born 13 Feb 1776 in Yarmouth, MA and was christened 24 Mar 1776. She died 15 May 1785.

SPM No 586 gr-st
DVR p 23, Molly Sears b. 13 Feb 1776 died; p 139, b., d.
+ 1536 M iv Paul Sears
+ 1537 F v Sally Sears
+ 1538 F vi Zerviah Sears
+ 1539 F vii Molly Atwood Sears
+ 1540 F viii Hannah Sears
+ 1541 F ix Priscilla "Prisa" Sears
+ 1542 M x Edmund Jr Sears
+ 1543 F xi Lydia Sears

435. Elizabeth Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 16 Oct 1745 in . She died 1819.

S.P. May p. 86, No 217, b., m., d., rem to Vermont
DVR, p. 123 b., d.

Elizabeth married Thomas Homer, son of Benjamin Homer and Elizabeth Crowell, on 21 Nov 1765 in Yarmouth, MA. Thomas was born 21 Mar 1736 in . He died 17 Nov 1802.

They had the following children:

+ 1544 F i Desire Homer is printed as #1031.

436. Jane Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 17 Nov 1748 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. She died Jul 1799.

S.P. May p.86, No 218, b., m., lived in Hyannis, and had Roland, inter alios. T. Rec.

DVR, p.123, b.,d.

Jane married Roland Hallet, son of Seth Hallett and Mary Taylor, on 12 Nov 1772 in Yarmouth, MA. Roland was born 1744 in .

They had the following children:

  1545 M i Roland Hallet was born 1773 in .
  1546 M ii Seth Esq Hallett was born 1775 in .

AO p.518

438. Joshua Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 1 Jul 1753 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA and was christened 22 Jul 1753 in 2d Ch Yarmouth. He died 31 Mar 1825.

SPM p.149(No 220) Joshua Sears was, when young, a seaman, and later a farmer;
served in Lt. Micajah Sears' Co., 6 Sep 1778, on alarm at Dartmouth and
Falmouth; and shipped in ship "General Putnam," Capt. Daniel Waters, for naval service, 12 Jul 1779, at L2 per mo.; was taken prisoner and committed to Forton Prison, England, and imprisoned several years, during which he had the small-pox from which and other hardships he nearly died.
He was an active member of the church in Dennis.
His will, dated 3 Sep 1824, and proved 1825, names children: Ezra, George,
Reuben C., Rebecca Gray, wife of Leverett G.; Sarah, wife of Zoeth Howes; Nabby wife of John Hedge; and Clarissa, wife of Peter Hall.

BIRTH-FATHER-DEATH: DENNIS, MA VITAL RECORDS, Vol I; 1793-1900; Plymouth,
General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1993; p 33; Cape Cod Genealogical
Society-ISBN 0-930270-26-6; Joshua Sears and Sarah his wife Record of the
Births and names of their children:Betsey, Joshua, Rebecca, Lot, Ezra, Betsey;by his second wife Ollive: Sally, George, Naby, Clarasa, Reuben, Calvin, Olive

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 230

DVR, p. 123, b., d.; p 150

Joshua married (1) Sarah Sears, daughter of Prince Sears and Betsy Hall, on 28 May 1778. Sarah was born Dec 1759 in Harwich and was christened 2 Aug 1760. She died 15 Jan 1792 and was buried in gr-st.

They had the following children:

  1547 F i Betsy Sears was born 9 Dec 1778 in Harwich, MA. She died 5 Oct 1787 and was buried in Ancient Cemetery, W Brewster, MA.

DVR p 150
SPM No 595

Gravestone - No 67 Cherub icon
In Memory of
Betfey Dautr to
Mr Jofhua & Mrs
Sarah Sears She
Died Octr ye 5th
1787 in her
9th year

  1548 M ii Joshua Sears was born 18 May 1781 in Harwich, MA and was christened 10 Aug 1788 in E Yarmouth. He died 3 Sep 1803 in lost at sea and was buried in N Dennis, MA.

S.P. May p.147(No 596) Joshua was master of a schooner, and lost at sea on a passage from Straits Belle Isle, gr-st

DVR p. 150, b., d.
  1549 F iii Rebecca Sears was born 29 Jul 1783 in Yarmouth, MA and was christened 10 Aug 1788. She died in died at sea.

SPM p.147(No 597) Rebecca removed to Thomaston, ME

DVR p 150, b., d.
        Rebecca married Leverett Gray on 5 Feb 1801 in Dennis, MA. Leverett was born 1779 in .

S.P. May p.147 Removed to Thomaston, ME
DVR p 67, Leveret Gray of Yarmouth and Rebecca Sears of Dennis their intention of marriage entered 10 of Jan 1801 and publish,d the 11.; p 85 m. by Rev Nathan Stone, Feby 5, 1801
  1550 M iv Lot Sears was born 15 Oct 1785 in Dennis, MA and was christened 10 Aug 1788. He died 3 Sep 1803 in lost at sea and was buried in N Dennis, MA.

S.P. May p.147(No 598) was mate with his bro. Joshua, and lost at sea. gr-st
DVR p 150, b.
+ 1551 M v Ezra Sears
  1552 F vi Betsy Sears was born 15 Jul 1791 in Yarmouth, MA and was christened 7 Aug 1791. She died 1 Jan 1894.

SPM p 147(No 600), CONFLICT:d. inf
DVR p. 150 b., d. 1 Jan 1894

Joshua also married (2) Olive Clark on 1 Dec 1792 in Pub Harwich. Olive was born 15 Feb 1765 in . She died 14 Dec 1817 and was buried in gr-st.

They had the following children:

+ 1553 F vii Sally Sears
+ 1554 M viii George Sears Capt
+ 1555 F ix Abigail "Nabby" Sears
+ 1556 F x Clarissa Sears
  1557 M xi Reuben Clarke Sears was born 10 Oct 1800 in Dennis, MA and was christened 11 Jan 1801. He died 5 Jan 1829 and was buried in Ancient Cemetery, W Brewster, MA.

SPM No 605
spelled Reuben Clark
Gravestone - No 76 (bad lichens, maybe I read it wrong)
In Memory of
Mr REUBEN SEARS
who died
Jun 2 1829
AEt 28

DVR p 150 b., d. 5 Jan 1829
  1558 M xii Calvin Sears was born 29 Jan 1803 in Dennis, MA and was christened 20 Mar 1803. He died 12 Apr 1806 and was buried in N Dennis, MA.

SPM No 606
DVR Calvin b. Jan #### 29 1803 d. 12 Apr 1806 ####Sept.
  1559 F xiii Olive Sears was born 7 Sep 1805 in Dennis, MA and was christened 20 Oct 1805. She died 1 Nov 1810 and was buried in N Dennis, MA.

SPM p.149(No 607) Scalded to death

DVR p 150 d. Nov 1810 - drowned

439. Christopher Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 16 Aug 1756 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA and was christened 22 Aug 1756. He died Feb 1809.

S P May p.150, No 221 Was a Revolutionary soldier, and served from 27 Jan to 21 Nov 1776, in Capt Elisha Nye's Co., at Elizabeth Islands; and in Capt Micah Chapman's Co., Lt Micajah Sears, on alarm at Dartmouth and Falmouth, Sep 1778; 3 days' service.

Mayflower Index: No. 29,906 Christopher; spouse Mary Snow; father Edmund

DVR, p 48, Cristopher and his wife Deborah and second wife Polley the names and births of their children.

DVR, p 57, Deaths in the Town of Dennis, Mar 5 1795, A Child of Christopher Sears aged 2 1/2 years (b. abt Oct 1792)[This child would fit in with the others listed. Is there another Christopher Sears in Dennis at this time?]

DVR, p 123, Cristopher b. Aug 16 1756

Christopher married (1) Deborah Manter, daughter of Jeremiah Manter and Thankful Foster. Deborah was born 1763 in Marthas Vineyard, MA.

History of martha's Vineyard, Banks Vol III Dukes Co Hist Soc 1966 p.287

Christopher and Deborah had the following children:

+ 1560 F i Deborah Manter Sears

Christopher also married (2) Mary "Polley" Snow on 13 Mar 1788 in Harwich, MA. Mary was born 1767 in Harwich.

SPM p.149 Mary was adm. to Ch., Dennis 2 Aug 1795
DVR, shows Polley as his second wife.

Christopher and Mary had the following children:

  1561 M ii Christopher Sears was born 21 Jan 1789 in Yarmouth, MA and was christened 18 Oct 1795 in Dennis. He died Aug 1816 in lost at sea.

SPM No 609
DVR p 48, Cristopher b 21 Jan 1789; p 166
  1562 F iii Polly Sears was born 6 Feb 1790 in Yarmouth, MA and was christened 18 Oct 1795 in Dennis.

SPM No 610
DVR p 48 Polley b. 6th February 1790; p 166
+ 1563 M iv William Sears
+ 1564 F v Nancy Sears
  1565 F vi Eunice Sears was born 16 Aug 1796 in Dennis, MA and was christened 25 Sep 1796.

Mayflower Index: No 29,944 and 29,945 Eunice; spouse Alexander Robbins; both parents MD

DVR p 48, b.; p 166
SPM No 613
        Eunice married Alexander Robbins on 28 Nov 1816. Alexander was born 1792 in Brewster.
  1566 F vii Elizabeth Sears was born 26 Apr 1799 in Dennis, MA and was christened 23 Jun 1799.

SPM p.150(No 614) Elizabeth joined the Shakers at Harvard
DVR p 48 b.; p 166
  1567 F viii Lucinda Sears was born 10 May 1801 in Dennis, MA and was christened 16 Aug 1801.

SPM No 615
DVR p 48, b.; p 166
  1568 M ix Lot Sears was born 31 Aug 1805 in Dennis, MA and was christened 23 Feb 1806. He died 26 Dec 1829 and was buried in Brewster, MA.

SPM No 616, gr-st, d. unm.
DVR p. 48 Lot b. August 31 1805 [Sepr crossed out]; p 166

440. Elkanah Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 21 Oct 1758 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. He died 1 Jun 1836 in Dennis, Barnstable, MA and was buried in W Brewster, Barnstable, MA.

SPM p.151(No 222) Elkanah Sears lived in the east precinct of Yarmouth, now East Dennis.
Was a soldier in Lt Micajah Sears' Co., and marched on alarm at Dartmouth and Falmouth, 6 Sep 1778; was on duty 3 days.
In the fall of 1819, Elkanah Sears with his son William, set out some
cranberry vines at Flax pond (now called Scargo lake), in Dennis, and was the
pioneer in the large and profitable business of cranberry raising.
Some years later Henry Hall of Dennis, having a marshy lot which produced
some very fine berries, was led to follow the experiment of transplanting some of the vines to another portion of the same swamp, and the experiment proving a success, he and others continued their efforts in the same direction. But it took years of careful study, and laborious and costly experiment to ascertain the processes, soil and conditions necessary to success.
In 1888, the shipments of cranberries from Cape Cod were 80,128 barrels and
13,463 boxes.
In 1677, to appease the wrath of Charles II, who was angry with Massachusetts Colony for coining "pine-tree shillings," the General Court ordered a present to be sent him of "ten barrels of cranberries, two hogsheads of samp, and three thousand codfish," luxuries which it was thought would soften the ire of an angry monarch.

BURIED: Ancient Sears Cemetery - No 117
SACRED
to the memory of
Mr ELKANAH SEARS
who died
Jun 1 1836 AEt 78
Farewell my wife & children dear
I leave you all below
O may you serve the Lord while here
That home to glory you may go.

Dennis, Cape Cod, p 298, Over the next few years the family of Elkanah Sears on Quivet Neck experimented in {cranberry} cultivation.

DVR, p 35-6 a record of the births and names of their children; p.123, b., d.; p 152 [another] record of their children

Elkanah married Mercy Bray, daughter of William Bray and Sarah Joyce, on 10 Jan 1788 in Yarmouth, MA. Mercy was born 7 Apr 1763 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA, [5]. She died 9 Jul 1846 in Dennis, Barnstable, MA, [352] and was buried in W Brewster, Barnstable, MA, #116.

BURIED: Ancient Sears Cemetery

Elkanah and Mercy had the following children:

+ 1569 F i Sarah Sears
  1570 F ii Temperance Sears was born 28 Nov 1790 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA. She died 1 Mar 1859.

DVR p 36, b 28 of Novr 1790; p 152 b.
        Temperance married Ezekial Hallet on 29 Oct 1829. Ezekial was born 1786 in .
  1571 F iii Susan Sears was born 27 Apr 1794 in Dennis, Barnstable, MA. She died 2 Jun 1857.

DVR p 36, Susanna b. 27 of April 1794; p 152, b., d.
  1572 F iv Lucy Sears was born 29 May 1797 in Dennis, Barnstable, MA. She died 27 Nov 1852.

DVR p 36, b. 29 of May 1797; p 152, b., d.
        Lucy married Ezekial Thacher on Dec 1816 in Brewster. Ezekial was born 1793 in Brewster.
+ 1573 M v Elkanah Jr Sears
+ 1574 M vi Thomas Sears
+ 1575 M vii William Sears Capt

442. Temperance Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 9 Aug 1764 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA and was christened 18 Nov 1764.

S P May, p 86, No 224, b., bap., m., children

Mayflower Index: No. 30,035 Temperance; spouse Isaac Clark; father Edmund

Denis, Cape Cod, p 199, Mr Nathan Stone's first baptism was that of Temperance on 18 Nov 1764

DVR, p. 123, b.

Temperance married Isaac Clark, son of Kimbal Clark and Mary Paddock, on 28 Apr 1789 in Yarmouth. Isaac was born 10 Oct 1761 in . He died 11 Feb 1819 in Coast of Africa.

S.P. May p.86 was a shipmaster in the Russian trade, and at the close of the
Rev'y war, achieved the distinction of commanding the first mercantile vessel
to display the UNited States flag in the White Sea, having been obliged to wait
six months at St. PEtersburg, for the arrival of the American Minister, before
he was permitted to discharge his cargo. He was Representative to the General
Court from Brewster 1803-12, and died on the coast of Africa.

Isaac and Temperance had the following children:

+ 1576 F i Mary Paddock Clark
+ 1577 F ii Hannah Clark
  1578 M iii Isaac Clark was born 18 May 1794 in . He died in Died Unm..
+ 1579 M iv Lot Clark
  1580 M v Strabo Clark was born 1798 in . He died 29 Jun 1799.
+ 1581 M vi Strabo Clark
+ 1582 F vii Temperance Clark
  1583 M viii Edmund Sears Clark was born 5 Apr 1804 in . He died in Died Unm..
+ 1584 M ix Albert Paddock Clark
+ 1585 F x Eliza Jane Clark

443. Hannah Sears (Edmund , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 8 Dec 1766 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, MA and was christened 22 Mar 1767 in E Yarmouth, MA. She died Jan 1843.

S P May, p 88, No 225, b., bap. m.

DVR, p. 123, b., d.

Hannah married Willard Sears, son of Willard Sears and Susannah Howes, on 19 Sep 1786 in Yarmouth, MA. Willard was born 26 May 1759 in Harwich, MA and was christened 17 Feb 1765 in E Yarmouth, MA. He died 27 Jul 1852 in W Newton and was buried in gr-st, Brewster, 257.

S.P. May p.161 Willard Sears lived near the site of the ancient tide-mill at
Stony Brook, HAr., later Br., on land which he purchased of Major Nathl.
Freeman; the land was known as Sachamus Neck, the residence of the Sachem of the
Sauguatucket Indians.
The house which he erected was taken down some years since by Mr Augustus
Paine, (to whom he had sold the place) and another built in its place.
He was an enterprising housewright, built many salt-works, and engaged also in
shipbuilding and the manufacture of salt.
During the Revolution he was in the Militia, and on alarm at Falmouth and
Bedford, MA 7 Sep 1778; marched in Capt Benj. Berry's Co., 112 miles' travel,
and 7 days service.
Previous to his death he divided his property among his children, and left no
estate to be administered upon.
The births of some of his children have been incorrectly entered in Harwich
town records; those given here are from the family Bible.
Willard Sears and his wife were buried in the "New Cemetery," at Brewster, the
latte being the first interment there.

Willard and Hannah had the following children:

+ 1586 F i Nancy Sears
+ 1587 F ii Sukey Sears
+ 1588 F iii Jane Sears
+ 1589 M iv Ebenezer Sears
+ 1590 F v Hannah Sears
  1591 F vi Mary Sears was born 26 Apr 1799 in Harwich, MA and was christened 5 May 1799. was buried in , 683.

S.P. May p.160 Baptized by name of Polly; dism 7 Mar 1847, from Ch. Br to Ch
Brookline, MA and now lives, unm.in Brewster.
  1592 M vii Willard Sears was born 29 Nov 1803 in Harwich, MA and was christened 18 Mar 1804. was buried in , 684.

S.P. May Willard Sears received an ordinary "district school" education in
his native town of Brewster, and grew up pretty much like other Cape Cod boys,
working on the farm, helping at the salt-works, and at his father's trade of
carpenter, and early learning the lesson of self-reliance. At the age of 9,
wishing to visit his brother who was learning a trade in Boston, he embarked on
board the packet,and worked his passage by cooking for the crew, viz., captain
and mate.
26 Mar 1822, he left the old homestead, and became aan apprentice with Mr Wm.
Goodrich, an organ-builder on Harlem place, Boston, next to the "Lion Theatre,"
who failed in the course of a year. Young Sears then worked for a few months
on looking-glass frames, and later on gas-meters in the shop corner of
Washington and Bromfield streets; there was on the premises a steam-engine, the
first in Boston, which blew up one fine day, and scared the neighbors out of
their wits, and in the consequence the owner was forbidden to use it again�KA�wU�KA�wUp�?�wUpB>�wULA�wU�KA�wU@�KA�wUmade in Boston; however, he recovered and went on
with his business. Mr S. then left, and went to work for his brother in
putting up the organ in the Old South Church; it was made in London, and as the
builders in this country were opposed to its importation, they refused to put
it up. A Mr Cory was, therefore, engaged to come over and erect it, and keep
it in tune for a year; he remained and went into business here.
During the winter of 1824, Mr C. and Eben Sears went to New York to set up
the Trinity Church organ. Christmas eve the boss invited all hands to his
house to celebrate; they drank and sung until pretty drunk, and at 10 PM the
brothers Sears went home, leaving the rest to make a night of it.
Upon his departure for New York, his employer left with Willard checks to
make weekly payments to the men, and with which to buy stock. The rest of the
men were foreigners, and kept up their carouse for three weeks until delirium
tremens set in. Their poor wives came to Mr Sears for money with which to buy
food, which he gave them, without authority, and was much perplexed what to do.
He then made a vow that he would never take alcholic drinks, and this
resolution he has adhered to, except in two instances; first, when urged by his
pastor in Brewster while calling on him; and second, when about to join Essex
st. Church, Boston, he called upon the Deacon, an Englishman by birth, who
would take no refusal.
In 1826, while building a block of brick houses on Haymarket place, he wished
to break up the custom of furnishing grog to the men at 11 and 4 each day.
About Jul 3 the ridgepole was to be raised, and the usage then was what the men
were at liberty to drink as often and as much as they pleased. The day was
hot, and the men drank all the more; the staging was insecurely built and broke
doen, and some of the men had broken bones as well as bruises. Mr Sears'
brother had his collar-bone broken, and received other injuries which confined
him to the house for several weeks.
During his illness Willard offered the men ten cents more per day to give up
their rations, and about one-half agreed to do so. In three days he had a full
gang of young, smart and good men at work, and the next month's pay, for an
equal amount of work, was one-third less than in grog days. Seeing this
result, the brothers nefver after furnished any liquor or drank any themselves.
The same year that the municipal government was established, Mr Sears came to
Boston, and soon became prominent in a series of events which resulted in a
complete revolutionizing of the city fire department. He was at that time a
member of "Young Men's Moral Association," devoted to exposing and breaking up
gambling, dance-houses, etc. As a Mayor's detective, young Sears discovered
the weakness of the department, and its remarkable strength also.
There was a body of 1,500 young, snart, athletic men, organiuzed in such a
way as to be scarcely at all under the control of the city government. The
city furnished the engines, and kept them in repair, and then the companies did
about as they pleased, except when at fires, they were nominally under the
control of the fire wardens, and even this was more by sufferance than
discipline.
The volunteers worked well at a fire, and were prompt in getting there. Cash
presents, gifts of liquors and eatables, were freely donated to the firemen by
grateful persons whose property had been in fanger; then followed the
inevitable carousal, which did not cease so long as thematerials lasted. The
firemen represented every social degree, each having its own company, and none
had more elegant, luxurious and prolonged carousals than the swell company of
Beacon Hill.
Needless to say, fires were frequent.
One Sunday morning in 1828, Mr Sears entered an engine-house. The members of
that company were not graded low in the social scale, but were all the sons of
reputable parents.
It was the morning after a fire, and sitting round, in a dazed condition,
were half a dozen members, just recovering from their debauch, while more than
20 young men lay helplessly drunk on the floor, and among them several women,
also stupefied. Such was the condition of thinfgs when Mr Sears joined the
Boston fire department.
His principles having become known, he was refused admission to the
existibngorganizations, but procured leave to form a company,a nd became the
Captain of it. No. 8, as it was called, was the entering wedge that finally
split, and broke up the existing system.
Mr Sears organized with young men pledged to reform.
On the wall if the engine-house hung the roll of membership, at the topp of
which were these words: "No drinking of liquor,""No using of tobacco,""No
profanity while on duty." Each pledge had its vertical column, and list of
members underneath. Every name must be in the first column, and most of them
were in all.
In consequence of this innovation all the old companies were down on No. 8,
and it was annoyed in all possible ways, and systematically obstructed whenever
it started for a fire, and the bitterness was not softened by the fact that
No.* was the most efficient conpany in Boston.
Capt Sears resolved to bring things to a head, and on the next alarm of fire,
No.12 purposely obstructing his path, he gave his men ordersto pass them at all
hazards, and as the result, No.12 was a wreck. He was arraigned before the
Mayor, who was very wroth, and threatened to disband the company. In reply, Mr
Sears referred to the ordinance: "You will proceed at once to the fire, and
break down all obstructions."
"There, Mr Mayor, is the law, and we only obeyed it, and now I will resign; I
have had trouble and annoyance enough, and will have nothing more to do with
it." At the Mayor's request he finally consented to continue in the
department, but the annoyances did not cease, the city government would not
repair the engine, and the work was done athis own expense. He finally
disbanded the company.
For a few years thereafter, the fire department went from bad to worse, until
it came to a crisis brought on by the efforts of the municipal government to
bring about a reform, and all the companies were disbanded, leaving the city
without a single company to protect property in case of fire.
At this juncture Mr Sears was called upon by the presidents of the insurance
companies, and requested to take charge of a company they had organized,
composed of leading men of Boston, such as Capt Williams, Dr Hayward, Hon Mr
Wheeler, Dea Charles Scudder, and other gentlemen from Beacon street and
Colonnade Row.
After some demur he finally consented, but at the first trial satisfactorily
convinced them that they were not the right material for such dirty and
laborious work, and that the only true, and the cheapest system for
the insurance companies and property holders was a paid fire departmetn, and
this, too, out of regard for themorals of the youth of the city.
A committee was thereupon raised to wait upon the Mayor and Aldermen, and
state their views upon the subject, and as a result the city established the
paid fireman's system in 1838, the first in the United States.
About the year 1837, Rev Sylvester Graham lectured in Boston, on Temperance,
Physiology and Hygiene, advocating a vegetable diet, and the use of unbolted
flour, now so popular under the name of "Graham flour."
The bakers and rummies became much incensed, mobbed him, and drove the
ladies, to whom he was lecturing, into the street.
The ladies then applied to Mr Sears for the use of the hall attached to the
Marlboro Hotel, owned by him, and a day being set for the lecture notice was
printed in three papers that Graham would bemobbed.
The Mayor sent the City Marshall to Mr Sears, ordering him forthwith to
appear at the City Hall. Mr S. was at the time employed with his men in
pulling down some old plastering in the hotel, and was covered with mortar and
dirt. He told the Marshall he was busy, had violated no law, and would not go.
The Marshall then left, but shortly returned with a carriage, and the Mayor's
compliments, requesting the favor of an interview, to which Mr S then
consented.
An account of the interview may be found in the "Liberator" of 24 Mar 1837,
under the head of "Mob Law."
The result was that the Mayor told him the building would be mobbed, and hecould not protect him with the force at his disposal, and if he persisted in
letting it be used by Graham he must take the consequences. Mr S, seeing that
little was to be expected from city officials, decided to protect his property
himself at all hazards.
He directed his workmen to place all the old plaster in heaps by the windows,
together with a quantity of old lime,and await orders which he would transmit
through his clerk. After parleying some time with the mob which was assembled
outside the barricade that had been erected to protect passers-by during the
alterations, and finding they were bent on mischief and could no longer be
delayed, he retired through a small door and gave a preconcerted signal. At
once the workmen commenced shoveling out hte lime and mortar from the upper
windows. The mob, looking up to see what was to pay, in a moment had their
eyes and mouths filled with the pungent dust, there was a strong wind blowing,
and the street was presently filled with a cloud of lime. Flesh and blood
could not stand this; the mob broke and retired, and Mr Sears had won a
bloodless victory.
The papers discussed the matter thoroughly, and the public finally decided
for the right of free speech.
In a few eeks the Mayor called upon Mr Sears and said: "If you will stop
Garrison from writing any more about me, when you dedicate your chapel, I will
protect you and you property, if I have to call in the State and navy soldiers,
with all the police. Sir, I was wrong, but do stop Garrison; he is ruining my
character, and bringing me to disgrace."
At the dedication of Marlboro Chapel, he, without solicitation, put 30 police
inside, 40 outside, and held the military in reserve.
Of course, Mr Sears was one of the earliest abolitionists and free-soilers.
In 1834, Geo Thompson, an English emncipationist, on his return from the
W.I., came to Boston to deliver a lecture.
The use of "Faneuil Hall" was granted , but permission revoked by city
authorities. Mr Sears and Amasa Walker then hired "Julien Hall" for the
purpose, giving their bond for $17,000 to pay any damage that might be done by
a mob. This also was revoked, and the only place that could be procured was
"Ritchie Hall," over Dea Gulliver's carpet store, corner of Temple place. The
entrance was soon surrounded by an armed mob of Southerners and their
sympathizers, and Thompson was finally taken out through a hoisting scuttle in
the rear, placed in a carriagewith J S Withington, and driven to the house of J
G Whittier in Amesbury. He did not dare to return, but embarked shortly for
England. During the disturbance Mr Sears was on guard at the door; was struck
several times, but not materially injured, and held the fort until Thompsonhad retired.
In 1836 Mr Sears and Dea Charles Scudder fitted out the first missionary to
Jamaica (an Oberlin student), and established the first station there.
He was the first to take a colored apprentice, later procuring for him a
commission as Justice of the Peace, guaranteeing his good conduct.
He was intimately connected with the "Underground Railway," and aided many
fugitives on their way to Canada and freedom.
The "Marlboro Hotel" was opened by him as a temperance house, the first in
this country. No liquor was to be sold in it, and a t first no smoking was
allowed, but his latter was conceded later.
The ladies and gentleman's parlors were thrown open morning and evening for
religious services. Grace was said before every meal, and for twenty-six years
the observance of the services was continuous and uninterrupted. The chapel in
the rear was a free hall for lectures and discussions on all moral and social
questions. It was opened in May 1838, and was run as a free hall and chapel
for fourteen years. It was afterward let for the "Lowell Institute" Lectures.
The house was patronized by a class of quiet, religious people who wanted such
a stopping place when they came to the city. John G Whittier, Mr Longfellow
and Henry Wilson were frequent guests.
During a long life, Mr Sears has contracted for and built inumerable
edifices, both public and private, among them the Fitchburg Depot, Boston, and
all stations and freight-houses to Fitchburg; eastern railway stations and old
ferry-houses; Boston & Worcester Depot in Boston, and stations and
freight-houses to Worcester; Old Colony Depot and stations to Sandwich; and
much other railroad work in the east and west; some thirty churches, among
them, the Swedenborgian, Dr Kirk's, and Essex St., Boston; Catholic Ch., S
Boston; Cong. Ch., Bunker's Hill, Charlestown; Dr Thompson's Roxbury; Dr
Langworthy's, Chelsea; West Newton and Brookline churches, etc.; built and
owned Marlboro Hotel and Chapel, and reconstructed the State's Prison at
Charlestown.
He was one of the petioners and obtained the charter for the Female Medical
College, Boston, and a Trustee; put up the first sixty buildings in San
Francisco, but lost by fire and shipwreck $250,000, being uninsured. He owned
the ship "Rowland" and cargo, and the cargo in bark "Henry Ware," both of which
were lost upon the voyage.
Mr S obtained the charter, and called the forst meeting to organize the
Northern Pacific R.R., and was in the board of direction for five years.
For some years he has done little business beyond supervising the Alburgh
Springs Hotel, VT, and the Mineral SPrings connected therewith, which he
purchased after having himself experienced their marvelous curative powers. Mr Sears is as we have seen by nature a radical reformer, a teetotaller, and
anti-tobacconist, abolitionist and free-soiler; for a time a vegetarian, but
this did not hold; he early took the anti-mason infection, and has never got
over it.
He is a strict Sabbatarian, and a perfect type of the old Puritan; of
downright and combative dispostion, had he lived in Cromwell's time, he would
doubtless have fought at his side.
Charitable by nature, his benefactions have been large and constant. Oberlin
College long found in him a liberal patron, and it is estimated he gave in all
$100,000 to that institution; as a trustee, he took the place of Ossawattomie
Brown, and served may years. Many other religious, educational and charitable
institutions have partaken of his bounty.
The poor and oppressed have ever found his heart and purse open, and many a
fugitive from oppression has had cause to bless him.
Of a large and muscular mould, Mr Sears has possessed great strength and
endurance; dark in complexion, his jet black hair has only become an iron-gray;
quick spoken, and decided in manner, he has great success in managing large
gangs of men.
Soon after his marriage he went to reside in Brookline, removing thence to
W Newton, and later to the banks of the winding Charles at Watertown.
His pleasant estate there being absorbed by the government as a portion of
the arsenal grounds, he removed to Newtonville, and now, (1887,)in his old age,
resides in Newton with his wife and his only surviving sister, a wonderfully
smart and active maiden lady of 88.

May's Hand Notes- During the War of 1812, he with other boys watched for
approaching English vessels which blockaded Boston and Salem during winter at
Provincetown.
+ 1593 F viii Harriet Sears

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