3270. Hiram Sears (Paul , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 8 Jul 1811 in Sandisfield, MA. He died Sep 1878 in Vail, IA and was buried in , 1254.
S.P. May p. 375 Hiram Sears was in boot and shoe business in New York city,
residing in Brooklyn; removed to Vail, IA, where he died.
Hiram married Julia A Pickett, daughter of Samuel Pickett. Julia was born 1817 in
They had the following children:
3271. Henry Sears (Paul , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 3 Aug 1815 in Sandisfield, MA. was buried in , 1255.
S.P. May p.375-6 Henry Sears lived with his brother in Hartford, CT, for a few
years, then returned to Sandisfield, and took care of his parents and grand-
mother until their death; he then removed to Rockford, IL, and engaged in
farming for a few years; went into trade there, and in 1872, after the fire,
moved his business to Chicago; is a wholesale dealer in cutlery, fire-arms, etc.
manf'rs and improters, firm of Henry Sears & Co.
Henry married (1) Lucretia Brewster on 10 Sep 1839 in Norwich, CT. Lucretia was born 27 Jul 1811 in Preston, CT. She died 3 Sep 1854 in Rockford, IL.
changed from Lucia, p. 385, typescript
Henry and Lucretia had the following children:
5935 F i Francis E Sears was born 27 Sep 1841 in Hartford, CT. was buried in , 2513.
S.P. May p.375 Lives in Rockford, IL and has 2 children
Francis married George A Seeley on 7 Aug 1877 in Rockford, IL. George was born 1837 in . + 5936 M ii Edmund B Sears
Henry also married (2) Esther (Brewster) Statesbury Mrs on 20 Sep 1855 in Norwich, CT. Esther was born 25 Jan 1818 in
They had the following children:
+ 5937 F iii Maria B Sears
3273. Artemesia Sears (Simeon , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 8 Dec 1802 in Sandisfield, MA. She died 1848 and was buried in , 1257.
S.P. May p.229 Previous to her marriage she taught school several terms. The
Chapins are all Baptists.
Artemesia married Calvin Chapin on 1825. Calvin was born 1798 in
They had the following children:
5938 F i Clarissa Chapin was born 1826 in . She died 1854 in New Milford, CT.
S.P. May p.229 Was a school teacher and much beloved by all who knew her.
5939 M ii Newton Chapin was born 1828 in .
S.P. May p.229 A fine scholar and teacher, lives in IL.
+ 5940 M iii Samuel Chapin
3274. Norman Spencer Sears (Simeon , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 7 Jan 1805 in Sandisfield, MA. was buried in , 1258.
S.P. May p.376 Norman Sears is a farmer in Monterey, MA, has been Selectman,
Assessor and Juryman for may years, and is a member of the Congregational Church
Norman married (1) Abigail Jones on 1828 in S Tyringham, MA. Abigail was born 1803 in Sandisfield, MA. She died 1836 in S Tyringham, Now (Monterey), MA.
They had the following children:
5941 F i Harriet Jones Sears was born 1830 in New Marlboro, MA. was buried in , 2516.
S.P. May p.376 Was educated in Le Roy, NY and was a school teacher for four
years in Rochester, NY, and vicinity. Had two sons, of whom one lives with his
mother in Monterey.
Harriet married Stephen Jr Keyes Rev on 1854. Stephen was born 1826 in . He died 1868.
S.P. may p.376 A Baptist minister
5942 F ii Mary Louisa Sears was born 1832 in New Marlboro, MA. She died 1834 in S Tyringham, MA and was buried in , 2516. + 5943 M iii Hiram Porter Sears 5944 M iv Harlow Milton Sears was born 1836 in S Tyringham, MA. He died 1843 in Scarlet Fever and was buried in , 2516.
Norman also married (2) Olive Spear on 1837. Olive was born 1803 in Otis, MA. She died 1878 in Monterey, MA.
They had the following children:
5945 M v Barnas Norman Sears was born 1840 in Monterey, MA. He died 1849 in Scarlet Fever and was buried in , 2516. + 5946 M vi John Simeon Sears
3275. Julius Sears (Simeon , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 3 Apr 1807 in Sandisfield, MA. He died 1889 in Vinland, NJ and was buried in , 1259.
S.P. May p.376 Julius Sears injured himself when a young man in running to a
fire, and always after had poor health, but lived to the age of 82.
Julius married Mary Barker. Mary was born 1811 in
They had the following children:
3276. Emily B Sears (Simeon , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 17 Apr 1809 in Sandisfield, MA. She died 27 Nov 1886 in Stockbridge, MA and was buried in , 1260.
Emily married Samuel Thompson on 21 Sep 1832. Samuel was born 23 Aug 1805 in S Tyringham, MA. He died 29 Jan 1886 in Athens, PA.
S.P. May p.230 Removed in 1866 to Hammonton, NJ, and in 1886 to Athens, PA.
Samuel and Emily had the following children:
+ 5951 M i Merrick Samuel Thompson + 5952 M ii George Edward Thompson + 5953 F iii Frances Emeline Thompson 5954 M iv James Emerson Thompson was born 13 May 1839 in <, MA>.
S.P. May p.230 Enlisted Sep 1861, in 27th Regt, Mass Vols; was in more than 20
battles, and was promoted Sergt. for bravery, and killed Cold Harbor, 3 Jun 1864
+ 5955 F v Julia Ann Thompson + 5956 F vi Rosina Amelia Thompson 5957 F vii Millicent Jemima Thompson was born 29 Jul 1848 in <, MA>. She died 6 Aug 1877 in Atlantic City, NJ.
S.P. May p.231 Finished her education at a select school in Hammonton, NJ, and
taught school several years. Lived in KA 3 years, and died of consumption at
Atlantic City. Had no children. He m. 2d, Bertha D Thompson.
Millicent married George H Perkins on 17 Jul 1870. George was born 1844 in Hammonton, NJ.
S.P. May p.231 He m. 2d, Bertha D Thompson
3277. Simeon Sears (Simeon , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 13 Jul 1811 in Sandisfield, MA. was buried in , 1261.
S.P. May p.377 Simeon Sears was a carpenter and joiner, removed to Lempster,
NH, and is a member of Baptist Church there.
Simeon married Ann Eliza Adams on 5 Nov 1834 in Sandisfield, MA. Ann was born 1813 in
They had the following children:
5958 F i Laura Eliza Sears was born 5 May 1837 in Sandisfield, MA. was buried in , 2517.
S.P. May p.377 Lived in Hillsboro, NH
Laura married Osmund Huntley. Osmund was born 1833 in . + 5959 M ii Gilbert N Sears Rev. 5960 M iii George Sears was born 1841 in . was buried in , 2519.
S.P. may p.377 m. and lived in E Deering, NH
3278. Edward G Sears Rev. (Simeon , Paul , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 9 Dec 1813 in Sandisfield, MA. He died 13 Nov 1878 in Springfield, MA and was buried in , 1262.
S.P. May p.377 Rev Edward G Sears was educated at Madison Uni., Hamilton, NY,
and at Newton Theo Sem'y, MA, and ordained minister of the Baptist Church. He
was a fine scholar, and early in boyhood showed his love for mathematics by
secretly borrowing an advanced arithmetic and entirely mastering its contents,
and finishing every example in it before his parents knew anything about it.
He was settled in Marshfield, Sharon, North Wrentham, Franklin and other
places in Mass, and afterward became a Professor in New Hampton Institute, NH.
He was for a year or two editor of the "Christian Review," in Boston;
afterward engaged in manufacturing business in Nashua, NH; in furniture business
in Baltimore, MD, and in farming in Agawam, MA, from 1857 to 1865.
In the latter year he became editor of the Springfield, MA, "Daily Union,"
which position he held until within a year or two of his death, when he retired
to a small place he had purchased in the suburbs of Springfield. He had for
many years been in poor health.
Edward married Betsy Collamore on 6 Aug 1839 in W Scituate, MA. Betsy was born 15 Nov 1807 in W Scituate, MA. She died 5 May 1880 in St Albans, VT.
They had the following children:
5961 F i Elizabeth C Sears was born 14 Jul 1841 in Newton, MA. She died 16 Oct 1841 in W Scituate, MA and was buried in , 2520. + 5962 M ii Edward Shailer Sears Lt 5963 M iii Andrew Fuller Collamore Sears was born 31 Jan 1848 in Franklin, MA. He died 4 Aug 1849 in Brookline, MA and was buried in , 2522.
3280. James Sears (Simeon , Simeon , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 6 Nov 1790 in , NY. He died 1871 in , KA and was buried in , 1264.
James married Elizabeth Gregory on 1816. Elizabeth was born 1788 in , NY. She died 1862.
They had the following children:
5964 F i Belinda Sears was born 1818 in . was buried in , 2523.
S.P. may p.378 Lives in MI
Belinda married Thomas Bolles. Thomas was born 1814 in <, 2523>. 5965 F ii Sarah Sears was born 1820 in . was buried in , 2524.
S.P. May p.378 Lives in MI
Sarah married Nicholas Worthington. Nicholas was born 1816 in <, 2524>. 5966 F iii Helen Sears was born 1822 in . was buried in , 2525. 5967 F iv Elizabeth Sears was born 1824 in . was buried in , 2526.
S.P. May p.378 Lives in MN
+ 5968 M v Gregory A Sears + 5969 M vi James Douglass Sears + 5970 M vii William Rowland Sears
3287. David Benton Sears (Joseph , Simeon , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 28 Apr 1804 in Lima, NY. He died 22 Jan 1884 in Sears, IL and was buried in , 1271.
BIRTH-FATHER-SPOUSE-CHILDREN-DEATH-BIOGRAPHY: Samuel Pearce May, THE
DESCENDANTS OF RICHARD SARES(SEARS) OF YARMOUTH,MASS; 1638-1888; Albany, Joel
Munsell's Sons, 1890; p 379; NEHGS Library, Boston, MA; I combined RIN 970 with
this record because of the close match with the census record.
David Sears was born in Lima, Livingston co., NY in Apr 1804,
and in his seventh year removed with his parents to Sciota Valley, OH, where
they lived during the war of 1812, enduring great hardships, their lives being
frequently imperiled by the attacks of marauding Indians.
They were finally compelled to leave their home, and flee for safety to Fort
Erie, thier flight taking them across the Sciota river, and in making the
passage their rude boat was upset, and two of his sisters and a brother were
drowned.
Reaching the fort they availed themselves of its protection until after
Perry's famous victory, they being within sound of the guns during the
engagement.
They then removed to Cincinatti, and in 1814, ventured still further west,
settling in Switzerland co., IN.
In 1818, they again pulled up stakes, and struck out for the Wabash valley,
where they finally located permanently.
Two years after, David, who was then in his seventeenth year, yearning for an
education, resolved to return to his native state.
Accordingly, wrapping all his spare clothing in a cotton handkerchief, he
started for New Orleans on a flat-boat, where he arrived safely, and went round
to New York by sailing vessel, from whence he proceeded to his mother's people,
living near Syracuse.
Something seems to have to occurred which interfered with his plans for
obtaining an education, for in the course of a year we find him on his way back
to IL. The reason for this sudden move may, perhaps, be reading the record of
his first marriage, which occurred in 1824, the woman of his choice being Miss
Melinda Stokes of Shawneetown, IL.
The young people commenced life on a farm of eighty acres near that place, and
for a period of fourteen years Mr Sears made farming his vocation, taking annual
trips to New orleans to dispose of his produce, which he shipped by flat-boat.
On these trips lucrative inducements were frequently held out to him by south
-ern traders to enter the slave trade, but to accept such a proposition was
contrary to the cardinal principles of his life, and he never attempted to
better his fortunes in that way.
In 1836, Mr Sears became possessed of a desire to see the Upper Mississippi
valey, of whose wonderful fertility and beauty he had heard so much, and leaving
his home, he directed his course to the point now covered by the busy little
city of Moline. Not a building of any kind then stood there, the lovely Rock
Island had remained as nature had made it. The swift waters of the mighty
river flowed wastefully past it on either side.
Five miles below, old "Black Hawk's watch tower" raised its head in primitive
grandeur above the broad valley of the Rock river, whose enchained water
power now turns the wheels of numerous industries.
The scene unfolded to the gaze of Mr. Sears was not only one of surpassing
loveliness, but it also revealed, as his quick eye discovered, superior
advantages for the location and development of large manufacturing interests.
The purpose of making this his permanent abiding place was immediately
formed. The building of a habitation and removal of his family and chattels
was soon accomplished, and then began the work which has made the name of
Sears and the history of Moline's industrial progress inseparable.
In 1837, Mr. Sears, in company with J.W. Spencer, Calvin Ainsworth, and
Spencer M. White, commenced building the first dam across the river between
Rock Island and the Illinois shore.
In the fall of 1841, they erected a two-story saw-mill, and placed on the
upper floor a run of burrs, for the accommodation of the neighboring farmers,
the nearest flour-mill at that time being one hundred miles distant.
Thomas Patterson supervised the work as millwright, and Jona. Huntoon dressed
and fitted the stones.
In 1843, the company built the "big mill," at a cost of some $30,000;
it was a four-run mill, and the machinery the best that could be procured
at that period.
Mr. Sears was noted for his readiness to adopt improved appliances for the
simplification and lightening of labor.
He brought to Moline the first rotary saw used in the Mississippi valley
above St. Louis, thereby incurring the transient displeasure of his employees
who looked upon it as an encroachment on their rights.
By an arrangement with his partmers, he completed the new structure with
his own funds, his right to the water power being made for a term of years.
He controlled the mill and its business until 1848, shipping its products
to St. Louis and lower Mississippi river points.
About 1843, Mr. Sears in company with Charles Atkinson, laid out and plotted
the town of Moline and its "Island City" subdivision, which consisted of a
tract of thirty-seven acres, on the upper end of Rock Island, then held as
a military reserve.
This tract he secured the right from Congress to enter at $1.25 per acre,
the privilege being granted him in consideration of the benefits to navigation
which had accrued from the building of the dam on the Illinois side.
Mr. Sears established a foundry, erected a store and other buildings in
Moline, and thereafter for years had a hand in the advancement of every
project which had the material improvement of the town for its aim.
In 1845, he built a saw-mill, and in 1859, a three-run flour-mill on
Benham's Island, a narrow strip of land lying contiguous to Rock Island on
the north, thereby developing a water power between the two islands.
He constructed a steamboat landing below the mill, erected a house and
other buildings on the main land, and when in 1865, the government took
possession of the island for the purpose of a National arsenal and armory,
the commission awarded him $145,175 for his property and improvements.
In 1855, Mr. Sears purchased one-fourth of the present milling site of
Minneapolis, (one-fourth of forty-nine acres, and one-fourth of the water
power ,) which he sold to the late Gov. C.C. Washburn for $4,000, and in
doing so made a great mistake, as he frequently remarked, and as events
subsequently proved.
He at the same time built a saw-mill and furniture factory on Lake
Minnetonka, which with a bridge contract was the end of his building
operations until after the war.
In August, 1861, he enlisted in 22d Illinois Regiment, and served honor-
ably as Quartermaster for three years.
In 1867, he built the fine 300-barrel mill at Sears, now operated by his
sons, David, William and George, and in 1870, a flour-mill at Cleveland,
Mo., and another at Linden in 1873.
In 1875, he went to Tama City, Iowa, erected a large mill, and two years
later dug a canal, put in a dam and otherwise improved the water power at
Ottumka.
In 1880, he constructed water-works at Red Oak, Iowa, and the following
year performed a like work at Joplin, Mo.
Mr. Sears was a man of sterling principles. Honest in all his dealings,
he was respected by all with whom he had business relations. Liberal to an
extreme, none ever asked his charity, who did not receive what he could
afford to give.
He was a strong advocate of temperance, and practised what he preached.
Up to wthin a few moments of his dath, he seemed to be in the enjoyment
of good health, in his 80th year, apparently as hale and hearty as at any
period of his life.
The history of his life is a record of good deeds, and worthy of
emulation.
!LAND: IL Land Tract Sales Archive; 1815-1880; IL Secy of State; ; Univ of IL
at Chicago; Date: 14 May 1822; Acres:80; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Gallatin; Meridian: 3; Township-Range: 08S 10E; Section-Part:2-E2SW; Vol
pg: 002; Arch Vol No: 110; Purch Res:Gallatin coDate: 12 Sep 1831; Acres:19.66; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Gallatin; Meridian: 3; Township-Range: 08S 11E; Section-Part:7-NWFR; Vol
pg: 013; Arch Vol No: 110; Purch Res:Galatin coDate: 10 Mar 1831; Acres:125.63; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Gallatin; Meridian: 3; Township-Range: 08S 10E; Section-Part:2-SEFR; Vol
pg: 011; Arch Vol No: 110; Purch Res:Galatin coDate: 10 Mar 1831; Acres:34.59; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Gallatin; Meridian: 3; Township-Range: 08S 10E; Section-Part:1-FRSECT;
Vol pg: 011; Arch Vol No: 110; Purch Res:Galatin coDate: 18 Jun 1841; Acres:40; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Rock Island; Meridian: 4; Township-Range: 17N 01W;
Section-Part:9-SWNW; Vol pg: 012; Arch Vol No: 710Date: 28 Feb 1855; Acres:14.18; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Rock Island; Meridian: 4; Township-Range: 18N 01W; Section-Part:32-NEFR;
Vol pg: 096; Arch Vol No: 710Date: 25 Sep 1839; Acres:58.45; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Rock Island; Meridian: 4; Township-Range: 18N 01W;
Section-Part:32-SWFRSIBL; Vol pg 096; Arch Vol No:710Date: 28 Feb 1855; Acres:7.09; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Rock Island; Meridian: 4; Township-Range: 18N 01W;
Section-Part:29-E2SWFR; Vol pg: 095; Arch Vol No: 710Date: 28 Feb 1855; Acres:14.18; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Rock Island; Meridian: 4; Township-Range: 18N 01W;
Section-Part:29-SEFR; Vol pg: 095; Arch Vol No: 710Date: 24 Dec 1832; Acres:80; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Gallatin; Meridian: 3; Township-Range: 08S 10E;
Section-Part:11-N2SE; Vol pg: 020; Arch Vol No: 110; Purch Co: GallatinDate: 19 Nov 1831; Acres:70.89; Price: $1.25; Type: Federal;
County:Gallatin; Meridian: 3; Township-Range: 08S 10E;
Section-Part:12-NEFR; Vol pg: 014; Arch Vol No: 110; Purch Co: GallatinLAND: Email from Diane A Sears, Philadelphia, PA; 1890-1996; Letter dtd
19 Jul 1995; ; United States Statutes at Large - Vol 10; p 843; 1 Oct 1855,
Boston; Little, brown and Co, edited by George Minot; CHAP XLIV -- AN ACT FOR
THE RELIEF OF DAVID B SEARS
BE IT ENACTED BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, That David B Sears be, and he is hereby,
authorized to enter the fractional quarter sections of land on Rock Island, in
the Mississippi River and State of Illinois, necessary to secure to him the
full and complete use of the water-power as now improved and used by him on the
north side of said island; they being the east half of the southwest fractional
quarter of fractional section twenty-nine, containing twenty-eight acres and
ten hundredths, the southeast fractional quarter of the same fractional
section, containing four acres and nine hundredths, and the northeast
fractional quarter of fractional section thirty-two, containing three acres and
twenty-six hundredths, all of which are situated in township eighteen north of
the base line, range one west of the fourth principal meridian, upon his paying
to the receiver of public moneys at Dixon, the minimum price of one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre for the same, upon which a final ceritficate and
patent shall issue as in other cases.
APPROVED, January 1855
David married (1) Melinda Stokes on 1824 in Shawneetown, IL. Melinda was born 1803 in Shawneetown, IL. She died in Shawneetown, IL.
They had the following children:
5971 F i Melinda Sears was born 1825 in Shawneetown, IL. She died in d. young and was buried in , 2530. + 5972 F ii Mary A Sears 5973 F iii Abigail Sears was born 1830 in Shawneetown, MA. was buried in , 2532. Abigail married Living 5974 iv Sears was born 1832 in Shawneetown, IL. Sears died in d. young and was buried in , 2533. 5975 F v Caroline Sears was born 1834 in Shawneetown, IL. She died in d. young and was buried in , 2534. 5976 F vi Sarah Sears was born 1836 in Shawneetown, IL. was buried in , 2535.
S.P. May p.378 Lives in Chicago, IL
Sarah married Living
David also married (2) Delia Caldwell on 1835. Delia was born 1813 in , KY. She died 28 Jun 1862 in Moline, IL.
They had the following children:
5977 F vii Polly Sears was born 1836 in . Polly married Living 5978 F viii Margaret Sears was born 1838 in . + 5979 M ix David Sears + 5980 M x William H H Sears + 5981 M xi George Washington Sears 5982 F xii Barbara Jane Sears was born 1844 in Moline, IL. She died in d. young. 5983 F xiii Janette Sears was born 10 Mar 1848 in Moline, IL.
S.P. May p.379 Lives in Sears, IL, unm.
+ 5984 M xiv Henry H Sears
3299. Moses Porter Fitch (Rhoda Sears , Simeon , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 1811 in Pawlet, VT.
Moses married Chloe Atwater Cook on 16 Jun 1840 in Granville, NY. Chloe was born 1819 in
S.P. May p.139 She is a descendant of Francis Cook, "The Pilgrim"
Moses and Chloe had the following children:
3300. William Sears Curtiss (Laura Sears , Simeon , Joshua , Paul , Paul , Richard ) was born 2 Sep 1810 in Salem, Washington, NY. He died 8 Apr 1883 and was buried 12 Apr 1883 in Lima Cem, Avon, NY.
RHSecrist Had twins Helen (1844-1855) and Wm Oscar(1844- )
William married (1) Clarissa Lucinda Pengra, daughter of William Pengra and Belina Calvin, on 8 Oct 1843 in Avon, NY. Clarissa was born 29 Mar 1815 in Bennington, VT.
They had the following children:
5987 F i Helen Curtiss was born 14 Oct 1844. She died 1855 in Ae 11. + 5988 M ii William Oscar Curtiss
William also married (2) Living
William also married (3) Sarah Elinor Douglass Carter. Sarah was born 1831. She died 1908.
They had the following children:
5989 F iii Living 5990 F iv Living + 5991 M v Living