Amy Johnson Crow suggested a weekly blog theme of "52 Ancestors" in her blog post Challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on the No Story Too Small blog. I am extending this theme in 2016 to 156 Ancestors in 156 Weeks. Here is my ancestor biography for week #105:
Norman Seaver (1734-1787) is #128 on my Ahnentafel list, my 5th great-grandfather, who married #129 Sarah Read (1736-1809) in 1755.
I am descended through:
* their son, Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816), who married #65 Martha Whitney (1764-1832) in 1783.* their son, #32 Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825), who married #33 Abigail Gates (1797-1867) in 1817.
* their son, #16 Isaac Seaver (1823-1901), who married #17 Lucretia Townsend Smith (1828-1884) in 1852.
* their son, #8 Frank Walton Seaver (1852-1922), who married #9 Hattie Louise Hildreth (1847-1920) in 1874.
* their son, #4 Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942), who married Alma Bessie richmond (1882-1962) in 1900.
* their son, #2 Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983), who married #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002) in 1942.
* their son, #1 Randall J. Seaver (1943-....)
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1) PERSON (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
* Name: Norman Seaver[1–8]
* Alternate Name: Norman Sever[9–19]
* Sex: Male
* Father: Robert Seaver (1702-1752)
* Mother: Eunice Rayment (1707-1772)
2) INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
* Birth: about 1734, Framingham, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[1,2,6]
* Deed: 15 September 1760 (about age 26), bought 100 acres of land in Shrewsbury from Edward Raymond for 120 pounds; Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[3]
* Miscellaneous: 1761–1771 (about age 27–about 37), List of children born in Shrewsbury, Mass.; Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[8]
* Deed: 14 January 1769 (about age 35), sold 15 acres of land in Shrewsbury, at the northeast corner of Maldin farm, to Isaac Temple for 15 pounds; Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[4]
* Deed: 8 April 1772 (about age 38), bought 1 acre in Shrewsbury from Thomas Andrews for 2 pounds; Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[9]
* Deed: 22 April 1772 (about age 38), sold land in Shrewsbury to Abel Osgood on 22 April 1772 for 200 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence; Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[10]
* Deed: 12 May 1773 (about age 39), bought 127 acres of land in the northerly part of Westminster from Heman Kendall; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[11]
* Miscellaneous: 1774–1780 (about age 40–about 46), List of children born in Westminster, Mass.; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[12]
* Military: 19 April 1775 (about age 41), Sergeant in Noah Miles Company; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[13]
* Deed: 5 July 1776 (about age 42), sold 5 acres 100 rods of land in the northerly part of Westminster to Joseph Spaulding for 10 pounds; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[14]
* Deed: 5 August 1777 (about age 43), bought 5 acres and 100 rods of land in the northerly part of Westminster from Joseph Spaulding for 10 pounds; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[15]
* Deed: 25 November 1782 (about age 48), bought land in the northerly part of Westminster from Thomas Farnsworth of Westminster for 18 pounds; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[16]
* Deed: 8 March 1784 (about age 50), sold about 3/4 acre of land in the Beech Hill meadow in the northeasterly part of Westminster to Amos Gates for 2 pounds, 5 shillings ; Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[5]
* Death: 31 July 1787 (about age 53), Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[6]
* Burial: August 1787 (about age 53), Woodside Cemetery, Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[7]
* Probate: 25 September 1787 (about age 53) Letter of administration; Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States[17]
3) SHARED EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
* Spouse 1: Sarah Read (1736-1809)
* Marriage 1: 14 March 1755 (about age 21), Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States[18–19]
* Child 1: Eunice Seaver (1755-1810)
* Child 2: Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816)
* Child 3: Sarah "Sally" Seaver (1759-1833)
* Child 4: Joseph Seaver (1761- )
* Child 5: Isaac Seaver (1763- )
* Child 6: Ethan Seaver (1765-1823)
* Child 7: Daniel Seaver (1767-1850)
* Child 8: Heman Seaver (1769-1835)
* Child 9: Luther Seaver (1771- )
* Child 10: Relief "Leafe" Seaver (1774-1795)
* Child 11: Asahel Reed Seaver (1775-1849)
* Child 12: Faitha Seaver (1777-1864)
* Child 13: Lucinda Seaver (1780-1844)
4) NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):
There are two short biographies of Norman Seaver in the Massachusetts genealogy literature:
1) William Cutter's New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial[2]:
"(V) Lieutenant Norman Seaver, son of Robert Seaver, was born in 1734 or 1735, according to his tombstone, whether at Framingham or Sudbury. He seems to have come to Narragansett No. 2 with his father and money was paid to him for work for the proprietors in 1751. He returned to Sudbury after his father's death and lived there a few years, then moving to Shrewsbury, now Boylston. Early in 1773 probably, he returned to Westminster (Narragansett No. 2), where he bought lots No. 76 and 122. This land was occupied for years by his grandson Isaac, and was situated between Prospect and Beech Hills. He served in the Revolution as lieutenant in Captain Ebenezer Belknap's company, Colonel Nathaniel Wade's regiment, July 25, 1778 to January 1, 1779, Rhode Island. He served from Westminster as sergeant in Captain Noah Miles' company, Colonel John Whitcomb's regiment, April 19, 1775; ensign in Captain Francis Wilson's company, Colonel Danforth Keyes regiment, 1777; finally as first lieutenant in Captain Belknap's company. He was a carpenter by trade, and had the contract for part of the work on the second meeting house of Westminster. During the '"raising,' July 31, 1787, he fell from the frame and received injuries which resulted in his death almost immediately. He married, at Sudbury, March 14, 1754, Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Experience Reed, and she died in 1808. Children: Eunice, born May 3, 1755; Benjamin, April 21, 1757; Sarah, January, 1759; Joseph, March 13, 1761; Isaac, February 18, 1763; Ethan, September 21, 1765; Daniel, June 28, 1767; Heman, mentioned below; Luther, April 13, 1771; Relief, September 25, 1774; Asahel R., October 2, 1775; Faithful, August 2, 1777; Lucinda, March 23, 1780."
2) William Heywood's History of Westminster, Massachusetts[1]:
Almost all of the information about Norman Seaver in this book is included in the Cutter biographical sketch. Both books have Sarah (Read) Seaver's father's name wrong - it was Isaac Read, not Jacob Read.
There are no birth records in Sudbury or Framingham for Norman Seaver, son of Robert and Eunice (Rayment) Seaver[1-2]. He was their third son.
The marriage record of Norman Seaver and Sarah Reed is in both the Sudbury and Wayland town records[18-19]. The Sudbury record says:
"Norman Sever & Sarah Read both of Sudbury were Married atSudbury March 14^th 1755 ?? Israel Loring"
Norman and Sarah (Read) Seaver had thirteen children, and all but Joseph lived to adulthood[1-2]. The first three children of Norman and Sarah (Read) Seaver were born and recorded in Sudbury, the next six were born and recorded in Shrewsbury[8], and the last four children were born and recorded in Westminster[12].
Norman Seaver, husbandman of Sudbury, bought 100 acres of land in Shrewsbury for 120 pounds on 15 September 1760 from Edward Raymond of Shrewsbury[3].
Norman Seaver of Shrewsbury sold 15 acres of land in Shrewsbury, at the northeast corner of Maldin farm, on 14 January 1769 to Isaac Temple of Shrewsbury for 15 pounds[4]. The land was bounded by land of Isaac Temple (east and west) and Norman Seaver (north and south).
Norman Sever, yeoman of Shrewsbury, bought 1 acre in Shrewsbury on 8 April 1772 for 2 pounds from Thomas Andrews, gentleman of Shrewsbury[7]. The land was a triangular piece, bounded by land of Norman Sever, Thomas Andrews and Philip Munroe.
Norman Sever, yeoman of Shrewsbury, sold land in Shrewsbury to Abel Osgood of Rutland on 22 April 1772 for 200 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence[10].
Norman Sever, yeoman of Westminster, bought 127 acres of land in the northerly part of Westminster from Heman Kendall, yeoman of Lancaster, on 12 May 1773[11]; It included 2/3 of lot 76, lot 125, part of lot 65, and another 3rd division lot; this land bounded land of Edward Jackson, Amos Gates, Joseph Spaulding, Asa Taylor and Wheeler.
Norman Sever, yeoman of the county of Worcester, sold 5 acres 100 rods of land in the northerly part of Westminster to Joseph Spaulding, housewright of Westminster, for 10 pounds on 5 July 1776[14]. The land was taken from the southeast corner of the Second Division lot No. 250, and was bounded by a maple tree, stakes and stones, and land of Joseph Spaulding.
He also bought a different 5 acres and 100 rods of land in the northerly part of Westminster from Joseph Spaulding for 10 pounds[15]. The land was bounded by stakes and stones.
Norman Sever, yeoman of Shrewsbury, bought land in the northerly part of Westminster from Thomas Farnsworth of Westminster for 18 pounds on 25 December 1782[16].
Norman Seaver, gentleman of Westminster, sold about 3/4 acre of land in the Beech Hill meadow in the northeasterly part of Westminster to Amos Gates for 2 pounds, 5 shillings on 8 March 1784[5]. The land was in the southwest corner of meadow number 40, and was bounded by lot 41, land of Norman Seaver and Amos Gates.
Norman Seaver, and several of his sons, served in the Revolutionary War[13]. He was a Sergeant in Captain Noah Miles company which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775 to Cambridge and joined Colonel John Whitcomb's regiment there for eleven and one half days of service. He was reported as not having enlisted into the army. He served as an Ensign in Captain Francis Willson's company in Colonel Danforth Keyes regiment from June 27 to July 27, 1777, with the roll dated Providence; he served in the same company and regiment from December 1, 1777 to January 3, 1778, with the roll dated Providence. As a First Lieutenant in Captain Ebenezer Belknap's company in Colonel Nathaniel Wade's regiment, he was engaged on April 1, 1778 and discharged January 3, 1779, serving in Rhode Island. Muster rolls dated North Kingston, Rhode Island were taken on November 6 and December 1, 1778, and muster rolls at East Greenwich, Rhode Island were dated September 28, November 6, November 10, December 1, and December 30, 1778, with his term to expire on January 1, 1779. Several other Westminster men, sons of Norman Seaver, who served in the Revolutionary War were Benjamin, Joseph, and Isaac Seaver. In addition, Norman's brothers, Moses Seaver and Samuel Seaver of Westminster, served.
Norman Seaver may have been commissioned as Captain of the Militia after the Revolutionary War ended, since he is styled Captain on his death record and on his gravesite in Woodside Cemetery in Westminster.
Norman Seaver is listed as the holder of Pew No. 2 on the lower floor near the wall of the Second Meetinghouse. The pew cost between $31 to $66.
Norman Seaver was a carpenter by trade. He took a contract for enclosing and shingling on the second meetinghouse of the town. During the raising of the building on 31 July 1787 he fell from the frame receiving fatal injuries[1-2].
The death record of Norman Seaver in the Westminster Vital Records book[6], says:
"SEAVER, Capt. Norman, July 31, 1787, in 53d year. G.S. 1 (Revolutionary Marker)"
Norman Seaver is buried in Woodside Cemetery in Westminster on the far west edge of the cemetery[7]. The inscription on the slate gravestone says:
In memory
Cap. Norman Seaver
who Deceased July
31st 1787
in the 53rd year
of his age
A Sons of the American Revolution emblem and American flag are adjacent to his gravestone.
Norman Seaver, gentleman of Westminster, died intestate[17]. His probate docket (Worcester County Probate Records, Probate Packet 52,914) includes the following documents:
* On 25 September 1787, Widow Sarah Sever was appointed administratrix of the estate, and bond in the amount of 2000 pounds was given by William Edgell, and Josiah Puffer, sureties.
* On 28 September 1787 a Warrant of Appraisal was given for an inventory to be taken.
* On 21 October 1788, the Account Balance of 150 pounds 19 shillings was allowed.
* On 21 October 1788, a Warrant for partition of the estate was issued to William Edgell, Josiah Puffer and Edward Jackson. They found the home place with buildings and land comprised 106 acres lying in Westminster. An additional 3 acres were held in common with Timothy Heywood, Samuel Miller, and William Murdock, all of Westminster.
* In 1791, the inventory was recorded, with Real estate appraised at 215 pounds and personal estate appraised at 159 pounds,19 shillings and 9 pence. The real estate included the 106 acre house lot with buildings (212 pounds) and a piece of land in common with Timothy Heywood and Samuel ??? and William Murdock (3 pounds).
* On 3 January 1792, the Account balance of 3 pounds, 13 shillings and 9 pence was allowed and distribution to the heirs was ordered. Heirs named in the distribution are:
** widow Sarah Seaver (1/3 dower right)
** son Benjamin Sever (2/3 real estate + double portion)
** son Isaac Sever,
** son Ethan Sever,
** son Daniel Sever,
** son Heman Sever,
** son Luther Sever,
** son Asel Sever,
** daughter Eunice Whitney (wife of Elisha Whitney)
** daughter Sarah Cutter (wife of Josiah Cutter),
** daughter Relief Sever,
** daughter Faithfull Sever,
** daughter Lucinda Sever
In the distribution, son Benjamin Sever was awarded his double portion of 22 pounds and was ordered to pay the other children their equal share of 11 pounds each.
* On 3 January 1792, Sarah Seaver was appointed guardian for daughters Feathe and Lucenden Seaver, while Samuel Gerrish was appointed guardian for Asel and Relief Seaver.
5) SOURCES:
1. William Sweetzer Heywood, History of Westminster, Massachusetts: (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893 ; with a biographic -genealogical register of its principal families (Lowell, Mass. : Vox Populi Press, 1893), page 865, Norman Seaver sketch.
2. William Richard Cutter (compiler), New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Volume 1 (New York City : Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), page 221, Norman Seaver sketch .
3. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 47, Page 97, recorded 2 May 1762, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,179.
4. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 72, Page 84, recorded 8 December 1773, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,358.
5. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 91. Page 476, recorded 8 July 1784, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,366.
6. Systematic History Fund, Vital Records of Westminster, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (Worcester, Mass.: F.P. Rice, 1908), Deaths, page 247: Capt. Norman Seaver entry.
7. Jim Tipton, indexed database, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com), Woodside Cemetery, Westminster, Mass., Capt. Norman Seaver memorial #92014664.
8. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), "Shrewsbury Births, Marriages and Deaths," page 86 (penned, image 89 of 1764), Births of children of Norman and Sarah Seaver birth entry, 1761-1771.
9. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 77, Page 47, recorded 3 May 1777, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,360.
10. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 87, Page 158, recorded 10 December 1782, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,364.
11. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 74, Page 142, recorded 12 August 1774, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,359.
12. Massachusetts, Town Records, 1620-1988, digital images, Ancestry.com, "Westminster Births, Marriages and Deaths," page 38 (penned, image 116 of 1195), Family of Norman and Sarah Sever, 1774-1780.
13. Massachusetts, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (Boston, Mass. : Wright & Potter Printing, 1896-1908), Volume XIII, Page 1006, Norman Sever, Westminster, entry.
14. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 77. Page 35, recorded 28 April 1777, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,560.
15. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 76, Page 148, recorded 5 August 1777, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,360.
16. Worcester County, Mass. Registrar of Deeds, "Worcester County (Mass.) Deeds (1722-1866) and Index to Deeds (1731-1889)", Volume 87, Page 228, recorded 7 February 1783, FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,843,364.
17. "Worcester County, Massachusetts Probate Court Records" (Worcester County Probate Courthouse, Worcester, Mass.), Probate Packet #52,914, Norman Sever (1787) estate (also in Worcester County Probate Records, Volume 179, page 530, accessed on FHL Microfilm 0,860,627), letter of administration granted to Sarah Sever.
18. "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1627-2001," digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org); "Sudbury Births, Marriages, Deaths, 1663-1829, Vol. 4," page 192 (stamped, image 102 of 142), Norman Sever and Sarah Read marriage entry.
19. Vital Records of Sudbury, Massachusetts to the year 1850 (Boston, Mass. : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1903), Marriages, page 265, Norman Sever and Sarah Reed entry.
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