Norman C Greenbough Newburyport

BRYAN EATON/ Staff Photo. A nineteenth century chronometer made of walnut wood and brass by watchmaker Norman C. Greenough. He moved to Newburyport in 1851 and set up shop off Market Square. His photo is pictured at left.

Presentation--Complimentary Date: Thursday, December 6, 1855 Paper: Salem Register (Salem, MA) Page: 2 

Norman Greenough (1820-1886) was son of Brackett L Greenough and Abigail Cummings. He married Francis Davenport DeFord (1816-1887) daughter  Samuel Tibbett DeFord and Catherine Greenleaf Davenport daughter of Anthony Davenport and Catherine Greenleaf. The Davenport family owned the Wolfe Tavern.

Captain Eddie and the Salisbury Rum Runners

Featured in Newburyport News and Lawrence Eagle Tribune

 

  Photo courtesy of “The Salt Book” by Pam Wood 

Henry Weaver, a federal agent from Maine, busted the illegal rumrunning ring based in Salisbury.

There have been two periods in American history when the government tried to temper “spirits.” In 1648 the general court passed a law to limit access to alcohol to the Wampanoag tribe. In 1920 the entire nation was banned from the sauce during Prohibition, known as the “Noble Experiment.” Efforts to restrain tipplers were unsuccessful and nothing could keep America dry. Folks wanted their wassail and few fell under the influence of the teetotaler reform. The number of liquor theft cases in the states was staggering and federal courts were loaded with cases of illegal transport of liquor.
 
Salisbury was one hot den for a clandestine liquor enterprise that made a notorious buzz as the “most sensational liquor trial case in the history of federal courts.”
 
During Prohibition smugglers transporting “white lightning” over land were known as “bootleggers” and when over water they were called “rumrunners.” No matter how the hootch got in, there was much mazuma to be made.
 
The Salisbury gang in 1923 had a most auspicious run. The leader, police Chief Harold Congdon, aka “Captain Eddie,” was “juiced in” and his wife was his right-hand deputy. She mapped out the drops and scheduled the runs. The remote banks of the Merrimack were an ideal area. All was wine and roses as most of the police force, selectmen and Coast Guard were in it. In fact, rumrunning became part of the community’s “official duties.”
 
However, human nature made a few greedy goers and the operation started to tank. Mrs. Congdon resented the fellows “drunk with power” and the rumor was she had eyes for more than the chief.

Outsiders started to cut out the band even though they were using their turf to traffic. One of them was Anthony Caramango, aka “The Jap,” who flushed them out of a big score and the horns started to lock.

Mrs. Congdon, fed up, turned to the feds, but the chief’s $1,500 fund filtered in by officer True bought him the stenographer’s court report. This seemed to “distill” the busy bodies for a brief time, but the feds were plotting a plan to teach these cowboys that a new sheriff was coming to town.
 
Henry Weaver, a federal agent out of Maine, busted the lot. Henry noted that “Salisbury was always a haven for bootleggers.” His boss ordered him to round up his best and make haste to Massachusetts to “catch a sheriff.” He would “deputize” them when they got to Salisbury.
 
The feds received tips from Mrs. Congdon to do a stakeout. The chief was there when the raid went down. He gave his crew the thumbs-up to start unloading and the agents jumped the fellows.
 
One of the runners from the rough Detroit crew shot agent England in the groin, but he had a bottle of gin in his pocket. Although it cut into his love log one could argue he did get lucky that night.
 
Over 30 incitements were brought down and there were two trials. The court was jammed with spectators. Isaac Coleman gave testimony of his sleepless nights due to the traffic from motor trucks. He swore there were “32 on the eve of Thanksgiving.” When he complained, he was told “to mind his own business” and sent off with a quart.
 
Several witnesses had similar stories and most went with flow. Loose lips were buttoned with a bottle. Another testified he saw “The Jap” sell a quart right at the police station in front of the chief.

Several reported piloting loads into town by orders of Congdon.
 
Among them were Superintendent of Streets T.O. Corliss and Selectman Howard George, both paid $25 a night. William Jackson was paid $30 for trucking the liquor but never associated with the “outlandish people.” Henry Fowler made four runs to Pierce Cottage.


William Eaton caught wind of the ring while he was duck hunting at the “break of day” along Black River Creek. While Eaton was observing the obvious illegal activities, he was approached by officer True, who promised him a private stash “over at the Blaisdell home.”
 
The chief was put on the wrong side of the bars, but only for a short stint. He ran a speed ring operation on Interstate 95, which ended his reign and his pension. It came to a screeching halt when he stopped a Maine couple in May 1955 who said Congdon “shook them down for $15.”
 
The chief and his wife ran against each for town office, but he must have still carried a flame.

He was charged with assault when he chased her and a man friend off the road with his revolver. This time he had no problem telling the judge he was all liquored up!

Thanks to Linda Dyndiuk at Robbins Library, Arlington, and Paul Colby Turner at Salisbury Historical Society.  Sources for this column include the Boston Herald, Boston Associated Press, Haverhill News, The Day New London, Conn., 1977, The Northeastern Reporter, Volume 165 Commonwealth vs Congdon, Portsmouth Herald 1924, The Winchester Star; and “The Salt Book:  lobstering, sea moss pudding, stone walls, rum running, maple syrup, snowshoes, and other Yankee doings” by Pamela Wood.

 SALISBURY, Mass., Feb. 19 (AP) — A heated political campaign loomed here Friday when Mrs. Sarah B. Congdon, right, estranged wife of Harold F. Congdon, left, chairman of selectmen and police chief, announced she would seek a place on the board. “We should be able to work together even if we cannot live together,” Mrs. Congdon said. She recently filed suit for divorce. Chief Congdon is a candidate for re-election.

Henry Weaver at home in New York from The Salt Book

Elijah Warren of Leicester MA and Descendants

Some genealogy and family photos Please post or e-mail me if you would like a pdf file and share if you have more information. Thanks  Picture taken in Leicester, Mass., Sept. 17, 1863 children of the Elijah Warren, of Leicester, taken at the old homestead where they were born. The elder children emigrated to different States before the younger were born, and even their father never saw them all together

Amos Warren, Woodstock, Vt., July 25, 1782. Joseph Warren. Leicester, Mass., Jan. 8, 1784. Betsey Bond, Lisbon, Oct. 17, 1785. Lydia Warren, Leicester, Mass., March 29, 1788 Mary W. Chapin, Lisbon, May 23, 1790. Charlotte Fuller, Leicester, Mass., Aug. 8, 1792. Louisa A. Wheeler, Topsham, Me., Aug. 18, 1807. Henry E. Warren, Leicester, Mass., July 4, 1809.

The photo mentioned is the one above. See also New England families, genealogical and memorial : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of commonwealths and the founding of a nation

                                                 

                                                         Warren Holden Home

September 28, 1895

July 7, 1896

 

 The Wheeler Families of Old Concord, Massachusetts

Lessons Learned from a Public History Project

The following article was written by Kimberly Whitworth, J.D. for publication on the NEHGS e-newsletter. Ms. Whitworth has given permission for it to be shared with Andover Historical Society readers on our site.  Link to data base
http://www.townofnorthandover.com/pages/nandoverma_bcomm/cemetery.pdf

Lessons Learned from a Public History Project

Photo Collection New England Family

These photos are from the collection of Ruthie Stearns daughter of Rev. Howard Stearns.
Surnames: STEARNS, GOULD, EASTMAN, DENNETT, BURBANK, PEABODY, OSGOOD, VARNUM, STRONG, REED, PERKINS, PARKER, POOR/POORE, GREENOUGH, PILSBURY, WADSWORTH, MERRILL, MORSE, CHASE, ALLEN, ROLFE, SWETT/SWEATT, COREY, WILLIAMS, CHISHLOM, COLBY, SMITH, MORRILL, RICHARDS, HUGGINS, HALL, ALVORD, DURANT, FOLEY, HOYT, COOLEY, HULL, BROWN, CHANDLER, FROST, LINSCOTT, KINSMAN, KILLAM, PRESCOTT, WORTHEN

• Gr. Grandparents Nettie Florence Gould Stearns and William Dennett Stearns in Haverhill
• 2nd Great Grandparents Joseph Oliver Stearns and Helen Louise Dennett Stearns in Salisbury/Amesbury
• 2nd Nathaniel Gould  (husband of Rachel Peabody Gould daughter of Jacob Peabody and Elizabeth Perkins) in Topsfield
• 3rd Great Grandparents Adeline Eastman Stearns and Charles Oliver Stearns in Salisbury/Amesbury  
• 3rd John Dennett son of William Dennett and Betsy Morrill and husband of Louisa Frost Dennett daughter of James Frost and Hannah Linscott in Salisbury/Amesbury
• 3rd Mary Ann Potter Gould daughter of Benjamin Potter and Anna Kinsman married Allan Gould son of Nathaniel Gould and Hannah Killam in Topsfield (Parent of Nathaniel Gould)
• 4th Great Grandparents Dorcas Varnum Stearns  daughter of Parker Vernum (son of John Varnum and Phoebe Parker) and Dorcas Brown daughter of Timothy Brown and Hannah Osgood . (wife of Oliver Stearns) in Dracut and Amesbury. Parker Vernum married 2nd Abiah Osgood of Andover
• 4th Elizabeth Chase Eastman daughter of Jeremiah Chase and Hannah Pilsbury (wife of Jonathan Eastman son of Jeremiah Eastman and Edna Poore)  West Newbury and Amesbury

Adding some of the next generations of family lines

• John Varnum s. of John Parker (son of Samuel Varnum and Dorathy Prescott)
• Oliver Stearns s.of Josiah Stearns and Marey Corey
• Josiah Stearns s. of Thomas Stearns and Abigail Reed
• William Dennett s. of William Dennett and Mary Greenough
• Besty Morrill d. of Moses Sargent Morrill (s. of Jacob Morrill and Dorothy Bagley) and Abigail Worthen (d. of Jonathan Worthen and Elizabeth Dresser)
• Jeremiah Chase s. of Abel Chase (s.of Thomas Chase and Emma Kent) and Hannah Morse. Abel served in Revolutionary War – Captain Jonathan Poor’s Company from Newbury, Essex, MA.
• Hannah Pilsbury d. of William Pillsbury (s. of Moses Pilsbury and Abigail Rolfe) and Mary Poore (d. of Benjamin Poor and Dorothy Pilsbury)
• Jeremiah Eastman s. of  Jonathan Eastman (s.of Joseph Eastman and Abigail Merrill) and Martha Allen
• Edna Poore/Poor d. of John Poor (s. of Samuel Poor and Hannah Morse) and Edna Stickney (d. of John Stickney and Mary Poor)
• Hannah Linscott d. of Theodore Linscott (s.of Jonathan Bane and Sarah Nowell) and Dorcas Bane
• Jacob Peabody s. of Jacob Peabody (s.of  Joseph Peabody and Elizabeth Bradstreet)    and Sarah Potter (d.of Ezekiel Potter and Mary Cummings)
• JUST ADDED ON MAY 24, 2016
• Fannie Ora Stearns b. March 8, 1854 Youngest (7th) child of Charles Oliver Stearns and Adeline Eastman Stearns m. John Francis Swett son of Timothy Swett (s. of Arron Sweet and Molly Colby) and Polly Osgood (d. of Nathaniel Osgood and Hannah Smith) from Salisbury Point, born December 1, 1849.  Fannie and John were married February 9, 1881.  Fannie d.  July 19, 1948, aged 94.   John died October 9, 1915, aged  65.  They had four daughters, Florence, Ethel, Mabel and Marian.
• Florence Helen Swett, b. February 15, 1882 m. Roland Carter Chisholm September 20, 1911  m. George Morrill April 1928 Children: Dorothy Varnum Chisholm b. July 25, 1916  d. May 16, 1930 aged 13.
• Ethel Stearns Swett b. June 11, 1885 m. Carl Leslie Williams June 11, 1913.  Ethel died November 1, 1935, aged 50. Children:
  1. Francis Paul Williams b. February 9, 1916
  2. Ralph Leslie Williams b. August 1, 1917
  3. Kenneth Stearns Williams b. September 2, 1919
• Mabel Francis Swett  b. July 1, 1888   d. November 1888 infant.
• Marian Eastman Swett b. February 14, 1895 m. Roy Hugo Richards December 20, 1923 died November 1981 age 86. Children:
  1.  Robert Eastman Richards b. April 11, 1925
  2.  Pauline Swett Richards b. December 9, 1926
   3.  Roy Hugo Richards Jr. b. April 23, 1932

Vital Records and Descendants

• Adeline Eastman Stearns March 12 1813 – July 13 1893 (80 years) Wife of
  Charles Oliver Stearns, born November 8, 1813.  Adeline Eastman born March 12, 1813.  They married September 10, 1833.  She died July 13, 1893.  He died October 19, 1906. They had Eight children
  1.  Sarah Elizabeth Stearns October 16, 1834 – March 31, 1866.
  2.  Susan Adeline Stearns July 3, 1836 – January 7, 1923.
  3.  Joseph Oliver Stearns born June 14, 1838, died September 7, 1917.  married Helen Louise Dennett  January 1, 1867, who died March 25, 1874.  One son, William Dennett Stearns born October 25, 1867, died October 27, 1947.
  4.  Harriet Ann Stearns Feb 2, 1841 – September 12, 1911  (Hattie)
  5.  Mary Augusta Stearns August 18, 1843 – May 1932   (Gustie)
  6.  Ellen Dorcas Stearns  October 30, 1845 – Feb 2, 1945   (Nell)
  7.  Fannie Ora Stearns March 8, 1954-Dec 1, 1949 She married John Francis Swett, February 9, 1881.  Four daughters, Florence Helen Swett, Ethel Stearns Swett, Mabel Frances Swett, Marion Eastman Swett.
  8.  Laura Ann Stearns, twin to Mary Augusta Stearns, birth recorded at Salisbury but nothing more.
• Charles Oliver Stearns  November 8, 1813 – October 19, 1906  (92 years)
• Dorcas Varnum Stearns   June 15, 1788- September 18, 1865  (77 years)  Married Oliver Stearns   March 4, 1786 – June 7, 1826  (40 years)
• Elizabeth Chase Eastman   April 2, 1794 – October 9, 1882  (88 years)  Married Jonathan Eastman   October 23, 1888 – July 6, 1861  (72 years)
• Helen Louise Dennett Stearns  March 31, 1843 – March 25, 1874  (30 years)
• Joseph Oliver Stearns   June 14, 1838 – September 9, 1917  (79 years)
• John Dennett  January 1, 1811 – May 16, 1891  (80 years) husband of Louisa Frost Father of Helen Dennett
• Louisa Frost Dennett  August 16, 1818 – March 29, 1897  (78 years) Mother of Helen Dennett
• Mary Ann Potter Gould  December 5, 1804 – Feb 26, 1900  (95 years) Married Allen Gould born September 15, 1785 – August 5, 1862  (76 years)
• Nathaniel Gould   April 22, 1831 – January 10, 1898   (66 years)  Married  Rachel Almira Perkins Peabody Gould    b. June 10, 1830 – April 6, 1874   (43 years)
• Nettie Florence Gould Stearns   July 26, 1863 – September 16, 1948  (85 years)
• William Dennett Stearns   October 25, 1867 – October 27, 1947   (80 years)
• “Fanny” Frances Anne Huggins born July 19, 1833 d. of Anne Dorcas Stearns and Freeman Huggins wife of Leonard E Burbank. Her mother Anne was born August 2, 1811 and died January 21, 1838, and was the oldest child of Oliver Stearns and Dorcas Varnum Stearns. See Burbank Collection Photos and Art
• Etta Stearns daughter of William Henry Stearns of Springfield, Mass.  She was born Jan 7, 1860;   married George Orson Hall of Willimantic, CT.   Etta’s father William was the sixth child of Oliver and Dorcas Varnum Stearns.
• May Stearns daughter of William Henry Stearns of Springfield, Mass.    William Henry Stearns was the sixth child of Oliver and Dorcas Varnum Stearns.  May was born May 21, 1858;  she married George Watson Clark of Northampton, Mass.
• Photos of the siblings of Charles Oliver Stearns.
  Chronology:  Oliver Stearns  married Dorcas Varnum March 15, 1810 in Dracut (Per Genealogy, however the vital records for Dracut says March 15, 1811).
   Eight Children
• 1.  Anne Dorcas Stearns – married Freeman Huggins, one child,  Frances Anne Huggins who married Leonard E Burbank.   Anne was born August 2, 1811 and died January 21, 1838.   Frances (Fanny) was born July 19, 1833.  Freeman died when Fanny was a month old.
• 2.  Charles Oliver Stearns Listed above
• 3.  Susan Maria Corey Stearns born December 29, 1815, married Joseph Chandler, one son Charles Chandler born May 14, 1849.  Susan died April 18, 1862.  Lived in Winthrop ME.
• 4.  George Parker Stearns born Sept. 22, 1817, manager of the Lowell Journal and Lowell Courier, died April 20, 1845, unmarried.
• 5.  Luther Stearns.  Born August 17, 1820, died September 17, 1907.  Luther lived in Springfield, Mass, an engineer for the railroad.  Married Mary Alvord.  Six children.  George Luther Stearns,  Edward Alvord Stearns,  Albert Henry Stearns,  Mary Stearns,  Charles Ashley Stearns, James Parker Stearns, who had two children, Dorothy Nelson Stearns and Scott Monteith Stearns.
  
  

  6.  William Henry Stearns, born March 29, 1822, died July 10, 1899.  An engineer for the railroad, residing in Springfield, Mass.   Wife, Sarah Ann Durant.  Three children.  Charles Laurens Stearns, wife Ellen C. Foley, one daughter, Grace May Stearns.  May Estella Stearns and Georgietta Edwards Stearns.

  7.  Laurens Stearns born January 7, 1825, died May 21, 1896.

  8.  Mary Elizabeth Stearns born January 7, 1825, died November 15, 1900.   Married William Harlow Hull, four children, Frank Laurens Hull (he’s buried in Omaha, Nebraska), Fred Stearns Hull,  Kate Florence Hull, and Harry Harlow Hull.

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

Family Photo taken October 27, 1935 According to Stearns Family Bible Ethel Stearns passed away November 1, 1935. Aunt Nell’s 90th birthday party, taken at the Stearns home on Elm Street.  Front row Ethel Swett WIlliams, Polly Richards (Marian’s daughter), Aunt Nell and Howard Oliver Stearns Jr.  Back row, Roy Richards Jr. (Marian’s youngest son) either George Morrill Florence’s husband or Roy Richards, Marian’s husband, Florence Swett Morrill, Nettie Florence Gould Stearns,  Fannie Stearns Swett, either George Morrill or Roy Richards, Marian Richards, Carl WIlliams, William Dennett Stearns and Maybelle North Stearns. Florence is holding Roy Jr., and Howard Oliver Stearns Sr. is in the front row next to HOS Jr.    I really suspect the man on the far left is George Morrill, and the man next to Fannie and Marian is Roy Richards Sr. 

Ruth’s line starts with Isaac Stearns who arrived on the Arabella, the first of the Winthrop Fleet (June 1630) He settled the wild terrain of Watertown, Ma. and his courageous spirit got him elected selectman several terms setting the trend for future Stearns. Like many hardy super colossal, Isaac was willing to freely pour blood and tears to lay freedoms foundation. 
At the time of the American Revolution, Ruth Stearns' seventh paternal grandfather, Josiah Stearns, commanded a company of 50 men from Lunenburg and served as captain of Doolittle’s Regiment noted as a “master of public affairs” (Federal Spy 1804). 

Josiah’s son, Oliver, ventured up the Merrimack in 1812, living in the “Ferry” section with wife Dorcas, daughter of Parker Varnum and Dorcas Brown. (Photo Above) He became a prominent lawyer and served as town representative in 1819.

Adeline Eastman Stearns wife of Charles Oliver Stearns

 Charles Oliver Stearns 90th year Amesbury, MA

Son Charles Stearns remained in town and married Adeline Eastman, daughter of Jonathan Eastman and Elizabeth Chase. Their home was on Rocky Hill with six daughters and one son Joseph Oliver Stearns, Ruth’s gr gr grandfather.  Charles served as a selectman with and his obituary “Death of a nonagenarian” clearly shows a minion deeply respected, admired, and cherished. He was expert tanner, but held many vocations including California Gold Rush venturer.  News clips furnished from the Archival room at Amesbury Library reveal a full life. He was present during the visit of Gen Lafayette and the laying of the Bunker Hill monument where Daniel Webster spoke. His 90th birthday was attended by his closest mates Captain Paul Bickford, Richard Currier, Hiram Foote, and L E Burbank. It was at Charles’ workshop that several legendary locals congregated to discuss all matters of interest. His son Joseph got an earful and recorded the skinny in his journal which Ruth has been transcribing. This treasure trove spans thirty eight years of his life in Amesbury. The Stearns family also have the diaries and letters of wife, Helen Dennett, daughter of John Dennett and Louisa Frost.

Joseph Oliver Stearns

                                                          

Joseph was in the painting business with his farther-in-law John Dennett. The firm was located at 8 Mills in Amesbury. In 1881 he painted the home of poet John Greenleaf Whittier. 
On December 29 1880 Joseph wrote: “Willie & I went down to N Port in afternoon in steam cars to see the ruin of the explosion.” The Dodge Shoe Factory explosion was devastating for the town and three lives were lost. Historian Joe Callahan recently covered this event in A December tragedy in downtown Newburyport. 
In 1882 Joseph witnessed The Great Comet on Grape Island with chums where they dined on clam chowder from Sacrimento House. Gordon Harris, Ipswich historian says Grape Island, a part of Plum Island was a bustling community back in those days and the steamboat Carlotta would have transported the observers to the celestial spectacle. When the great fire of 1888 swept through the carriage factories in Amesbury Joseph was on the scene, he wrote: “Big Fire on Carriage Hill. F. A. Babcock & Co., John Clark & Co., A. N Parry, Nat Folger, M.M. Dennett, C.N. Dennett, Hume Carriage Co., L Hollander were all burnt out. I was around there until about 2.” According to “Chariots of Fire” in the New York Herald a rise in insurance cost that year left many without coverage.

Moses Dennett Helen's uncle also had office at 8 Mills See Article Link Chariots of Fire  
Pleasant reminisces of care free days gone by in the Powow fill the Stearns memoirs. Joseph’s sisters stand out most and on Halloween they would sport around on stilts. While others rang the bell for their “treat” these she devils tapped at second floor windows. 
The simple joys were a refreshing dip into Patton’s Pond or an enchanting skate on Po River. Batchelder and Rowell Field were also favorite spots. Helen recalls festive sleigh rides with good friends Abby Osgood and Francis Sargent. Her spark for Joseph, or her “Jose” was ignited during the 1862 sleighing season, but the romance does not really heat up until May 63. By 1864 Joseph is at Fort Pickering where he serves as Private in the 3rd Unattached Company, Massachusetts Infantry. The love letters spell a smitten pair and shortly after Joseph musters out they wed. Helen worked in the Merrimac hat factory. Her free time was spent at the library and she was active in both the Temperance and Abolitionist society. She was clearly a woman revolutionary. Joseph was a member if the Eastern Star Grand Masons.
William Stearns, or “Willie” born in October 1867 was Helen and Joseph’s only child. Helen had a rare blood disease and her life was taken at age 30. Ruth tells of Joseph wrote a heart wrenching note on the morning of her death. 
He never remarried, but his journal makes several mentions of a certain M M that lived down by the Point. She gives him a photograph and shortly after he writes: M M left G W M. This still needs some digging and Ruth plans to get to the bottom of it.
The True and Penttingill families were neighbors and thrilling dramas were never scarce. One big buzz was a shooting that occurred on a hunt in 1882. No one really knows what went down between John True and Fred Penttingill, but Judge Pike ruled it an accident. Ruth has some interesting claims among the townies written in the family accounts. 
Some of Ruth’s family memorabilia include Joseph’s pocket watch made by American Watch Company of Waltham with P.S. Bartlett inscription named for Amesbury native Patten Sargeant Bartlett.

Picture of Ruth Gr Aunt Helen in the Elmwood Cemetery Amesbury. Clothes for doll made by Ruth's grandmother, Nettie Florence Gould Stearns and hair belonged to Ruth's grandfather, Howard Oliver Stearns Sr. Also, a doll her gr aunt Helen gifted her that was made from the hair of Howard Oliver Stearns her grandfather and the clothing stitched by gr grandmother, Nettie Gould Stearns. The links forged among old families are never broken. Most come full circle and in this story it is no different. Ruth was at a loss to locate the Stearns homestead at 315 Elm moved to build the interstate. Thanks to Amesbury Historical Society President Steve Klomps the mystery is solved. Below a photo Stearns Homestead at 315 Elm St. with Joseph Oliver Stearns

In 1953 the home was moved to Bartlett’s Farm in Salisbury after Edmund Bartlett and wife Francis Ring purchased it. Robert Bartlett noted the family has some video footage on the event.

            So what connects us all---my late father Robert Levi Berry was well acquainted with the Bartlett clan. Betsy Bartlett recalls when her father and my dad would pick the last of autumn cabbage to squirrel away for winter in the cellar. When my dad sold his farm some of the equipment went to Bartlett’s and my brother Nathaniel now works the saw mill.

Recent picture of home at Bartlett Farm Congress St. Salisbury taken by Steve Klomps. Ruth is looking forward to visiting the new additions akin to her family history. Until then I sent her a recent photo of the old homestead, because sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Below a photo Bartlett Farm since 1638 from American Farmer 2012

Four generation picture, Howard Oliver held by his great grandfather Charles Oliver, and William (Right) and Joseph (Left) behind.

The Stearns Home in Amesbury, Massachusetts before it was moved

Nell, Marion, and Fannie. One of Ruth's favorite pictures and notes she loves the cute cotton dresses with the little pockets and that white hair all up in a bun. Marion has her cheerful smile, which she always will remember.

           Louisa Frost and John Dennett of Amesbury MA

Ellen Dorcas Stearns who lived to be 99, the sixth child of Charles Oliver and Adeline Eastman Obit from The Sunday Boston Herald February 4 1945 

Shed 315 Elm Street homestead moved to Bartlett Farm Congress Street Salisbury 

 The Stearns Family: Adeline, Fannie, Ellen, Gustie, and Charles Oliver Amesbury MA

Mary Augusta Stearns August 18, 1843 – May 1932 “Gustie” daughter of Charles Oliver Stearns

Helen Louisa Dennett and Joseph Oliver Stearns from Stearns family collection 

 John Dennett father of Helen Dennett Amesbury, MA

Helen Dennett Stearns (1843-1874) daughter of John Dennett and Louisa Frost, wife of Joseph Oliver Stearns

Louisa Frost Dennett (1818-1897) daughter of mother of Helen Dennett

Dorcus Varnum (1788-1865) daughter of Parker Varnum and Dorcas Brown m. Oliver Stearns, son of Josiah Stearns and Marey Corey

The Stearns Homestead at 315 Elm Street before Move to build interstate


The Stearns genealogy references Oliver Stearns and Dorcas Varnum (parents Charles Oliver Stearns), and their oldest child Anne Dorcas Stearns who married Freeman Huggins of Saco, ME, daughter Frances Anne Huggins, born July 19, 1833, who married Leonard E. Burbank.  He is second cousin of William Dennett Stearns. Helen Louise Dennett Stearns’ parents were John Dennett and Louisa Frost Dennett.   Louisa had a brother, Morrill Frost married Eliza Wadsworth.
John Dennett and Louisa Frost--oldest child was Ann May Dennett who married Elbridge Cushing Sawyer.  They had a child, Ida Sawyer, born around 1861 or so, and they all visit the Dennett’s in the 1880’s per Joseph Oliver Stearns diary entries (since he lives with the Dennett’s) The Swayer's lived in Beverly.  Ida was the only child of six of John and Louisa who survived her parents. 
Worthen Dennett married Lorana Congdon, child Alice Louisa Dennett born in 1868.  Worthen died three years later and Lorana remarried to Charles Kennard and had a son named Charles Kennard.
Alice Dennett married Milton Kendall, and had five children, including Ada Kendall.  According to Ancestry.com, Ada died in Amesbury in 1965, married to William Grieve Carter. Alice died in Putnam, CT in 1952. Leonard Freeman Burbank was the son of Frances Anne Huggins and Leonard E. Burbank. 
Willie 2nd cousin. Frances was the daughter of Anne Dorcas Stearns Huggins and Freeman Huggins. JOS 1st cousin. Anne was the daughter of Oliver and Dorcas Varnum Stearns…sister of Charles Oliver Stearns.

Frances Ann Huggins Burbank, first cousin of Joseph Oliver Stearns and niece of Charles Oliver Stearns. 

Ada Kendall, daughter of Alice Louisa Dennett (daughter of Worthen and Lorana Dennett) and Milton Kendall, (son of John Kendall and Louisa Frost Dennett). Ada died in Amesbury in 1965, she married William Grieve Carter.

Ann May Dennett (1839-19140, daughter of John Dennett and Louisa Frost, wife of Elbridge Cushing Sawyer (1837-1926) son of Moses Sawyer and Hannah Morse Rowell

Elbridge Cushing Sawyer (1837-1926) son of Moses Sawyer and Hannah Morse Rowel (daughter of Deacon Benjamin Rowell and Rhoda Hoyt)  

Morrill Frost

Eliza Wadsworth Frost

William H Stearns son of Oliver Stearns and Dorcas Varnum

Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution

Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, 17 Vol: Stearns, John, Lunenburg. Capt. Josiah Stearns's co., Col. Ephraim Doolittle's regt.; receipt for advance pay, signed by said Stearns and others, dated Cambridge, July 10, 1775; also, Private, same co. and regt.; company return dated Charlestown, Winter Hill, Oct. 6, 1775; reported deceased. 

LEONARD FREEMAN BURBANK Nashua NH 8248 Son of Leonard E and Frances Ann Huggins Burbank grandson of Leonard and Margaret Hills Burbank great grandson of Caleb Burbank great grandson of John Burbank Corporal Mass Militia great grandson of Jeremiah and Margaret Davidson Hills great grandson of James Davidson Sergeant New Hampshire Militia grandson of Freeman and Dorcas Ann Stearns Huggins great grandson of Oliver and Dorcas Varnum Stearns great grandson of Josiah Stearns Captain Mass Militia great grandson of Parker Varnum Sergeant Mass Militia SAMUEL BURNS Boston Mass 10105 Son of James Gardiner

MISS KATHARINE CUSHING PORTER 6793 Born in Massachusetts Descendant of Hon James Otis Maj Gen Benjamin Lincoln Capt Charles Cushing and Hon Josiah Stearns all of Massachusetts Daughter of Alexander S Porter and Mary Otis Cushing his wife Granddaughter of Luther Stearns Cushing and Mary Otis Lincoln his wife Gr granddaughter of James Otis Lincoln and Elizabeth Otis Silli man his wife Edmund Cushing and Mary Stearns his wife Gr gr granddaughter of Benjamin Lincoln and Mary Otis his wife Charles Cushing and Hannah Croade his wife Josiah Stearns and Mary Corey his wife Gr gr gr granddaughter of James Otis and Ruth Cunningham his wife Benjamin Lincoln and Mary Cushing his wife.

Thanks to Paul Turner of the Salisbury Historical Society and Professor Emerson Baker author of A Storm of Witchcraft, Margie Shepperd Walker, archivist and author of Legendary Locals of Amesbury Cheryl Follansbee, Bartlett Farm Family. Steve Klomps President of Amesbury Historical Society, Archivist Richard Trask at the Peabody Institute Public Library, Gordon Harris Ipswich Historian and author of Ipswich blog An antiquarian almanac from America's best-preserved Puritan town

• The Varnums of Dracutt (in Massachusetts) a history of George Varnum, his son Samuel who came to Ipswich about 1635, and grandsons Thomas, John and Joseph, who settled in Dracutt, and their descendants” John Marshal Varnum
• Stearns Documents & Great Migration Papers from American Ancestors
• Genealogy and memoirs of Isaac Stearns and his descendants published in 1901 Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
• Genealogy Bank News Clips and News clips Amesbury & Danvers Archival Center