USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Farm and neighborhood cemeteries of Andover and North Andover, Massachusetts, including stone inscriptions, 1930 > Part 1
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31330 00 133 6910
FARM AND NEIGHBORHOOD CEMETERIES OF ANDOVER AND NORTH ANDOVER, MASS.,
Including
Stone Inscriptions.
Compiled by Lenora White McQuesten October 23,1930
CONTENTS
1. £
The Berry Farm Cemetery,
North Andover, Mass., together with genealogical notes.
2. The Grave of Seth Farnum, North Andover, Mass.
3. The Samuel Jenkins Farm Cemetery, Andover, Mass.
4. The Averill Farm Cemetery, North Andover, Mass.
5. The Moses Kimball Farm Cemetery, North Andover, Mass.
6. The Cornelius Gould Farm Cemetery, Andover, Mass.
: :
The Berry Farm Cemetery North Andover, Mass.
The Berry Cemetery is located on the old Berry farm on Berry St., just off the Salem Turnpike, in the Farnham district of North Andover, Vass. The first Berry to own this farm, was Jacob Berry who purchas- el it, probably, between 1820 and 1830. The last Berry to own it, was his grandson, Mr. Samuel D. Berry, who sold the farm in 1909, to Mr. William Beck of Lawrence, Mass. At that time, Mr. Berry removed to Andover, Mass., where he now resides. Before Mr. Berry sold the farm, he engaged Mr. Horace Hale Smith to survey the land, and at the time of sale, he reserved the cemetery plot, together with suf- ficient amount of land to allow for a proper road and entrance from Berry St., to the cemetery.
That this plot was used as a burying ground before Mr. Jacob Berry purchased the farm, is evident, as Mr. Daniel Farrington was buried there in 1764. His stone is still standing. It reads :-
Mr. Daniel Farrington died Feb. 2, 1764 in his 58th year.
"At fifty-eight my trancient breath resign'd My Soul took wings among ye etherial kind; And left her mortal partner here to lay, Until the Glorious Resurrection Day."
There are also many graves marked with field stones which bear no inscriptions-thus the record of those interred therein is lost.
While this cemetery is located on the Berry farm, it is not just a Berry family cemetery. It has always been a neighborhood cemetery or "graveyard" and is described as such by all who remember it, even up to the present date. The last person to be buried there, was Mrs. Betsy (Bodwell) Gray, the second wife of Mr. Cornelius Gray. She died in Lowell, Mass., Dec. 8, 1888 and was buried in this cemetery.
One fact of interest to genealogists, is that the deaths of sev- eral of the thirty-six people, whose gravestones we find there, are not recorded elsewhere. No reference is made to this cemetery in the Vital Records of Andover, Mass., published in 1912 by the Topsfield Historical Society, which also include all North Andover records. It evidently escaped their notice, as there is one person buried therein, whose death is not recorded by them, -Asa Angier, who died Feb. 6, 1849, age 84 years. There are also five others buried there, who died before 1850, who are recorded by them in the following man- ner : -
1.
w. of John Lacey, Dec. 16,1827; 2.
W. 11 James Nichols, Mar. 1846 3.
W.
11 Benj. Farnham, Oct. 19,1839;
4.
ch. Jacob Berry, Mar. _,1823;
5. s.
11 Jacob Berry, Nov. 22, 1837.
2
Of those who have died since 1850 we find four whose deaths are not on record in Andover or North Andover, Mass. They are :-
1. Anna W. Berry who died Aug. 22, 1871;
2. Henry C. Faulkner who died Feb. 18, 1863;
3. Susannah, wife of Daniel Berry who died Jan. 26, 1875;
4. Harriet N., dau. of Cornelius and Mary Gray who died March 2, 1856.
Lastly, although the following five people lived and died in North Andover, Mass., we find them erroneously recorded at the town clerk's office at Andover, Mass .;-
1. Samuel Berry who died Sept. 27, 1864;
2. D. Putnam Berry who died March 16,1865;
3. Benjamin Gray, who died May 30, 1865;
4. Hannah, wife of Benjamin Gray who died Sept. 27,1865;
5. Tabathy Russell, who died June 15, 1867.
This cemetery contains the graves of at least three soldiers and possibly many more which are unmarked and unknown. Daniel Farrington who died in 1764, was a soldier in the French and Indian wars. Peter Town was a soldier in the Revolution. William F. Goodhue served in the Civil War.
Mr. Peter Town who served in the Revolution and who is buried there, was born in Andover, Mass., Aug. 10, 1749, the son of Nathan, Jr. and Unice Town. He married first Lydia Abbot of Andover, the daughter of Ebenezer Abbot and his wife, Lydia Farrington. She died in 1774 and he married second Rebecca Sheldon of Reading who was born there Jan. 23, 1757, the daughter of Abraham and Phebe Sheldon. Peter Town went to the war from Andover and his record is found on page 915, Vol XV of the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolu-
tion.
Mr. William F. Goodhue who served in the Civil War, was the son of William Goodhue and Melantha Wright. He was taken ill in service and died at Washington, D.C., according to his death record. His body was brought home by a brother. The funeral was held from the Farnham School in order to accomodate a larger number of friends and neighbors who came to pay their last respects to the yound soldier.
We find in this cemetery the graves of several women whose fathers answered their country's call to arms during the period of 1775 to 1781. A list of these will be given later together with their parents' record of service.
The stone inscriptions follow.
3
Berry Farm Cemetery Inscriptions North Andover, Mass.
I Samuel Berry died Sept. 27,1864 age 29 years
II Anna W. daughter of Albert and Mary W. Berry died Aug. 22, 1871 age 12 yrs. 11 mos.
III Jacob Berry died Jan. 12,1873 age 83 yrs.
IV Susannah, wife of Jacob Berry died March 15, 1870 age 74 yrs. 8 mos.
V
Jacob Berry died Oct. 10,1837 age 20 yrs. Ancil Berry died May 3, 1823 age 9 mos. Jacob W. Berry died Nov. 22,1837 age 10 weeks Children of Jacob and Susannah Berry
VI Samuel Berry died July 9, 1852 age 90 yrs. 9 mos.
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VII Rebecca, wife of Samuel Berry died March 9, 1828 age 67 years.
VIII Henry C. Faulkner died Feb. 18, 1863 åge 22 yrs. 11 mos.
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IX A. Angier died Feb: 6, 1849 age 84 years
Abigail,his wife died Aug. 5, 1860 age 86 yrs. 9 mos.
X Elijah Berry died June 6, 1831
XI Abba, wife of Elijah Berry died March 1, 1862 age 83 yrs. 1 mo.
XII D. Putnam Berry died March 16, 1865 age 18 yrs. 5 mos. 16 days
XIII Susannah, wife of Daniel G. Berry died Jan. 26, 1875 age 50 years 6 mos.
XIV Mr. Daniel Farrington died Feb. 2, 1764 in his 58th year
XV Benjamin Farnum died Feb. 7, 1844 age 72 years
XVI Ruth, wife of Benjamin Farnum died Oct. 10, 1839 age 67 years
XVII Mr. Jesse Farnum died July 30, 1835 age 42 years
5.
XVIII William F. Goodhue died Oct. 14, 1862 age 40 -A Civil War Soldier-
XIX Mercy B. wife of James M Nichols died March 4, 1846 age 56 years
XX Mr. Peter Town died May 20, 1830 age 80 yrs. 9 mos -A Soldier of the Revolution-
XXI "In Memory of Mrs. Lydia and Mrs. Rebecca Town wifes of Mr. Peter Town L. died Dec. 13, 1774 age 22 yrs. R. died May 16, 1815 age 55 yrs.
Hamon Town, son of Mr. P. and Mrs. R. Town"
XXII Cornelius Gray died Feb. 26, 1873 age 74 years
XXIII Mary, wife of Cornelius Gray died June 19, 1849 age 54 years
XXIV Harriet N. daughter of Cornelius and Mary Gray died March 2, 1856 age 21 years
XXV Sarah, wife of Henry Bodwell died June 30, 1852 age 80 years.
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XXVI Benjamin Gray died May 30, 1865 age 69 years
XXVII Hannah, wife of Benjamin Gray died Sept. 27, 1855 age 66 yrs .
XXVIII Nancy G., wife of Henry J. Gray died Feb. 15, 1869 age 40 yrs. 6 mos.
XXIX Mrs. Hannah, wife of Mr. John Lacey and youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Gray died Dec. 16, 1827 -- 61 yrs.
XXX Tabathy Russell died June 15, 1867 age 79 yrs. 6 mos.
XXXI Sarah Goodhue dicd Oct. 30, 1831 age 2 yrs. 9 mos.
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LIST OF DAUGHTERS OF REVOLUTIONARY
SOLDIERS
Mrs. Rebecca (Jaquith) Berry Mrs. Abigail (Carter) Angier
Mrs. Abba (Hayward) Berry Mrs. Ruth (Saltmarsh) Farnum Mrs. Rebecca (Sheldon) Town
Mrs. Hannah (Gray) Lacey
Mrs. Tabathy (Gray Stiles) Russell
Mrs. Mercy ( Larrabee) Nichols
Mrs. Sarah (Lowell) Bodwell
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Mrs. Rebecca Berry.
Rebecca, wife of Samuel Berry who died in North Andover, Mass. March 9, 1828 was the daughter of Abraham Jaquith and his wife, Elizabeth Hill. She was born in Billerica, Mass., Jan. 17, 1759 (B.V.R.P. 110) She married Samuel Berry at Fitchburg, Mass., Oct. 16, 1784 (Old Fitchburg Records Vol II page 230)
Her father, Abraham Jaquith was born in Woburn, Mass., Jan. 3, 1727, the son of Abraham Jaquith and his wife Hannah Farley (Woburn V.R.Vol I p. 127) He married Elizabeth Hill at Billerica, Mass., Mar. 13, 1755 (B.V.R.p. 275) He died at Fitchburg, Mass., Oct. 16, 1802, age given as 76 or 77 years. ( Old Fitchburg Records Vol II p. 307)
Children of Abraham and Elizabeth Jaquith all born in Billerica (See B. V. R. pages 109 & 110)
1. Elizabeth born Apr. 15, 1756
2. Sarah born Oct. 29, 1757
3. Rebecca born Jan. 17, 1759
4. Abraham born June 15, 1760
5. Hannah born Apr. 28, 1762 died Sept. 4, 1762
6. Isaac born Oct. 19, 1763 died Oct. 21, 1763
7. Jacob born Sept. 22, 1765 settled in Fitchburg, Mass.
War Service of Abraham Jaquith.
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution-Vol. VIII Page 722.
Abraham Jaquith,-Private, Capt. Solomon Kidders' Co., Col Brook's reg't, company return endorsed "1776"; also Capt. Edward Farmer's Co; Col Jonathan Reed's reg't;enlisted Sept. 29, 1777; discharged Nov. 8, 1777, service 41 days; company marched to reinforce Northern army; etc.
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Mrs. Abigail Angier
Mrs. Abigail Angier, the wife of Asa Angier was born in Woburn, Mass., Oct. 1, 1771 the daughter of Adino and Abigail. Carter (W.V.R. P.45) She married Asa Angier at Reading, Mass., Dec. 1, 1791. (R.V.R.P. 273) The marriage record reads "Asa Anger and Nabby Carter" married Dec. 1, 1791.
Her father, Adino Carter, was born in Woburn, Mass., Aug. 14, 1724, the son of Thomas and Susanna Carter. (W.V.R. P. 44) He married Abigail Nutting of Cambridge Feb. 12, 1756. (W.V.R. P.49) Their children were born in Woburn as follows :- 1. Sarah born June 20,1756
2. Thomas = March 28, 1759 3. Ephraim tt March 1, 1762
4. Isaac 11 Aug. 25, 1765
5. Elijah tt March 28, 1768
6. Abigail It Oct. 1, 1771
Service Record. of Adino Carter
Mass. Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution Vol III page 149.
Adio Carter (also given Adino) Return for equipments dated Reading Apr. 21, 1775 made by Capt. John Flint in place of Capt. Amos Upton; also Capt. John Flint's (3rd Reading) 30, Lieut. Col. Baldwin's reg't., list of men dated May 15, 1775.
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Mrs. Abba Berry
Mrs. Abba (Abigail-Nabby-) Berry, wife of Elijah Berry who died in North Andover, Mass., March 1, 1862 was the daughter of Jabez and Nabby (Graves) Hayward. She was born in Reading, Mass., where she was baptized, Nov. 26, 1786 (See R.V.R. p. 124) She married Elijah Berry of Middleton, Mass., Nov. 27, 1800 (R.V.R. P. 365) Her name on the Middleton records is given Nabby Howard of Reading. On the Reading records it is Nabby Hayward.
Jabez Hayward, her father, was born in Reading, Mass., March 24, 1754, the son of Jabez and Elizabeth Hayward. (R.V.R. P. 123) He married Nabby Graves of Reading, May 23, 1776 (R.V.R. P 365) He died in Reading Nov. 24, 1835, age 82 yrs. G. R. 3. (R.V.R.p.530) His grave is in the South End Burying-ground in North Reading, Mass., and is listed as being marked by the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Children of Jabez and Nabby (Graves) Hayward all bpt. in Reading P. 123 Reading V.R. 1. Nabby baptized Nov. 26, 1786 2. Jabez = 11 = 3. Eunice 11 11 = 11 4. Nathaniel 11 11 11
= 5. Bethiah
May 27, 1787
6. Benjamin 11 May 3, 1789
Jabez Hayward's Service Record.
P. 620 Vol VII Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution.
Jabez Hayward, Jr. Andover, Private, Capt. Henry Abbot's Co. which marched on the alarm of Apr. 19, 1775; service le days.
Note (His father, Jabez Hayward did not die until July 18, 1797, in his 84th year-thus we have Jabez, Jr. on his record)
11
Mrs. Ruth Farnum
Mrs. Ruth Farnum, wife of Benjamin Farnum who died Oct. 10, 1839 in North Andover, Mass., was the daughter of Seth Saltmarsh and Ruth Bowman, his wife. She was born in Bedford, Mass., March 29, 1774. (Bedford V.R.) She married Benjamin Farnum, son of Capt. Benjamin Farnum of the Revolution, in Andover, Mass., May 15, 1794 (A.V.R. Vol II P. 118)
Seth Saltmarsh, her father, was born in Watertown, Mass., Dec. 4, 1746, the son of Capt. Thomas Saltmarsh and his wife, Mary Hazzen. He married Ruth Bowman of Watertown who was born Oct. 5, 1746. He died in Haverhill, Mass., May 24, 1823. His wife died in Haverhill, Mass., Feb. 12, 1829. The children of Seth and Ruth Saltmarsh were all born in Bedford, Mass. They were:
1. Thomas b. Aug. 29, 1772
2. Ruth b. March 29, 1774 m Benj. Farnum
3. Deborah b. March 19, 1776 m. Richard Hazen Kimball of Haverhill
We find no record of service in the Revolution for Seth Salt marsh but we do find his name in a list of men "liable to bear arms."
Mass. Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution Vol. XIII p. 754
Seth Saltmarsh-listed as one of a list of men between 16 and 60 who were liable to bear arms as returned by Col. Green, dated Bedford, May 15, 1775.
.12
Mrs. Rebecca Town.
Mrs. Rebecca Town, wife of Peter Town, a soldier in the Revolu- tion, was born in Reading, Mass., Jan. 23, 1757, the daughter of Abraham and Phebe Sheldon. (R.V.R. p. 205) She married Peter Town of Andover, Mass., as his second wife, June 26, 1777 at Andover, Mass. (R.V.R. p. 441) She died May 16, 1815 in Andover, Mass.
Abraham Sheldon married Phebe Holt at Andover, Masa., Dec. 5,. 1750 (Int) (A.V.R. Vol 2 p. 301) She was the widow of Ephraim Holt who died Dec. 31, 1749. Her maiden name was Phebe Russell. Shewas the daughter of John and Sarah Russell and was baptized June 10,1716 (A.V.R. Vol 1 p. 325)
Their children were all born in Reading. They were :- :
1. Russel b. Jan. 14, 1752
2. Phebe b. Mar: 1; 1754
3. Rebekah b. Jan. 23, 1757
4. Amos b. Aug. 11, 1759 settled in Fitchburg, Mass.
War service of Abraham Sheldon.
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution p. 99 Vol.XIV.
Abraham Sheldon, Reading, Sergeant probably served as private, . Capt. John Flint's Co., Col. David Green's reg't. service 2 days probably on the alarm of Apr. 19, 1775.
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Mrs. Hannah Lacey.
Mrs. Hannah Lacey, the wife of Mr. John Lacey was born in Andover, Mass., June 10, 1767, the daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Graves) Gray. (A.V.R. Vol. 1. p. 181) She married John Lacey Oct. 24, 1786 (A.V.R. Vol 2 p. 214)
Thomas Gray, her father, married Lydia Graves of Redding, Mass., Mar. 19, 1757 (A.V.R. Vol. 2 p. 158) Their children were all born in Andover, Mass. (See A.V.R. Vol 1 p. 181 & 182)
1. Thomas Jr., b. March 23, 1758 -a soldier in the Revolution-
2. Lydia b. June 3, 1759 d. June 26, 1786
3. Daniel b. Nov. 29, 1760 -a soldier in the Revolution-
4. Phebe b. Jan. 13, 1765
5. Hannah b. June 10, 1767.
War Service of Thomas Gray.
Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolution Vol. VI p. 780
Thomas Gray-Private- Capt. Samuel Johnson's Co., Col.
Johnson's reg't; enlisted Aug. 14, 1777; - discharged Nov. 30, 1777, service 4 mos;, travel included with Northern Army; roll sworn. to at Andover.
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Tabathy Russell.
Mrs. Tabathy Russell who died June 15, 1867, was born in Andover, Mass., Dec. 1, 1787, (A.V.R. p. 182) the daughter of Daniel Gray and Tabby ( Tabitha) Allen of Reading. She married first Elijah Stiles of Middleton, Mass., Nov. 6, 1806. (A.V.R. Vol. II p. 158) He died Aug. 11, 1850 and is buried on the old Gray farm on Gray St., North Andover, Mass. No stone marks his grave. For years the spot was kept sacred but of late years the exact location of it has been lost. She married second Dr. Jonathan F. Russell of Methuen, Oct. 12, 1863. (M. Bown Records) The groom was eighty-two years old.
Daniel Gray, her father, was born in Andover, Mass., Nov. 29, 1760, the son of Thomas and Lydia (Graves) Gray (A.V.R. Vol 1 p. 180) He married Tabitha Allen of Reading Dec. 14, 1786 (A.V.R. Vol. II p. 156) He died July 18, 1833 at Andover (A.V.R. Vol. II. p. 455)
Their children were all born in Andover, Mass. They were: 1. Tabby (Tabitha) born Dec. 1, 1787 2. Israel b. . Apr. 4, 1793
3. Benjamin b. Apr. 12, 1795
4. Daniel b. Aug. 15, 1789
5. Henry b. Feb. 3, 1797
6. Cornelius b. Apr. 29, 1799
7. Lydia b. Oct. 7, 1807
Service Record of Daniel Gray.
Mass. Soldiers & Sailors Vol VI p. 766.
Daniel Gray-Receipt dated Andover, July 3, 1779 for bounties paid said Gray and others by Nathaniel Gray and others, by Nathaniel Lovejoy etc. described as 18 years old, July 16, 1779 etc.
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15
Mrs .. Mercy B. (Larrabee) Nichols.
Mrs. Mercy B. Nichols, wife of James M. Nichols who died March 4, 1846 in North Andover, Mass., was born in Danvers, Mass., Nov. 9, i785, the daughter of Ephraim Jr. and Rebecca (Bragg) Larrabee. (D.V.R. p. 162 Vol. II) She married James M. Nichols at Lynnfield, Mass., Feb. 7, 1816. (Lynnfield V.R. p 58) also (Andover V.R. Vol. II p. 251) (Name spelled Leatherbee, Larrabee ete.) Her husband married second April 28, 1847 Mrs. Betsy (Harwood) McIntire (R.V.R. p. 400) (Her age at time of death as given on her tombstone, does not agree with her age as reckoned by her birth date in Danvers records.)
Ephraim Larrabee, Jr., her father, married Rebecca Bragg of Lynn, Mass. Jan. 16, 1773 (Danvers V.R.Vol II p. 162) His wife Rebecca, died in Lynnfield, Dec. 30, 1805, age 55 yrs. (Lynnfield V.R. p. 86)
Children of Ephraim Jr: & Rebecca (Bragg) Larrabee -- All born in Danvers.
1: Ephraim b: Jan: 14; 1775 m. Hannah Curtis
2. Rekkah b: Nov. 19, 1777 m. Ebenezer Larrabee 3. Jacob b. Oct. 9, 1781 d. Dec. 19, 1823 4. Marcy b. Nov. 9, 1785.
Service Record of Ephraim Larrabee. Mass. Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolution Vol. IX page 522.
Ephraim Larrabee, private Capt. Jonathan Proctor's Co., Col. Jacob Gerrish's reg't of guards; enlisted Nov. 12, 1777; service to Apr. 3, 1778- 4 mos. 22 days at Charlestown and Cambridge.
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Mrs. Sarah Bodwell.
Mrs. Sarah Bodwell, wife of Henry Bodwell who died in Andover, Mass., June 30, 1852, was born in Salem, N.H. June 8, 1767 the daughter of John Lowell, Jr., and his wife Martha Hastings. She married Dec. 12,,1793 at Methuen, Mass., Henry Bodwell, Jr. (M.V.R. p. 150) Their daughter, Betsy (Bodwell) Gray who died in Lowell, Dec. 8, 1888 is also buried in this cemetery but has no gravestone.
John Lowell, Jr., lived in Salem, N.H. and Methuen, Mass. We find his family recorded in both places. His wife's name was Martha Hastings. She died May 8, 1821, age 81 years. (See p. 132 of Gilbert Hist. of Salem, N.H .- In the Salem Town Records section) John Lowell Jr. Signed the Association Test Paper in Salem, N.H. and we find a record of this in Vol. XXX p. 135 of N. H. State Papers by Batchellor.
Their children were born in Salem N.N. as follows :- (See page 39 of Salem, N.H. Town Records in Gilberts Salem N.H. History)
1. Molly b. Feb. 12, 1761
2. Hannah b. July 8, 1762 m. Jedediah Pettingill of Haverhill
3. Nabbie b. Feb. 12, 1765 m Woodbridge Bailey Feb. 19, 1795
4. Sally b. June 8, 1767 m. Henry Bodwell
5. John b. Sept. 18, 1769 d. June 26, 1854 in Salem, N.H. age 85 yrs.
6. Robert b. March 6, 1771, died in 1874 age 73 yrs. Salem N.H.
7. Betty b. June 10, 1775 died young
8. Merriam b. Jan. 6, 1777
9. Betty b. Oct 24, 1781 m. at Methuen, Mass., John Huse (int. Dec. 23, 1805)
John Lowell, Jr. Signer of the Assoc. Test Paper in Salem N.H.
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The Grave of Seth Farnham.
It would hardly be fitting to write at length concerning the neighborhood cemetery on the Berry farm and not in some way mention the lone grave of the promising young man, Mr. Seth Farnham on the Farnham farm just across the way.
Mr. Seth Farnham born Sept. 15, 1805, the son of Benjamin and Ruth (Saltmarsh) Farnum whose graves we find in the neighborhood cemetery, died at the early age of thirty-nine years, leaving a wife and four small children. Realizing the end was near, he requested that his body be buried beneath a large oak tree on the farm, not far from the house. His request was granted and today the tree and his grave stone still stand erect. The inscription on the stone is as follows :-
Mr. Seth Farnham died May 3, 1845 age 39 years
"Beneath this stone, 'til Christ shall bid him rise A husband dear, and much loved father lies, Yet cease to weep -- 'tis God -- be calm and still And bow in sweet submission to his will. "
The young widow did not die for many years and by that time the custom of burying the dead on private farms in the larger towns of Massachusetts was almost extinct. Her remains were interred in Ridgewood Cemetery in North Andover and wherein one finds the name of her young husband beside of hers on the stone in that cemetery, he still peacefully sleeps in his first resting place beneath the old oak tree on the Farnham farm.
Note-This farm is the Farnham farm on the Salem Turnpike, North Andover, Mass.
18
The Samuel Jenkins Farm Cemetery of Andover, Mass.
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On the Samuel Jenkins farm, situated in the Cape district of Andover, Mass., just off the direct road from Boston to Haverhill, w) find another neighborhood cemetery. We do not find here, the record of burials by so many different families and possibly, it never was so large a cemetery, as the one previously described on the Berry farm in North Andover.
At the present time, with the exception of field stones, six gravestones are all that remain. They pertain to the Woodbridge family who were direct descendants of Rev. John Woodbridge, the first minister of Andover. At one time, some of the Jenkins family were buried here, but they were later removed and placed in the William Jenkins lot, in Spring Grove Cemetery of Andover, Mass. The old gravestones still remain on the farm and the inscriptions which fol- low, were secured from them.
Benjamin Woodbridge who died Apr. 13, 1846, aged 89 years, is burfed here. He was born in Somersworth, N.H., the son of Samuel Woodbridge. He married Martha Malady (often spelled Mellendy) of Reading, Jan. 26, 1786. She was the daughter of Richard and Martha Mellendy. Benjamin Woodbridge was, I believe, a soldier in the Rev- olution, serving as a private in Capt. Nathaniel Gage's company and Col. Jacob Gerrish's regiment. We find his record in Vol. XVII on page 798 of the Mass. Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution.
Col. Benjamin Jenkins, one of those buried here, and later re- moved to Spring Grove Cemetery, without a doubt, I believe, served too, during the Revolution on the . Schooner "Cato" commanded by Capt. David Allen of Boston. His record may be found in Volume VIII, page 748 of the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors. He is described there as being twenty-five years of age, residence-Boston, on Sept. 29,1780. After the Revolution, Benjamin Jenkins joined the Massachusetts Mil: itia, and for a period of over twenty years, held various commissions i in the 3rd Reg't., 2nd Brig., 2nd Div. of the militia. The following record of commissions received, and dates when given to Benjamin Jenkins of Andover, Mass., was obtained from the Adjutant General's office at the State House, Boston, Mass.
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Ensign Aug. 22, 1791 Lieutenant, Sept. 24, 1792 Captain April 22, 1799 Major June 23, 1806 Lieut. Col. Commandant, Feb. 5, 1810
Discharged Dec. 30, 1830.
Col. Benjamin Jenkins married Feb. 11, 1779 "Peggy Flint" of Reading. She was baptized there, Nov. 28, 1962, the daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Flint. Her father, too, was a Revolutionary soldier from Reading. On her gravestone she is recorded as Martha Jenkins.
Samuel Jenkins, the father of Col. Benjamin Jenkins, was the first to own this farm, coming here from Reading, Mass,, with his wife, Rebecca. The present house was built in 1765, ten years before the Revolution and was the second house, occupied by him, on this site.
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His son, Benjamin, inherited the home place and he, in turn, be- queathed it to his youngest son, William.
This William Jenkins brought his bride, Mary Saltmarsh Farnum to this home. They were strong "Abolitionists" and did much to aid the escape of slaves through the northern states into Canada. Their home was a station of the "Underground Railroad" at that time. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe was often a visitor here during her stay in Andover.
The bowlder which marks his grave in Spring Grove Cemetery reads as follows :-
William Jenkins 1796-1878
"He lived to see the fulfillment of his great desire, the abolition of slavery in America."
This boulder was taken from the old farm in the Cape district.
From time to time the Jenkins family acquired much land in this vicinity. Some of this still remains in the family; some of the woodland has become a part of the state reservation. The old house and one hundred and eighty acres of land are at the present time owned by Mr. Paul Hill.
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Samuel Jenkins' Farm. Cemetery Inscriptions Andover, Mass.
I
In Memory of Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge who died April 13, 1846 age 89 years.
II Mrs. Martha Woodbridge, wife of Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge who died July 26, 1826 age 65 years.
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