Amos reached the grand age of 96 years old. This was a blessing and a curse. He lived to see the births of eleven children. He mourned the deaths of eight of those children.

Amos Adams

Born: 16 AUG 1773 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA

Father: Noah Adams (1747 to 1819)
Mother: Elizabeth Fassett (1749 to 1831)

First Spouse: Mary Fassett (1778 to 1829)

Married: 15 OCT 1798 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA

Children:

Joab F Adams (17 OCT 1799 to 22 APR 1885)
Lita Adams (13 DEC 1802 to 5 APR 1889)
Noah Adams (2 JUN 1804 to 30 OCT 1853)
Asa Adams (14 OCT 1806 to 5 MAR 1832)
David Adams (26 APR 1807 to 25 APR 1812)
Elizabeth Adams (3 JUN 1809 to 17 MAR 1837)
David Adams (21 SEP 1811 to 21 NOV 1815)
Anna Adams (3 FEB 1815 to 19 JUN 1903)
Lucy Adams (21 OCT 1817 to 27 JAN 1842)
Mary Adams (27 FEB 1821 to 3 MAR 1854)
Dennison C Adams (6 MAY 1825 to 21 OCT 1864)

Second Spouse:

Thankful Hescock (1784 to 1853)

Married: 12 OCT 1830 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA

Children: None

Died: 3 JUL 1870 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA

Burial: Evergreen Cemetery

Timeline:

1798 Marriage to Mary
1799 Birth of son, Joab
1802 Birth of daughter, Lita
1804 Birth of son, Noah
1806 Birth of son, Asa
1808 Birth of son, David 1st
1809 Birth of daughter, Elizabeth
1810 Death of sister, Jerusha
1812 Death of son, David 1st
1812 Birth of son, David 2nd
1815 Birth of daughter, Anna
1815 Death of son, David 2nd
1817 Birth of daughter, Lucy
1819 Death of father, Noah
1820 Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA
1821 Birth of daughter, Mary
1825 Birth of son, Dennison
1829 Death of wife, Mary
1830 Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA
1830 Marriage to Thankful
1831 Death of mother, Elizabeth
1832 Death of son, Asa
1837 Death of daughter, Elizabeth
1840 Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA
1842 Death of daughter, Lucy
1845 Death of brother, Jesse
1850 Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA
1853 Death of sister, Lydia
1853 Death of son, Noah
1853 Death of wife, Thankful
1854 Death of daughter, Mary
1860 Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA
1864 Death of son, Dennison
1870 Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA
1870 Death and Burial

Occupation: farmer

Records:

1820 to 1870 US Federal Census Records
New Hampshire, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1714-1904
New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage Records, 1700-1971
The U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

Variations of Surname: none

Did You Notice?

Amos’ mother and first wife share the maiden name of Fassett. I discovered that they were first cousins, once removed.

Elizabeth’s Lineage:

Adonijah Adams (1720 to 1800), father
Benjamin Adams (1690 to 1764), grandfather

Mary’s Lineage:

Samuel Adams (1741 to Unknown), father
Benjamin Adams (1717 to 1771), grandfather
Benjamin Adams (1690 to 1764), great-grandfather

Amo’s Biography:

Amos’ biography appears in the publication entitled “Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire“, Page 189. You can view this book on the Internet Archive website.

I also found a transcript of a newspaper article on another family tree. It was published on 12 NOV 1868 in the New Hampshire Sentinel located in Keene, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

The author described Amos as the last known survivor of the Wyoming Massacre. The small group of colonial militia who protected the valley were routed and killed. The survivors, including Amos’ family, fled through the woods. They walked 150 miles until they reached Fishkills on the North River.

The reporter concluded with a short biography:

“Mr. Adams is now 95 years old and is remarkably active, for one who has seen so many years, and challenges many a young man to work in an “even yoke” with him. A neighbor paid him $1.50 per day in hoeing, last season. His faculties seem to be remarkably preserved, his hearing and sight are quite good and so is his general health, for one who, to use his expression, was always a ‘pindling, sickly boy: He has been a resident of Winchester for 72 years, and what is more remarkable has always lived on the same farm. He is now a widower, having had 2 wives and 10 children, of whom but three are now living. I don’t know as it has had anything to do with his longevity but he has been a lifelong Republican and says he voted for Gen. Grant as one who, he believes will carry out those political principles that he loves and cherishes. Mr. Adams experienced religion when 10 years of age and was received into the Methodist Church by Jesse Lee the father of New England Methodism, and has been a consistent member of the same for more than 75 years, and waiting for the boatman.”

It is remarkable that Amos reached the age of 96 years old. The reporter noted that he was still quite healthy and mentally fit. There was sorrow, though, that came with this longevity. Amos had to mourn the deaths of two wives and eight children.

Noah died at 49 years old.
Asa died at 25 years old.
David died at 4 years old.
Elizabeth died at 27 years old.
David died at 3 years old.
Lucy died at 24 years old.
Mary died at 33 years old.
Dennison died at 39 years old.

The three surviving adult children were:

Joab died at 85 years old.
Lita died at 86 years old.
Anna died at 88 years old.

The causes of death are unknown for the eight children. Diseases, accidents, and war killed many people in these early years. The longevity gene likely continued through Amos’ surviving descendants.

Amos’ First Wife:

Mary Fassett:

Mary was born on 3 JAN 1778 in Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 13 MAR 1829 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

Mary’s father was Samuel Fassett. He was born on 8 NOV 1741 in Pomfret, Windham County, Connecticut, USA. I do not know when he died.

Samuel married a woman named Rebecca Fish on 3 JUN 1761 in Pomfret, Windham County, Connecticut, USA. Her birth year and birthplace are unknown. She died on 6 FEB 1772 in Pomfret, Windham County, Connecticut, USA.

One known child was born during their marriage:

Esther Fassett (1764)

After Rebecca died, Samuel moved to Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. His second wife is unknown. Three known children were born during their marriage:

Anna Fassett (1774)
Mary Fassett (1778), Amos Adams’ wife
Lucy Fassett (1779)

Establishing the Connection:

There are two birth records for Samuel’s daughter, Esther:

The Barbour Collection for Connecticut shows that Esther was born on 24 APR 1764 in Pomfret, Windham County, Connecticut, USA.

Esther’s birth was also recorded in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. I found this document in Ancestry.com’s database “New Hampshire, U.S., Birth Records, 1631-1920”.

These documents confirm two facts:

Samuel Fassett of Pomfret moved to Winchester, New Hampshire.
Samuel Fassett was Mary’s father as shown on her birth record.

Amos and Mary’s Daughters:

Lita Adams:

Lita was born on 13 DEC 1802 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 5 APR 1889 in Greenwich, Washington County, New York, USA.

Lita married Simeon Tucker on 12 NOV 1826 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. Six known children were born during their marriage:

Amos Tucker (1828)
Hannah Tucker (1831 to 1848)
Laura Ann Tucker (1833 to 1855)
Elvira Tucker (1836)
Lita Tucker (1838 to 1866)
Simeon B Tucker (1841)

Simeon Tucker was born in 1796 in Rhode Island, USA. He died on 28 JUN 1865 in Greenwich, Washington County, New York, USA.

Did You Notice?

Three of Lita and Simeon’s children died young:

Hannah was 17 years old when she died.
Laura was 22 years old when she died.
Lita was 28 years old when she died.

There are memorials on the Find A Grave website for these three individuals. Laura’s profile shows that she died on consumption.

Elizabeth Adams:

Elizabeth was born on 3 JUN 1809 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 17 MAR 1837 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. Elizabeth was 27 years old when she died.

Anna Adams:

Anna was born on 3 FEB 1815 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 19 JUN 1903 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

Anna married Samuel Burbank in the 1850s in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. No known children were born during their marriage.

Samuel Burbank was born on 10 FEB 1809 in Oakham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 19 MAY 1869 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

After Samuel died, Anna married Clark Sweetland on 20 SEP 1871 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. Anna was 56 years old. Clark was 70 years old.

Clark Sweetland was born on 10 JUN 1801 in Vernon, Windham County, Vermont, USA. He died on 12 DEC 1873 in Vernon, Windham County, Vermont, USA.

Clark was married at least three times before he web Anna:

Clark married Betsey Stetson on 21 JUL 1831 in Vernon, Windham County, Vermont, USA. Three known children were born during their marriage:

Artemus Washburn Sweetland (22 FEB 1835 to 30 MAY 1864)
Samuel S Sweetland (6 MAR 1838 to 5 MAY 1862)
Daniel Sweetland (4 JAN 1839 to Unknown)

There is a memorial on the Find A Grave website for Clark. A transcription of the headstone reads:

“In memory of Clarke Sweetland
Who was born in Vernon, Vt
June 10, 1801; died Dec 12, 1873

He faithfully served in the Mex(ican) War until his close.
His three sons Samuel, Artemas, and Daniel nobly sacrificed
their lives in the War of the Rebellion and rest on the battlefield.”

There are memorials on the Find A Grave website for Clark’s three sons. Artemus died in the Battle of the Wilderness. Samuel was taken prisoner during the Battle of Yorktown and died of his wounds. Daniel’s memorial indicates that he was a private in the Union Army.

Betsey Stetson was born in 1807. Her birthplace is unknown. She died on 28 NOV 1839 in Vernon, Windham County, Vermont, USA. Betsey was 32 years old when she died.

Clark’s second marriage ended in divorce. This is shown on his third marriage record.

Clark then married a widow, Philena Prouty Blanchard, on 18 JUL 1857 in Vernon, Windham County, Vermont, USA. Clark was 56 years old. Philena was 55 years old.

Philena Prouty was born on 24 MAR 1802 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont, USA. She died on 16 MAY 1867 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont, USA.

Philena had previously married Isaac Blanchard on 3 OCT 1821 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont, USA. Six known children were born during their marriage:

Harriet Hewl Blanchard (1822)
Almira Meriah Blanchard (1825)
Sarah Louisa Blanchard (1827)
Abner Lewis Blanchard (1829)
Joseph Henry Blanchard (1831)
Horace Leander Blanchard (1833)

Isaac Blanchard was born on 20 MAY 1800 in Hinsdale, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. He died on 15 JUL 1851 in Marlboro, Windham County, Vermont, USA.

Lucy Adams:

Lucy was born on 21 OCT 1817 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 27 JAN 1842 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. Lucy was 24 years old when she died.

Lucy married Charles Rich on 11 OCT 1836 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. One known child was born during their marriage:

Charles Rich (1837)

Charles Rich was born on 15 JUN 1812 in Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 2 JUL 1876 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

After Lucy died, Charles married Roxanna Gould on 7 AUG 1842 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. One known child was born during their marriage:

Otis Rienzi Rich (11 May 1847 to 16 Jun 1864)

Otis died in the Second Battle of Peterburg during the US Civil War.

Roxanna Gould was born on 24 MAR 1821 in Vassalborough, Kennebec County, Maine, USA. She died on 12 AUG 1904 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

Mary Adams:

Mary was born on 27 FEB 1821 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 3 MAR 1854 in Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA. Mary was 33 years old when she died.

Mary married Clark Stearns on 5 DEC 1839 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA. Two known children were born during their marriage:

Samuel A Stearns (1841)
David C Stearns (1844)

Clark Stearns was born on 20 AUG 1813 in Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 29 OCT 1888 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

After Mary died, Clark married a widow, Dorothy B Daniels Channell, on 13 FEB 1863 in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. Clark was 49 years old. Dorothy was 53 years old.

Dorothy B Daniels was born in 1810 in Durham, Strafford County, New Hampshire, USA. She died on 13 DEC 1880 in Warwick, Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA.

Dorothy had previously married Abraham Fitz John Channell. I do not know when or where they were married. No known children were born during their marriage.

Abraham Fitz John Channell was born on 2 JAN 1813 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 15 SEP 1846 in Durham, Strafford County, New Hampshire, USA. Abraham was 33 years old when he died.

Amos’ Second Wife:

Thankful Hescock:

Thankful was born on 20 JUL 1784 in Union, Tolland County, Connecticut, USA. She died on 30 NOV 1853 in Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USA.

Thankful’s father was Stephen Hescock. He was born on 19 JAN 1754 in Sutton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. He died on 24 DEC 1852 in Wardsboro, Windham County, Vermont, USA. Stephen was 98 years old when he died.

Thankful’s mother was Thankful Morse. She was born on 12 DEC 1752 in Sturbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. She died on 25 JUL 1814 in Wardsboro, Windham County, Vermont, USA.

Notes:

John Adams (1595 to 1633) was the first person with that English surname to immigrate to North America from England. In 1621, John boarded the Fortune. This was the second ship, after the Mayflower, to bring Puritans to North America. In late November of that year, the Fortune arrived at Plymouth Colony. John was the progenitor of all the Adams descendants listed in these posts.

Creating Your Family Tree

Interested in building a great family tree? Remember these important steps:

Look in your photo albums. You may have old pictures that your parents or grandparents gave you. Or, ask them for copies of photos that they have in their possession. Many people will write names and dates on the backs of photographs. Letters, diaries, and family bibles are also excellent sources for births, marriages, and deaths.

Talk to your older relatives to find out about your ancestry. They may relate stories about an ancestor that you can add to your family tree. Family history is usually not found in newspapers. It is more of a verbal memory that is passed down from generation to generation.

Find the right family tree builder that suits your needs. You can choose one that has a paid subscription like Ancestry.com. There are also free sites like FamilySearch.org.

When you start building your family tree, add documentation to your ancestor’s profile. The records can include birth, marriage, death, census, military, city, and county directory listings. Any information that you can find will help create a life story about your ancestor.

If you have a unique surname, like Wakenight, you may find databases on the internet that are useful in your search. I use SurnameDB.com for my English surnames. There are many others on the internet for other countries like Ireland, Italy, and Germany.

Genealogy is the study of a person’s “line of descent.” As you create your family tree, you would typically start with one individual and go “back into time.” You would add their parents, grandparents, and so on.  There are also family trees that go “forward into time.”  Many of these family trees start with a famous person, such as a president or royalty, and move forward into the present time.  The purpose of this type of pedigree is to establish a person’s bloodline with that famous person.

There is no limit on how big your family tree can grow. The blank canvas is there for you to use. Cherish your family history, and it will be there for generations to come!