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Generation Two

     2. Thaddeus2 Ward (Samuel1); born 25 October 1779 in MA; married Lovey Daniels; the marriage was published 21 January 1802 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT; he died 15 June 1863 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, cause of death: consumption, age 83 years; buried in Ward Cemetery, North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.

     Thaddeus Ward, eldest child of Samuel and Hannah (--?--) Ward, was a prosperous farmer. He and wife Lovina "Lovey" (Daniels) Ward raised a family of eleven children, all of whom reached adulthood and had families of their own. Thaddeus was a resident of Danville and as a result, his family is relatively well documented. His marriage and the births of all his children are recorded in the Danville town records. All children are named in his will of 1843 and most of them can be followed throughout their lives. His home in North Danville, on what is now called Tampico Road, still exists. It is an old weathered building dated 1818 and called "The Old Ward Homestead."

     Despite the encroachment of 21st century civilization, the drive out to the Ward Cemetery and Thaddeus Ward's home is still a narrow dirt and gravel road. There is still a feeling of isolation. The records of the Samuel Ward descendants show a small group of independent, self-reliant people to whom family is all-important and whose small community becomes family. Most of the sons and daughters married members of neighbor families and even second and third marriages were kept within the 'family.'

     The first appearance of the adult Thaddeus Ward in the records is the 26 March 1800 deed in which he purchases 100 acres in the town of Wheelock, "part of the 43rd Original laid out in said town, lot no. 225 from Thomas Dow, Jr., blacksmith, for $100. Both men are stated as being "of Danville." Given the timing on this deed, it is probably a settlement made on him by his father upon reaching his majority or preparing to marry. The deed was witnessed by Samuel Daniels Jr., possible relative of his future wife Lovina "Lovey" Daniels, and Timothy Chamberlain and was recorded 17 September 1802.

     Despite his apparent presence in Danville throughout his adult life, Thaddeus' first appearance in the census records is in the 1810 U.S. census. He is not found in his father's household in 1800, nor does he appear as the head of a household himself. In all probablity, he is present as a laborer or apprentice in another household at this time. His household in 1810 consists of three males under 10, probably sons Aaron b. 1805, Benjamin b. 1807, and Thaddeus Jr., b. 1808; one male 16-26, possibly his brother Josiah b. 1787; one male 26-45, Thaddeus himself b. 1779; one female under 10, probably daughter Cynthia b. 1802; one female 16-26, possibly sister Betsey b. 1793; and one 1 female 26-45, probably wife Lovey (Daniels) b. 1781. The presence of his young siblings, Josiah and Betsey, in his household is likely. They both remained in the neighborhood after their father removed to Stanstead, Canada, and they are not found in their brother Samuel's household.

     The 1820 census enumeration also presents a few problems, some of them possibly explained by the late date in which the enumeration was taken. The Danville returns were filed 31 July 1821. This household consists of one male under 10, probably son Thomas b. 1820; three males age 10-16, sons Benjamin b. 1807, Thaddeus b. 1808 and Samuel b. 1810; one male age 16-26, son Aaron b. 1805; and one male age 26-45, Thaddeus b. 1779; three females under 10, daughters Belinda b. 1815, Abigail b. 1817 and Clarissa b. 1819; two females age 16-26, daughter Cynthia b. 1802 and an unknown female; and one female age 26-45, wife Lovey b. 1781. Two members of the household are engaged in agriculture. The ages of the male members of the household are consistent if one assumes the responses were made relative to an 1821 date rather than 1820. There is one unknown female present in the household. This cannot be Thaddeus' sister Betsey as she had married in 1811.

     The same male members of the household are apparently present in the 1830 census enumeration. This household shows the addition of two young daughters, Betsey b. 1823 and Hannah b. 1825. Thaddeus' oldest daughter, Cynthia, had married Gilman Drew in 1821; however, there is a female age 20-30 still in his household. There are several possibilities for her identity: the unknown female found in the 1820 census; perhaps the wife of Thaddeus' oldest son, Aaron; a new 'unknown female.' The births of Thaddeus' children are well-documented in the Danville town records, so this woman is not an unidentified daughter. She may possibly be a relative of Lovey (Daniels) Ward whose family has not been investigated.

     By 1840, most of the children of Thaddeus Ward are on their own. Aaron, Benjamin, and Thaddeus Jr. appear to be accounted for in their own households. Cynthia had left the parental home in 1821 and now both Abigail and Clarissa have married, Abigail to John P. Weeks in 1834 and Clarissa to Amasa Clark about 1840. The Thaddeus Ward household in 1840 consists of one male under 5, two males 15-20, son Thomas J. b. 1820 and unknown, one male 20-30, probably Samuel b. 1810, one male 60-70, Thaddeus b. 1779; two females 15-20, probably daughters Hannah b. 1825 and Betsey b. 1823, two females 20-30, daughter Belinda b. 1815 and unknown, and one female 50-60, wife Lovey b. 1781. Four members of the household are involved in agriculture. Son Samuel had married Amanda Willard (b. ca. 1812) in 1838 and their son Nathaniel had been born in December of that year. Assuming Samuel had remained within the parental household after his marriage, his family would account for the young boy under 5 and the unknown female age 20-30. The unknown male age 15-20 is probably a farm laborer, most likely a young relative. Thaddeus Ward sold land in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, to Josiah Ward in May 1813. The deed was witnessed by Samuel Ward.

     The 1850 census finds the 70 year old Thaddeus and his 69 year old wife Lovey living with their son Thos. J. Ward, age 29, and his wife Olive, age 20. This living arrangement is in accord with the terms of Thaddeus' 1843 will. Thomas and Olive apparently have no children at this time. Also living in the household is a 15 year old Cynthia Drew, daughter of Cythia (Ward) and Gilman Drew, and Jacob Trussel, an 18 year old farm laborer. This census gives Thaddeus Ward's place of birth as Massachusetts and that of his wife as New Hampshire. Although this contradicts some other evidence, both are probably correct, given the history of their respective families. Further support to the close-knit nature of this family may be found on this census page. Family no. 3 is that of Thaddeus' son Samuel; no. 4 his son Aaron; and no. 5 his son-in-law Harrison Weeks, husband of daughter Susannah. Daughter Hannah and husband John P. Weeks are listed as family no. 10.

     In 1860, Thaddeus still resides in his son Thomas J. Ward's household. In this enumeration, he is listed as age 84, born in New Hampshire. He is still surrounded by his family: daughter Susannah (Ward) Weeks resides in dwelling no. 312, son Samuel in dwelling no. 315, son Aaron in dwelling no. 316, and daughter Hannah (Ward) Weeks in dwelling no. 317.

     The 1880 census records of four children of Thaddeus Ward have been found: Thaddeus, Jr., Samuel, Thomas J., and Hannah (Ward) Weeks. Only that of Samuel shows his father's birthplace as Massachusetts. All others give his birthplace as New Hampshire. The four children all agree on their mother's birthplace as being New Hampshire.

     Thaddeus Ward left a will dated 21 January 1843, more than twenty years before his death. The introductory phrasing of this will varies slightly from standard practice and may indicate a wry sense of humor: "I Thadeus Ward of Danville in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont being sensible of my liability to sudden death at the same time being in my own supposition of sound mind. . ." The will combines provisions of a traditional will with those more commonly found in deeds in which the parent gives land to a son or son-in-law in return for care in his old age.

It is my will that Thomas J Ward maintain and support my self and wife out of his portion after the above named sums are paid out of the personal estate.

      It is my Will to live with my son Thomas J Ward and he is to provide a good and comfortable room and keep the same warm and provide a good and comfortable bed and beding [sic] and provide good and sufficient clothing and provide at all times good and holsom [sic] victuals and drinks and all that is necessary to make us comfortable and is to pay all Doctors bills and nursing during our natural lives.

     Although son Thomas Jefferson Ward is effectively the residuary legatee, his older brother Samuel also receives a large portion of the estate: he received "thirty acres of the homestead Farm where I now live to be divided according to quantity and quality with one half of one third of the buildings there on and the wood lot and Sugar place and also one half of a peice [sic] of land in the Town of Wheelock supposed to contain 40 acres. . ." as well as "one half of my personal estate not herein otherwise disposed of" and "one half of one third of the rents and profits of the homestead Farm and one third of the rents and profits of the Wheelock farm after paying out to the Heirs as is herein provided." Samuel and Thomas J. Ward were to pay out all legacies named in the will.

     All children of Thaddeus and Lovey (Daniels) Ward are named in this will. Three daughters, Belinda, Betsey and Hannah are unmarried and all are to receive "the sum of two hundred dollars in household furniture such as she may need, the remainder in likely neat Cattle or sheep" and all are to "have a home within my Dwelling House as long as they shall remain single." Sons Aaron, Benjamin and Thaddeus, evidently having already received their portion, are to receive one dollar, as are married daughters 'Cintha' Drew, Abigail P. Weeks and Clarissa D. Clarke. Wife Lovey is to receive "the use and improvement of one third of all of my estate both real and personal during her natural life" and "a handsome maintenance out of my estate during her natural life." She is also given the disposition of his household furniture.

     Son Aaron Ward is named executor and the will is witnessed by Samuel F. Shattuck, Samuel P. Daniels [either his nephew or brother-in-law] and Beniah Ward [probably his nephew, son of brother Samuel Ward].

     Unfortunately, the probate and disposition of this estate give no clues as to changes in this family in the twenty-year interim. The will was admitted to probate 9 July 1863 and the final disposition of the estate was recorded by executor Aaron Ward at the Probate Court in St. Johnsbury, VT, 1 July 1864. The inventory totals $6378.75 with $2278.75 of that being personal estate. There were no claims against the estate. Although no recipients are named in the final account, the inventory does seem to show the final disposition of all property. The land is listed as "ocupied [sic] by T. Ward" and several items have "Samuels" written next to them. It appears that all terms of the will had been carried out before the death of Thaddeus and the estate administration simply divides the remainder between the two youngest sons. Although other evidence exists to document some of the changes in the family, unfortunately this probate provides no additional evidence to help answer the remaining questions.

     The death record of Thaddeus Ward found in the Vermont vital records index states that he died 15 January 1863 in Danville, Vermont, at the age of 80 years. Although possible, it is more likely that the date inscribed on his tombstone, 15 June 1863, is more accurate. The tombstone is appropriate for the time period and this date is more in accord with the 9 July 1863 probate date. The cause of death is noted as "consumption." Thaddeus was buried in the family cemetery adjoining his property next to his wife of more than fifty years, Lovey (Daniels) Ward.

     Lovey Daniels was born 1781 in VT Her son Jefferson's 1900 census entry lists her birthplace as New Hampshire. She died 13 February 1853 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT. She was buried in Ward Cemetery, North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT . Her tombstone reads "Lovina wife of// Thaddeus Ward// d. 13 Feb 1853// ae 72." She was also known as Lovina. She is probably enumerated in the household of Thaddeus Ward in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, in 1820.1 She is probably enumerated in the household of Thaddeus Ward in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, in 1840.2 Lovey Daniels is a legatee in the will of her husband Thaddeus Ward on 21 January 1843 Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.

     Known children of Thaddeus2 Ward and Lovey Daniels all born Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, were as follows:

     3. Samuel2 Ward (Samuel1); born 17 July 1781 possibly in Danvers, Essex Co., MA; married Tamson Hall, possibly the daughter of Solomon and Tamson Hall, 1 January 1806 in Barrington, Strafford Co., NH, both of Barrington; he died 11 May 1835 in Goshen Gore, Caledonia Co., VT, ae 53 years; cause of death: logging accident; buried in Ward Cemetery, North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.

     Samuel Ward, second son of Samuel and Hannah (--?--) Ward, was probably a farmer who also worked a saw mill. The inventory of his estate includes a "Pew in the Danville North Meeting House" and his obituary calls him a "respectable citizen -- a member of the Christian Church." Perhaps this respectability, combined with his choice of location, conspires to provide little information with which to clothe the bare bones of a 53 year existence.

     The family of Samuel Ward, like Samuel himself, poses many problems. Despite its location adjacent to that of his brother Josiah in Danville, Samuel's property was located in Goshen Gore [now Stannard], Vermont. All records of this family should be found in the Goshen Gore town records. Unfortunately, these records were burned in a fire in the town clerk's office in [?], leaving no direct evidence for the births of his children. The family picture has been pieced together from a correlation of early census records, Samuel Ward's estate, and later marriage and death records of his children.

     Samuel, like his older brother Thaddeus, may have been born in Massachusetts. However, most of his children indicate that he and his wife, Tamson (Hall) were born in Vermont, a location known to be incorrect. His birth is recorded in both the Dublin, New Hampshire, and the Wheelock, Vermont, town records. As the family came from Dublin to Wheelock after younger brother Nathaniel's birth in 1790, Samuel must have been born either in New Hampshire, or perhaps in Massachusetts, prior to his family's move to Dublin.

     With the exception of the record of his birth, Samuel Ward's first appearance in Caledonia County, Vermont, records is in the land records of Wheelock. On 20 November 1804 he purchased land in Wheelock described as "a certain lot of land lying in Wheelock in the northwest part of the town. . . lot no. 225" from his brother Thaddeus Ward for "$120 to me in hand paid." Both men are called "of Danville" at this time. This land was subsequently sold to Enoch Kidder and Samuel Brackett of Wheelock for the sum of $20 [probably either $120 or $200] on 10 June 1812. At this time Samuel Ward is still called "of Danville." Although the inventory of his estate shows that he owned land in Goshen Gore, Vermont, adjoining that of brother Josiah in Danville, no records of his purchase of this land exist, they having been destroyed in the fire in the town clerk's office. With the sale of his land in Wheelock, Samuel Ward disappears from the local records, existing only in the early federal censuses, until his accidental death in 1835.

     It is always difficult making conclusions from the statistical censuses available before 1850. A comparison of the Samuel Ward family census data is shown in tabular form.
     This table shows the evolution of a fairly large family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, throughout the thirty years covered by these four censuses. It appears that all children reached adulthood. The final column contains the eleven names of Samuel's heirs found in his estate file and their approximate birth dates as found in later censuses, marriage and death records. The correlation is excellent, but there are two problems. First, the ages of Samuel and Tamson in the 1830 census appear to be incorrect. The check marks should probably have been placed under the age 40-50 column. Second, Hannah (Ward) Kittredge's year of birth from other sources appears to be about 1811. If she was born after the 1810 census, then there is a young female born between 1800 and 1810 unaccounted for. If this is another daughter, she must have been born sufficiently early to allow a marriage before 1820 or she must have died before 1820. If the former, her birth must have significantly preceded the marriage of Samuel and Tamson in 1806; if the latter, there must have been two children born between the August 1809 birth of Abigail and the Feb 1812 birth of Samuel. Although this is possible, it is not probable.

     The death of Samuel Ward is described in full detail in this front page notice in the Danville North Star:

"Fatal Casualty: On Monday last, as Mr. Samuel Ward, of Goshen Gore was rolling logs over a defective mill-yard, to the saw mill, he slipped from one of the string pieces, fell about 12 feet, struck his neck across the sharp edge of a slab, which broke it, and produced instant death. Mr. Ward was 53 years of age -- a respectable citizen -- a member of the Christian Church -- and has left a large family and circle of connexions to mourn his sudden exit. "In the midst of life, we are in death." Printers in N. Hampshire are requested to notice.
He was buried in the family cemetery, now called the Ward Cemetery. The tombstone was probably placed there at a later date, perhaps after the death of his wife Tamson in 1875. It is engraved "Samuel Ward// d. May 11, 1835// ae 53// Tamson// his wife// d. Oct 19, 1875// ae 91// John Ward// died// July 23, 1859// ae 40."

     The records created in the settlement of Samuel Ward's estate are the only remaining records which treat with his family in aggregate. He died leaving no will, and the settlement of his estate, although it took two years, created only one document containing what appears to be the names of all his children. On the reverse of the Order of Notice dated 10 March 1837 is the following: "We the undersigned accept Service of the within notice & waive all questions for want of other & Legal Service." It is signed Samuel H. Ward, Katharine Rollins, Mary Ward, Hannah Kittredge, Samuel B. Randell as guardian for John, Elvira and Beniah Ward, Abigail Ward, and Osborn Ward. John, Elvira and Beniah Ward were minor children and heirs of Samuel Ward over the age of fourteen years at the time their father died. They had chosen Samuel B. Randall as their guardian. This list of names does not include minor children Thomas and Daniel Ward, both of whom were minors under the age of fourteen at the time of their father's death. Their mother, Tamson Ward, administratrix of the estate, had been appointed their guardian.
     Assuming these names to be all the surviving children and heirs of Samuel Ward, he and Tamson (Hall) Ward raised a total of eleven children. In response to a petition by Samuel B. Randall and Tamson Ward, the Caledonia Probate Court at Danville decreed on 12 July 1837: "The Court aforesaid doth hereby license and authorise you the said Guardians to Sell and Convey the real estate of your respective wards which real estate is described as follows, to wit the home farm of said Samuel Ward deceased (subject to the widow's right of dower) lying in Goshen Gore aforesaid & containing about 140 acres & also about 50 acres of lease land in Wheelock - The interest of each heir being one undivided Eleventh part. . ."[italics added] This land was sold to the eldest son, Samuel H. Ward, who, although yet unmarried, was the only male heir who had reached his majority at the time of his father's death.

     Tamson Hall was born circa 1784 in Barrington, Strafford Co., NH. She died 19 October 1875 in North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT. She was buried in Ward Cemetery, North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.

The marriage of Tamson Hall to Samuel Ward is recorded in the Barrington, New Hampshire, town records. The record lists them both as being "of Barrington." Although there is no other evidence that Samuel Ward ever lived in Barrington, his near neighbor, John Rollins, did come from that area. The Halls of New England, by Rev. David B. Hall, gives little information about this family. It states simply that Tamson married a Ward and she and a brother, Moses, removed to Vermont. It appears that her older brother, John, also resided for a time in Danville, Vermont. John Hall is listed as a yeoman, of Danville, in a 8 January 1805 deed selling part of lots nos. 43 and 44 in the 2nd division of lands in Danville to Tamson's future brother-in-law Thaddeus. However, in two deeds dated 29 November 1806 dealing with part of the same lots, John is listed as a yeoman of Barrington.

Tamson (Hall) Ward survived her husband by just over forty years. She handled the administration of his estate after his death in 1835 and was appointed guardian to sons Daniel H. and Thomas Ward on 10 March 1837. She is listed as head of household on the census of 1840 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.3 Subsequently, she appears in the households of her children: in the census of 24 August 1850, Goshen Gore, Caledonia Co., VT, in the household of son Benaiah Ward; listed as Thompson Ward, male, age 75, in the census of 2 June 1860, Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, in the household of son Samuel H. Ward; and as Tamsan Ward, age 85, in the census of 6 June 1870, Wheelock, Caledonia Co., VT, in the household of son-in-law Erastus Sherburn. She was a member of the Old North Danville church. Tamson (Hall) Ward died 19 October 1875 at the age of 91 years. She is buried with her husband and son John in the Ward Cemetery in North Danville.

     Known children of Samuel2 Ward and Tamson Hall were as follows:

     6. Josiah2 Ward (Samuel1); born 6 September 1787 in Dublin, Cheshire Co., NH; married Susannah Hayward; the marriage was published 10 October 1813 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT; he died 17 June 1859 in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, age 71 years; buried in St. Johnsbury Center Cemetery, St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT.

     His occupation is listed as cooper. . Josiah Ward was known to be the uncle of Aaron Ward. He received bounty land warrant no. 41767-120-55 for service in Capt. Wheeler's Co., Vermont Militia, War of 1812.

     Josiah Ward enlisted on 12 September 1812, in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, in Captain Wheeler's Company, Vermont Militia. He was discharged from military service on 30 November 1812. He served in Captain Wheeler's Company, Vermont Militia. The company marched to Derby, Vermont, where Josiah "was taken sick some three months after he was enlisted and returned home where he had recovered so far that he could." Thaddeus Ward sold land in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT, to Josiah Ward in May 1813. The deed was witnessed by Samuel Ward. He was head of household on the census of 1820 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.9 He was head of household on the census of 1840 in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT.10 He appears as head of household in the census of 13 August 1850 in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, with Hannah Ward, Clara Ward, and Susannah Hayward.11 His estate was probated on 21 June 1859 Caledonia Co., VT. He left a will dated 22 July 1859 Caledonia Co., VT.12

     Susannah Hayward was born 1792 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT. She died 17 September 1871 in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, cause of death: fall and old age, age 79 years. . She was also known as Sucha Howard. She is probably enumerated in the household of Josiah Ward in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, in 1840.10 Susannah Hayward appears in the census of 13 August 1850, St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, in the household of Josiah Ward. Susannah Hayward witnessed the will of Josiah Ward on 22 July 1859 Caledonia Co., VT. She appears as head of household in the census of 6 July 1860 in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, with Clara Ward.13 Susannah Hayward appears as Susanna Ward, age 77, in the census of 11 June 1870, St. Johnsbury, Caledonia Co., VT, in the household of Andrew Stafford.

     Known children of Josiah2 Ward and Susannah Hayward were as follows:

     8. Betsey2 Ward (Samuel1); born 28 April 1793 in Wheelock, Caledonia Co., VT; married Samuel P. Daniels; the marriage was published 1 September 1811 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT; married Samuel P. Daniels 14 September 1811 in Danville, Caledonia Co., VT; she died 18 May 1829 in North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT; buried in Ward Cemetery, North Danville, Caledonia Co., VT . Her tombstone reads "Betsey// wife of// Samuel P. Daniels// died May 18, 1829// ae 36 yrs."

     Samuel P. Daniels. Prob/son Saml.P.Daniels(1818-1877),m/Elvira Ward(#V11) not w/wife in Ward Cem. He was also known as Samuel Daniels Jr. He witnessed the will of Thaddeus Ward on 21 January 1843 Danville, Caledonia Co., VT.17

     Known children of Betsey2 Ward and Samuel P. Daniels were:



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