Ancestry of Josiah Ware of Hampden, Maine

WARE

1. JOHN?

b. 5 Dec. 1767 Dedham, MA
d. Aug. 1829 Athens, ME
will 7 Aug.- 13 Oct. 1829

In the History of Penobscot County Josiah Jr. gave the authors the history that John was the first who settled in the area having settled on the Kennebec and that his father Josiah Sr. was born on the Kennebec in 1787.(1) This bit of history coincides with that of John Ware of Norridgewock who arrived in that area in 1787. The History of Norridgewock quoted in the Ware Genealogy states that he never married, however, given the above information I suspect that this statement is not correct.(2) Also, given the rareness of the name Josiah in the Ware family it seems even more probable that he is the son of John of Norridgewock as John's mother was the son of Josiah Parker of Groton, MA.(3) Josiah also followed in his father's footsteps as he too was a "trader". Further information is needed to confirm this hypothysis. The piece of information going against this theory is that John left his estate to his late brother Abel Ware's children.

John was apprenticed to a cooper and so industrious was he that his master told him when he was nineteen that if he did as well in the next year as he had in the last that he would release him at the age of twenty. This occured in 1787 and with a single suit of working clothes he came to Norridgewock and began to work at this trade in a small shop. David Moor, formerly of Groton, suggested to John that they should form a partnership to open a general store. The story is told in the Ware Genealogy that John sold some land for 150 bushels of rye which he rafted down the Kennebec to Augusta and exchanged it for powder, shot, tea, and other articles to sell to the settlers and Indians. After a few years Mr. Moor went to Farmington and John went on his own as a trader until he took Richard Sawtelle as his partner. This partnership continued for about ten years until 1817 when they sold out to Caleb Jewett. John at this time moved to Athens. It has been said that he left Norridgewock because he felt unjustly taxed by the local assessor. He took an active part in everything that would benefit the town. He was one of the committee and the principal agent in building the first meeting house, and the agent and proprietor of the first bridge across the river. He also gave an acre of land for the jail and $800 toward its construction. He was also very involved with the formation of Somerset County and gave the county the use of a house where the courts could be held as long as they desired. He was a Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts in 1808/9. He was kind and accommodating to all whom he considered his friends, but disliked anyone who opposed him.(4) This aspect of his nature brings up the thought that he perhaps had a "falling-out" with his son Josiah and did not mention him in his will.

When he died he left a considerable estate and his heirs were sent their shares in silver coin, put in small wooden kegs. The money sent to Norridgewock was sent by stagecoach without any guard and dumped onto the floor of the local tavern until the heirs could pick it up (sounds like a fish story to me! I suspect that the inhabitants of Norridgewock told Ms. Wood quite a few good "yarns").(5)

Issue? All possible, but none proven!

I. Isaac- int. 21 Sept. 1805 Hampden, Rachel Atwood

2 II. JOSIAH- b.c.1787, m. 24 Feb. 1806 Hampden (int. 9 Jan.) RUTH PETTIS, d. 18 Oct. 1837 Hampden

III. Ebenezer- int. 15 July 1816 Matilda Atwood

IV. Sally- m. 14 Nov. 1813 Hampden, Daniel Stern

Ref:

(1) History of Penosbscot Count, Maine- William, Chase & Co., 1882, p.375
(2) Ware Genealogy: Robert Ware of Dedham and his Lineal Descendants- Emma Forbes Ware, Charles H. Pope, Boston, 1901, p.86
(3) Ibid
(4) Early Days of Norridgewock- Henrietta Danforth Wood, The Freeport Press, 1933, pp.39,90,118-9
(5) Ibid- p.119

2I. JOSIAH (?JOHN 1)

b.c.1787
m. 24 Feb. 1806 Hampden (int. 9 Jan.) RUTH PETTIS (b.c.1787; Josiah Jr.'s death certificate lists her name as Ruth Atwood)
d. 18 Oct. 1837 Hampden

Josiah, Ebenezer and Isaac Ware appear in Hampden in the early 1800's. The Ware genealogy does not list any of these Wares but, it does give information on the Wares of Union and Whitefield. These latter Wares are the only ones in the 1790 census. The records for Union and Whitefield were searched without any information on Josiah.

Josiah is referred to as "Captain" and was at the battle of Hampden during the War of 1812. Although a minor battle it was the last significant battle on New England soil. Captain Charles Morris sailed to Hampden in late August 1814 and anticipated an attack by the British. He moved nine of his ship's guns onto a nearby hill and another fourteen on the wharf where his ship was undergoing repairs. He sent a call for help to General John Blake who commanded the Eastern Militia at Brewer and he sent 550 militiamen and two other field guns. On 2 Sept. the British landed below Hampden and the next morning marched against the rag-tag group of Americans who were intimidated by the disciplined Redcoats. The militia broke and fled into the woods, headed towards Bangor. Morris spiked his guns and torched his ship and fled overland to Portsmouth.(26)

On 29 May 1816 Josiah Ware of Hampden, trader, mortgaged to John Emery Jr. and Daniel Emery of Hampden for $55, 30 acres of land on the Kennebec Road bounded by Samuel Scott, lot #60 and lot #59.(1) He took out another mortgage for land on the Kennebec Road 2 Sept. 1816 "which I Bought of Peter Newcomb April 14th 1812". He received $400 from Calvin Bailey of Boston and was to pay him $488 before 2 Nov. 1816.(2)

Josiah purchased at an auction from Jedidiah Herrick for $51, land near Hampden Corner on County Road opposite Cyrus Rice's House and bounded by Jedidiah Herrick and Timothy Adams, 25 Dec. 1818.(3) Herrick evidently purchased one of Josiah's mortgages for $23.92 for $11 at an auction from Daniel Williams adn Eli Johnson of Boston for additional land on County Road next to Herrick and Adams 12 May 1819 which Herrick had evidently originally purchased from Daniel Smith.(4)

On 20 Nov. 1819 Josiah leased to Ebenezer Atwood for two years for $50 two pieces of land in Hampden, first, a parcel on the east side of County Road bounded by Jesse Libby Jr. and Joseph Atwood and second, a parcel on the west side of County Road bounded by Daniel Doune, Thomas Whitney and Benjamin Marsh.(5) Josiah had purchased these same lots from Atwood on the same day for $300.(6)

Josiah had a judgement against him for $66.18 plus $9.02 cost of suit by Josiah Child and Isaac Child of Boston: "To the Sheriff...of the county of Penobscot... We Command you to take the body of the said Ware and him commit unto our Goal in Bangor... untill he pay the full sums abovementioned..." They took lot #57 valued at $87.74 (land bounded by Libby, Atwood, Doune, Whitney and Marsh) and claimed fees of $12.29, 27 Oct. 1820.(7)

Josiah sold to Enoch Brown of Hampden for $15, 21 Sept. 1824, all the land he had purchased from Ebenezer Atwood bounded by William Reed and Jesse Libby (deceased).(8)

Josiah was then running into more financial trouble as on 17 May 1831 he mortgaged lots #59 and 60 (30 acres) on the north side of the Kennebec Road for $250 to Allan Hopkins. He had purchased this lot from Simon Whitmore for $250 on 16 Jan. 1829.(9) Josiah and Ruth mortagaged this property again on 5 July 1636 for $272 to Joseph Thayer.(10) On 25 Apr. 1833 Josiah Ware of Hampden, bricklayer, mortgaged to Charles Buck of Hampden, merchant, his land on Cross Road bounded by Francis Goodwin and Josiah Dean of about one acre "where I now live" for $49 plus interest.(11) He had purchased this lot on 4 May 1831 for $250 with a house and barn from William Whitmore.(12)

"Proceedings of a town meeting convened on the 4th day of March AD 1816... Surveyors of Roads... Josiah Ware... Inspector of Lime... Josiah Ware"(13)

"Proceedings of the May meeting hold on Monday the 6th (1816) at the meeting house for the choice of a representative to the General Court...

Votes Given in for the following persons for representative
Viz:

for the Rev. Elijah R. Sabin 63 Votes
.. " ... Simeon Stetson Esq. 41..
.. " ... Mr. Josiah Ware .... 1 "(14)

Such ended Josiah's political career! He did, however, serve as Surveyor of Roads in 1817, Inspector of Lime in 1817, Field Driver and Fence Viewer in 1819 and 1821 and on the School Committee for district No.4 in 1819.(15)

Josiah is listed in the 1830 census for Hampden with his wife, his two youngest sons, and his youngest daughter.(16)

Josiah was listed in the Hampden census of 1837 along with his wife and his children William, Josiah, one daughter, and Daniel Whitmore.(17)

The probate records list Josiah's occupation as joiner. Administration was granted to Daniel Sterns. Ruth received her widow's dower of one-third of Josiah's estate consisting of the joiner's shop and land valued at $35 with an income of $7.50, a pew in the Methodist meeting house valued at $25 with income of $2.50, and one acre on the cross road bounded by F.S.B. Goodwin's land containing an old barn which needed to be taken down. The last parcel was valued at $30 with an annual income of $5. Mentioned in the records were his wife Ruth, Rachel, wife of David Smith, Melinda, wife of Zaccheus Thayer, Rosetta, wife of William S. Barker, Josiah Ware, Sarah Ware, and William Ware.(18)

"Real Estate of Capt Josiah Ware of Hampden $ cts

1 acre of land......................... 30 00
1 barn on the same..................... 6 00
1 Joiners Shop his right to land under
the same............................ 35 00
1 Pew Methodest meeting house No 40.... 25 00

Personal

1 Cow.................................. 14 00
1 Horse................................ 18 00
1 pr Cart Wheels....................... 9 00
part of two chains..................... 75
2 Old Ploughs.......................... 50
5 Cwt Hay.............................. 2 00
1 Swine................................ 4 00
1 Old waggon........................... 2 00
Part Old Harness....................... 1 00
2 Sythes & Sneath...................... 50
2 old hoes & muck fork................. 25
1 joiner Bench Same tools.............. 2 00
2 mason trowels........................ 25
1 Clock................................ 4 00
1 looking Glass........................ 30
1 Old Bureau........................... 2 00
1 Small Desk........................... 1 50
1 Old Table............................ 50
1 light Stand.......................... 50
5 Chairs............................... 50
1 bedstead............................. 1 50
1 fether bed........................... 2 50
2 pr Sheets............................ 50
1 pr Blankets.......................... 1 00
Sett of bed quilts..................... 1 50
1 Old bedstead......................... 25
1 pr Andirons.......................... 40
1 pr tongs............................. 25
1 flat iron 12, 1 iron pot 12.......... 24
1 tea kettle........................... 17
1 small kettle......................... 16
Sett knifes & forks.................... 25
1 Coffee Mill.......................... 20
1 Lantern.............................. 14
Sett plates............................ 16
Sett cups and sausers.................. 12
1 Tea pot Cream & Sugar bowl........... 25
1 tin pan.............................. 12
1 Coat pantloons & vest................ 1 50

_______
170 86

One small Harrow....................... 1 00

Hampden Feby. 15. 1838.............. $171 86

Isaiah Deane
Jeremiah Baker Appraisers
Jesse Arey"(19)

Inventory of Josiah Ware's estate- Page 1, Page 2

"The following is a list of the claims presented to us the commissioners on the Estate of Josiah Ware deceased

Due Harvey Kempton on note & interest 4 56
Samuel Brown 52 89
Arey & Nourse on account 28 73
Francis L Gooding 5 71
Alford Herrick on note & account 8 94
Daniel Hobbs on & interest 20 45
Increase S Sawyer on account 20 00
Ezekiel Hopkins on notes & account 22 04
Abram Hill on note & interest 5 08
Jacob Swetcher on account 7 15
Benja Swett 3 42
Josiah Kidder note & account 7 52
Jeremiah Baker account 16 04
James Small 6 64
Isaih Dean 14 49
Mordecai Thayer 7 30
Wm F. M. Reed Note & account 14 40
Reuben K Stetson two Notes & interest 11 44
Joseph Whitmore account 28 05
Calvin Bailey on four notes & interest
signed jointly by Josiah Ware & Wm Ware date of these notes Sept. 1834..... 689 18
Zachen Thayer on account 22 49
Bess Blodget note & interest 5 69
Elisha Small 8 37
Hiram Wood 2 14
Wm Morey & account 12 75
Alonzo Emery on account 14 57
Nourse & Sawyer on note & interest 7 24

Hampden Jan 7th 1839 $1045.22

Wm Reed.... Commissioners
Isaiah Dean"(20)

Claims against Josiah Ware's estate- Page 1, Page 2

Needless to say poor Josiah's estate was insolvent. In 1850 Ruth was living with her daughter Melinda and her husband Zaccheus Thayer.(21)

Issue-

I. Rachel- m. David R. Smith (inv. 24 Nov. 1866 Orrington (22))

II. Melinda- m. 21 Aug. 1828 (int. 11 Aug.) Hampden, Zaccheus Thayer (adm. July 1877 Orrington (23))

III. Rosetta- m. 4 Dec. 1828 (int. 26 Nov.) Hampden, William S. Barker

IV. William- b.c.1816, int. 21 Oct. 1839 Hampden, Miss Lucinda Dean, will 14 May 1864(24)

V. Josiah- b. 10 Oct. 1819 Hampden, m. Alvira ______, d. 8 July 1894 Hampden(25)

2VI. SARAH JANE- b.c.1825, m.1. Sept. 1840 (int. 17 Aug.) Hampden, Levi Nickerson (b. 16 Mar. 1816 Orrington, d. 27 May 1841 Orrington), 2. 10 Apr. 1842 Orrington, PAINE H. NICKERSON (b. 21 July 1812 Orrington, d. 26 Dec. 1862 Orrington)

Ref:

VR- Hampden, Orrington

(1) Penobscot County Registry of Deeds- Vol.2, p.290
(2) Ibid- p.429
(3) Ibid- Vol.5, p.101-2
(4) Ibid- p.119
(5) Ibid- p.431
(6) Ibid- Vol.29, p.334
(7) Ibid- Vol.6, pp.441-3
(8) Ibid- Vol.11, p.94
(9) Ibid- Vol.78, p.236, Vol.77, p.366
(10) Ibid- p.367
(11) Ibid- Vol.39, p.298
(12) Ibid- Vol.26, pp.203-4
(13) Hampden Town Records- Vol.2, file No.255 MSA
(14) Ibid
(15) Ibid
(16) 1830 Census- Hampden, p.311
(17) Notebook at MSA
(18) Penobscot Co. Probate Records- Vol. 2, pp.42,165,352,532; Vol. 3, pp.15, 397; Vol.5, p.44; Vol.6, p.194; Vol. 7, p.162; Vol.10, pp.462,471; Vol.11, p.145; Vol.13, pp.161-2,191
(19) Ibid- Vol.10, pp.437-8
(20) Ibid- Vol.11, pp.208-9
(21) 1850 Census- Hampden, No.108
(22) Penobscot Probate Court- Vol.71, p.156
(23) Ibid- Vol.91, p.577; Vol.99, pp.572-3
(24) Ibid- Vol.21, p.470
(25) 1850 Census- Hampden, No. 111; Death Certificate- MSA
(26) The Battle of Hampden at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hampden

Return to Home Page