Person:William Seaver (55)

SOURCE: Slight notes (LDS 1,036,982 Item 3)

BIRTH: 10 Oct 1789 (JMS) Peru MA (Slight)

DEATH: 25 Aug 1871 (JMS) Batavia NY (Slight)

MARRIAGE: to (1) Naomi McCleary of Batavia NY (JMS) 10 Jan 1814 at Rupert VT (Slight)

                         (2) Mary M. Morrison (JMS)

The baptism of William Seaver on 16 March 1816 occurred at the Albany (NY) First Presbyterian Church. The baptisms of William A. Seaver on 10 March 1815 and of Daniel McCleary Seaver on 8 December 1816, sons of William Seaver and Naomi McClary, occurred at the Albany First Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York.

The second marriage of William Seaver to Mary Morrison on 25 April 1848 was obtained from a New York Marriage Index, 1740s to 1880s.

BIOGRAPHY:

A biography of William Seaver was published in the book "Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890" by F.W. Beers, published by J.W. Vose, Syracuse, N.Y., 1890, page 195. The biography, in the "Town of Batavia" section, reads:

"Col. William Seaver, one of the most prominent citizens of Genesee County, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., October 10, 1789, and died at Batavia, August 25, 1871, in the 82d year of his age. In early life he taught school, and subsequently embraced the medical profession. This, however, he abandoned for mercantile ventures, and in 1817 emigrated from Albany to Genesee County. For nearly half a century following his removal he was at the head of a large drug. book and printing establishment. Col. Seaver grew up with the country. He was essentially a "man of affairs," and possessed to an unlimited degree the confidence of the public. His ideas were broad and liberal, his knowledge of men and things was extensive, and during his day and generation his influence was hardly second to any one in Genesee County. For many years he was editor and proprietor of the Batavia "Spirit of the Times," and aside from being a forcible writer brought dignity to the editorial profession. In public life he was a natural leader, and occupied many local positions. In 1822 he took charge of the Batavia post office, first as deputy, but soon thereafter as postmaster. His administration of that office covered a period of 29 years, and was deservedly popular. In 1823, upon the incorporation of the village, he was appointed first captain of the first fire company, and subsequently first chief engineer of the department. Later he was president of the village. He was a man of the highest social standing, and for 40 consecutive years, ending only with his death, was senior warden of St. James Episcopal Church. With the advance of years he withdrew from active business, grew old gracefully, lived beyond the allocated four-score, and at the conclusion of an honorable and useful life in every sense of the word was held in the highest esteem by his fellow townsmen. Col. Seaver had five sons, all of whom were brought up to practical work and became well known business men, viz.:

"1: William A. Seaver removed to Buffalo in 1848, and purchasing the "Daily Courier," of that city, continued as its editor for the next 10 years. Then disposing of the concern he located himself in New York city. He was a wonderfully versatile writer and prominent on literary circles. For over 20 years he was president of a fire insurance company, and died in New York city, January 7, 1883, aged 68 years. 2: Daniel M. Seaver for many years U.S. mail agent between Albany and Buffalo, moved to Wisconsin, and was a deputy treasurer of that State for some time, but returned to New York and died April 26, 1862, aged 46 years. 3: Lucas Seaver removed to Wisconsin in 1848 and established the Milwaukee "Commercial Advertiser" (soon changed to "Daily News"). In 1850 he was elected city treasurer of Milwaukee, and held that office for four years. On accession to office he sold the newspaper, and later on returned to his native State. He died May 6, 1866, aged 47 years. 4: James F. Seaver began a promising career under adventitious auspices, but died very suddenly of a bilious attack at Batavia on February 27, 1853, aged 32 years. 5: David Seaver, the youngest and only survivor of the five brothers, was the business partner of his father, and subsequently for a long time continued the "Seaver establishment" alone. He was a thoroughly active man and progressive citizen. Nearly 20 years ago he sold out and removed to New York city, where he now (1890) resides."

CENSUS RECORDS:

In the 1820 United States Census, William Sever was a head of household residing in Pembroke town, Genesee County, New York. The household included three free white males under age 10, one free white male aged 26 to 45, and one free white female aged 26 to 45 (1820 United States Census, Genesee County, New York, Population Schedule, Pembroke, Page 225, FHL Microfilm 0,193,727).

In the 1830 United States Census, William Seaver was a head of household in Batavia township, Genesee County, New York. The household included one free white male aged 5 to 10, one free white male aged 10 to 15, one free white male aged 15 to 20, one free white male aged 40 to 50, one free white female under age 5, one free white female aged 15 to 20 and one free white female aged 40 to 50 (1830 United States Census, Genesee County, New York, Population Schedule, Batavia, Page 327, FHL Microfilm 0,017,150).

In the 1840 United States Census, William Seaver was a head of household residing in Batavia township, Genesee County, New York. The household included one free white male aged 5 to 10, one free white male aged 15 to 20, one free white male aged 20 to 30, one free white male aged 50 to 60, one free white female aged 10 to 15, one free white female aged 20 to 30 and one free white female aged 50 to 60 ( 1840 United States Census, Genesee County, New York, Population Schedule, Batavia, Page 501, FHL Microfilm 0,017,188).

In the 1850 US Census, the William Seaver family resided in Batavia, Genesee County, New York. The household included William Seaver (age 61, druggist, $2,000 in real property, born MA), Mary M. Seaver (age 37, born NY), Julia M. Seaver (age 20, born NY), David Seaver (age 17, clerk, born NY), James E. Seaver (age 29, druggist, born NY), Nancy R. Seaver (age 26, born NY), and Ella Seaver (age 8/12, born NY) [National Archives Microfilm Series M432, Roll 508, Page 242, Dwelling #527, Family #555, Lines 13-19].