Person:Benjamin Seaver (12)

Benjamin Seaver was baptized on 12 October 1766 in the First Church in Roxbury (First Church of Roxbury Records).

In the 1800 Federal Census of Massachusetts, Benjamin Seaver resided in Roxbury, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The household included 3 males under age 10, 1 male aged 10 to 16, 2 males aged 16 to 25, 1 male aged 26 to 45, 1 female aged 10 to 16, 1 female aged 16 to 26, 1 female aged 26 to 45, and 1 female over age 45 (National Archives Microfilm Series M32, Roll 18, page 104).

In the 1810 Federal Census, Benjamin Seaver resided in Roxbury, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. His household included one free white male under age 10, three free white males aged 10 to 16, four free white males aged 16 to 26, one free white male aged 26 to 45, one free white female under age 10, one free white female aged 10 to 16, two free white females aged 16 to 26, one free white female aged 26 to 45, and one free white female over age 45 (1810 United States Census Population Schedule, Roxbury, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Page 485, National Archives Microfilm Series M252, Roll 18).

An obituary for Benjamin Seaver appeared in the "Columbian Centinel" newspaper dated 1 July 1815. It read:

"Died. In this town on Thursday, Mr. Benjamin Seaver, of Roxbury, Aet. 49 - Funeral from his late dwelling-house, to-morrow, immediately after divine service. Relations and friends are requested to attend without a more particular invitation. The Members of the Washington Fire Society, of which the deceased was a member, are requested to attend the funeral of their late brother."

Benjamin Seaver, tanner of Roxbury, died intestate. His probate records are in Norfolk County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, Docket # 16,325 (FHL Microfilm 1,509,414). On 4 July 1815, the Widow refused to administrate, a bond was filed, and a letter appointing Abijah Merriam and Luther Parker as administrators (Norfolk County (Massachusetts Probate Records, Volume 26, page 17). On 1 August 1815, an Inventory was filed, insolvency was represented, and the Court ordered the administrators to sell the personal estate (Volume 26, pages 74-80)

The inventory showed $7000 in real estate, comprising about three acres in Roxbury, with a tan yard and the buildings thereon, plus $260 for pew number 77 in Doctor Porter's meeting house. The personal estate included $4517 of leather in the tan yard, and about $2678 in household goods and clothing. The total inventory was $14455..20 on 1 August 1815.

        * 5 Sep 1815  Allowance to widow of $400 from the personal estate (Volume 26, page 183)
        * 3 Oct 1815  Dower to widow (return) (Volume 26, page 239)
        * 5 Dec 1815  Affidavit of notice (Volume 26, pages 426-9)

The account of Benjamin Seaver as guardian for Mary Seaver and Ann W. Seaver (children of Nathaniel and Lydia Seaver) showed a balance of $877 due to the children.

On 13 February 1816, the Court ordered the administrators to provide a list of debts in addition to reports of the commissioners. On 5 March 1816, the Court accepted the report of commissioners Volume 27, page 99). The list of debts totalled $11,724.27.

An application for the order to sell reversion of the widow's Dower was filed (Volume 27, page 103). On 8 March 1816, the Certificate of oath before the sale was filed with the Court(Volume 27, page 92). On 2 April 1816, an additional report of commissioners on Dower was filed (Volume 27, page 150). On 22 Apr 1816, a Bond was posted before sale of reversion of dower. On 12 July 1816, the Administrator's private account was filed (Volume 27, page 502).

On 6 August 1816, the Commission of insolvency reopened for 2 months. In October 1816, a further report of the commission of insolvency was filed (Volume 28, page 141). On 5 November 1816, an Affidavit before notice of the sale of real estate was filed (Volume 28, page 193).

The Account of the sale of the personal estate was filed and the Account of the Administrators was allowed and $13,347.07 was accounted for (Volume 28, page 185). The Order to distribute the estate was made (Volume 28, page 191), including:

                         $ 4149.24 to list of laborers and services
                         $ 9197.83 to list of creditors

On 3 March 1818, a Further allowance to the widow was allowed, and the Account of the Administrators was allowed (Volume 30, page 307).

1. ↑ Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute, 1925-1926)
   314.
2. ↑ Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute, 1925-1926)
   309.
3. ↑ Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute, 1925-1926)
   633.