Person:James Sever (4)

James Warren Sever was born in Kingston MA July 1 1797, died in Boston January 16, 1871. Prepared for college at Dummer Academy, South Byfield, Mass; A.B. Harvard, 1817; studied law in Worcester for several years but never practiced. In 1820 shipped before the mast for the Northwest Coast in the employ of the house of Perkins, continued with them for 15 years, having had command of an East Indiaman for some years. Settled in Boston in 1835, member of Common Council there 1850-51. Representative in Mass General Court in 1853 and 1856. Adjutant of the Independent Cadets in 1844, Lieut. Colonel commanding same 1849-50. He succeeded his father in the Society of the Cincinnati in 1847, and was a member of the Standing Committee of the Mass Society of the Cincinnati in 1849 and 1850, Assistant Secretary 1851-59, Secretary 1859-1863, Vice-President in 1865, and President 1865-71, and Vice-President of the General Society 1866-71. He married in Boston Dec 7 1836 Ann Elizabeth Parsons Carter. No issue. (Society of the Cincinnati Biographical Sketches)

James Warren Sever established a scholarship at Harvard University in 1868. After his death, his widow presented "Sever Hall" to Harvard in memory of her husband. The gift included a library and a fund. The construction of "Sever Hall" began in 1878, and was completed in 1880. It was designed by the famous architect, Henry Hobson Richardson, and it's style was described as "Richardsonian Romanesque."

In the 1820 United States Census, James Sevar Jr. was a head of household residing in Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The household included one free white male aged 26 to 45, one free white female aged 10 to 16, and one free white female aged 16 to 26 (1820 United States Census, Plymouth County, Massachusetts Population Schedule, Kingston town, Page 431, FHL Microfilm 0,193,738).

In the 1840 United States census, James W. Sever was a head of household in Dorchester, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The household included one free white male aged 20 to 30, one free white male aged 40 to 50, one free white female aged 10 to 15, one free white female aged 20 to 30 and one free white female aged 30 to 40 (1840 United States Census, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Population Schedule, Dorchester, Page 017, FHL Microfilm 0,014,679).

In the 1870 US census, the James W. Seaver family resided in Boston Ward 9, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. The household included James W. Seaver (age 73, renter, $20,000 in real property, $80,000 in personal property, born MA) and Ann J. Seaver (age 60, at home, born MA). [1870 United States Census, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, population schedule, Boston Ward 9, page 347, dwelling 1784, family 2565, FHL Microfilm 0,552,144).

1. ↑ Kingston (Massachusetts) Vital Records to 1850
   page 132.
2. ↑ Births - Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841 to 1905
   240:10.