Person:John Seaver (86)

Extensive information on this family was provided by Rev. Paul Seaver, O.P., of Providence College, Rhode Island, via email and US mail in August 2005. Paul Seaver is the great-grandson of Patrick and Ann (Lawless) Seaver.

CENSUS:

In the 1900 US Census, this family resided in Upton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. The family included head Patrick Seaver (white, male, born Mar 1813, age 87, widowed, born Ireland, parents born Ireland, immigrated in 1846, has papers, a farmer), son Henry T. Seaver (white, male, born Jan 1857, age 43, married 18 years, born MA, parents born Ireland, a farm laborer), daughter-in-law Margaret Seaver (white, female, born Jul 1860, age 40, married 18 years, 5 children born, 4 living, born MA, parents born Ireland), granddaughter Lizzie G. Seaver (white, female, born Feb 1885, age 15, single, born MA, parents born MA), grandson William Seaver (white, male, born Jul 1888, age 11, single, born MA, parents born MA), grandson Francis H. Seaver (white, male, born Oct 1891, age 8, single, born MA, parents born MA) and granddaughter Irene L. Seaver (white, female, born Oct 1899, age 8 months, single, born MA, parents born MA) [National Archives Microfilm Series T623, Roll 694, ED 1692, Sheet 5, Line 86].

OBITUARY:

An obituary appeared in the Worcester Daily Telegram newspaper on 14 February 1906. It read:

"Active Up to Death

"Patrick Seaver Aged 94 Chops Wood Daily

"Constitution Gives Wat To Severe Cold

"Old Resident of Upton Dies (Special to the Telegram)

"Upton, Feb. 13. The oldest resident of Upton for Several years, Patrick Seaver, died at the home of his son, Henry T. Seaver, just off Westboro Street, this morning at 12:15.

"Up to within a few days he has been in his usual good health, and has been out chopping wood nearly every day this winter in spite of the fact that 94 winters had passed over his snowy locks.

"Mr. Seaver has always been a hard-working man, and had made a success of the business of farming, which he has pursued since coming to Upton, 56 years ago. His figure about Upton streets has been a familiar one, and while advancing years told on his iron constitution, he continued to work about his home.

"He was taken with a cold a few days ago, and yesterday he seemed to be much improved. As his cold was something which he had every winter his condition was not considered serious, and his family was greatly surprised at his rapid decline and death this morning. It is not considered the cold which he had contracted was the cause of death, but that his Constitution Crumbled away, from old age. He had possession of all his faculties nearly up to the time of his death, thus exemplifying what an outdoor life and good hard work will accomplish, in the way of strength for body and mind.

"Patrick Seaver was born in Dublin, Ireland, Mar. 17, 1811 and at the time of his death was 94 years, 10 months and 26 days old. He passed his youth in Ireland, coming to New York when 33 years of age.

"He arrived in New York in 1844 and while there met Miss Ann Lawless, who had come a few years before from his own home in Ireland.

"They were married in New York in 1845 and for a time lived in Pennsylvania. Removing to this section, they lived for a time in Westboro and Grafton and later came to Upton. Mr. and Mrs. Seaver came to Upton in 1850, and have since been substantial and respected residents. Mrs. Seaver died at the homestead 10 years ago, at an advanced age, and since then Mr. Seaver has made his home with his son who lives on the Seaver farm.

"Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Seaver, but three survive. Henry T., Mrs. Margaret Ford, and Mrs. Sarah, wife of John Lyons, all of Upton. All live in the same neighborhood.

"Two sons, Michael and William Seaver died after reaching ages of maturity. He also leaves eight grandchildren, William Hattery Seaver, of Hopedale; Miss Elizabeth G. Seaver, Fred Lyons, Francis Seaver, all of Upton; Mrs. Fred A. Bixby, Oxford; William J. Ford, Harry and Frank Ford, all of Lynn.

"The funeral will be Thursday morning at 9 o'clock from the Holy Angels Church of which Mr. Seaver was a member, and the pastor, Rev. James M. Cruse, will officiate at the requiem mass. Burial will be in the family lot at Grafton Cemetery."

ESTATE RECORDS:

Patrick Seaver died testate, having written a will on 23 June 1896. It reads (transcribed from Worcester County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, Volume 652, Page 38, from Probate Packet B-37330):

"Be it remembered that I, Patrick Seaver of Upton of the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of sound mind and memory, but knowing the uncertainty of this life, do make this my last will and testament.

"After the payment of my just debts and funeral charges, I bequeath and devise as following:

"1st to my son Michael Seaver and my daughters Maggie Ford and Sarah Lyons, the Kelley place and Trip Hammer places so called, I give an equal share to each of them to have and to hold forever.

"2nd, I give and bequeath to Henry T. Seaver the Homestead house and barn and all the land connected therewith reserving to myself, two rooms down stairs and one above so long as I shall live and at my decease they are to be my son Henry's to have and to hold forever and also stock and farming tools that shall remain.

"3dly I appoint George S. Ball as the Executor of this my last will and Testament, and trust he will be appointed by his honor the Judge of Probate subject only to his personal bond.

"In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and in the presence of three witnesses declare this to be my last will this Twenty third day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety six.

                                                           his    Patrick     x     Seaver
                                                                                                    mark"

"On this 23rd day of June A.D. 1896 Patrick Seaver of Upton, Massachusetts, signed the foregoing instrument in our presence, declaring it to be his last will; and as witnesses thereof we three do now, at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, hereto subscribe our names.

"William Walker Hannah B. Ball George S. Ball."

The will was filed by the executor on 20 February 1906, and was allowed by the Probate Court on 31 May 1907.