John Stickney, musician and composer

Paternal

stickney-music3

My 6th great grandfather (paternal), John Stickney, was born in 1742/1744 in Stoughton, Norfolk, Massachusetts, and died in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 1804. Here is some fascinating information about his life as a musician:

STICKNEY, John, musician, b. in Stoughton, Mass., in 1742; d. in South Hadley, Mass., in 1826. He was taught music while a boy, and subsequently settled in Hatfield, where he gave lessons. Later he travelled extensively through the New England states, and acquired reputation as a teacher and composer, but finally settled in South Hadley, where he continued his teaching. He published “The Gentlemen and Ladies’ Musical Companion” (Newburyport, 1774), a valuable collection of psalms and anthems, together with explanatory rules for learning to sing.

Source:  Appleton’s Cyclopædia of American Biography, Volume 5, edited by James Grant Wilson, John Fiske. LINK

And also this:

In 1774 John Stickney, teacher of music, published at Newburyport, Massachusetts, “The Gentlemen and Ladies’ Musicial Companion,” a small, but in its time a very valuable collection of psalms and anthems, together with explanatory rules for learning to sing; the whole corrected and rendered plain by the author. John Stickney was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, in 1742; and while a butcher boy he learned the new style of music, near boston, of one Dunbar; went to Hatfield, and there taught the new music to all such as desired to learn it, and afterwards taught in all the principal towns in that region, but not without much opposition from those who preferred the old style, or that of the Pilgrims. For many years the wife of Mr. Stickney taught music with him, she being a very excellent singer, and having a powerful voice; she travelled with him from place to place, and was an excellent assistant. They finally settled at South Hadley, and continued to teach until John was sixty-five years old. Mr. Stickney died in 1826. His book was printed by Daniel Bailey, of Newburyport, who printed many of the early collections. The music was engraved, and is like other specimens of that time.

Source: Complete Encyclopædia of Music: Elementary, Technical, Historical, Biographical, Vocal, and Instrumental. John Weeks Moore (J. P. Jewett, 1854) – LINK

 And finally this from Daniel T.V. Huntoon’s History of The Town of Canton, Massachusetts (1893), CHAPTER XVIII :

Rev. Theron Brown says “the ancient town of Stoughton, which included the present Canton, was the cradle of New England middle-age psalmody, – that strange, quaint, minor mode, with its ‘ down, up ‘ time and its complicated fugues, whose most characteristic specimens are now presented and performed as musical curiosities. ‘ Portland ‘ and ‘ Lenox ‘ and ‘ Windham,” Lebanon ‘ and ‘ Majesty,’ ‘ New Jerusalem ‘ and the ‘ Easter Anthem,’ were all born upon the soil; and the familiar Canton names of Capen, Tilden, Tolman, French, Dickerman, and Belcher appeared ninety years ago on the list of the singing class of William Billings.” Long before the singing-school of Billings, a young man named Elijah Dunbar learned while going through Harvard College, in addition to his Greek and Latin, the art of reading music. On his graduation in 1760, he returned to his native town and at once organized a singing-school and gave to his neighbors the benefit of his knowledge.

In 1762 I learn from the ” History of Dorchester ” that” there was a singing meeting at Stoughton,” and two years later I have evidence that there was an organization in working order for the purpose of practising in vocal music. This was the year the small-pox visited Canton, and it was deemed expedient to send word to the Bridgewater singers who were wont to attend not to come over. Singing meetings were held at the houses of neighbors; sometimes it would appear that they had ” prodigious jangling.” On the 13th of December, 1764, when William Billings was married to Mary Leonard, there were more than forty persons at the wedding, and the singing must have been very fine. Mr. John Stickney seems to have known something about the art, for when Jesse Billings came from Hatfield, and wanted some one to teach them to sing, Stickney went to their assistance. In 1766 ” our singers are at Mr. Adams’s.” John Kenney, a fine bass singer, went with Elijah Dunbar to Boston to buy new books the same year; and they on March 19 ” draw books and sing the old 50th the first time.” On Feb. ri, 1767, the Braintree singers came to Canton, but got into a religious discussion and had ” a remarkable time;” subsequently they met at the old May tavern on March 9, all the differences were made up, and ” there seems to be great love and harmony.” On August 4, they have in the old gambrel-roofed house still standing at Ponkapoag ” sweet singing at Elijah Crane’s,” and on the 24th ” fine fidling.” In 1770 new books were introduced; and on the 2 ist of December, they were used in the house of Samuel Capen for the first time. During the interval from the year 1764 to 1774, the principal persons belonging to this society, or the persons at whose houses they met, were: Elijah Dun-bar, Elijah Crane, Squire Dickerman, John Stickney, John Kenney, Samuel Capen, Enoch Leonard, John McKendry, Thomas Crane, Henry Stone, Theophilus Lyon, Robert Redman, George Blackman, Philip Liscom, Asahel Smith, Samuel Tilden, Wadsworth Talbot, Abner Crane, William Patrick, Benjamin Gill, Jeremiah Ingraham, John Withington.

In 1774 William Billings, then twenty-eight years of age, gave instruction in music, or, as they would have said, taught a singing-school in the tavern of Robert Capen. He interested the young people of Stoughton in his work, inspired them with his own enthusiasm, organized them into choirs, taught them to despise foreign music, especially that of England, and jumbled religion and patriotism into his stanzas with such a grace that he became the most successful organizer of music in America.

Charles H. Gilbert (1827 – 1864)

Maternal,

Among the seven children of Andrew and Calma was Charles H. Gilbert, born in New York in 1826 or 1827, and moved to Wisconsin with his family.

Charles died of illness during the Civil War on September 5, 1864, in Cario, Illinois. He was a lieutenant in Company F of the 40th Wisconsin Infantry. Sadly, his wife Eliza Day would also die young, passing on February 16, 1868 at the age of 39. Husband and wife are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Following the death of their parents, Carrie and Harry Gilbert were adopted by Eliza’s sister Betsey and her husband R. G. Bennett. Tragically, both Carrie and Harry would would die young as well, neither living to be as old as their parents at the time of their deaths. The couple also had one birth son, Griggs, “a most excellent youth,” who would die at age 16 from diphtheria. According to the Centennial History of the Town of Nunda, “[t]he entire family lived but a few years,” and Carrie, who graduated Nunda Academy, wrote “The Mission of Difficulty,” an essay that was full of excellence and appreciation for those who had made themselves victors of circumstances.

The only child of Charles and Eliza to survive to adulthood and start a family was Clarence Day Gilbert. You can read about his life HERE.

 

[The 40th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was among scores of regiments that were raised in the summer of 1864 as Hundred Days Men, an effort to augment existing manpower for an all-out push to end the war within 100 days. The 40th Wisconsin was organized at Madison, Wisconsin, and mustered into Federal service on June 14, 1864. The regiment was mustered out on September 16, 1864. The 40th Wisconsin suffered 1 officer and 18 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 19 fatalities. Source: Wikipedia]

Andrew Gilbert (1792 – 1870)

Maternal,

From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith,
publ. 1912 – Page 519

ANDREW GILBERT was born January 15, 1792; married Calma BUTLER; came from
Madison county, New York, to section 24, Walworth; died at Delavan, October 22,
1870. Calma was born July 9, 1793; died March 5, 1872. Their children (known)
were Ethan Lamphere (married Elizabeth Caroline CURTIS), Phineas C. (married
Elizabeth Ann LEWIS), Nelson, Esther L. (Mrs. P. Dudley KENDRICK), Sarah (Mrs.
Edwin PHELPS), Charles H. (married Eliza DAY), Ethan L. was a business man at
Lake Geneva. Phineas C.’s wife was Hollis LATHAM’s step-daughter. Charles H.
died in military service, in 1864.

William Henry Hammersley (1832 – 1906)

Maternal,

Source: Portrait and biographical record of Walworth and Jefferson counties, Wisconsin (1894) LINK

William-Hammersley-SrWilliam H. Hammersley, Sr., is engaged in business in Lake Geneva as a dealer in drugs, books and stationary. He has a well-appointed store, filled with a good stock, and since 1865 he has engaged in business along this line. He is now recognized as one of the leading merchants of the place, and it is with pleasure that we present this record of his life to our readers.

A native of England, Mr. Hammersley was born in Hanley, Staffordshire, on the 8th of January, 1832, and is a son of William S. and Ann (Pedley) Hammersley, who were also natives of the same country. The paternal grandfather, Ralph Hammersley, died in England at about the age of seventy-five years. He was a man of strict integrity, who lived a consistent Christian life, and for many years served as Deacon of the Congregational Church, with which he held membership. The father of our subject was a china manufacturer in his native land, and carried on business along that line until 1843, when he emigrated to America. Locating in New York City, he became an importer of china and earthenware. In 1855, he removed to the West, and, settling in Flint, Mich., retired from active business. He and his wife were members of the Flint Presbyterian Church, and both are now deceased. They were the parents of four children, a son and three daughters: Ann Jane, widow of Henry C. Walker, who is living in Ann Arbor, Mich.; William H.; Lucilla Oakley, wife of Edward M. Mason, of Girard, Kan.; and Fannie, wife of W. B. Buckingham, who is living in Stevens Point, Wis.

When a lad of twelve summers Mr. Hammersley of this sketch bade adien to friends and native land, and came to America with his mother and the other children of the family. His education was acquired mainly in England, for soon after coming to America he served as clerk in his father’s store. Having remained under the parental roof until he had attained to man’s estate, he then became associated with his father in business and the connection was continued until 1855. The following year he came to the West, and lived in Flint, Mich., until 1858, when he returned to the Empire State, and there spent the succeeding five years of his life.

On the 6th of October, 1853, Mr. Hammersley was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth S. Smith, a daughter of Henry and Phoebe Ann (Barker) Smith. Their union has been blessed with three children: Grace C., wife of C. D. Gilbert, by whom she has a daughter, Lizzie; Charles H., who married Miss Ida E. Gilbert; and William H., who married Miss Emma M. Seymour. The latter have two children, Seymour and Henry.

In 1863, Mr. Hammersley came with his family to Walworth County, and for a year resided upon a farm. He then came to Lake Geneva, where he has made his home for thirty years, devoting his entire time and attention to his business interests. There is only one merchant now carrying on operations in the town who was here at the time of Mr. Hammersley’s arrival. He has therefore witnessed the growth and development of the place, and his fellow-townsmen say that he has ever borne his part in the work of advancement and progress.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hammersley hold membership with the Congregational Church, and take an active interest in church and benevolent work. In his social relations he is a Royal Arch Mason. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held various township offices. He has been Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, and was also Township Clerk. He is true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private, and is one of the valued and highly respected citizens of Lake Geneva.

Clarence Day Gilbert (1852 – ?)

Maternal, ,

Source: Portrait and biographical record of Walworth and Jefferson counties, Wisconsin LINK

clarence-day-gilbertCLARENCE D. GILBERT, an enterprising grocery merchant of Lake Geneva, has the honor of being a native of Walworth County. He was born in the town of Walworth, September 21, 1852, and is the eldest of three children whose parents were Charles H. and Eliza (Day) Gilbert. The other two, Carrie and Harry, however, are now deceased.

The father and mother were both natives of the Empire State, and the former followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. About 1850 he emigrated westward, locating in Walworth County, Wis., where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This he cultivated and improved until after the breaking out of the late war, when he responded to the country’s call for troops, and enlisted in the Union service as First Lieutenant of his company. Prior to this he was Captain of a company of militia at Walworth Corners for about two years. In 1864 he was taken sick, and died at the age of thirty-eight, while on his way home. His wife survived him for about two years.

The paternal grandfather, Andrew Gilbert, followed milling in the East until 1850, when he too came to the Badger State, where, in connection with his son Charles H., he engaged in farming. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and was ever a loyal and faithful citizen. His death occurred in Delavan, Wis. , where he spent the last three years of his life. He had reared a large family, and reached the allotted age of three-score years and ten. The maternal grandfather was a native of New Hampshire, but lived for many years in the East.

In taking up the personal history of our subject we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Walworth County, for here he has spent the greater part of his life. In the usual manner of farmer lads his early boyhood days were passed, but at the age of twelve he left the farm and spent two years in Delavan. He then removed to Lake Geneva, where he completed his education, after which he embarked in the milling business, carrying on business along that line until twenty- two years of age when he went to Red Wing, Minn. There he engaged in the same business for a period of five and a-half years, and on his return to Lake Geneva he embarked in the grocery business, which he has followed continuously since 1881.

On the 22d of October, 1874, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Miss Grace Hammersley, daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (Smith) Hammersley. They have one daughter, Lizzie. Their home is a pleasant residence and is noted for its hospitality. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican in politics, and his wife is a member of the Congregational Church. In this community they have many friends, and their many excellencies of character have gained them the high respect of all.

Thomas Adams, father-in-law to Daniel Appleton of Buxton, ME

Maternal, ,

Source: History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood: Comprised Within the Original Limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with Records of the Centennial Proceedings at Northwood, and Genealogical Sketches, Elliott Colby Cogswell – January 1, 1878. LINK

Mr. Cogswell married, August 12, 1842, Sophia Ann, daughter of Deacon Thomas Adams of Gilmanton, born January 24, 1819. Their Upham, born September 6, 1845, graduated from Gilmanton Academy, 1865, married, November 19, 1865, George W. Bingham, graduate of Dartmouth College in 1863, and they live in Burlington, Ia.; (3) Ellen Sophia, born July 14, 1847, died August 13, 1849; (4) Martha Ellen, born December 28, 1849, graduated from Coe’s Academy, 1869, married, December 3, 1874, John G. Mead, jr., of New York City, where they reside; (5) Elizabeth Greenleaf, born March 5, 1852, graduated from Coe’s Academy, 1871, married, February 28, 1877, Charles H. Prescott of Walpole, Mass.; (6) William Badger, born August 5, 1854, now a member of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City; (7) Thomas Herbert, born August 5, 1856, died September 17, 1860; (8) Ephraim Bradford, born May 11, 1859, died July 25, 1860; (9) Henry Burr, born April 5, 1861, member of Coe’s Academy.

It is worthy of statement that eight brothers, the sons of Nathaniel Cogswell and Judith Badger of Atkinson, served in the war of the Revolution; that six of these sons were in the service at the same time; that all lived to see General Washington President of the United States; and that no one of the nineteen children of these Christian parents dishonored their parentage.

Thomas Adams, father of the wife of Rev. E. C. Cogswell, descended from Henry Adams, who came from Devonshire, England, in 1630, and settled in Braintree, Mass., where he died October 8, 1646. His children were Henry, Samuel, Thomas, Peter, Joseph, William, and Edward. His son Joseph, born in England, 1626, married, November 26, 1650, Abigail Baxter. Their children were Henry, Joseph, John, Bethia, Samuel, Peter, Jonathan, Deliverance, and Mary. Their son Joseph married Hannah Bass, one of whose children was John, from whom President J. Q. Adams descended, also Rev. Joseph Adams of Newington, N. H., who was born January 1, 1689, graduated from Harvard College 1710, ordained November 16, 1715, and died May 26, 1783. Mary, granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Adams of Newington, married Jonathan Ross, jr., of Gilmanton.

William, son of Henry Adams, the progenitor, removed to Ipswich, Mass., and died there, 1661. He had three sons, William, Nathaniel, and Samuel. This William, jr., had a son, Thomas, born 1696, died 1762. He had Thomas, Ezekiel, Ephraim, and Benjamin; the last two settled in New Ipswich, and from one of these, Ephraim, descended the late Prof. Adams of Dartmouth College.

Thomas, brother of Ephraim and Benjamin, born 1730, died 1797, lived in Ipswich, and married Elizabeth Brown, by whom he had Deborah, Elizabeth, who married Daniel Appleton of Buxton, Me., Hannah, Bethia, Lucy, Abigail, who married Thomas Ross of Gilmanton, Sarah, Thomas, Moses, Mary, who married Ephraim Smith, and afterwards William Price of Gilmanton, and Lydia. This Thomas, son of Thomas Adams and Elizabeth Brown, was born September, 1757, died May 6, 1844, married Anna Porter, by whom he had: John; David; Nancy; William, who settled in Boston, was deacon of Salem-street Congregational Church for many years, and whose daughter, Sarah E., is the wife of Hon. J. S. Potter, United-States Consul at Stuttgart, Germany; Thomas; George; Allen; Moses; Deborah; Smith; and Samuel. This Thomas, son of Thomas Adams and Anna Porter, was born March 17, 1792, married, March 27, 1817, Sophia Kimball, born January 28, 1798, daughter of David Kimball of Gilmanton; he was deacon of the Congregational Church at Gilmanton for many years. Their children were: (1) Sophia A., born January 24, 1819, married, August 12, 1842, Rev. E. C. Cogswell; (2) Hazen Worcester, born July 25, 1823, graduated from Dartmouth College 1847, married Jane C. Amos (Campbell) of Hackensack, N. J., August 27, 1861; their children are: Hattie C., born March 23, 1862; Martha N., born April 6, 1864; Ellen S., born April 16, 1866; Charles F., born October 18, 1869; (3) Martha H., born August 19, 1825, married, October 16, 1849, G. C. Nealley of Burlington, Ia. (see sketch of Nealley family, Nottingham); (4) Mary Frances, born July 24, 1827, married, October 19, 1853, Dr. Gilliam C. Terhune of Hackensack, N. J., graduate of New (6) Ellen Elizabeth, born Septembe r 1, 1835, died July 29, 1838; (7) Edward Elliott, born August 22, 1839, died August 6, 1841. Deacon Adams died May 21, 1873, aged eighty-one; his wife died July 6, 1874, aged seventy-six.

Our Mayflower Descendancy

Maternal, , ,

mayflower

Richard Warren (1579 – 1628)
is my 10th great grandfather

Nathaniel Warren (1624 – 1667)
son of Richard Warren

Richard Warren (1646 – 1697)
son of Nathaniel Warren

Anne Warren (1688 – 1737)
daughter of Richard Warren

Mary May (1713 – 1776)
daughter of Anne Warren

Simeon Valler (1748 – 1789)
son of Mary May

Silvanus Valler (1803 – )
son of Simeon Valler

Mary Jane Valler (1839 – 1872)
daughter of Silvanus Valler

Charles Abbott Dixon (1863 – 1948)
son of Mary Jane Valler

Etta Edwards Dixon (1894 – 1966)
daughter of Charles Abbott Dixon

Wilbur F Lewis Jr. (1915 – 2001)
son of Etta Edwards Dixon

MY MOM
daughter of Wilbur F Lewis Jr.

ME

War for American Independence Veterans

Military, , , , , , , ,

Paternal:

Thomas Barclay – Was a gallant soldier in the American army during the revolutionary war. On July 12, 1776, he enlisted from St. Mary’s county, Maryland, in the “Flying Camp”, in which organization he served for some time. In 1779, he was a member of Major Anderson’s battalion of the Third Maryland Regiment, which served in General Washington’s command in New Jersey. While serving with his command in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, he met Catherine, daughter of John Williams, whose property had been confiscated by the continental congress, and who was himself a fugitive because of his loyalty to the King.

John Stickney – South Hadley. Private, Capt. James Hendrick’s co. ; pay abstract for mileage to and from headquarters, dated Charlestown, Camp No. 3, Jan. 13, 1776; mileage for 100 miles allowed said Stickney.

Maternal:

Elias Babcock – Elias Babcock (my 5th Great Grandfather), Corporal, Enlisted May 19th, 1777 to 1780 from Partridgefield and Northampton. Elias was in the Battle of Saratoga, and served through the Carolinas with Gen. Gate’s army. He was also at the surrender of Cornwallis, and was in a number of severe battles which occurred during this war.

Isaiah Babcock, Sr – Committee of Safety, 1779, of Parkersfield, Massachusetts (or Partridgeville, Mass.)

John Ives – He has been described as Major. A D.A.R request for information on December 31, 2006 indicates that he was involved in the Revolutionary War as a Patriot providing a service for the cause. (Patriot Service) is the term recognized by the D.A.R. (His is ancestor number: A060740) The D.A.R. has him as sering in Capt. Hough’s Co., 10th Regt. in the capacity of Private in the alarm at New Haven & Fairfield, Ct. on July 5,6,7, 1779 in the 5th Co. in the 10th Regiment. (Collections, CT Historical Soc. Vol VIII, pg 192) CT Mil. 1775-1783, GRC, Vol II pag 117.

Benjamin Hart

Daniel Appleton

Joshua Woodman – Joshua Woodman (1720-1800) enlisted from Buxton in Capt. John Lane’s company, 1775, and gave six short enlistments under different commands in one year. He was born in Newbury, Essex, Mass., and died in Buxton, Maine.

Nathaniel Gilbert, II – Commanded (Captain) a company in the regiment under Col. Comfort Sage when Tryon invaded the State. He was born and died in Middletown, CT.

Nathaniel Gilbert, III – Corporal in Captain Elijah Gilbert’s Eighth Company of Col. William Bradford Whiting’s 17th Albany Co. Regiment.

Willett Ranney, Sr. – His Revolutionary service there was as follows: Private in Capt. Samuel Wolcott’s Co., Col. Hopkins’ Regt., July 16, 1776-Aug. 5, 1776; marched to Highlands, N. Y.; private Capt. Elijah Deming’s Co., Col. John Ashley’s Regt., July 8, 1777-July 28, 1777, called out by order Maj. Gen. Schuyler to march to relief of Fort Edward; private, same Co., Col. John Ashley’s Regt., Sept. 19, 1777-Oct. 4, 1777, under Brig. Gen. Fellows, ordered out by Gen. Gates to reinforce the Northern Army. Rem. 1778 to New Lebanon, N. Y., and was next known with his large family at Fort Stanwix, now Rome, N. Y.

Willett5 Ranney (Willett4, Willett3, Thomas2, Thomas1), bapt. Aug. 6, 1769, with Benjamin, a twin, Upper Houses, was 7 years of age when his father rem. to Sandisfield, Mass. He m. Oct., 1799, Rome, N.Y., Betsey Robbins, dau. of John Robbins, who came from Bennington, Vt., in 1790. In June, 1790, he leased of Gov. Clinton the 100 acres in “Wright’s Settlement,” adjoining the 100 acres his brother Seth had leased the previous year, and which was long known as the “Ranney Place.” He was to pay one peppercorn each year, if lawfully demanded, for four years, and after that 18 bushels of good winter wheat, on May 1 of each year, in the city of Albany. This lease in 1878 was in the possession of his son Lester. He sublet the lease in 1795 to Cornelius Van Warner, and in 1796 leased a 50-acre tract of Moses Wright, while Butler Ranney leased the adjoining tract. In 1801 both Ranneys sold out. He then rem. to Saratoga County, as the Bible record is that Anson was born in the town of Milton in that county. About 1810 he went to Taberg, and after a year settled in Smithville, near .Adams. His aged parents went with him. When news came that the British had attacked Sackett’s Harbor the militia were ordered out and Willett Ranney, Jr., mounted a horse to go to the defense of his country. The old man, inspired by a love of country yet burning in his bosom, and recalling his own experience in the Revolutionary army, said to his son: “Get off that horse and let me go.” The son obeyed and Willett Ranney, Sr., over 80 years of age, mounted the horse and went as a volunteer. In a few years, 1818, the patriot was laid in the grave and the widow about 1821 followed. In 1826 Willett Ranney, no longer known as Jr., bought a farm in Redfield, and resided on it till 1831, when he went back to the homestead at Smithville, and on which he resided till his death in 1865 at the age of 96 years, at the home of his son Lester.