STEARNS
STEARNS
(II) Isaac (2), second son of Isaac (1) (q.v.) and Mary (Barker) Stearns, was born Jan. 6, 1633, in Watertown [MA], where he was made freeman in 1665. He settled at Cambridge Farms, now Lexington, and died there Aug. 29, 1676. He married, June 24, 1660, Sarah, daughter of Captain Richard and Elizabeth Beers. Captain Beers was one of the original proprietors of Watertown, commanded a company in King Philip's war, and was killed in battle with the Indians at Northfield, Mass., Sept. 4, 1675.
After the death of Mr. Stearns his widow married (July 23, 1677), Thomas Wheeler, of Concord, Mass..
Isaac Stearns left an estate inventoried at three hundred pounds.
Children: Sarah, Mary, Isaac, Samuel, Abigail and Jane.
(III) Samuel, second son of Isaac (2) and Sarah (Beers) Stearns, was born Jan. 11, 1668, in Lexington, and was killed by a falling tree, Nov. 19, 1721. For several years he was tithing man and assessor in Lexington. His widow, Phebe, was administratrix of his estate, and moved with some of her children to Littleton in 1739, and twenty years later to Chelmsford.
Children: Sarah, Mary, Abigail, Samuel, Ruth, Phebe, Rebecca, Thomas, John, Joseph and Benjamin.
(IV) Samuel (2), eldest son of Samuel (1) and Phebe Stearns, was born March 7, 1702, in Lexington, and lived in that town and Littleton before his settlement in Hollis, New Hampshire, where he died in 1787.
He married, Jan. 1, 1731, Keziah Robbins, of Littleton, the ceremony performed by Joseph Wilder, Esq., of that town.
Children: Samuel, Peter, Isaac, Joseph, Ruth, Keziah, Ebenezer, Phebe and John.
(V) John, youngest child of Samuel (2) and Keziah (Robbins) Stearns, was born Oct. 15, 1750, probably in Littleton, and when twenty-four years old went with his next older brother, Ebenezer, to Monkton, Vermont. He settled in that year in New Haven, an adjoining town, but the settlements in that region were broken up by Indians and Tories until after the revolution. He lived some time in Cummington, Mass., and after the war closed returned to his farm, and died there July 1, 1823.
He was a soldier of the revolution, fighting for his home and country. He married (first), July 7, 1768, Lucy Shedd, of Dunstable, New Hampshire, who died soon after. He married (second), in March 1782, being then a resident of Cummington, Sarah Hamlin, born Sept. 22, 1760, in Bridgewater, Mass., daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Shaw) Hamlin, formerly of Bridgewater, later of Cummington, Mass., and pioneer residents of Monkton. She was an aunt of Hannibal Hamlin.
Children: Polly, Sarah, Calvin, Luther, Bateman, Susannah, Samuel K., Parsons, Hamilton Joseph, Orrin and Clarissa.
(VI) Calvin, eldest son of John and Sarah (Hamlin) Stearns, was born Aug. 2, 1786, in Monkton, where he resided for a time. He settled at Mooers, Clinton county, New York, and died in Hinesburg, Vermont. He was engaged in farming.
He married (first) in 1813, Hannah Cogswell, of Charlotte, Vermont, daughter of Levi and Rachel F. (Whiteley) Cogswell, of Charlotte, born July 6, 1794, died Dec. 8, 1821. He married (second) in 1825, Margaret Carleton, born Sept. 23, 1803. There were three children of the first marriage: and eight of the second, namely:
Orrin, Mary Ann, Joseph, Mandana Dorcas, John Carleton, Sarah Ann, Catherine Delia, Leonard Asa, Electa Ann, Alonzo Bateman and Melvin Julius.
(VII) Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Calvin and Hannah (Cogswell) Stearns, was born Dec. 30, 1816, in Ferrisburg, Vermont. She was married Oct. 17, 1837, to Eleazer Williams Robinson of Chazy. (see Robinson VII).
SECOND ENTRY:
The Stearns family is of old English origin, and the name is well known in Nottingham, Berks, Norfolk, Hertford, Suffolk and Cambridge counties. The name has been variously spelled Sternes, Sterns, Starnes, Sterne, in England. Stearns is the form used by the American family.
The family has been prominent. Richard Steren was Archbishop of York. There is a family tradition that three brothers, Daniel, Isaac and Shubael, came from England to America in 1630 and settled near Watertown; that Daniel died soon afterward, unmarried; and that the other two brough their families with them. Shubael died leaving two sons, Charles and Nathaniel, eight or ten years old, who were brought up by their Uncle Isaac. The fact that Charles Stearns was left ten pounds by Isaac, who called him "kinsman," and that Issac, Charles and Nathaniel named their sons John, Issac and Samuel, would tend to bear out the tradition. It is certain that there were three immigrants of the name, probably brothers; Issac of Watertown, Charles, kinsman (probably nephew) of Isaac, and Nathaniel of Dedham.
(I) Charles Stearns, immigrant ancestor of this branch of the family, came to New England May 6, 1646, and settled in Watertown. He bought, March 15, 1648, of Edward Lamb, of Watertown, a house and eight acres of land, and three or four lots; and the same day he bought from John Fisher six acres of upland. He was elected Jan. 6, 1680-81, constable and tax gatherer of Watertown, but refused to take the oath, and the same year sold his land in Watertown to his son Samuel. Soon after this he and his son Shubael moved to Lynn End, now Lynnfield, Mass. One Samuel Hosier bequeathed to him ten pounds.
He married (first) Hannah _____, who died June 30, 1650, at Watertown, and was buried July 2, 1650. He married (second) June 22, 1654, Rebecca, daughter of John and Rebecca Gibson, of Cambridge. She was admitted a member of the Watertown church in Feb. 1658-59. The births of the first two children are recorded in Cambridge.
Children:
1. Samuel, born June 2, 1650; settled in Watertown.
2. Shubael, Sept. 20, 1655; went on the Narragansett expedition.
3. John, Jan. 24, 1657; mentioned below.
4. Isaac, 1658; settled in Salem.
5. Charles, slain in the King's service before 1695.
6. Rebecca, 1661; married Thomas Train, of Watertown.
7. Martha, married _____ Hutchinson.
(II) John, son of Charles Stearns, was born Jan. 24, 1657, died Feb. 22, 1722. He was a housewright by trade, and resided in Lexington, although the birth of the first child was recorded in Watertown. The five eldedst children were baptized iat Watertown by Rev. John Bailey, June 22, 1690, and the next seven by Rev. Mr. Angeer at Weston or the Second Church, Watertown. The two youngest children are recorded at Lexington. He married (first) Judith, born May 12, 1660, daughter of George and Elizabeth(Crispe) Lawrence. He married (second) April 2, 1713, Mary, born July 10, 1663, daughter of Richard and Mary (Brooks) Narcross, of Watertown.
Children:
1. Rebecca, born March 21, 1683.
2. Judith.
3. Sarah.
4. George (twin), 1688.
5. Benjamin (twin), 1688.
6. John, 1692, mentioned below.
7. Captain Thomas, 1694.
8. Daniel, 1695.
9. Isaac, 1697.
10. Mary.
11. Elizabeth.
12. Abigail, May 12, 1700, in Lexington.
13. Charles, Oct. 20, 1702, in Lexington.
(III) John (2) son of John (1) Stearns, was born in 1692, and baptized May 11, 1701. He was a blacksmith at Lexington. As early as 1722 he moved to Worcester, where he purchased, May 20, 1717, fifty-one acres of land of Ephraim Curtis, of Sudbury, for fifty pounds with all the rights. This farm adjoined land ob Obediah Ward and Daniel Heyward. He was captain of a company of Rangers in 1748, and served against the Indians. He was living in 1672.
He married, Aug. 10, 1715, Deliverance, born Sept. 22, 1695, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Flagg) Bigelow.
Children, born at Worcester except the two eldest, who were baptized at the church in the west precinct of Watertown:
1. John, baptized March 31, 1717.
2. Jotham, baptized June 22, 1718.
3. Samuel, born 1720, mentioned below.
4. Isaac, 1728; married Katherine Crosby, and Elizabeth Roberts.
5. Katherine, married May 23, 1774, William Griggs.
6. William, 1732.
7. Deliverance, married, Dec. 25, 1750, Elisha Hedge Jr.
8. Increase, 1738.
9. Daniel.
10. Bezaleel.
11. Sarah, July 17, 1750; married Benjamin Leathe, of Grafton.
(IV) Samuel, son of Captain John (2) Stearns, was born in 1720, died March 17, 1776. He served in Captain Samuel Warren's company in 1757.
He married (first) Aug. 19, 1752, Jemima Hoyt, of Monadnock, born Dec. 25, 1729. He married (second) (intentions dated Nov. 27), 1762, Sarah Ann Grover, of Grafton. She administered his estate and died April 9, 1777.
Children:
1. Samuel, born 1754.
2. Daniel, 1756.
3. Asa, July 30, 1758; mentioned below.
4. Jemima, 1760; married David Dudley.
5. Solomon, 1763.
6. Shadrach, 1766, of Poultney, Vermont.
7. Benjamin, 1769; resides in Vermont.
8. Moses, 1771.
9. Betsey, 1773.
10. Phebe.
(V) Asa, son of Samuel Stearns, was born July 30, 1758. He enlisted in Colonel Ward's regiment, June 18, 1775, and was at the battle of Long Island in 1776, and at White Plains. He was twenty months in Ward's regiment and afterward for three years in Colonel Cilley's New Hampshire regiment and never lost a day from wounds or sickness. He was at the capture of Burgoyne, took part in the battle of Monmouth and was with General Sullivan in the Wyoming Valley and endured great suffering. He was also at sea on a privateer during the Revolution and helped in the capture of the "Hannah," a ship richly laden with merchandise, taken into New Haven.
He settled for a time at Claremont, N.H.
He married (first) March 25, 1784, Lucy, born March 30, 1764, daughter of Lieutenant Elijah Cady, of Wethersfield, Vermont. Stearns lived at Wethersfield, Cavandish, Moretown, Waterbury and Benson, Vermont. His wife died Aug. 1825, at Benson, from injuries received by being thrown from a carriage. He afterward located at Chazy, N.Y.
He married (second) Mrs. Phebe Dunham, who died in March, 1849, and he lived afterward with his daughter, Mrs. Heaton, until he died Feb. 2, 1852.
Children:
1. Laura, born July 8, 1785, in Wethersfield; married Lucius Heaton (see Heaton II).
2. Zebrina, 1786, at Wethersfield.
3. Abigail, married Martin Root.
4. Sena, married John Cannon.
5. James, 1792, of Chazy.
6. Lucy, married, in 1814, Selding Patee, of Waterbury.
7. Sydney, born at Moretown, went to Indiana.
8. Candace, married William Richards, of Burlington.
9. Harriet, married, in 1821, Elijah Knox.
10. Asa H., born June 22, 1804.
11. Elijah Cady, April 29, 1805.
12. Curtis, April 22, 1810.
THIRD ENTRY
The surnames Stearns, Sternes, Starns, etc., are undoubtedly corruptions or variations of the English name Sterne, a well-known name in the counties of Nottingham, Berks, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge, England. Of the Sterne family, the oldest coat-of-arms is: Or, a chevron between three crosses flory, sable. Crest: A cock starling proper. These arms were borne by the Archbishop of York (1664-83). Other families of the name had devices slightly varied from this one.
(I) Isaac Stearns, immigrant ancestor, lived probably in the parish of Nayland, Suffolkshire. He sailed for America, April 8, 1630, in the ship "Arabella," in which came also Rev. George Phillips, Sire Richard Saltonstall and family, and Governor Winthrop. Four ships sailed together from Yamouth, England, the "Arabella" arriving at Salem, Mass., June 12. But the pioneers were not pleased with that point, and proceeded to what is now Charlestown and Watertown, where most of them settled.
Stearns had a homestall at Watertown in 1642. He was admitted a freeman, May 18, 1631, and a selectman several years. In 1647 he and Mr. Biscoe were appointed by the selectmen "to consider how the bridge over the river shall be built, and to agree with the workmen for doing it, according to their best discretion." This is the first mention of a bridge over the Charles river at Watertown. He acquired a large estate for his day, leaving fouteen parcels of land amounting to four hundred and sixty-five acres. He died June 28, 1671.
He married Mary Barker, who died April 2, 1677.
Children, born in England:
1. Mary, baptized Jan. 6, 1626, at Nayland.
2. Hannah, baptized Oct. 5, 1628.
Born in New England:
3. John.
4. Isaac, Jan. 6, 1633.
5. Sarah, Sept. 22, 1635.
6. Samuel, April 24, 1638, mentioned below.
7. Elizabeth, 1640.
8. Abigail, married Deacon John Morse.
(II) Corporal Samuel, son of Isaac Stearns, was born April 24, 1638, died Aug. 3, 1683. He married, Feb. 1, 1662-63, Hannah, born June 21, 1642, died Feb. 26, 1723-24, daughter of William and Dorothy Manning.
Children:
1. Samuel, born May 4, 1664.
2. Hannah, Dec. 8, 1666.
3. Nathaniel, Dec. 13, 1668, mentioned below.
4. Sarah, April 23, 1671.
5. Samuel, March 29, 1673.
6. Isaac, Dec. 31, 1674.
7. John, June 24, 1677.
8. Mary, April 5, 1679.
9. Abigail, April 16, 1680.
10. Joseph, Dec. 11, 1682.
(III) Nathaniel, son of Samuel Stearns, was born in Watertown (MA), Dec. 13, 1668, died Aug. 24, 1716. In the division of the estate he received the farm which had been the homestead of his grandfather, Isaac Stearns. He was selectman of Watertown in 1716.
He married (first) in 1694, Elizabeth, born Dec. 4, 1671, died June 16, 1712, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Barnard) Dix. He married (second) Oct. 29, 1713, Sarah Nevinson, born July 22, 1672, who married (second) April 24, 1718, Samuel Livermore, as his third wife.
Children, born in Watertown:
1. Nathaniel, Oct. 8, 1694, died Dec. following.
2. Nathaniel, Jan. 18, 1696.
3. Elizabeth, Sept. 26, 1697.
4. Hannah, 1699.
5. Daniel, March 1, 1701.
6. Lydia, Nov. 2, 1702.
7. Isaac, July 24, 1704.
8. David, August, died October, 1706.
9. Ebenezer, April 22, 1708, mentioned below.
10. Marcy, April 22, 1708 (twin).
11. Deborah, Nov. 5, 1709.
12. Phebe, Feb. 11, 1711.
(IV) Ebenezer, son of Nathaniel Stearns, was born in Watertown, April 22, 1708, and was a clothier in Worcester. He was killed there in Sept. 1777, by being thrown from a horse. He was a grantee in 1735 in Paris, Maine.
Ebnezer Stearns married, April 12, 1737, Mary, born Nov. 20, 1709, died Oct. 1798, daughter of John and Joanna Spring, of Newton.
Children:
1. Mary, born July 24, 1738.
2. Ephraim, Jan. 10, 1740.
3. Ebenezer, Oct. 3, 1741, mentioned below.
4. Nathaniel, Oct. 26, 1743.
5. Simeon, June 10, 1745.
6. Joanna, April 7, 1747.
7. Betsy, May 7, 1750.
8. Lucretia, July 7, 1752.
9. William, Aug. 5, 1754.
(V) Ebenezer (2), son of Ebenezer (1) Stearns, was born Oct. 3, 1741. After the birth of three children in Worcester, he removed to Warwick, Mass., where he died Aug. 4, 1828.
He married April 6, 1769, Martha Holbrook, born in Sherborn, May 30, 1743.
Children:
1. James, born Jan. 8, 1770.
2. Clark, Oct. 17, 1771, died July 24, 1773.
3. Martha, Sept. 8, 1773.
4. Eleanor, born July 19, 1775.
5. Ebenezer, Aug. 6, 1777.
6. Clarke, Dec. 21, 1779, mentioned below.
7. Sarah, Jan. 12, 1782.
(VI) Clarke, son of Ebenezer (2) Stearns, was born Dec. 21, 1779, died Oct. 4, 1867. He was a farmer at Rouse's Point, N.Y., where he was a prominent member of the Methodist church. He was one of the pioneers of the town of Champlain, N.Y.
He married, June 4, 1807, Hannah Leonard, born March 31, 1778, died Jan. 27, 1859.
Children:
1. Alexander, born April 17, 1808.
2. Clarke Chandler, July 28, 1809.
3. Sarah Ann, Feb. 22, 1813; married Warren Calvin Fairbank (see Fairbank VII).
4. Ebenezer Holbrook, Jan. 8 ,1815, married Mary Yale. Children: Helen, born Dec. 4, 1855; Hannah Octavia, May 24, 1859.
5. Moses Leonard, Feb. 25, 1817.
6. Hannah Augusta, Nov. 7, 1820; married, June 22, 1848, Columbia Smith, two children.