HazardVT

HAZARD/HAZZARD FAMILY IN VERMONT
Compiled and contributed by Joann Heselton Nichols

Thomas Hazard

Thomas Hazard was born ca 1799-1800, probably in Shirley, Middlesex Co., MA, and probably to Thomas and Elisabeth (Boston) Hazard, who were married 25 May 1786 in Littleton, Middlesex, MA. The first Thomas had served in the Revolutionary War and obtained a pension as a result of his service.

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The second Thomas Hazard who came to Vermont was m. 2 Dec. 1824 in Norwich, Windsor Co., VT to Belinda Lewis [called Mitilda in the recorded marriage information]. Belinda was born ca 1796 in Sutton, Hillsborough, NH. Thomas died 16 May 1866, age 66 yrs, 11 mos., Woodstock, Windsor Co., VT and is buried in the River Street Cemetery. Belinda died 10 Dec. 1894, age 98, Woodstock, VT and is also buried in the River Street Cemetery.

I have found that Belinda’s father, Caesar Lewis, was age 105 in 1860 when he is enumerated in the census in the poor house in Sutton, NH. He also died in 1860. He was married to Gemima Blanchard on Mar. 2, 1796 in Sutton, NH, he of Weathersfield, VT.

Thomas and Belinda Hazard had five children:

Roxanna, b. ca. 1827 or 1828; she was married to Henry Parks and died 1915 (g.s.), Woodstock, VT, buried in River Street Cemetery.

Austin, b. ca. 1829, married and divorced Rhoda; he died 23 Mar. 1886, Woodstock, VT, buried River Street Cemetery. I believe he was later married to a Martha. There is a death notice in the Vermont Standard of Mar. 25, 1886 for Austin Hazard, "In Woodstock, March 23, Austin Hazard, aged 57 years."

James, b. 29 Nov 1831, m. Sarah P. Talbot, d. 19 July 1890, Woodstock, VT, buried River Street Cemetery.

Thomas, b. ca. 1836 [may be the Solomon Hazard who served in the Civil War, 54^th Massachusetts, listed as being from New Chester, PA].

Mary Ann, b. ca. 1838, d. 11 Sept. 1853, Woodstock, VT, buried River Street Cemetery.

The Vermont Standard for June 7 1866 has a death notice for Thomas Hazard

"In Woodstock May 16^thThomas Hazzard aged 66 years and 11 months."

The Vermont Standard for Dec. 13 1894 has an obituary for Belinda Hazard

"Mrs. Belinda Hazzard colored lady who was much the oldest woman in town died Monday [Dec. 10 1894] at the home of her daughter Mrs. Henry Park. Belinda Lewis was born ninety eight years ago the daughter of Caesar Lewis of Sutton NH and was married in Norwich to Thomas Hazzard of Shirley N.H. [sic should be MA]. They commenced their married life in Pomfret and lived also in Barnard for a time before coming to Woodstock. "Uncle Tom" Hazzard was a familiar figure and a respected citizen in Woodstock for many years but he died in 1866. Since that time Mrs. Hazzard has passed considerable time with her daughter Mrs. Park who is the only survivor in a family of five children. Mrs. Hazzard’s vitality was most remarkable and she retained her mental faculties to the last. Only within a few weeks had old age told upon her physique so that her heart refused its functions and finally caused her death. Until then it seemed quite probable that she would attain a century’s age."

Compiled by Joann Heselton Nichols, Brattleboro, VT, formerly of Woodstock, VT, who, when she was a sophomore in high school, walking home from school, was given a nickel by Alva Hazard, "so you can go downtown with the other kids after school." Thanks to Joy Peach of Lancaster, MA and George Dewey of Littleton, MA for assistance with the family of Allen Horace Hazard of MA.

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