james holbrook (part 1 of 3)

childhood

James Holbrook, one of my 4th great grandfathers, was born October 16, 1779 in Weymouth, MA to Abner Holbrook and Jerusha Vining. (note 1)  He was the 8th child out of 11; although one older brother, Abner, probably died before he was born . (note 2) 

James was only 8 years old when his father Abner died in 1788.  James' family is found in the first Federal Census of 1790, residing in Weymouth, MA.  His mother Jerusha is listed as head of the hosuehold, as widow Holbrook, with 4 of his siblings. 

Males - Under 16: 2 (daniel, jacob, james); Males - 16 and over: 1 (david); Females: 5 (lydia, jerusha, sarah, betty, jerusha)

Since the household only lists 3 males under 16 years old, one of Jerusha's younger sons may have been living with another family at the time.  The three boys that are under 16 are James, who would have been 11, Jacob, and Daniel.  Also, the two oldest sons, John, age 20, and Abner, age 18, are not incuded in the household.  I did not find John or Abner listed as head of household in Weymouth; so perhaps they are also living with another family.  All 4 daughters are included in the household for 1790, living with their mother Jerusha. 

1790 Census, Weymouth, MA : head of household Widow Jerusha Holbrook

The 1790 Census above seems to be enumerated by residence, so it is possible to see who Jerusha, and therefore James', neighbors probably were.  Samuel Bates and Widow Whitman are listed next to them, perhaps they lived next door.  Samuel Bates is James' future father-in-law; which explains how he met his future wife.  Also, a John Vining is below Jerusha on the 1790 census.  Jerusha had a brother John Vining, but he died before 1790.  Her father's name was also John Vining and was still living in 1790; I believe this is him living next to Jerusha.  I was thinking perhaps one of Jerusha's sons that is not listed with her might be living with her father (their grandfather), since they are neighbors.  John Vining does have one other male living with him who is older than 16.  This person could be one of James' older brothers, John or Abner.  John Vining, their grandfather, did not have any living sons in 1790, so this is a good possibility.  It is still a mystery as to where the third younger son is living in 1790.  I guess it is also possible that the census is incorrect, and they are all living together. (UPDATE: I came across a book on google books : Index to Probate Records of the County of Suffolk, MA, G-O; p 128 which lists guardian records for James, Jacob and Daniel as Suffolk Probate 19534, 19533, 19532 respectively)

By 1800, it seems that James, age 21, is living with his mother Jerusha and his younger brothers, one older brother, and two of his sisters, still in Weymouth, MA.

Males -10 thru 15: 1 (daniel); Males - 16 thru 25: 2 (jacob, james); Males - 26 thru 44: 1 (david); Females - 10 thru 15: 1 (lydia); Females - 26 thru 44: 1 (sarah); Females - 45 and over: 1 (jerusha)

1800 Federal Census, Weymouth, MA : head of household Widow Jerusha Holbrook

This census looks to be enumerated alphabetically, so it is impossible to see who James' neighbors were in 1800.  The census does show that James' older brothers, John and Abner, are now heads of their own households, enumerated separately. 

James' childhood occurred at a changing time in American history.  The American Revolution ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, when James was only 4.  I believe his father Abner fought in the war; at least in the beginning with the march to take possession of Dorchester Heights, according to the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War book.  (vol 8 p 71)  The end of the war brought along a lot of changes.  Massachusetts joined the union when James was 9 years old, in 1788, the same year his father died. 

James was 10 years old when George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States in 1789.  The Bill of Rights were adopted when he was 12 years old, in 1791.  John Adams was elected the second president of the United States in 1796, when James was 17.  He was probably familiar with the Adams family, as Abigail Smith Adams had also lived in Weymouth, MA.   

continued...

notes:
1.   James' birth is noted in the Vital records of Weymouth, Massachusetts, to the year 1850... , page 131, available online through Open Library. 

2. A brother Abner was born in 1767, then another brother Abner was born in 1772.  Although I did not locate a death record for the first Abner, I am assuming he died before 1772, when the second Abner was born. 

to do:
1. Obtain Gaurdianship records for James, Jacob and Daniel : Suffolk Probate 19534, 19533, 19532