Found another gem of a book!: A Genealogical History of the French and Allied Families by Mary Elizabeth Queal Beyer. It is from 1912 and yippee! You can read it online. I learned a lot about Sibbel Seaward’s ancestors. There is even a picture of her, which is now the oldest portrait of an ancestor that I have.
Here are a few of my favorite stories & discoveries . . .
Ingalls
How fun is this!? Scandinavian pirates! Here is a quote from page 219:
“The name is supposed to be Scandinavian, and derived from Ingialld. During the ninth century the Scandinavian pirates often descended upon the east coast of Great Britain, and in after many years of this nationality made settlements in Lincolnshire. These people were a hardy seafaring race, owing to the nature of their country, but under changed conditions of environment settled down to tilling the soil. The name of Ingalls is still common in England, its etymology being ‘By the power of Thor.’ “
Edmund came to Salem in 1628, only 8 years after the Pilgrims at Plymouth.
Sibbel’s grandfather, Henry, was in the Revolutionary War and later was town clerk for Richmond, NH. President Garfield was a descendent!
Seaward
The story on the name according to Mary on page 239:
“The Seawards are of Scotch-English descent, a tradition in the family giving the name originally as Ward. Some of the family living near the sea were designated as Sea Wards, and thus they finally came to be known as Seaward or Seward.”
William was born in England & came to Taunton MA by 1643. He took the oath of fidelity to Guilford 4 May 1654. As the author states on page 240:
“He was a tanner, a man of considerable property and eminence in the town, and was for a long time commander of the train band. He frequently represented the town in the General Assembly.”
Caleb was also a tanner who was the first settler when he moved to Durham CT 4 May 1699.
Ebenezer was a doctor who moved to New Bedford MA 1737.
Stephen had a wool mill until 1812 & then he was a tavern keeper on the road to Albany. He moved in 1828 to the far west, which was Cattaraugus NY. He lived with Sibbel at the time of his death.
Fun story from page 247:
“The following incident has been handed down by the descendants of Stephen Seaward, who was at one time the owner of a valuable iron gray horse of which he was very proud. One night it was stolen from his stable, and while he made diligent search throughout that part of the country, no trace of the missing animal could be found. A year or so afterward, a neighbor who had been to Albany, told him of having seen in a stable in that city a horse which he believed to be the one he had lost. Stephen immediately went to that city, where he explained the situation to the man who had the horse in his possession, to which explanation the man replied: “If you can prove your statement, the horse is yours.” “I will prove it by the horse himself,” returned Stephen Seaward. He stepped into the barn and the horse neighed, as had been his habit upon the approach of his master. He then went up to the horse and patting him, said: “Prince, address yourself!” and he immediately stretched himself upon his hind legs, and then on his fore legs. Then his owner said: “Take my hat,” which the horse immediately did; then he requested him to make a bow, which the animal proceeded to do. “The horse is yours,” said the man, and Stephen returned home, happy to again be the possessor of this much prized animal.”
Poor Lucy died from childbirth with her ninth child.
There is a picture of Sibbels’ gravestone here, though it is a bit hard to read.
Big question: it says Almira (Sibbel’s daughter) was married three times! I only know about two: Benjamin & William. Who knows the answer to this mystery?
The Basic Facts:
Sibbel SEAWARD
b. 15 Apr 1811, Decatur NY
d. 2 Apr 1891, Franklinville, Cattaraugus, NY
m. 17 Mar 1829 William McNALL, Franklinville, Cattaraugus, NY