I31229: Abigail HODGKINS (b. 21 SEP 1736, d. 26 FEB 1842)

Abigail HODGKINS (ID #I31229)

(female)

BIRTH: 21 SEP 1736, Ipswich, MA
BAPTISM: 11 SEP 1737, Ipswich, MA
DEATH: 26 FEB 1842, Wirt, NY
BURIAL: Richburg Cem., Allegany, NY

Family 1 : Jonathan URAN (b. 1732, d. BETW.1792-1800)

MARRIAGE: 1755

The most detailed reference to Abigail seems to be the meticulous notes in the Lowell Genealogy (1899), which was written while informants still remembered some of the events. The following note appears on p. 48, in connection with David Lowell, Jr. who married Abigail Uran.

"The history of Abigail (Hodgkins) Uran was quite remarkable. She was b. in Old Ipswich, Mass., Sept. 21, 1736, and d. in Wirt, Alleghany Co., N. Y. Feb. 26, 1842, age 105 years, 5 months, and 5 days. The first six years of her life she was in Ipswich, Mass.; 1742-1755 in Haverhill, N.H.; she m. at 19 years of age; 1755-1771 in Swanzey, N. H.; 1771-1792 in Putney, Vt.; 1792-1809 in Pawlet, Vt.; 1809-1819 in Unadilla, N. Y.; 1819-1842 in Wirt, N. Y., where she d. She had 10 children, 7 living at her d., 49 great grand children, and 6 of the 5th generation."

Some of these assertions may be questioned. It is clear that the Haverhill intended is in MA, not NH (the latter not settled until 1763), but this lapse explains the presistent references to the latter in DAR applications! This account also must be the source of her marriage date (1755). However, it does not appear likely that the Urans moved to Swanzey so early (Jonathan noted as a resident of Haverhill, MA in 1759 muster roll), and her transfer of church membership from Swanzey to Putney did not occur until 03 aug 1777. It seems likely that the summary quoted here comes from an obituary or county history.

Her birthdate is listed on her tombstone and is consistent with her age at death. The closest match in the Ipswich vital records is shown as a baptism on 11 sep 1737, daughter of Ezekiel and Margaret Hodgkins. It is possible that the Ipswich date has been misread and actually represents the birthdate. The original records need to be examined. Moreover, the switch to the New Style calendar occurred between the birth and death dates, so we cannot be sure that the age at death has taken into account the 11 extra days. If so, her birthdate would be 10 sep 1736 Old Style, and a recorded date of 11 sep 1737 would probably be a misreading of 11 sep 1736, baptism the day after her birth. Even if the date has been read correctly, there is no other Abigail Hodgkins in the Ipswich records who is likely to be the right one.

The names of seven of her ten children came down to us through The Urann Family of New England. It is likely these are precisely the seven who were still living at the time of her death. Since the children are not named in the Lowell Genealogy, there must have been another source used by both. The 1896 Allegany County history mentions that she died in 1842 (gives exact age) and that she was the mother of Althea Richardson, but no further details. We are still looking for the actual source of these accounts.

Review of marriage records in Haverhill, MA and surrounding towns in MA and NH has not turned up anything relating to Jonathan and Abigail or their known siblings. In many cases, one or both parties in these marriage records are noted as residents of nearby towns.

Many Haverhill residents suddenly found themselves in New Hampshire in 1741 when the modern boundary was established. Chase's History of Haverhill includes tax lists made at that time on both sides of the line. No URAN or HODGKINS families are listed.

It is possible that Abigail's family did not move to Haverhill when she was 6, but that she did spend 6 years there, perhaps 1753-1759, roughly the same time Jonathan Uran is noted as a resident on muster rolls. If Ezekiel Hodgkins was in fact her father, as seems most likely, this period would coincide with the birth of several children by his second wife, widow Deborah Hovey. Abigail might have lived with other relatives, or the family might have moved to Haverhill for a short time and then returned. (In early New England, it was considered a normal part of growing up for children to be sent to live with relatives.)

If Abigail Hodgkins is the daughter of Ezekiel and Margaret, then she would be the second cousin of the William Hodgkins who married into another branch of the Uran family at about the same time.

Abigail is buried in the Richburg Cemetery, Wirt Town, Allegany Co., NY. The historian's card index shows the inscription as Abigail, mother of Alethea Richardson, and shows birth and death dates. The 1896 history mentions that she died at age 105 years, 5 months, 5 days, but offers no other details. Hence, there must be another source for the other information reported in the Lowell and Uran genealogies.

DUTOIT: A Family from Moudon, Switzerland

Abigail HODGKINS (ID #I31229)

Abigail HODGKINS (ID #I30807)

Abigail HODGKINS (ID #I28970)

Abram HODGKINS (ID #I30693)

Amos HODGKINS (ID #I30715)

Anna HODGKINS (ID #I28942)

Anna HODGKINS (ID #I28995)

Anna HODGKINS (ID #I30805)

Azor HODGKINS (ID #I29036)

Benjamin HODGKINS (ID #I30793)

Benjamin HODGKINS (ID #I30786)

Benjamin HODGKINS (ID #I28978)

Benjamin HODGKINS (ID #I29018)

Betsey HODGKINS (ID #I30717)

Charlotte Swazey HODGKINS (ID #I29028)

Christopher HODGKINS (ID #I30743)

Christopher HODGKINS (ID #I28922)

Christopher HODGKINS (ID #I30702)

Christopher HODGKINS (ID #I30700)

Christopher HODGKINS (ID #I30741)

Daniel HODGKINS (ID #I1561)

Daniel HODGKINS (ID #I30738)

Daniel HODGKINS (ID #I30824)

Daniel HODGKINS (ID #I28974)

Daniel HODGKINS (ID #I28963)