In a recent email from PEM’s Phillips Library announced its online catalog had been upgraded and is “now available here:  https:philcat.pem.org/.” This research library was originally located in Salem, Massachusetts, next to the Peabody Essex Museum, but now is located in Rowley, Massachusetts, a smaller town about 16 miles north. I decided to search two family names, Fearson and Stickney, to see if I could find any new documents on them. I’m surprised I don’t find any documents on ancestor Jesse Fearson, who actually lived in Salem in the 1770s, married his first wife, Elizabeth Wellman there on November 15, 1778, and commanded several Privateers during the last years of the American Revolution from 1779 through 1783. Deed records show he owned a home in Salem from 1781 to 1783 in the same area where the Peabody Essex Museum is today. Nevertheless, I did find an interesting document on another ancestor, John Stickney, who was a shipbuilder in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

The document is an apprenticeship contract between John Stickney and Lewis Lowell, the apprentice, and his father, Stephen Lowell. It is in great condition, with only a few torn spots that occurred where the document was folded and must have been kept in a secure place over the many years of its existence. The handwriting is impeccable to the point there is no need to attempt to transcribe it here; it is easily read and understood. The stated conditions of the apprenticeship are typical for the terms stated. The apprentice must obey, be respectful and faithful to the master and his property, cannot leave without permission, and conduct themselves in a socially acceptable manner. In turn, John and Abigail Stickney had typical conditions set as well. Most importantly, John was to teach Lewis the trade of boat building and provide food, lodging, clothing and basically care for him as they would their own children.

Why did John have need of an apprentice? Looking at John and Abigail’s family group below explains the need for extra help to this young family. In 1742, the makeup of this family of a husband and wife and three children under five years old explains why they might need an apprentice. Lewis allowed John to have an able worker he didn’t have to pay wages to in his shipbuilding business.

Providing John’s wife’s name in this contract made it easy to confirm which John Stickney this document referred to. The following shows how John Stickney fits generationally between the immigrant ancestor, William and those in Texas to whom this line pertains.

William Stickney (?- 1664) > Amos Stickney (1637/38-1678) > Moses Stickney (1677-1775) > John Stickney (1711-1775) > Thomas Stickney (1747-1791) > Henry Stickney (1762-1862) > Edward Lawrence Stickney (1815-1854) > James Franklin Stickney (1849-1898)

John and Abigail (Wingate) Stickney

JOHN STICKNEY was born on 15 Sep 1711, baptized 18 Sep 1711, in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, son of Moses and Sarah (Wardwell) Stickney and died 4 Jul 1775 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and buried in Old Hill Burying Ground, Newburyport. He first married ABIGAIL WINGATE, daughter of Joshua and Mary (Lunt) Wingate, on 23 Feb 1737 in North Hampton, Rockingham, New Hampshire. Abigail was born 30 Jun 1715 in Hampton, Rockingham, New Hampshire and died 9 Jan 1755, and buried in Old Hill Burying Ground. John married second Joanna Horton, daughter of James Horton, on 9 Sep 1756. She was born about 1714 and died about 1784.

John Stickney and Abigail Wingate had the following children:

JOHN STICKNEY was born 19 Feb 1738 in Newbury, and died 5 Dec 1803 in Leicester, Worcester, Massachusetts, and buried in Rawson Brook Burial Ground, Leicester where his grave is marked by a Revolutionary War headstone.

ABIGAIL STICKNEY was born 2 Oct 1740 in Newbury, and died 27 Aug 1772 in Newburyport, and buried in Old Hill Burying Ground, Newburyport.

ANNE STICKNEY was born on 26 Feb 1742/43, baptized 27 Feb 1742, in Newbury, and died 27 Oct 1827 in Newburyport. She married BENJAMIN JOHNSTON, son of Thomas and Rachel (Thwing) Johnston, on 7 Mar 1770 in Newbury. He was born 7 Sep 1740 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, and died on 30 Aug 1818 in Newburyport. Both are buried in First Parish Burying Ground, Newbury.

MARY STICKNEY was born 22 Feb 1744, and baptized 23 Feb 1744 in Newbury, and died before 24 Nov 1752.

WILLIAM STICKNEY was born and baptized 22 Dec 1745 in Newbury, and died 25 Aug 1833 in Newbury. He married SARAH TUCKER, daughter of John and Sarah (Barnard) Tucker, on 19 Feb 1777. She was born about 1751 and died on 17 Apr 1825 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts. Both are buried in First Parish Burying Ground, Newbury.

THOMAS STICKNEY was born 7 Apr 1747 in Newbury, and died 28 Jul 1791 in Leicester, Worcester, Massachusetts, and buried in Rawson Brook Burial Ground, Leicester. He married ABIGAIL BLODGET, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (White) Blodget, on 23 Apr 1774 in Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts. She was born 20 Apr 1751 in Haverhill and died 5 Jun 1808 in Baltimore, Maryland and buried in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore.

JOSEPH STICKNEY was born on 3 May 1750 and baptized 6 May 1750 in Newbury. He died 29 Oct 1803 in Leicester, Worcester, Massachusetts, and buried in Rawson Brook Burial Ground, Leicester, where his grave is also marked by a Revolutionary War headstone.

John Stickney and Joanna Horton had the following children:

MARY STICKNEY WAS born 24 Nov 1752 in Newbury. She married THOMAS JONES.

BENJAMIN STICKNEY was born 8 Aug 1758 and baptized 18 Dec 1758 in Newbury. He died 2 Mar 1818 in Boscawen, Merrimack, New Hampshire, and is buried in Corser Hill Cemetery, Webster, Merrimack, New Hampshire. He married CATHERINE KNIGHT 4 Jul 1784 in Newburyport.

SARAH STICKNEY was born 09 Jan 1760. She married CALEB KNIGHT on 28 Nov 1782.