Silas Nowell (abt. 1748 - abt. 1820)

Born about 1748 in York, Province of Massachusetts Bay [uncertain]

Husband of Martha (Cross) Nowell — married 8 Jun 1773 in Seabrook, Rockingham, Province of New Hampshire

Descendants

Died about 1820 at about age 72 in Massachusetts, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

This profile is part of the Nowell Name Study.

Silas Nowell was born say 1748, possibly in York, Province of Massachusetts Bay. This estimate would make him about 25 years old at marriage.

Silas and Martha Cross were married 8 Jun 1773, probably in Seabrook, New Hampshire, by Rev. Samuel Perley. Their marriage record states:
1773… June 8. Silas Nowell and Martha Cross, Newbury-Port.
Reverend Perley performed other marriages the same day denoted as Boston, Seabrook, Stoneham, and Salsbury. Since it is unlikely he traveled to 5 towns in one day, these locations are likely towns where the married couples were from. Reverend Perley was ordained 31 Jan 1765, presiding over the Presbyterian church in Seabrook, New Hampshire until 1 Oct 1776. The marriage is indexed as Newburyport, New Hampshire, but Newburyport, Essex, Province of Massachusetts Bay is likely the residence of one or both of the newlyweds married in Seabrook.^[1]

Their children born in Newburyport include:

• Sarah Johnson, b 3 Sep 1774^[2][3][4]
• Martha, b 21 Jan 1777^[2][3][4]
• James, b 10 Oct 1778^[2][4]
• Silas, b 6 Oct 1780^[2][3][4]
• John, b 18 Jul 1782^[4]
• Phebe, b 12 May 1783^[2][3][4]
• Ralph Cross, b 4 Jul 1786^[2][4]

Census:

• 1790: Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts - Sylas Nowell
  Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over 1
  Free White Persons - Males - Under 16 3
  Free White Persons - Females 3
  Number of Household Members 7^[5]
• 1800: Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts - Silas Nowell
  Free White Persons - Males -10 thru 15 1
  Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25 1
  Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over 1
  Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25 2
  Number of Household Members Under 16 1
  Number of Household Members Over 25 1
  Number of Household Members 5^[6]

A bond of guardianship for Newburyport minors Sarah Johnson Nowell (age 18), Martha Nowell (over 15), James Nowell (over 13), Silas Nowell (over 12), Phebe Nowell (over 10), and Ralph Cross Nowell (over 7) was recorded 24 Sep 1792 in Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Court. The guardians were father Silas Nowell, mariner, Stephen Cross, esqr, and Ralph Cross, esqr, all of Newburyport.^[2]

Silas Nowell of York, York, Massachusetts wrote his Last Will and Testament 29 Aug 1815. He names his son Silas Nowell, daughter Phebe Cook (wife of Charles Cook), all of Newburyport. He names his daughter Martha Nowell, his deceased daughter Sally Currier and her children Martha, William, Sally, and Caroline. He named James Nowell of York as executor.^[3]

A Last Will and Testament of Silas Nowell was presented on the first Tuesday of Dec 1820 at Probate Court in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts. A hearing was scheduled for the last Tuesday of Dec 1820 in Newburyport. It is unclear if this probate is for Silas or for his son Silas.^[7]

Charles Cook Jr, mariner, as principal and executor, Anthony Knap, merchant, as surety, both of Newburyport, and Samuel Newman, esquire, as surety of Newbury were bonded for the estate of Silas Nowell 26 Dec 1820 at probate court in Newburyport. An estate inventory was ordered to be submitted by 26 Mar 1821 and account by 26 Dec 1821.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston: The New England Historic Genealogical Society. Vol 51, p 464. Ancestry Record 2129 #172372
   Name Silas Nowell
   Event Type Marriage
   Marriage Date 8 Jun 1773
   Marriage Place Newburyport, New Hampshire, USA
   Spouse Name Martha Cross
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6} Massachusetts, Essex County, Probate Records
   Ancestry Sharing Link (image 90 of 254).
   Ancestry Sharing Link (image 207 of 254).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Massachusetts, Essex County, Probate Records
   Ancestry Sharing Link (image 218 of 254).
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Vital Records of Newburyport, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., 1911) Vol. 1, Pages 280-281.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1790", database with images, FamilySearch (ark:/61903/1:1:XHKL-PDY : Mon Mar 13 23:09:55 UTC 2023), Entry for Sylas Nowell, 1790.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH51-KNM : accessed 25 March 2023), Silas Nowell, Newburyport, Essex, Massachusetts, United States; citing p. 335, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 14; FHL microfilm 205,613.
7. ↑ Massachusetts, Essex County, Probate Records
   Ancestry Sharing Link (image 149 of 254).
8. ↑ Massachusetts, Essex County, Probate Records
   Ancestry Sharing Link (image 240 of 254).

See also:

• FamilySearch Person: KN3R-P26