This is part of a Mayflower application for Descendants of Fred Percy Sears of Stowe, VT. (1867-1925) There was no birth record available from the Stowe town clerk so this manuscript at NEHGS is used for birth evidence. In this case, the maternal grandfather of the subject responded by letter to a researcher, Wm P Cabot, of NEHGS in "interview format"- Fred Percy Sears was born 1867 and the letter from his grandfather (with questions penned by Cabot and answers penned by grandpa) citing Fred's full name and birth is dated 1870- makes for a pretty close source to his actual birth- I believe these types of "interview" letters were common in the late 1800s when so many New England genealogies were being developed. The trick is finding the manuscripts.
I wanted to share this family document of Fred Sears with the community. Location: Stowe, VT. Date: 1870 Original letter with transcription-
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