Edwin M. Currier (1822 - 1894)

Born 2 Jul 1822 in Amesbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Ruth B Nutter — married 25 Jan 1846 in Amesbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States

Husband of Sarah Ann (Haines) Currier — married 2 Oct 1857 in Logansport, Cass, Indiana, United States

Descendants

Died 28 Nov 1894 at age 72 in Loveland, Larimer, Colorado, United States

Biography

Edwin was born in 1823. He passed away in 1894.

Frederick R. Boyle C.G. 16 Joy Street Springvale, Maine 04083 (207) 324-4360 Certified Genealogist December 31, 1991 THE IDENTITY OF EDWIN M. CURRIER

Edwin M. Currier, b. Amesbury, MA 2 July 1823, son of Moses and Mary E. (Bartlett) Currier is shown in 1850 in his mother-in-law's Amesbury home, with his wife Ruth B. (Nutter) Currier and his son, Philip Osgood Currier. He had married Ruth B. Nutter, b. ca 1823 (Marriage Record), daughter of Nathan and Ruth (Bagley) Nutter at Amesbury 25 Jan 1846 (VR, p. 436).

1855 Massachusetts State Census, Amesbury, 7 Aug 1855 285:340 Edwin M. Currier, 32, shoemaker, b. MA Ruth B. Currier, 32, b. MA Philip O. Currier, 8, b. MA Alfred A. Hawley, 20, hatter, b. CT

Prior to 22 Feb 1856 Edwin had acquired land in Amesbury from William Tukesbury. On the above date, the property was re-possessed (Essex Co. Deed 526:120), and on 9 Mar 1859 Ruth B. Currier "of Amesbury" quit-claimed herright to the property to Tukesbury (Tuxbury) for $75.00. No mention of Edwin M. Currier's name is on the deed. Neither is Ruth identified as "widow."

My conclusion is that Edwin M. Currier of Amesbury abandoned his family in Amesbury and went west. We have a time frame for the move. It would have definitely been after 7 Aug 1855 when he was enumerated in Amesbury for the state census. There is a possibility that he may have also left before 22 Feb 1856 when his property was repossessed, or perhaps shortly after the re-possession date. This is all in the proper time framework for him to have relocated to Indiana and re-marry in 1857.

Upon the death of Moses Currier, Edwin's father, Moses’s estate was administered by his widow, Mary E. Currier, 28 Aug 1867. The probate records further indicate that Moses Currier was a silver plate worker or silversmith and that he died 11May 1867. One of the probate papers, 16 July 1867, provides a list of the "next of kin" with their residences. It is quite noteworthy that Edwin M. Currier, "a son," is shown in the first position of the next of kin. However, the record shows him "formerly of Amesbury, residence now unknown." This same sheet is signed by Ruth B. Currier, although her name does not appear on the document as next of kin.

By 21 Feb 1871 Calvin E. Currier, a brother of Edwin's, assumed administration of the estate upon the death of his mother. By this time Edwin M. Currier is no longer named as next of kin. However, his son, Philip Currier, "a grandchild," is named. Following this the Moses Currier property was sold at public auction. There is no listing of the distribution from the estate included in the papers.

Essex Co. deeds continue to chronicle Ruth B. as late as 11 May 1898 when she was finally was listed as "Ruth B. Currier of Amesbury, widow." At the time she conveyed one-half of a dwelling to Abbie M. Murphy of Amesbury, wife of Daniel D. Murphy. The deed was witnessed by Philip 0. and Mary T. Currier, her son and daughter-in-law.

Ruth B. Currier, d. Amesbury 18 Sept 1898, aged 75 yrs., 6 mos., 3 dys., (MA VR 481:388). According to her death record she was classified "widow." However, it is noteworthy that Ruth, for legal purposes, did not call herself "widow" until after Edwin's death. One can only surmise, given the Victorian mores of the times, that Ruth Currier, after being abandoned and apparently never divorced, chose to consider herself a widow, particularly after Edwin's death in 1894. The obituaries, unfortunately, give no detailed family information.

Amesbury Daily News 20 Sept 1898: (p. 2) The funeral service of Mrs. Ruth Currier takes place this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from her home on Merrimac Street. 21 Sept 1898: (p. 5) The funeral of Mrs. Ruth B. Currier took place from her son's home on Merrimac Street Tuesday afternoon. Rev. G. W. Christie conducted the services. The floral offerings and remembrances of affection for the deceased were many and beautiful.

In summary, given the similarity of dates of birth* and the fact that the known Edwin M. Currier of Amesbury had left that town by at least Feb 1856 the preponderance of the evidence supports the conclusion that Currier left Massachusetts for Indiana, where he re-married in 1857. No divorce record was found at the Essex Co. Probate Court.

• Edwin M. Currier’s official Massachusetts date of birth is July 2, 1823, while his headstone in Colorado says July 2, 1822.

Unsourced family tree handed down to Doug Shannon.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41831505

"Edwin M Currier Osborn Matching Person details Spouse: Sarah Anna Haines Father: Mother: Children: given name Birth: date/date/1823 Massachusetts USA Death: date/date/year city Larimer Colorado USA Residence: date Jefferson Colorado USA

1880 United States Federal Census 1880S View Image Record information. Name Edwin M. Currier Birth Abt 1824 Massachusetts Residence 1880 city Larimer Colorado USA AGE: 56 BIRTH DATE: Abt 1824 SPOUSE'S NAME: Sarah A. Currier

Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 BIRTH, BAPTISM & CHRISTENING View Image Record information. Name Edwin M Currier Spouse Ruth B Nutter (?) Mother Mary E Currier Father Moses Currier Birth abt year Marriage city Massachusetts dd/mm/year Vital dd/mm/year city Massachusetts SPOUSE NAME: Ruth B Nutter

Massachusetts, Mason Membership Cards, 1733-1990 SOCIETY & EMPLOYMENT DIRECTORIES View Image Record information. Name Edwin M Currier Birth city Massachusetts USA dd/mm/year

Massachusetts, State Census, 1855 1800S (CENTURY) View Image Record information. Name Edwin M Currier Birth abt 1823 Massachusetts Residence city Essex BIRTH YEAR: 1823 ENUMERATION YEAR: 1855 AGE: 32

U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865 DRAFT, ENLISTMENT AND SERVICE View Image Record information. Name Edwin Currier Birth Massachusetts abt 1821 Residence 01/07/1863 Newburyport Massachusetts BIRTH YEAR: 1821 PLACE OF BIRTH: Massachusetts AGE ON 1 JULY 1863: 42 RACE: White RESIDENCE: Newburyport Massachusetts CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 5th CLASS: 2."

• Ancestry.com link