George Judson Hoyt (1849 - 1888)

Born 29 Aug 1849 in Prince William Parish, York County, New Brunswick, Canada.

Ancestors

Husband of Annie Eliza (Courser) Hoyt — married 13 Oct 1872 in York, New Brunswick, Canada

Descendants

Died 11 Nov 1888 at age 39 in Prince William Parish, York County, New Brunswick, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Shelly Madore [send private message]

Biography

George was born in 1849. He was the son of Philip Hoyt. George was often known by his middle name Judson. The story of his death as revealed in four separate newspaper accounts is poignant enough to be retold in this profile. Judson was a farmer who married Annie Courser in November 1872; (*) "m. Prince William (York Co.) 30th ult., by Rev. T. W. Saunders, at residence of bride's father, Mr. Judson Hoyt (Sunbury Co.)/ Annie Courser d/o John B. Courser of Prince William."

Judson and Annie had four children and the story begins in November 1888: (**) "A sad story comes from Dumfries Parish (York Co.). It appears that Judson Hoyt, a young farmer became despondent because of the continued wet weather. His belief was that the hay crop would be so short that his cattle would starve. He could see nothing but misery for his family and was heard to say 'the river will end all this'. His father and wife kept watch upon him, but on Sunday night, both being asleep for a time, the young man escaped from the house, having nothing but his night clothes and socks. Searching parties were organized but he could not be found. One of his socks has been seen near the river and this gives rise to the belief that he has committed suicide. At last accounts his body has not been recovered but the river is being dragged."

A report in the Fredericton Evening Capital newspaper, dated Jan 5, 1889 mentions a letter written by Judson Hoyt's father Philip Hoyt saying his son had left the house Nov 11, 1888 and that a man found dead near Brownsville, Maine might be his son. This proved to be incorrect but it shows the family was still searching, still grieving.

They found a man in the river in July 1889: (***) "Some men who were fishing Tuesday in the river in the vicinity of Bear Island (York Co.) brought to the surface the body of a man in an advanced state of composition which is supposed to be that of Judson Hoyt whose sad suicide was noted nearly a year ago."

Closure: (****) "The family of late Judson Hoyt of Prince William (York Co.) claimed the body found in Weaver Brook, Keswick last week as their long lost son and brother. The features were unrecognizable but one foot was covered with a sock. The other was left on the beach where the young man took the cruel river last fall."

Sources

• Written on headstone in the Prince WIlliam Community Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127272788/george-judson-hoyt

• Daniel F. Johnson's New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics, Nov 4, 1872, Fredericton, Colonial Farmer (*)
• Daniel F. Johnson's New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics, Nov 16, 1888, Saint John, The Daily Telegraph (**)
• Daniel F. Johnson's New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics, July 6, 1889, Fredericton, The Fredericton Evening Capital (***)
• Daniel F. Johnson's New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics, July 27, 1889, Fredericton, The New Brunswick Reporter and Fredericton Advertiser (****)