This photograph of Samuel Mears
hangs in the GAR hall in Beverly, Massachusetts
"Mr. Samuel Mears, a native and until recently with a few years a life long resident of Essex Falls and a veteran of the war of the rebellion, died at the home of his son, Henry C. at 8 Boyce Court, Lynn, Wednesday, Jan. 13th after a long illness, at the age of 80 years and 15 days. He leaves an aged widow, three sons, Henry C of Lynn, Israel G. of Wenham, S. Alonzo who lives at the homestead, and two daughters, Mrs. J. G. Allen and Mrs. Charles Kinsman, two sisters, Mrs. Martha Hovell and Mrs. George H. Story, about 20 grandchildren and a large circle of other relatives. Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church of this town Saturday afternoon. A delegation of the J. H. Chipman, Jr. post, GAR of Beverly, of which the deceased was a member was present and performed their burial service. A large number of friends and relatives was in attendence."
Samuel Mears was my 3x great grandfather. Samuel Mears, Junior, was listed as a shoemaker on his marriage certificate. In the 1865 Massachusetts State Census he is listed as age 42, born in Essex, Soldier. He served in the Civil War Unit: Co. A 39th M.V.I. Rank: Pvt. According to the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War. Samuel Mears was a private in the 39th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers from Essex, age 37, laborer enlisted 26 July 1862, mustered 18 August 1862, discharged for disabilities on 23 December 1863 at Washington, D. C. He was also a private in Co. "G" 13th Veteran Reserve Corps, from Essex, age 40, laborer, enlisted and mustered 30 July 1864 at Boston for 3 years, discharged on 21 November 1865. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Lodge in Beverly, John H. Chipman Post #89. He lived in Essex, Hamiton, and Lynn.
---------------------
Gen. 1. Alexander Mears, born about 1750 in England, and died on 3 April 1824 in Essex, Massachusetts; married on 22 April 1773 in Wenham, Massachusetts to Martha Poland, daughter of Daniel Poland and Sarah Bishop. Twelve Children. He was a private in Captain William Pearson's 3rd Company, stationed for service in Gloucester, Massachusetts for the defense of the coast during the Revolutionary War.
Gen. 2. Samuel Mears, born about 1798 in Essex, and died on 28 August 1879 in Essex; married on 29 March 1823 in Essex to Lydia W. Burnham, daughter of Asa Burnham and Polly Bray. Nine children. He is listed in the census records as a cordwainer or shoemaker.
Gen. 3. Samuel Mears, born 29 December 1823 in Essex, died 13 January 1904 at 8 Boyce Court, Lynn, Massachusetts; married first on 20 April 1844 in Essex to Sarah Ann Burnham, daughter of Henry Burnham and Sally Poland. They had five children, including my 2x great grandmother, Sarah Burnham Mears, born in 1844. He married second to Lydia Gray on 26 December 1848 at the Baptist Church in Wenham, Massachusetts and had another four children.
---------------------
Copyright 2010, Heather Wilkinson Rojo
.jpg)
