Notes

[NI2213] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 235

Albion H. Bicknell is an artist of wide reputation.
He received a public-school education and began the study of art in
1855 at the Lowell Institute, Boston;
he also studied in Paris under Thomas Conture and in Ecole des Beaux Arts, 1860-3;
opened a studio in Boston in 1864; painter of marine scenes,
flowers, still life, genre, landscape, cattle, portraits and historical
compositions; a full-length portrait of Abraham Lincoln hangs
in the State House, Boston, MA.;
his large painting of Lincoln at Gettysburg is in the Public Library at Maiden, MA.;
he also painted the large canvas of the "Battle of Lexington," etc.; he
is well known as an etcher and illustrator; he is a charter member
of the Aiston Club.

[NI2229] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 119

Noah was a faithful town officer of Hartford, Maine, for several years, and was well known as an upright citizen and an honest man.

From Phyllis Carroll's 1981 book page 175

Noah resided in Weymouth, MA., USA between 1807 and 1811 then moved to Abington, MA., and later to Hartford, ME., USA

[NI2234] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 237

Henry Sampson Bicknell writes as follows concerning his father:
"Our father, James Austin Bicknell, was born at Abington, MA.,
Nov.3, 1813; died at Brockton, MA., Jan.27, 1881
son of Noah Bicknell and Nancy (Brown).
The family migrated to Maine, where Noah engaged in the mason's trade.
James soon entered the retail merchant~business, and later on was publisher of 7'Iie Gospd Banner, a Universalist weekly. He afterward
served in both branches of the State government, and while in
the Senate he was the direct means of saving the seat of government
to Augusta, Me., by marshaling enough absent members
during an attempt to vote on removing the capital to Portland,Me.
He was appointed Postmaster of Augusta in 1861 by Abraham Lincoln,
and held that position nine years. He was an intimate friend and co-worker with James G. Blaine in the early days
of the Republican party, and furnished the capital whereby Mr.
Blaine acquired an interest in The Kennebec Jonmal. This was
the vital start of his (Blaine's) great career.

James A. Bicknell was widely known throughout the State as one of its notable citizens of those stirring times."

[NI2239] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 237

Frank took his father's commission as Postmaster of Augusta, Maine, signed by Abraham Lincoln and William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

Frank Alfed, Landscape painter, studied under Albion H Bicknell, of Malden, Massachusetts, afterwards at the Academie Julian, Paris, France, under Bouguereau, Robert Tony Fleury, Gabriel Ferrier, Alfred Bramlot, and others.
Liven seven years abroad, travelling extensively over Europe and in Egypt and Japan.
Member of the American Art Association of Paris, france,
Society of American Scuplptors, Salmagundi Club (N.Y.),
Chicago Water Color Club, McDowell Club (N.Y.), and
honorary life member of the Lotus Club (N.Y.), also of
the National Arts Club (N. Y.), with the National Arts Club medal.
Represented by works in the National Gallery (Washington, D. C.),
the Montclair Museum (N. J.), and in the permanent collections
of the National Arts Club, the Lotos Club,
Boston Art Club and in the private collections of Win. T. Evans,
Esq., Edward Holbrook, Esq.; H. G. Tobey, Esq.; Mrs. C. L.
Frink, Mrs. N. M. Pond, A. J. Secor, Woodrow Wilson and others.
He belongs to what is known as the Artist's Colony of
Old Lynne, Conn., and makes his headquarters there from April
until November, with the months of July and August on the
Maine Coast.
Mr. Bicknell has been elected an Associate of the National
Academy, and bears the title A. N. A.

[NI2244] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 237, 238 and 239

"A farmer is a king; his crops grow while lie sleeps," which
would indicate that work was not especially congenial to him.

From his mother, Nancy Brown (of Abington, I think), Alfred
must have inhented his indomitable and never-ending capacity
for work, if not of one kind, then of another. When freed from
the day's or week's routine work, his way of finding rest was to
engage in doing some of the many things in the home, which
otherwise would have made necessary the services of artisans of
all kinds.

At the age of twelve his family moved from Hartford to
Augusta, Me., where he found occupation, sometimes with his
brother, James (afterward Postmaster of Augusta under Lincoln),
or with townsmen, engaging in his "trade," as he proudly
spoke of his carpentering and mason work. School teaching also
formed a part of his occupation.
In November 1847, he married Sarah Jane Pillsbury,
daughter of a neighbor, the two families,
one of nine and the other of ten children, always having lived
most amicably and affectionately side by side for years.

With the outbreak of the "gold fever," he was among those
to sail in 1849 on the "good ship Sweden" around the Horn, and
of that experience, from which he came back poorer and perhaps
wiser, he always had some cheerful reminiscence to relate, in his
later years becoming identified with the Society of Forty-Niners.

A two years' absence, during which time his wife and baby daughter
stayed at Grandma Bicknell's, was followed by return, and
then their removal to Massachusetts, employment having been
found and a home made a few miles to the north of Boston.
With the Joseph F. Paul woodworking concern lie was identified
many years as confidential man and head bookkeeper. A few
years before the Boston fire he became part of the inspecting force
of the Mechanics' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, that position
being wiped out, with the company, through the losses sustained,
but mostly paid, without recourse to failure.

A brief period was then spent in Vermont, managing marble
quarries near Rutland, but here again no success attended him,
and on returning to Boston he was asked to head the revived
Mechanics' Insurance Company. Never to his liking, the managing
of finances, he realized his inability to "make good" where
dividend paying was concerned, and relinquished the office of
President with relief.

Then followed about five years in insurance business in partnership
with John H. Robinson.
Removing to Malden in 1869, in order to have suitable schools
for the children (four of them then living), he took an active
part in all affairs of the Universalist Church, and was elected
Sunday-school superintendent.

Later in life, when living at Melrose, MA.,
he and his wife became members of the Universalist
Society there. His belief was to put in practice all Scriptural
injunctions to further the spread of the "Golden Rule," and, so
far as lay in his power, he gave of his time and means, often with
little gratitude in return.

As a young man his education had been limited to the country
schools of that date, and his ambition that his children should
have every opportunity for benefit in that direction knew no limit.
But he believed that a good, technical education was of vastly
more importance than an extended course in branches which furnished
theoretical rather than practical knowledge.
Of a nature that found pleasure and expression in hymns and
choruses, he laid stress on that part of church worship, having as
a young man sung in the church choir, and in middle life taught
himself to play that form of music on the piano.
Having been a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic
Association for a number of years, he was elected to the
office of Secretary in 1886 or 1887, which position lie faithfully
filled and held until his death on the first day of February, 1903.

Faithful performance of duty was a source of pride with him,
preferring to know that work was "well done," even if at an
expense of personal comfort; his reluctance to take vacations till
so very late in his business career that such benefit as he might
have had came too late.

Of strong feeling on all subjects, he was an earnest Republican
until the Campaign when Horace Greeley becanne the Independent
candidate, and at that time be took a stand and combatted
adverse opinions of friends by voting independently.

Always reading with a view of improvement rather than
merely for amusement, lie of late years seriously undertook the
study of astronomy, spending all favorable evenings with his
wellmounted glass, where he could observe, if not chronicle, the movements
of the planets and the myriads of stars, the mathematics
of astronomy having deepest interest for him.

During the year in which he superintended the marble works
near Rutland, the men employed, in testimonial of their esteem,
cut for him the stone and monument for a burial lot in Wyoming,
MA., which he always seemed to regard as a second home, giving
much personal time to its care. There he was laid to rest, following
the services in Russell Hall, at the Mechanics' Building,
Huntington Avenue, his associates asking that he be buried from
the room where he had faithfully worked for so many years, the
family yielding their personal preference, with the belief that was
as he would have wished it.

MAUDE MARGARET BICKNELL.
The above truthful and beautiful tribute to Alfred Bicknell
was written by his devoted daughter, at the request of the editor.

All who knew him well will heartily agree with us in placing
Alfred Bicknell, as an upright citizen, a true man and a sincere
Christian, in the front rank of our noble family. He was loyal to
all the best Bicknell traditions and ideals. He loved the family,
because he believed it to be a race of good men and pure and
noble women. From the formation of the Family Association in
1879 till the hour of his death he was a member of the Executive
Committee and Corresponding Secretary, and to him is due in
unusual measure the success of all our family undertakings.

He rejoiced in all our joys and shared in all our sorrows. All can
indorse the sentiment of his daughter, who writes
"His largehearted unselfishness in the giving of his time,
his money and his best efforts, often where they were not appreciated, was a factor,
I believe, in bringing to a close a life which had its maitisprings
in the very best and most generous motives."

In the course of a long and active life, among many men, in
all walks, the editor can sincerely say that Alfred Bicknell
stands among the foremost for unselfish generosity, for constant and
cheerful activity, and for constant obedience to the high ideals
of a refined and spiritual nature.

He had a poet's sensitive nature and his many verses have
made our family gatherings a literary feast. At our Family Re-
union of 1882, at Weymouth, MA., the following hymn was
sung, composed by Mr. Bicknell:
HYMN.

"0 Thou, of all the race the sire,
Whose hand has set the stars of heaven;
Thyself their all-sustaining fire;
Thy bounty every good has given.

"We praise Thee that in days of old
Our fathers to these shores were brought;
For all Thy blessings, manifold,
For all Thy words with wisdom fraught.

"For power to serve Thee, by our deeds
Of mercy unto others shown;
For thankful hearts that all our needs
Turn for relief to Thee alone.

"For these or grateful thanks we give
To Thee our fervent prayers ascend;
In Thy blest favor may we live,
Thy laws obey, Thy courts attend.

"In this our 'Pilgrim Father's home
Once more our band fraternal meet;
To this our 'Mecca' do we come
With happy hearts and willing feet.

"And when at last these scenes of cheer
To us here gathered cease to be;
May we in heaven's celestial sphere
Find our united family."

[NI2247] [Usa.ftw]

From notes supplied by Dan Little

I am told that Grace was institutionalized in a Boston hospital and died there, date unknown. Albert owned the original Franklin Press on Atlantic Avenue in Boston. He later owned The Hamilton House Hotel on an island off Portland, Maine. He lived in Hull, part of Quincy, Mass. during the summers.

[NI2273] Had a live in servent by the name of Paine age 36, black female, born abt 1834 in TN. Per 1870 census

[NI2291] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 121

Alvah was killed in the second battle of Bull Run

[NI2313] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 121

There is record of an earlier marriage in the Roxbury records, (int May 22, 1825) Charles Bicknell, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Katherine P Haskell, of Boston.

[NI2328] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 57 and 58

Otis Bicknell removed to Dalton, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, in 1791, and died there Oct 19, 1830.
He was opposed to war and slavery.
His five sons were all ultra temperance and abolitionists.
His son James, raised the first barn in Berkshire County that was raised without rum.
he was agent of the Northwestern Freedman's Aid Commision during the Civil War, and later a missionary of the American Sunday-school Union.
He spent his later years at Cedar Springs, Mitchigan

[NI2334] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book page 130, 131 and 132

James lived at Cedar Springs, Kent County, Mich. (1180).
C. C. Bicknell, writing as to his father, Jan. 5, 1882, said:
"My father has just returned from Peterson, N. W., Iowa,
although he will be eighty-two in a few days. He recently attended
a Sunday-school Convention where there were a large
number of clergymen present, yet it was said: `The grand old
man (James Bicknell) made the best speech of all.' "

The following is a brief sketch of Mr. Bicknell's life, written by himself:

"To the kindred and friends who so kindly remembered my
ninetieth birthday I dedicate this chapter of my life. I was born
in Dalton, Berkshire County, Feb. 22, 18oo, being the son of Otis
the sixth, from Zachariah Bicknell, who with his wife (Mollie
Stoddard) moved from Abington in the year 1791 and settled on
the farm where I was born and raised.
My sisters were Dolly, Polly and Hannah; my brothers, Leonard,
Humphrey, Ephraim, Loren and Hervey.
My father was a mason by trade, and as I was the oldest living
son, did not go to school nor associate with other children.
My parents were Christians and early taught me the
Westminster Catechism and to read the blessed Bible.
Our books were few, but good, such as Dr. Watts' psalms and
hymns, Pilgrim's Progress, Baxter's Saints' Rest, and a few other
religious books, with which I was very familiar, as I loved to read.
My little brother, older, died when I was two years old, which
early impression made me afraid of death, and I wished I was
a Christian.
When I was nine years old an older boy came to
work for my father and talked to me about my soul. Said `God
sees us,' which I knew, but now I realized it; could not eat nor
sleep much for two days; then the Lord Jesus came one night
and sat beside my bed, and repeated the hymn beginning, `Glory
to God, Who Walks the Skies.' I arose and went about repeating
the first six verses, feeling that everything was praising God;
was very happy. attended all the meetings.
I did not go forward in baptism until I was eighteen, when I united
with the Baptist Church of Hinsdale, MA.
I was baptized by Elder Jackson,
who preached for that church thirty years and baptized most of
our relatives, my daughter, Lucy A. Oldfield, being the last and
her grandfather, Chester Cady, the first.

"My mother's father was killed in the Revolutionary War in
the battle of Bunker Hill, in sight of his own house.
My father's brothers, Luke and Humphrey, were in the war, and
father used to tell us about their coming home with their uniforms
on, and all kneeling down to pray before they started off.
I have always been opposed to all war and afraid of guns.

"My father was a strong advocate of peace and opposed to
slavery. I could not feel that human beings were made to be
slaves. I was one of three in the town where I lived to vote the
first Liberty ticket.

"After my grandfather Stoddard's death, my grandmother
married a drinking man and the large farm near Bunker Hill all
went for rum, and so did two large farms adjoining my father's
place. These facts, with the heartrending tales of want, suffering
and premature death, combined to make a prohibitionist of me.
And so, with much opposition, I raised the first barn in
Berkshire County without rum.

"My ideas seemed to be in advance of public sentiment, but
it is a satisfaction to live to see truth gaining ground. Thanks
to Him who giveth the victory. JAMES BICKNELL."

NINETIETH BIRTHDAY, FEB. 22, 1890.

The children of James sent invitations to the members of the
Bicknell family and his friends in the `West to attend the celebration
of his ninetieth birthday. and the President of the Bicknell
Family Association sent the following:

"Nothing of a family nature would give me more real pleasure
than to be present and to join in the hearty congratulations of
such an occasion. In lieu of such a privilege we must reach out
the long hands of correspondence and shake through Uncle Sam's
long arm of postal service.

"Here, then, is the royal salutation of the whole Bicknell
family, as represented by the President of the Family Association,
to the honored and venerable brother, cousin and friend in Michigan.
We who love the salt sea, love also the dwellers by the
great lakes, who have gone out from us, and are still of us by
ties of blood and love.

"We are glad that Michigan perpetuates the Yankee characteristics
-industry, frugality, temperance, righteous living,
hatred of shams, friends of reform and true progress. These are some
of the characteristics of the Bicknells of to-day. May the name
and the qualities never perish from the earth.

"To our venerable brother, James, we send our wishes for
long life and the ability to serve other generations than his own.

`Serus in caIum redeas' (May you live long), was the old Latin
wish, and it is ours for the grand man whom, not having seen,
we love. In behalf of the Bicknell family, I am most truly yours,
"THOMAS W. BICKNELL,
"President Bicknell Family Association. Boston Massachusetts"

[NI2365] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy page 123

Loring's daughter, Maria wrote of her father;
"My father, Loring, united with the Baptist Church in Hinsdale, Massachusetts, when he was seventeen, and was an earnest Christian worker.
All his brothers united in their youth.

[NI2371] [Usa.ftw]

From T.W. Bicknell's 1913 genealogy book pages 122 and 123

Joseph graduated at Bangor, ME., USA, Theological Seminary in 1877;
Was ordinated as a Congregational minister at Searsport, Maine, Aug 29 1877.
Was a Congregational minister at Orion, Mitchigan, USA In 1880.

[NI2400] [Usa.ftw]

From Phyllis Bicknell Carroll's 1981 book page 34

Natalie is MSW, PhD.
Specialist in gerontology & assoc. prof. of social work at Ohio Northern Univ, Ada, OH., (1977).
Living in Jenosin, MI., 1981

[NI2420] [Usa.ftw]

In Wilkes Co., NC Will Book 4 there is the following Inventory of the Estate
of Samuel Becknall, deceased:

"To 315 acres of land, 6 slaves, 3 horse beasts,
nine head of cattle, 20 head of sheep, 25 head of small hogs, a crop of corn,
three stacks of rye, a small quantity of flax, a small quantity of cotten, a
quantity of wool, 4 beds & furniture, 4 bed steads, 2 chests, 1 table, 1 small
trunk, 1 cupboard & furniture, a parcel of books, one slate, 1 candlestick, 5
pewter basons, 2 pewter dishes, 10 pewter plates, 5 knives & forks, 4 bottles,
one small looking glass, 5 pots, 3 dutch ovens, 1 skillet, 2 wheels, 3 pair of
cards, 1 shoebox & tools, one grind stone, 1 Auger, 2 chisels, 2 water pails,
1 piggin, one loom & tackline, 1 clock reel, 4 slays, 5 plows, 5 hoes, one
Mattock, 1 pr steelyards, 2 axes, 2 pair iron gears, 2 cleavisees, 1 double
trees, 5 stand tubs, 6 chairs, 1 warping mill, 1 flat iron, 1 hackle, 2 reap
hooks, 1 cag (keg), 2 saddles, 1 gimlet, 1 beef hide, 1 ladle, 1 fleshfork, 1
skimmer, 1 pepper box, 2 tin pans, 2 tin buckets, 4 small tubs....

Elizabeth (X) Becknall, executrix.
Teste, R. Martin, Clk."

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