[Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of posts about the DeCoster family of Maine and Massachusetts. Eventually all the separate biographical sketches will be combined into one family lineage and published in book form.]
Jacob4 DeCoster (Jacob3-2, Isaac1) born 27 May 1774, likely Plymouth, Massachusetts;[1] died 29 July 1842, Hebron, Oxford County, Maine.[2] He married at Hebron, 20 December 1801, Susanna Row(e).[3] She was born in 1777;[4] died 15 January 1841, Hebron.[5]
In July 1814, when the British attacked Fort Sullivan at the eastern end of Maine’s coast, the citizens of Maine were propelled into the War of 1812. As the summer progressed, the British advanced down the coastline. Portland was considered to be the next target by September, and thousands of militiamen rallied to defend Portland. Jacob, with his brothers Samuel and Rogers, served in Capt. Isaac Bearce’s Company, Lieut. Col. Cyrus Clark’s 3rd Regiment Massachusetts. They mustered at Hebron and served at Portland from September 13-24, 1814.[6]
Jacob resided, most likely, in Hebron in 1810.[7] By 1820, Jacob ruled over a household of nine members. The household included: two males under ten; three males aged ten to fifteen; one male over forty-five; one female under ten; one female aged sixteen to twenty-five; and one female aged twenty-six to forty-four years of age.[8]
In 1822, Jacob mortgaged a tract of land to the Hebron Academy.[9]
Know all men by these presents, that I Jacob Decoster Junr of Hebron in the County of Oxford and State of Maine Yeoman–in consideration of the sum of one hundred and two dollars paid by the Trustees of Hebron Academy in the County of Oxford–the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge–do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey, unto the said Trustees or their successors or assigns forever, a certain tract of land situated in said Hebron being a part of number four in the fourth range in the first division of lots in said town bounded as follows it being the land I bought of William Fogg beginning at the east corner of [?] and Benjm Rowe’s land and adjoining E. Bearce’s Land, thence north forty five degrees east to Zac Rows land thence North forty five west on said Rows land thirty rods, thence south forty five degrees west to Simon and Benjm Rows land, thence South forty five degrees to the bounds first mentioned thirty rods.
To have and to hold the aforegranted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof, to the said Trustees their successors or assigns to their use and behoof forever, And I do covenant with the said Trustees or assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Trustees to hold as aforesaid. And the I will warrant and defend the same to the said Trustees their Successors or assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
Provided Nevertheless, that if the said Jacob Decoster, Jr his heir, executors or administrators pay to the said Trustees their Successors or assigns the sum of one hundred and ten dollars and interest annually, interest to begin the first day of next June and to be paid in three years from the first day of June next then this deed as also one certain note for the above sum bearing were state with these presents given by the said Jacob Decoster Jr to the said Trustees to pay the sum and interest at the time aforesaid shall both be void otherwise shall remain in full force—
In witness whereof I the said Jacob Decoster Junr have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty two
Signed, sealed and Delivered
In the presence of us,
Caleb S. Barrows– Jacob Decoster Junr [Seal]
Rebekah Barrows–
Oxford ss. December 10, 1822 personally appeared the above named Jacob Decoster Jr and acknowledged this instrument by his [?] to be his free act and Deed. Before me Stephen Myrick Justice of the Peace—
Oxford , ss.–Received April 26th 1824, and recorded from the original, pr.
Alanson Miller—Register.
Jacob’s family expanded to ten members by 1830. The household contained: two males aged five to nine; two males aged fifteen to nineteen; two males aged twenty to twenty-nine; one male between forty and fifty; one female ten to fourteen; one female aged twenty to twenty-nine; and one female aged fifty through fifty-nine.[10]
In 1836, Jacob sold land to Nathan D. Bearce.
Know all men by these presents, that I Jacob Decoster of Hebron in the County of Oxford and State of Maine in consideration of the sum of one hundred and ten dollars paid by Nathan D. Bearce of Hebron in the county and State aforesaid the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto the said Nathan D. Bearce his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract of land situated in said Hebron, being a part of lot number four in the fourth range and first division of lots in said town, being the land that I purchased of William Fogg, beginning at the East corner of Dimmick D. Rows land and joining Charles Bearce Jr land, thence North forty five degrees East to Zacheus Rows land, thence North forty five degrees west on said Row’s land thirty rods, thence South forty give degrees West to Dimmick D. Rows land, thence South forty five degrees East thirty rods to the bounds first mentioned.
To have and to hold, the aforegranted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof, to the said Nathan D. Bearce his heirs and assigns, to his and their use and behoof forever.
And I do covenant with the said heirs and assigns that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Nathan D. Bearce to hold as aforesaid; and that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Nathan D. Bearce his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
In witness whereof I the said Jacob Decoster and Susannah wife of said Jacob hereby relinquishing her right of Dower—have hereunto set our hands and seals this the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six
Signed, sealed and delivered
In presence of
Willaim Sewell Jr Jacob Decoster [seal]
Susannah Decoster [seal]
Cumberland ss.—June 2d 1838 Personally appeared the above named Jacob Decoster and acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed.—Before me,
William Sewell Jr—Justice of the Peace.
Oxford ss.—Received May 25, 1842 at 1 o’clock PM and recorded from the original.
By Alanson Mellen Register
Jacob sold eighty acres of land to his son Asa in 1838.[11]
Know all men by these presents, that I Jacob Decoster of Hebron in the County of Oxford, State of Maine, Yeoman.—in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars paid by Asa Decoster of Augusta in the County of Kennebec Innholder the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Asa his heirs and assigns forever one lot of land lying in Hebron aforesaid, being part of the lot No six in the fifth range and first Division of lots in said Hebron bounded as follow. Viz, beginning at the South corner of said lot, thence running on the Southeasterly end line of said lot one hundred and thirty six rods to the Northeasterly side of the town road, running through said lot to a stake and stones, thence twenty three rods by said [?] to a stake and stone, thence running parallel with said line twelve roads to a stake and stone, thence Southeast parallel with the end line of said lot twenty seven roads to the Southeast side line of said lot to a stake & stones, thence one hundred and thirty six roads to the bounds first mentioned containing eighty acres more or less.
To have and to hold the aforegranted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof, to the said Asa his heis and assigns, to him & their use and behoff forever.
And I do covenant with the said Asa his heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Asa to hold as aforesaid; and that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Asa his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
In testimony whereof We the said Jacob & Susanna wife of said Jacob in token of relinquishing her right of dower have hereunto set our hands and seals this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
Signed, sealed and delivered
In presence of
Solomon Decoster Jacob Decoster [seal]
Susannah [her X mark] [seal]
Oxford ss.–June 8th 1838 – Personally appeared Jacob Decoster above named and acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed.–Before me,
Joseph G. Cole–Justice of the Peace.
Oxford ss.–Received June 8th 1838 and recorded from the original.
Register.
On the same day, Jacob and his son George sold an additional lot of land to Asa.[12]
Know all men by these presents, that we Jacob Decoster of Hebron and George Decoster of Canton in the County of Oxford State of Maine Yeoman—in consideration of the sume of one hundred dollars paid by Asa Decoster of Augusta in the County of Kennebec Innholder—the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Asa his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece or parcel of land lying in Hebron aforesaid being part of lot No four in the sixth range of first Division of lots in said town, beginning at a stake and stones at the Southwest corner of land which have bargained to Isaac Ward and joining land of Adam Richardson line twenty rods to a stake and stones, thence Northwesterly forty rods on a line parallel with the line of William Cobb Junr land to a stake and stones standing on the bank of the river, thence Northeasterly twenty rods to a stake and stones at theNorthwest corner of Isaac Wood’s land, thence on the line of said Wood’s land forty rods to the bounds first mentioned, containing five acres more of less.
To have and to hold the aforegranted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof, to the said Asa his heirs and assigns, to him & their use and behoof forever.
And we do covenant with the said Asa his heirs and assigns, that we are lawfully seized in fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that we have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Asa to hold as aforesaid; and that we will warrant and defend the same to the said Asa his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
In testimony whereof we the said Jacob and Susanna wife of said Jacob & George and Harriet wife of said George in token of relinquishment of right of dower of the said Susanna & Harriet have hereunto set our hands and seals this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Signed, sealed and delivered
In presence of
Solomon Decoster Jacob Decoster [seal]
Parnel Irish Susannah [her mark] [seal]
George Decoster [seal]
Harriet Decoster [seal]
Kennebec ss.—June 9th 1838—Personally appeared George Decoster and acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed.—Before me,
Seth May—Justice of the Peace,
Oxford ss.—Received June 16th 1838 and recorded from the original,
By Alanson Mellen
A few months later, Asa sold his father’s farm to his brother Jacob.[13] Then, Jacob leased the farm back to his parents for the remainder of their lives.[14]
Know all men by these presents, that I Asa Decoster of Augusta in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine–in consideration of the sum of Seven hundred dollars paid by Jacob Decoster Junr of Charlestown in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto the said Jacob Decoster Junr his heirs and assigns forever two certain pieces of land lying in Hebron in the County of Oxford, State of Maine being the same now occupied by Jacob Decoster Senr consisting of what was his farm & a piece formerly belonging to David Bicknell’s farm, being the same land that was conveyed to said Asa by Jacob Decoster & George Decoster by their dead staed June 7th, 1838. Recorded in Book 54 page 250 & Jacob Decoster by his deed of the same state recorded in Book 54 page 214 to which deed reference is made for further description—
To have and to hold the aforegranted and bargained premises, with all the privileges and appurtances thereof to the said Jacob Decoster Jr Junr his heirs and assigns, to their use and behoof forever.
And I do covenant with the said Jacob Decoster Jr his heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances’ that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Jacob Jr to hold as aforesaid; and that I and my heirs shall and will warrant and defend the same to the said Jacob Decoster Jr his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.
In witness whereof I the said Asa Decoster have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Signed, sealed and delivered
In presence of
Saml F. Brown Asa Decoster [seal]
Nathan Warner
Oxford ss.—September 18th 1838 Personally appeared the above named Asa Decoster and acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed.—Before me,
Samuel F. Brown—Justice of the Peace.
Oxford ss.—Received February 6th 1840 and recorded from the original.
By Alanson Mellen Register.
Know all men by these presents that I Jacob Decoster Junr of Charleston in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in consideration of two hundred dollars paid me by Jacob Decoster of Hebron in the County of Oxford & State of Maine, yeoman, which I hereby acknowledge to have received do hereby let and lease to said Jacob the land, being the farm on which he now lives situated in said Hebron & the same that Asa Decoster has this day conveyed to me by his deed of this date to said the said Jacob & his wife Susannah.
To Have and to Hold to the said Jacob & Susannah his wife for and during their natural lives.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty eight.
Witness Saml F. Brown Jacob Decoster Jr. [seal]
Oxford ss. Sept. 18, 1838. Then the above named Jacob Decoster Jr. acknowledged the foregoing to be his free act and deeds. Before me Saml F. Brown Justice of the Peace
Oxford ss. Recd Feby 6 1840 and recorded from the original pr.
Alanson Mellen—Reg.
Jacob lived out the rest of his days, presumably on his farm in Hebron. Enumerated in 1840, still in Hebron, Jacob’s smaller household abutted his son Jacob Junior’s with two males fifteen to nineteen years of age; one male aged sixty to sixty-nine; one female aged ten to fourteen; and one female aged sixty to sixty-nine.[15]
Susannah died on January 15, 1841. Jacob survived her by a year and a half, dying on July 29, 1842. They were buried in West Minot, at the Riverside Cemetery.[16]
Known children (born Hebron, Maine) of Jacob4 DeCoster and Susanna Rowe were as follows:
13. i. PARNEL5 DECOSTER, b. 14 November 1802; m. David Bicknell and Orrin Irish; d. 1886.
14. ii. GEORGE DECOSTER, b. 28 October 1804; m. Harriet Bicknell; d. 21 October 1879, Canton, Maine.
15. iii. SOLOMON DECOSTER, b. 17 January 1806; m. Cynthia Dunham; d. 2 September 1889, West Minot, Maine.
16. iv. HOWARD DECOSTER, b. 19 October 1808; m. Mary Ann Buck; d. 17 August 1881, Buckfield, Maine.
17. v. JACOB DECOSTER, b. 6 July 1811; m. Selina Record; d. 1889.
18. vi. ASA DECOSTER, b. 13 August 1813; m. Martha Fullerton; d. between 1880-1900, likely New York.
19. vii. FEAR DECOSTER, b. 5 June 1816; d. before 9 September 1818.
20. viii. FEAR DECOSTER, b. 9 September 1818; m. Samuel Bicknell and Charles H. Goss; d. 14 June 1879, Paris, Maine.
21. ix. FEARING DECOSTER, b. 18 October 1820; m. Silence Packard and Joanna Conner; d. 9 February 1897, Brockton, Massachusetts.
22. x. EPHRAIM DECOSTER, b. 20 November 1822; m. Lydia (Lilly) Heath; d. 6 June 1890, Boston, Massachusetts.
©2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/11/19/jacob-decoster-jr-of-hebron-maine/
[1] Hebron Town and Vital Records, 1786-1893 [FHL microfilm 0,011,030/ FHL digital film 004,255,378], image 23/597; citing Hebron Town Record, 1700-1800, 13 [item 1]. While all the children of Jacob and Priscilla DeCoster are recorded in the town of Hebron, it is likely that the family was still living in Plymouth or Bridgewater, Massachusetts, when the children were born.
[2] Hebron Town and Vital Records, 1786-1893 [FHL microfilm 0,011,030/ FHL digital film 004,255,378], image 321/597; citing Birth & Death, 1700-1900, 5:79 [item 3]. Also, Find a Grave, digital image (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 September 2016), memorial page for Jacob DeCoster (1774-1842), Find A Grave Memorial no. 38,569,505, citing Riverside Cemetery, West Minot, Androscoggin County, Maine: the accompanying photograph shows a newer stone which is probably not original.
[3] “Record of Marriages by Rev. John Tripp, of Hebron, Me.,” Collections and Preceedings of the Maine Historical Society, Second Series, Vol. IV. (Portland: Brown Thurston Company, 1893), 436.
[4] Find a Grave, database and images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 September 2016), memorial page for Susanna DeCoster (1777-1841), Find A Grave Memorial no. 38,569,544, citing Riverside Cemetery, West Minot, Androscoggin County, Maine: the accompanying photograph shows a newer stone which is probably not the original. Much debate has been made over the use of the name Morse on Susanna’s stone. She died before Jacob so she would not have remarried after his death. Two possible reasons for the inclusion of the name Morse: it may have been her middle name or the individual who erected the newer stone may have made an error regarding Susanna’s maiden name.
[5] Find A Grave, Memorial no. 38,569,544, Susanna DeCoster; Also, Hebron Town and Vital Records, 1786-1893, image 321/597 [item 3].
[6] Brig. Genl. Gardner L. Pearson, Records of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia: Called out by the Governor of Massachusetts to Suppress a Threatened Invasion during the War of 1812-1814 (Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1913), 175.
[7] See note 15 from “Jacob Decoster of Maine and Massachusetts.”
[8] 1820 U.S. census, Oxford County, Maine, population schedule, Hebron, p. 218, line 18, Jacob Decoster, Junr; NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 37.
[9] “Official Land Deeds Website,” images, Maine Registers of Deeds Association
(http://www.maineregistryofdeeds.com/ : accessed 6 November 2016), Oxford County, Deed Book 24: 106.
[10] 1830 U.S. census, Oxford County, Maine, population schedule, Hebron, p. 34 (penned), line 1, Jacob Decoster; NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 50. The enumerator likely checked off the wrong age category for Jacob as he would have been 56 years old in 1830.
[11] “Official Land Deeds Website,” images, Maine Registers of Deeds Association
(http://www.maineregistryofdeeds.com/ : accessed 6 November 2016), Oxford County, Deed Book 54: 214.
[12] “Official Land Deeds Website,” images, Maine Registers of Deeds Association
(http://www.maineregistryofdeeds.com/ : accessed 6 November 2016), Oxford County, Deed Book 54: 250.
[13] “Official Land Deeds Website,” images, Maine Registers of Deeds Association
(http://www.maineregistryofdeeds.com/ : accessed 6 November 2016), Oxford County, Deed Book 59: 62.
[14] “Official Land Deeds Website,” images, Maine Registers of Deeds Association
(http://www.maineregistryofdeeds.com/ : accessed 6 November 2016), Oxford County, Deed Book 57: 348.
[15] 1840 U.S. census, Oxford County, Maine, population schedule, Hebron, p. 147 (stamped), line 12, Jacob Decoster; NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 146.
[16] Find A Grave, Memorial no. 38,569,544, Susanna DeCoster. And, Find A Grave, Memorial no. 38,569,505, Jacob DeCoster.
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