back Uncles (5G) Simon Hartwell 2nd
and Barnard Whitcomb
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Meanwhile, in 1807, Betsy’s big sister, our Aunt Abigail (1788-1877), had married Simon Hartwell 2nd. Folks called her “Aunt Nabby.” Even folks who weren’t her nieces and nephews, like us. The local history says she was known for her sharp tongue and her ready charity. Uncle Simon also seems to have been a nice guy.

They wanted children, but for some reason couldn’t have any. When Uncle Joseph went away, Uncle Simon and Aunt Abigail adopted little Jason, their nephew. Later, they also adopted and raised Eliza Carr and Isaac Wilkins, orphans from neighbor families.

Of their three adopted children, only Cousin Jason took the Hartwell name, and he did it in a strange way. When he was only 13, he asked the New Hampshire legislature1 to let him be
Jason Hartwell Theodore Newell,” a combination which, as far as we can tell, he made up.
Years later, in 1838, widow Aunt Betsy married Uncle Barnard Whitcomb (1807-1883). Once again, she chose a younger man than she, but at least he waited to become an adult before the wedding. Uncle Barnard came from Henniker, New Hampshire, where they lived for over forty years.

Here is the gravestone they share in the Hillsborough Center Cemetery. As far as I know, they never had any kids.

1Roberts, Richard P., New Hampshire Name Changes, 1768-1923, pp. 36-37. Heritage Books, Inc. Consulted July, 2004, at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord.

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