Abraham Hammatt (1880-1899)

ABRAHAM HAMMATT.

 THE Historical and Genealogical Register recorded the death of Mr. Hammatt as follows:

 "Abraham Hammatt, Ipswich , died 9 August, 1854 , æ 74.  Mr. Hammatt was a true Antiquary and remarkably accurate Genealogist. The New England Historical and Genealogical Society, of which he was a member, have sustained a severe loss in his death."

 A newspaper printed in Bath, Me., paid a just tribute to his memory :-

 "Died at Ipswich, Mass., August 9, 1854,  Mr. Abraham Hammatt. He had been for more than thirty years an inhabitant of our city, [Bath , Me.,] and was so well known among us as a gentleman, and as accomplished in the belles lettres and mathematical departments of learning, besides being a very able mechanic, that it may not he deemed presumption to respectfully notice his death.

 He was a native of Plymouth, Mass., and of Pilgrim descent. “I have succeeded," he wrote., in tracing my ancestry to six of the passengers in the May Flower and six who came in the Anne."

 At an early age he went to learn the trade of a Rope Maker, and served out his time in Plymouth.

 In the year 1800 he came to Bath, a stranger, with a letter of introduction to the late Gen. King, who assisted him in setting up his business here.

 He owned the old rope walk, which headed on Centre street. For years he carried on the business of rope making in Bath, which was not then as now: for early in this century there were no chain cables, all were made of hemp.

 After years of industry in the pursuit of his business, Mr. Hammatt who was a bachelor, found himself in so easy circumstances as to be able to devote himself to literature and science, for which he had a fine taste, and equally fine talent. In a few years few men could be found of such varied learning. He was unquestionably the best scholar in Bath, not excepting the men of any of the learned professions.

During the first fifteen years of his residence in Bath, his society was courted by Gen. King, Gen. Wingate, Peleg Tallman, as well as by most of the learned professions, and this because he was a gentleman and man of science.

 About eighteen years since, Mr. Hammatt left Bath and took up his permanent residence in Ipswich, Mass., where he married an accomplished widow, Mrs. Dodge. He carried with him and sustained there the same character and rank he held while an inhabitant of Bath."---Bath, Me., August, 1854.

 Mr. Hammatt married Mrs. Lucy [Farley] Dodge, widow of Mr. William Dodge. She was a lady of queenly bearing, and by birth, marriage, and estate, held position in the cultivated rank of Ipswich society. She was the daughter of Maj. Robert and Susan [ Kendall ] Farley, and grand daughter of Gen. Michael and Elisabeth [Choate] Farley. Her father and grandfather were thorough patriots, both serving in the Revolution. It is said of her grandmother Farley, that when a regiment, expecting to meet the enemy were to be supplied with ammunition, which was in the garret of her house, she filled every man's powder horn with her own hands.

 At his marriage Mr. Hammatt came to Ipswich to reside. His quiet and gentlemanly ways, his continuous interest in educational matters, won for him a general recognition and regard. He held the office of Feofee of the Grammar School, and visiting committee of other schools. His presence was always welcome in the school room. Scores of Ipswich boys and girls, now in the midst of their days, have kindest memories of him.

In his pleasant and comfortable declining years, he prepared the following pages: "The Early Inhabitants of Ipswich;” and copied the Inscriptions in the ancient Burying Yard on High Street and wrote a History of the Grammar School, from its foundation, January 11-21,1650-1, to its 200th Anniversary, 1851; at which time it was read by John Richards Baker, Esq.

 He had begun the revision of his Manuscripts, apparently, and had proceeded about twelve pages, when this labor of his mind and hand ceased  and in the satisfaction of a blameless and benevolent life, and in great quietness of spirit, he fell asleep.

 Mrs. Hammatt, with true wisdom, donated his Papers to our Public Library, thus affording opportunity to all to gather such help from them as they afford.

 IPSWICH, January, 1880.

(Introduction from The Hammatt Papers--Early Inhabitants of Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1633-1700 published Ipswich, MA 1880-1899)

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