Aaron Sargent
1
#7834, (1822-1913)
Pedigree Link
Parents
Biography
- Aaron Sargent was born on 29 October 1822 in Charlestown, Massachusetts.1
- He attended school at Bunker Hill School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, This school was built in 1866.

The Bunker Hill School , 68 Baldwin St Charlestown
- He married Maria Adams on 28 April 1846.1
- Aaron and Maria lived in Somerville, Massachusetts.1
- In 1848 he first published a Sargent genealogy book.
- Aaron Sargent is the author of 'Sargent Genealogy in England and America', published in 1895. John S Sargent from Chicago had written 'Hugh Sargent of Courteenhall, Northamptonshire, and his Descendants in England'. Aaron started with that book and expanded on it to be 'William Sargent, of Malden, New England, and His Descendants in America'. His work is an important contribution to the history of the Sargent family.2
- Aaron Sargent commenced his business life in 1838 as a clerk in a mercantile house, afterwards becoming a partner, the firm name having been Nathaniel Winsor & Co., Boston merchants, engaged in the shipping interests when that business was very largely controlled in Boston, retiring in 1872, and subsequently held several fiduciary positions.1
- He appeared on the 1910 US Federal Census of 290 Broadway, Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, enumerated on 20 April 1910. Also a servant, Hannah McGillicuddy is listed. Aaron is a widower. He owned his home.3
- He died on 23 March 1913 in Somerville, Massachusetts, at age 90.4
- The cause of his death was exhaustion from fracion of humerus.4
- He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, Massachusetts.4,5
Obit Notice
An obituary was published
THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER
OCTOBER, 1913 -- Vol. LXVII. 20
AARON SARGENT
By Frank Mortimer Hawes, A.M., of Somerville, Mass.
As the result of a fall, which he sustained on 21 February 1913, Aaron Sargent, Somerville's first city treasurer and one of her foremost citizens, passed away at his home, 290 Broadway, 23 March (Easter Sunday) 1913, at the age of ninety years and almost five months. In spite of his advanced years Mr. Sargent had been vigorous and active, and he was accustomed to make his way about town and even into the Genealogical Rooms on Somerset Street, Boston, unaccompanied. He even paid one visit to the new home of the New England Historic Genealogical Society at 9 Ashburton Place. For some days after the accident he seemed to improve, but the shock to his system proved too great. He sank into unconsciousness towards the last, and gently and peacefully fell asleep. The funeral was held from his home the Wednesday following. Rev. William H. Pierson, D.D., formerly pastor of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, conducted the services, and many people prominent in public and private life were present. Dr. Pierson read from the Scriptures passages marked by Mr. Sargent for this occasion, and referred to his great service to his town and city, in his public and private capacity, and to his strong religious convictions. Mr. Sargent was an ardent admirer of Theodore Parker and his teachings, and to this fact the speaker made fitting allusion.
Aaron* Sargent, son of Aaron [7] and Sarah (Nichols) Sargent, was born at Charlestown, Mass., 29 October 1822. He was descended from William' and Sarah Sargent, who settled at Maiden in 1638; later they were of Barnstable, where both died. The history of this branch of the Sargents was compiled by the subject of this memoir, the last edition appearing in 1895. Mr. Sargent's ancestral line was as follows: William,[1] John,[2] Joseph,[3] Jabez,[4] Silas,[5] Amos,[6] Aaron[7] (his father). Mr. Sargent was particularly proud of his mother's family, and in our last interview spoke, in his emphatic way, of his mother's energy and strength of character. At the same time, also, he paid tribute to the memory of his maternal grandmother, Dorcas, of the line of Ralph Smith. Other hereditary lines were those of Bucknam, Winslow, Lynde, Green, and Hillier.
Mr. Sargent attended the Bunker Hill School and was a pupil of Master Swan, a famous schoolmaster of that day. He was honorary vice-president of the Bunker Hill School Association, and at the first reunion delivered an historical address which appeared in the columns of the local papers. He enlivened the occasion, as was his wont, with a fund of anecdotes. "It was this loyalty to old friends and old days," as some one has said, "combined with a warm personal interest in every-day events, which endeared him alike to old and young. Among the lessons to be learned from his long and useful life is that of cheerfulness."
From 1838 to 1854 Mr. Sargent was employed in the countingroom of Nathaniel Winsor, and in the latter year became a member of the firm of Nathaniel Winsor & Co. (Sargent Genealogy, p. 91.) He came to East Somerville in 1846 and resided-there until 1869, when he removed to his late residence at Winter Hill. He served on the School Committee of the town from 1858 to 1862, on the Auditing Committee from 1860 to 1862, and from 1868 to 1871 on the Finance Committee; during these same years he was a member of the Water Board.
Mr. Sargent was active in procuring the incorporation act, making Somerville a city in 1872. When the charter of the new city was signed by Governor Claflin, the pen of signature was sent to Mr. Sargent as a complimentary token of his service.
Upon the inauguration of the first city government Aaron Sargent was chosen city treasurer, and held this office until his resignation in 1881. "His office became a model in matters of business and he established a system of book-keeping there which has been adopted in whole or in part in several cities of the Commonwealth, and is still in use."
In 1883 Mr. Sargent became a director of the Bay State Brick Co., and served for a time as its secretary and treasurer. In 1889 he was elected treasurer of Woodlawn Cemetery, holding the office for seven years.
Mr. Sargent was especially conversant in matters relating to genealogy and local history, and compiled the Rymes, Barnard, and Sargent genealogies. He was a member of the Somerville Historical Society, and for many years of the New England Historic Genealogical Society; at the time of his death he was its oldest member, having joined the Society in September 1855. As a prominent Mason he was a member of Solcy Lodge, A.F. & A.M.; Somerville Royal Arch Chapter, Orient Council; and Cocur de Lion Commandery, Knights Templars. He had served as recording officer of every Masonic order of his city, and also of the Commandery.
In 1846 Mr. Sargent married Miss S. Maria Adams, daughter of Joseph and Phebe P. (Moore) Adams, old residents of the town. (See "Wyman's Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown for her ancestral line.) Mrs. Sargent died in 1893, in the house where she was born and married. It was here that Mr. Sargent and his family resided after 1869, and a street which was laid out through the old Adams estate is known as Sargent Avenue. Lucy Homer Sargent (Mrs. Otto H. Richter) and Aaron Eugene Sargent are the surviving children of a family of five. These, with three grandchildren, comprise the descendants of this couple.
In preparing this memoir the writer has drawn liberally from the obituary notice of Mr. Sargent which appeared in the Somerville Journal of 28 March 1913.
Other Information
Citations
- [S29] Sargent, Aaron, Sargent Genealogy in England and America, Somerville, MA: privately published, 1895, p 91.
- [S201] Personal Knowledge of Researcher LSR.
- [S1399] 1910 US Federal Census, Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, digital image Ancestry, National Archives micropublication, Aaron Sargent head of household, roll T624_604, enumeration district 1003, page 7A .
- [S333] Massachusetts: Vital Records 1911-1915, online image database, digitized by NEHGS, 2004, www.americanancestors.org. (Original publication: Massachusetts: Vital Records 1911-1915, New England Historic Genealogical Society,) original records from MA archives.
- [S6236] Find A Grave: Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett, Massachusetts, Aaron Sargent, created by cbury, added Feb 2015, memorial number 142410009.