MASSACHUSETTS VITAL RECORDS
HARVARD 1723-1900

Oxford, Massachusetts: Holbrook Research Institute, 1997
LC 82-81851, ISBN 0-87623-390-6 (ISBN 0-931248-23-X Set)
30-frame, double-image format at 25X & 30X reduction
33 volumes on 119 microfiches
Copyright 1997 by Jay Mack Holbrook
 
1-5: Vitals Indexed 1723-1848
6-11: Town Records 1732-1804
9-11: Marriages 1732-1766
10-11,21,42: Deaths 1732-1849
9-11,20: Births 1726-1820
12-21: Town Records 1765-1834
15: Marriages 1766-1805
18-20: Intentions 1766-1795
22-38: Town Records 1782-1843
34-35: Intent/Marriages 1825-1848
37-38,40-41: Births 1777-1850
43-52: Town Records 1819-1868
51-52,63-64: Militia 1840-1890
52,65: Out-Town Marr 1732-1798
52: Perkins Family 1765-1880
52,64: Dog Licenses 1862-1876
53-64: Mortgage/Misc 1838-1893
66-87: Church 1733-1909
88-90: Military 1822-1865
91-104: Paupers 1832-1909
105: Voters 1877-1884
106-110: Intentions 1848-1906
110-113: VR Indexes 1841-1900
114-119: Vitals 1841-1900

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In 1732 Harvard was established as a town from parts of Groton, Lancaster and Stow. Of those first neighbors, only Stow now borders Harvard. Other present neighbors include Acton, Sudbury, and a smidgen of Concord.

 

Copy of Harvard Town Records 1732-1845. 296 pages.

Dates range from 1723-1848 for births, 1732-1845 for marriages, and 1728-1845 for deaths. To confirm any questionable marriage date, cross reference listings for grooms and brides; e.g., Harris/Haskell marriage, dated 1898 on page 174, occurs in 1798 on page 130. Note blank pages between sections.

Births 1726-1848, pp 1-49, A-H

FICHE 1

Births 1723-1844, pp 50-109, H-W

FICHE 2

Grooms 1732-1844, pp 115-153, A-W

FICHE 3

Brides 1738-1844, pp 159-169, A-F

FICHE 3

Brides 1732-1845, pp 170-194, F-W

FICHE 4

Deaths 1728-1845, pp 207-237, A-W

FICHE 4

Grooms 1799-1838, pp 249-271, A-W

FICHE 5

Brides 1794-1838, pp 277-296, A-W

FICHE 5

 

Harvard Town Records 1732-1766. Vol 1. 349 pages.

Except for a few births as early as 1726, and a few ear marks as late as 1804, most records in this book fall between the titled years of 1732-1766. The pages include minutes of town meetings, warnings out, perambulations, town payments, births, deaths, marriages, and marriage intentions. Of special interest is the 1744 notice of freedom scheduled in 1748 for Thomas Wheeler's servant (page 287). Faded or blurred ink, worn pages, and tight binding sometimes interfere with data.

Town Records 1732-1737, pp 1-53

FICHE 6

Town Records 1737-1752, pp 54-111

FICHE 7

Town Records 1749-1757, 1760; pp 112-169

FICHE 8

Town Records 1750-1766, pp 170-223

FICHE 9

Ear Marks 1754-1804, p 200

FICHE 9

Births 1741-1758+, p 224

FICHE 9

Publishments & Warnings Out 1764-1765, pp 226-229

FICHE 9

Warnings Out & Strays 1755-1765, pp 230-287

FICHE 10

Deaths 1743-1765, pp 232-289

FICHE 10

Marriages & Publishments 1756-1766, pp 233-277

FICHE 10

Births 1728-1766, pp 236-289

FICHE 10

Publishments & Marriages 1732-1757, pp 290-344

FICHE 11

Warnings Out & Strays 1732-1754, pp 294-349

FICHE 11

Births 1726-1754, pp 298-335

FICHE 11

Deaths 1732-1754; pp 299-300, 347-348

FICHE 11

 

Harvard Town Records 1766-1818. Vol 2. 552 pages.

Besides vital data and warnings out, these records include minutes of town meetings, reports of damage by stray animals, receipts for town payments, and perambulations. The mandatory copy of the Declaration of Independence begins on page 398; signatures to an oath of allegiance appear on page 406; and pew sales of 1774-1796 extend from pages 142 to 150, while pages 158-160 specify 1775 pew assignments. Though badly faded, drawings between pages 168 and 169 give an idea of 1774 plans for the town common. Births and deaths range from 1750-1820; while marriages and publishments extend from about 1766-1805.

Town Records 1766-1769, pp 1-55

FICHE 12

Town Records 1769-1773, pp 56-115

FICHE 13

Town Records 1774-1775, pp 116-169

FICHE 14

Town Records 1775-1777; pp 170-199, 218-229

FICHE 15

Marriages 1766-1805, pp 200-217

FICHE 15

Town Records 1777-1780, pp 230-289

FICHE 16

Town Records 1766-1800; pp 290-295, 340-341, 349

FICHE 17

New Residents & Warnings Out 1766-1793, pp 296-348

FICHE 17

Publishments 1766-1785, 1795-1796; pp 350-375, 408-409

FICHE 18

Town Records 1776-1806; pp 376-407

FICHE 18

New Residents 1777-1799, pp 410-411

FICHE 19

Taxable Residents 1781, pp 412-416

FICHE 19

Town Records 1781-1782, pp 417-439

FICHE 19

Births 1750-1820, A-W, pp 440-485

FICHE 20

Marriage Publishments 1786-1794, pp 486-493

FICHE 20

Marriage Publishments 1794-1795, p 494

FICHE 19

Personal Mortgage 1779, p 495

FICHE 19

Deaths 1750-1819, A-W, pp 496-526

FICHE 21

Receipts for Town Payments 1765-1799, pp 530-541

FICHE 19

Perambulations 1768-1794, pp 543-552

FICHE 21

Perambulations 1817-1834, Misc 1821;pp 356-362,370 (below)

FICHE 21

 

Harvard Town Records [1782-1800, Marriage Intentions 1796-1826].

Vol 3. 370 pages. For a roster of most town families in 1799, see the meeting house seating assignments on pages 263-265. Miscellaneous records, interspersed throughout perambulations, identify church donors and report fence disputes. Blank pages include 364-369.

Town Meeting Minutes 1782-1786, pp 1-55

FICHE 22

Town Meeting Minutes 1786-1790, pp 56-115

FICHE 23

Town Meeting Minutes 1790-1793, pp 116-175

FICHE 24

Town Meeting Minutes 1793-1797, pp 176-235

FICHE 25

Town Meeting Minutes 1797-1800, pp 236-295

FICHE 26

Marriage Intentions 1796-1826, pp 296-342

FICHE 27

Perambulations 1799-1824, Misc 1799-1817; pp 343-355

FICHE 27

Perambulations 1817-1834, Misc 1821; pp 356-362, 370

FICHE 21

 

Harvard 1800-1818. Vol 4. About 562 pages.

Town records of 1800-1819 (pages 1-352) consist mainly of town meeting minutes, along with some business of the selectmen and treasurer--including specific town expenses; e.g., poor persons receiving town support. Assorted records of 1797-1855 include property sales (pews, real estate, personal property), fence agreements, boundary disputes, perambulations, reports of damage caused by stray animals, and occasional foreclosures. See page 305 for an 1816 reference to the Shaker community of Harvard. Marriage intentions or publishments 1825-1848 and marriages 1838-1845 identify many town residents. The many blank pages include 349, 353, 436-445, 458-467, 479-493, 497, 505.

Town Records 1800-1804, pp 1-55

FICHE 28

Town Records 1804-1807, pp 56-115

FICHE 29

Town Records 1807-1810, pp 116-175

FICHE 30

Town Records 1810-1812, pp 176-235

FICHE 31

Town Records 1812-1816, pp 236-295

FICHE 32

Town Records 1816-1819, pp 296-352

FICHE 33

Marriage Intentions 1825-1843, pp 354-390

FICHE 34

Pew Sales 1820-1833; pp 391-411

FICHE 34

Misc. Records 1796, 1829-1855; pp 412-505

FICHE 35

Marriage Publishments 1843-1848, pp 430-435

FICHE 35

Marriages 1838-1845, pp 447-457

FICHE 35

Misc. Records 1806-1843, pp 506-abt 562

FICHE 36

 

Harvard [Births 1777-1819, Marriages 1794-1837, Mortgages 1832-1838]. Vol 5. 369 pages, many blank. Look every 10-15 pages for scattered birth records of about 1777-1819; most apparently copied into Vol VI below. Note that the marriages of 1794-1837 continue in Vol 4 above. Some ink is light.

Births 1777-1819, pp 1-146, A-R

FICHE 37

Stray Beasts 1819-1822, pp 3-4

FICHE 37

Personal Mortgages & Attachments 1835-1838; pp 11-19,21-41

FICHE 37

Births 1780-1819, pp 156-220; S-Y

FICHE 38

Jurors, Licenses 1824-1826, 1833; pp 243, 298

FICHE 38

Personal Mortgages 1832-1837, pp 300-337

FICHE 38

Marriages 1794-1837, pp 338-369

FICHE 39

 

Harvard Town Records [Births & Deaths 1777-1850]. Vol VI.

Of the 548 pages in this book, all but about 200 are blank. Most dates fall from 1777-1850, but a note on page 185 references events as late as 1875 to members of the Haughton and Violetta families, possibly with some connection to Boxboro. Look for isolated deaths recorded with the births.

Births 1777-1848, pp 1-214, A-N

FICHE 40

Births 1780-1850; pp 221-387, P-Y

FICHE 41

Deaths 1785-1849; pp 388-524; A-W

FICHE 42

 

Harvard Town Records [1819-1855]. Vol VII. 525 pages.

Note that the number 5 on the front cover seems to be in error. Perhaps the numeral was intended for an earlier volume. See page 135 for menu items authorized in 1826 for residents of the pauper farm, see page 135.

Town Meetings & Reports 1819-1822, pp 1-51

FICHE 43

Town Meetings & Reports 1822-1825, pp 52-111

FICHE 44

Town Meetings & Reports 1825-1828, pp 112-167

FICHE 45

Town Meetings & Reports 1828-1831, pp 168-226

FICHE 46

Town Meetings & Reports 1831-1834, pp 227-286

FICHE 47

Town Meetings & Reports 1834-1839, pp 287-345

FICHE 48

Town Meetings & Reports 1839-1844, pp 346-405

FICHE 49

Town Meetings & Reports 1844-1848, pp 406-463

FICHE 50

Town Meetings 1848-1849, pp 464-484

FICHE 51

Tax Assessments 1846-1853, pp 486-513

FICHE 51

Militia 1846-1855, pp 496-517

FICHE 51

School District Boundaries 1840; pp 518, 522-523

FICHE 52

Militia 1840-1841; pp 520-521, 524-525

FICHE 52

Dog Licenses 1865-1868, pp 524-abt 552 (from below)

FICHE 52

Out-of-Town Marriages 1733-1789, pp 52-57 (from below)

FICHE 52

Perkins Births & Deaths 1765-1880, pp 200-202 (below)

FICHE 52

 

Harvard Records [Mortgages & Misc 1838-1855]. Vol 8. 201 pages.

Besides personal property mortgages of 1838-1855, miscellaneous contents of this book include pew deeds, bills of sale, fence disputes, and reports of stray beasts. Some ink is blurry. Note that pages 95-110 of miscellaneous records contain different data from earlier pages assigned those same numbers. Missing or blank pages include 126-150.

Personal Property Mortgages 1838-1847, pp 1-55

FICHE 53

Personal Property Mortgages 1847-1854, pp 56-110

FICHE 54

Miscellaneous 1831, 1840-1855, 1886; pp 95-125, 151-201

FICHE 55

 

Harvard Records: Mortgages & Fences 1857-1868. Vol 11. About 552 pages.

Personal property mortgages and attachments disclose the financial dealings of many of the towns residents from 1855-1890. Militia lists of 1856-1890 identify all males between ages 18 and 45, with an added bonus of age and occupation on the list for 1862. Dog licenses name all those who registered their dogs from 1862-1876. Other records include non-resident taxpayers, pew deeds, reports of stray animals, road descriptions, perambulations, fence disputes or agreements, and appointments of town officials. Some blurry ink.

Personal Property Mortgages 1855-1863, pp 1-53

FICHE 56

Personal Property Mortgages 1863-1871, pp 54-111

FICHE 57

Personal Property Mortgages 1872-1878; pp 112-150,165-171

FICHE 58

Non-Residents Tax Payers 1855-1858, 1866; pp 151-164

FICHE 58

Mortgages & Miscellaneous 1855-1885; pp 172-231

FICHE 59

Mortgages & Miscellaneous 1796, 1857-1885, pp 232-287

FICHE 60

Miscellaneous & Mortgages 1856-1888, pp 288-345

FICHE 61

Mortgages & Miscellaneous 1858-1890, pp 346-403

FICHE 62

Misc 1869-1870, 1834, 1837; pp 404-409

FICHE 63

Militia 1856-1889, pp 411-463

FICHE 63

Militia 1890, p 464

FICHE 64

Mortgages & Strays 1881, 1889-1893; pp 466-483, 510-512

FICHE 64

Dog Licenses 1869-1876, 1862-1864; pp 484-509, 513-523

FICHE 64

Dog Licenses 1865-1868, pp 524-abt 552

FICHE 52

 

Harvard Records [Out-of-Town Marriages 1732-1800]. Pages 1-57, 200-202.

Out-of-Town Marriages 1732-1798, pp 1-51

FICHE 65

Out-of-Town Marriages 1733-1789, pp 52-57

FICHE 52

Perkins Births & Deaths 1765-1880, pp 200-202

FICHE 52

 

Harvard [Congregational] Church Records 1733-1822. 320 pages.

Besides intermittent business of about 1733-1822, this book records deaths, baptisms, and marriages; and identifies church members over the same time period. See pages 294-296 for a Rawson divorce. Note blank pages 26-42.

Church Members 1733-1821; pp 2-25, 43

FICHE 66

Baptisms 1733-1769, pp 45-71

FICHE 66

Baptisms 1769-1812, pp 72-100

FICHE 67

Church Business 1733-1772, pp 101-124

FICHE 67

Marriages 1734-1776, pp 125-131

FICHE 67

Marriages 1776-1819, pp 132-142

FICHE 68

Church Business 1820-1821, pp 143-148

FICHE 68

Deaths 1733-1819, pp 151-189

FICHE 68

Deaths 1819-1822, p 190

FICHE 69

Baptisms 1812-1822, pp 196-201

FICHE 69

Church Business 1807-1820, 1776-1788; pp 205-255

FICHE 69

Church Business 1772-1804; pp 256-296, 304-313

FICHE 70

Covenant Owners 1758-1777, 1792; pp 297-302

FICHE 70

Church Business 1772-1773, 1775-1776; pp 314-320

FICHE 71

Parish Records 1903-1909, pp ca 336-361 (from below)

FICHE 71

Methodist Accounts & Pew Deeds 1826-1843 (from below)

FICHE 71

 

Harvard [First] Parish Records [1820-1909]. Vol 1. About 361 pages.

This record of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Parish in Harvard consists mainly of minutes of annual meetings and accompanying treasurers' reports, often with lists of "subscribers" and their donations to the church. Note the reference to the 1884 probate of Martha A. Whitney's estate on pages inserted, perhaps inadvertently, between pages 245-246. Most ink is legible; pages after 247 are not numbered.

Parish Records 1820-1829, pp 1-50

FICHE 72

Parish Records 1829-1853, pp 51-110

FICHE 73

Parish Records 1853-1871, pp 111-171

FICHE 74

Parish Records 1871-1881, pp 172-225

FICHE 75

Parish Records 1881-1891, pp 226-ca 281

FICHE 76

Parish Records 1891-1903, pp ca 282-335

FICHE 77

Parish Records 1903-1909, pp ca 336-361

FICHE 71

 

Harvard [& Boxborough Methodist Episcopal Society 1823-1843]. Vol 10.

About 90 pages, excluding blanks. For names of the founding officers and members of the society, see the first pages of this book.

Methodist Church Records 1823-1843

FICHE 78

Methodist Church Accounts & Pew Deeds 1826-1843

FICHE 71

 

Harvard [United Methodist Society Members ca 1841-1843, 1846].

United Methodist Society Members ca 1841-1843, 1846

FICHE 79

 

Harvard Second Universalist Society 1830-1843. About 50 pages.

Minutes of annual meetings and a list of the early subscribers.

Second Universalist Meetings & Members 1830-1843

FICHE 79

 

Harvard 1821-1868 [Calvinist Congregational Society 1821-1855; Evangelical Congregational Society 1855-1868]. Vol 1. About 234 pages.

Besides meeting minutes, tax abatements, receipts and expenditures, these parish records provide various lists of people; e.g., members of 1821-1868 (pages 5-6, 49, 196-199) and subscribers in 1827 to the cupula project (pages abt 230-234). Further, they record the death and funeral of Rev George Fisher at age 53 years and 10 months (page 129). As the title implies, the church changed its name in 1855 (page 141). Blank pages include 200-201 and 223-224.

Parish Records 1821-1834, pp 2-55

FICHE 80

Parish Records 1834-1851, pp 56-115

FICHE 81

Parish Records 1851-1863, pp 116-175

FICHE 82

Parish Records 1863-1868, pp 176-228

FICHE 83

Members 1829-1868, pp 196-199

FICHE 83

Cupula Project 1827-1828, pp abt 230-234

FICHE 83

 

Harvard [Accounts of Evangelical Congregational Society 1863-1900]. Vol II.

About 280 pages. Note that relation between church financing and property taxes from 1863-1877.

Valuations & Assessments for Church Tax 1863-1875

FICHE 84

Valuations & Assessments for Church Tax 1875-1877

FICHE 85

Parish Pledges & Collections 1878-1887

FICHE 85

Parish Pledges, Collections & Expenses 1887-1892/3

FICHE 86

Parish Pledges, Collections & Expenses 1892/3-1900

FICHE 87

 

Harvard Rifle Company Orderly Book 1822-1834. About 100 pages.

Rifle Company Meetings & Members 1822-1826

FICHE 88

Rifle Company Meetings & Members 1826-1834

FICHE 89

Note that the foreword contains a descriptive list of fourteen recruits; and provides the names of the fifteen from Harvard who died in the Civil War, with date and cause of death. Besides names, the main body of the record usually provides date of enlistment or muster; enlistment period; regiment and/or company; rank; bounty given, if any; and indicates whether service was completed by discharge, death or desertion. Sometimes names of parents and previous occupation are given; as well as date of discharge or death.

Forward & Index 1861-1865, pp 1-16

FICHE 90

Soldiers & Officers 1861-1865, pp 22-58

FICHE 90

Seamen & Officers 1861-1865, pp 72-75

FICHE 90

 

Harvard Records [1832-1836, 1868-1892]. About 85 pages.

Overseers Records of 1832-1836 and Almshouse Records of 1868-1869 include business, accounts, and an 1833 list of "inmates". Selectmen's records of 1870-1871 and 1874-1876 include an 1875 list of those receiving town pumps in order to fight fires. Fishing permits identify many townspeople of 1882-1892. Some pages suffer from blurry and/or light ink.

Records of Overseers of Poor 1832-1836, 1868-1869

FICHE 91

Selectmen's Records 1870-1871, 1874-1876

FICHE 91

Fishing Permits 1882-1892

FICHE 92

 

Harvard [General Records 1851-1908]. [Vol 2.]

Almshouse Records & Residents 1851-1866

FICHE 93

Almshouse Records & Residents 1866-1885

FICHE 94

Almshouse Records & Residents 1885-1896

FICHE 95

Almshouse Records & Residents 1896-1903, 1864-1866

FICHE 96

Almshouse Records & Residents 1903-1908

FICHE 97

Pauper Records 1903, pp 150-153 (from below)

FICHE 97

 

Harvard Records [1885-1903]. 153 pages.

These records kept by the Overseers of the Poor sometimes provide the pauper's age and birthplace, or date of his/her birth, marriage or death.

Index of Paupers 1885-1903; Pauper Records 1885-1892, pp 1-33

FICHE 98

Pauper Records 1893-1899, pp 34-93

FICHE 99

Pauper Records 1900-1903, pp 94-149

FICHE 100

Pauper Records 1903, pp 150-153

FICHE 97

 

Harvard [Pauper Records 1885-1896]. About 150 pages.

Pauper & Public Safety Records 1885-1889

FICHE 101

Public Safety & Pauper Records 1890-1895

FICHE 102

Pauper Records 1895-1896

FICHE 103

 

Harvard Almshouse Register [1901-1909]. Vol 1.

Besides the name and age of travelers and vagrants seeking short-term lodging, this record provides the age, year and place of birth of persons supported by the town, and sometimes indicates any physical or mental "peculiarities" or date of death. Note that birth dates range from 1815-1848, with other records, including deaths, extending to 1912.

Almshouse Register 1901-1909; Travelers & Vagrants 1901-1905

FICHE 103

Pauper Records 1895-1896 (from above)

FICHE 103

 

Harvard Pauper Register [1901-1909]. Vol 2.

With paupers listed either as fully supported or partially supported by the

town, these records provide name, age, and, perhaps, marital status, birth year and place, or birthplace of parents. Birth dates range from 1815-1906.

Pauper Registers 1901-1909

FICHE 104

 

Harvard [Register of Voters in 1877].

Voters Registered 1877-1884, A-Y

FICHE 105

 

Harvard [Index to Intentions of Marriage 1848-1886].

This indexes Volume 9 below.

Index to Intentions of Marriage 1848-1886, A-W

FICHE 106

Index to Intentions of Marriage 1848-1886, Y

FICHE 108

 

Harvard Records of Publishments [1848-1886]. Vol 9. 102 pages.

For indexing, see the volume above.

Marriage Publishments 1848-1863, pp 1-50

FICHE 107

Marriage Publishments 1863-1886, pp 51-102

FICHE 108

Index to Marriage Intentions 1848-1886, Y (from above)

FICHE 108

 

Harvard [Intentions of Marriage 1887-1906]. 16 pages + index.

Index to Intentions of Marriage 1887-1906

FICHE 109

Intentions of Marriage 1887-1894, pp 1-7

FICHE 109

Intentions of Marriage 1895-1906, pp 9-16

FICHE 110

Index to Deaths 1844-1900, O-Y (from below)

FICHE 110

 

Harvard Index to Births, Marriages, Deaths [1841-1900]; Vol 10 [1841-1862] & Vol 1 New Series [1853-1900]. Note that the tight binding of this index hides some names and numbers.

Index to Births 1841-1900, A-T

FICHE 111

Index to Births 1841-1900, V-W

FICHE 112