Friday, February 21, 2020

1930 Obituary of Abel Jackman Hunnewell of Kingfield, Maine


1930 obituary pasted in a scrapbook of mostly Dexter, Maine, and Skowhegan, Maine, area items.

A Real Grandson of American Revolution
Abel Jackman Hunnewell of Kingfield Passes Away at The Age of 86

Abel Jackman Hunnewell, a real grandson of the Revolution and the last survivor of a family of 15 brothers and sisters, one of the best known men in Franklin County recently died at his home in Kingfield at the age of 86.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunnewell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1923 and the event created widespread interest among Kingfield residents. Mrs. Hunnewell was formerly Miss Lelia Sophia Hill, youngest daughter of Jabez Dorman and Lucretia Whitcomb Hill.  Her ancestors were also of Revolutionary stock.

Mr. Hunnewell was the youngest son of Herman [his stone reads Heman] and Melinda Smith Hunnewell and was born in Solon, Dec. 16, 1843.  He was a real grandson of the Revolution, his grandfather, Thomas Hunnewell (1756-1829), having come from Wiscasset soon after the Revolutionary War and settled in what is now the town of Madison.

Mr. Hunnewell went to California when about 19 years of age, where several of his brothers had gone during the gold mine excitement, and he remained there about a year. He returned home and learned the trade of axe-making and followed that trade until ill health would no longer permit.  For many years he had a factory in Kingfield.

He was a charter member of Gov. King Lodge, I.O.O.F. and the oldest member at the time of his death.

Besides his wife, he leaves one daughter, Miss Lelia Hill Hunnewell.

Funeral services were held in Bingham and the Rev. W. B. Watson, pastor of Grace Universalist Church of Kingfield officiated. The following eight nephews acted as bearers: Olin B. Hunnewell of Augusta; Carl S. Hunnewell of Madison; Elbridge R. Hunnewell of North Anson; Charles S. and John F. Hunnewell of Bingham; Scott Hunnewell of Eustis; Carroll and Will F. Hunnewell of Caratunk, the first three mentioned being sons of the late Dr. David S. Hunnewell of Madison and the last five, sons of the late Sumner C. Hunnewell of The Forks.  

Interment was in the family in the Bingham cemetery.  An unusually large profusion of flowers testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held.

Abel Jackman Hunnewell (1844-1930), wife Lelia Sophia (Hill) Hunnewell (1854-1947) and their daughter Lelia Hill Hunnewell (1874-1945)  are buried in the Bingham Village Cemetery at Bingham, Maine.  Their FindaGrave memorial notes three additional children, who all died before 1900.  If they were indeed the children of Abel and Lelia, it's disappointing they weren't mentioned in the obituary.

If you have information to share on the Hunnewell family, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

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