Mrs. Hannah Brown Davis Jones Leighton
Mrs. Hannah Leighton
1746-1841
Hannah Brown Davis Jones Leighton
Hannah Brown may have been the daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth Davis Brown. A baptism for Hannah Brown was recorded in Cambridge, Mass on March 26, 1746. She married (1) Isaac Davis of Acton and on April 19, 1775 she became the first widow of the Revolutionary War. Hannah married (2) Samuel Jones of Acton and (3) Francis Leighton of Westford, MA. Hannah had nine children from her first two marriages, two died in their infancy. Her long life is full of many colorful stories from surviving ship wreck off the cost of Cape Cod to running a children daycare or "Dame School" in her home. Hannah died on December 24, 1841 at the age of 96. She is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery between the original burial spot of her first husband, Capt. Isaac Davis and their two children, Hannah and Paul Davis and her second husband Mr. Samuel Jones.
Epitaph
Mrs. Hannah Leighton
died DEC. 24, 1841
Aet. 96
She fell "asleep in Christ"
Her first husband was
Capt. Isaac Davis of Acton, Mass.
shot dead at the head of his company, leading
on the attack upon the British at Concord Fight
April 19, 1775. That doleful night, she found herself,
in her lonely house, a widow, her four children
fatherless, her husband covered in blood, in his
coffin and by his side two youthful solders of his,
who fell in the same noble conflict.
Descendants of Hannah Brown
Generation No. 1
1. HANNAH2 BROWN (ELISHA1) was born 1746 in Cambridge, Middlesex, MA., and died December 22, 1841 in Acton, Middlesex, MA.. She married (1) CAPT. ISAAC DAVIS October 24, 1764 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., son of EZEKIEL DAVIS and MARY GIBSON. He was born February 23, 1744/45 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., and died April 19, 1775 in Concord, Middlesex, MA.. She married (2) SAMUEL JONES July 30, 1782 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., son of SAMUEL JONES and SARAH HUBBARD. He was born September 30, 1735 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., and died November 29, 1799 in Acton, Middlesex, MA.. She married (3) FRANCIS LEIGHTON November 21, 1802 in Acton, Middlesex, MA., son of JOHN LEIGHTON and HANNAH TREDWELL. He was born July 22, 1734 in Ipswich, Essex, MA., and died April 09, 1806 in Westford, Middlesex, MA..
Notes for HANNAH BROWN:
Widow of Captain Isaac Davis of the Acton Minute-Men, whom he led against the British at Concord Bridge, saying, I have not a man that is afraid to go. He was killed by the first volley fired. April 19, 1775
Hannah's sister Mary Brown (1747) married( 1764) Samuel Hayward of Acton, MA. s/o Dec. Samuel Hayward and Mary Stevens Hayward.
From the diary of Hannah (Davis) Jones:
"Isaac Davis...was my husband. He was then thirty years of age. We had four children, the youngest about fifteen months old. They were all unwell when he left me, in the morning, some of them with the canker-rash.
"The alarm was given early in the morning, and my husband lost no time in making ready to go to Concord with his company...My husband said but little that morning. He seemed serious and thoughtful, but never seemed to hesitate...He only said, 'Take good care of the children' and was soon out of sight.
"In the afternoon he was brought home a corpse. He was placed in my bedroom till the funeral..."
THE DAME SCHOOL
"dame" school (a schoolroom run by a local woman)
The Dame School was what we might call today an informal day care center. It involved parents leaving their children with a neighborhood lady (a "dame," as such ladies were then called) who would teach the children their letters (abc's), numbers, and prayers while she went about her daily household tasks.
"a colonial parent wanted all of his/her children to read and write if one
of them could. Dame schools were established in many New England villages
for this purpose. They were given the name dame schools because they were
run by a woman who would charge a small fee to teach her students their
letters, reading, and writing."
"small private school for young children run by women; such schools
were the precursors of nursery, or infant, schools in England and colonial
America. They existed in England possibly before the 16th century in both
towns and rural areas and survived into the 19th century. The school was
frequently the teacher's home, in which the children were taught the
alphabet and some...
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Recipe
Hannah Davis Baked Apple Crunch
Filling:
2 lbs. of Granny Smith Apples
1/2 c. Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp Ground Cloves
A Simple Crunch:
1/2 c. Flour
4 Tblsp. Sugar
3 Tblsp. Butter (or Margarine)
1 tsp. Vanilla
Preparations:
Peel and core apples, slicing them into small half moon sections.
Place the apple sections into a large mixing bowl and slowly add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Making sure the apples are fully coated with the sugar spice mixture, pour them into an 8 or 9 inch pie dish or baking pan.
Next prepare the crunch by working the crunch mixture between the fingers and drizzle the crumbs on top of apple filling.
Now bake for one hour on middle oven shelf at 350 degrees.
Garnish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and serve warm.
Historical Note: Robert Norden, Tavernkeeper of historic Fraunces Tavern Restaurant in New York City, restored the Old 76 House in 1986. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1993. Hannah Davis is often referred to as "the first widow of the revolution" as she was the wife of Captain Isaac Davis, the Acton, Massachusetts, gunsmith who commanded the Acton minutemen. On April 19, 1775, Captain Davis was felled by the first redcoat shots at Concord. Robert C.D. Norden, a direct descendant of Isaac Davis, brought the recipe to The Old 76 House where it enjoys an historic following.
More About HANNAH BROWN:
Baptism: March 26, 1746, Cambridge, Middlesex, MA.
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
Occupation: Teacher/Dame School
Notes for CAPT. ISAAC DAVIS:
Early on the morning of April 19, 1775, Isaac received word that the British were moving towards Concord. He called out the Acton Militia. Under Captain Davis, these Minutemen rushed to Concord where they took a position in the center of the line at the North Bridge. Lead by Captain Davis, the Acton Militia were the first onto the bridge. One man preceded Captain Davis. He fell wounded. Captain Davis was immediately struck by a British bullet and was mortally wounded -- the first American casualty of the War for Independence.
More About CAPT. ISAAC DAVIS:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
Confirmation: February 10, 1765, Joined Church
Military service: April 19, 1775, Revolutionary War
Minuteman: September 29, 1774, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
Resided: 39 Hayward St. Acton, MA.
Marriage Notes for HANNAH BROWN and ISAAC DAVIS:
Marriage Index: Massachusetts, 1633-1850
Davis, Isaac Sex : M
Spouse : Brown, Hannah
Marriage Date : Oct 24, 1764
Town : Acton
County : Middlesex
married by Rev. John Swift
More About ISAAC DAVIS and HANNAH BROWN:
Marriage: October 24, 1764, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
Notes for SAMUEL JONES:
He ran the cooper shop on the site of Exchange Hall
From Soldiers & Sailors of the Rev.: SJ was Capt. of the 9th (Light Infantry) Co. in Col. Francis Faulkner's regiment (the 3rd Middlesex) of Mass. Militia. Commissioned June 16, 1779.
From Acton Town Records for 1780-1784: various references to Saml. Jones, Jr. on committees, paying money owed in paper bills, etc. In 1784 he sued over a note signed by the Selectmen to Jonathan Billing "now deceased" [he might have been an uncle or cousin]. In Oct. 1784 they considered prosecuting him for fraud concerning his witholding that note (which the town claimed was their property), which he had received from J. Billing for taxes in 1778 while he was town constable. A committee was appointed to settle with him either by prosecuting him or leaving the affair to arbitration.
More About SAMUEL JONES:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
Military service: Revolutinary War
Occupation: Cooper
Marriage Notes for HANNAH BROWN and SAMUEL JONES:
married by Rev. Moses Adams
More About SAMUEL JONES and HANNAH BROWN:
Marriage: July 30, 1782, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
Notes for FRANCIS LEIGHTON:
Laiton, Laighton
Marriage Notes for HANNAH BROWN and FRANCIS LEIGHTON:
Married by Rev. Moses Adams
More About FRANCIS LEIGHTON and HANNAH BROWN:
Marriage: November 21, 1802, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
Children of HANNAH BROWN and ISAAC DAVIS are:
i. ISAAC3 DAVIS, b. May 14, 1765, Acton, Middlesex, MA..
Notes for ISAAC DAVIS:
no children
ii. HANNAH DAVIS, b. November 1766; d. December 10, 1766, Acton, Middlesex, MA..
More About HANNAH DAVIS:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
iii. HANNAH DAVIS, b. February 11, 1768, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. March 05, 1813, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; m. LT. AMOS NOYES, February 28, 1793, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; b. October 14, 1765, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. November 25, 1837, Acton, Middlesex, MA..
Notes for HANNAH DAVIS:
Davis, Hannah (1768 - 1813) - female
b. 11 FEB 1768 in Acton, Middlesex, Massachusetts
d. 5 MAR 1813 in Acton, Middlesex, Massachusetts
father: Davis, Isaac(1745 - 1775)
mother: Brown, Hannah
Deat Note
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Ae. 45 y)
spouse: Noyes, Amos (1765 - 1837)
- m. 28 FEB 1793 in Acton, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Marr Note
(The Noyes Descendants, Vol. II says 1793)
----------child: Noyes, Sukey (1793 - 1800)
----------child: Noyes, Hannah (1795 - )
----------child: Noyes, Harriet (1796 - )
----------child: Noyes, Susanna (1801 - 1865)
----------child: Noyes, Amos (1805 - )
----------child: Noyes, Isaac Davis (1806 - )
More About HANNAH DAVIS:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
More About LT. AMOS NOYES:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
More About AMOS NOYES and HANNAH DAVIS:
Marriage: February 28, 1793, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
iv. EPHRAIM DAVIS, b. March 07, 1770, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. November 19, 1845; m. (1) CATHERINE ARDOZE HARRINGTON, May 04, 1794, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. Bef. 1807; m. (2) JAN MCLAUGHLLIN, April 23, 1807, Athens Kennebec, ME.; b. June 09, 1769, Solon, Somerset, ME.; d. February 02, 1852.
More About EPHRAIM DAVIS:
Burial: South Solon, Somerset, ME.
More About CATHERINE ARDOZE HARRINGTON:
Burial: South Solon, Somerset, ME.
More About EPHRAIM DAVIS and CATHERINE HARRINGTON:
Marriage: May 04, 1794, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
More About JAN MCLAUGHLLIN:
Burial: South Solon, Somerset, ME.
More About EPHRAIM DAVIS and JAN MCLAUGHLLIN:
Marriage: April 23, 1807, Athens Kennebec, ME.
v. PAUL DAVIS, b. December 03, 1772; d. December 10, 1772, Acton, Middlesex, MA..
More About PAUL DAVIS:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
vi. MARY DAVIS, b. January 03, 1774, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. 1847, Springfield N.Y.; m. NOAH FITCH, May 01, 1796, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; b. April 19, 1768, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. 1839, Springfield, N.Y..
Notes for MARY DAVIS:
Polly
More About NOAH FITCH and MARY DAVIS:
Marriage: May 01, 1796, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
Children of HANNAH BROWN and SAMUEL JONES are:
vii. SAMUEL3 JONES, b. March 11, 1783, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. October 21, 1811; m. ANNA TUTTLE, October 21, 1806, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; b. July 20, 1787, Littleton, Middlesex, MA.; d. 1828.
Notes for SAMUEL JONES:
Samuel Jones Esq., 1807
This was the home of Samuel Jones, Esq., who was the principle developer of Acton's Common when the Second Meeting House was built. Wood lane formerly called Jones Turnpike was intended by him to be Acton Center's connection with the Union Turnpike (mass Ave.) and South Acton. After he failed financially and left town, this house was occupied, from 1810 to 1830 by his mother, the widow of Capt. Isaac Davis, and here she held a Dame School for the children of the village.
Samuel Jones, Esq., Law Office, 1805
Originally a one-story hip roof building, this was the Law Office of Samuel Jones, Esq. Who practiced as an attorney in Acton 1805 and 1806, the years he was the Town's representative to the General Court. With the decision in 1806 to locate the Meeting House where the Town Hall now is, Jones began active real estate development to create a town center. He donated the greater part of the common as a free gift to the town; he built a hotel, a store, various shops for blacksmiths and coopers, and three houses. His grand plan faltered as results of the Embargo of 1808; he failed financially in 1810 and was obliged to flee town by stealth.
After many changes of ownership, the house was acquires by the Davis family and it was here that the widow of Capt. Isaac Davis spent the last years of her life. It was altered to its present appearance in the 1850's and is still owned by Davis descendents.
Samuel IV was probably more interesting. He was suspended from and maybe kicked out of Harvard for carousing and other things, though he was later always referred to as "Esquire". We supposedly have a file on him, (he lived at 10 Wood Lane,) but it may be at the Nylanders' house.
Notes for ANNA TUTTLE:
Granary Burying Ground, Boston MA. Tomb #34
Jones, Anna , wid, Jan 8, 1828 ae. 40yrs.
More About SAMUEL JONES and ANNA TUTTLE:
Marriage: October 21, 1806, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
viii. CAPT. JAMES JONES, b. July 10, 1784, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. July 31, 1820, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; m. DOROTHY JONES, October 20, 1807, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; b. June 03, 1791, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; d. August 24, 1833, Acton, Middlesex, MA..
Notes for CAPT. JAMES JONES:
1st Lt. Acton Davis Blues War of 1812
More About CAPT. JAMES JONES:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
More About DOROTHY JONES:
Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Acton, MA.
More About JAMES JONES and DOROTHY JONES:
Marriage: October 20, 1807, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
ix. BETSY JONES, b. May 25, 1786, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; m. LEVI WAIT, August 09, 1807, Acton, Middlesex, MA.; b. Groton, Mass..
More About LEVI WAIT and BETSY JONES:
Marriage: August 09, 1807, Acton, Middlesex, MA.
Hannah Brown Davis Jones Leighton