Leavitt - The Early Families of Hatley

by Phyllis Emery Skeats Copyright 2000

(Verbal permission to display the following was obtained from the author in September, 2000. 

The following are only selected excerpts, which have been restructured for clarity. All rights are retained by the author. 

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The following is a survey of some of the early families in Hatley Village who arrived prior to 1900. Although some of these families did not actually live in the village, they were pioneers in the Township of Hatley who would have shared in the life of East Hatley, also known as Charleston in 1818, later to become the Village of Hatley. The name is also recorded as Hatley Borough in some documents. These inhabitants would have done their business, shopping, socializing and church going as well as participating in social happenings in the village.

The sources used for this survey include family genealogies, the St. Francis District vital statistics (1815-1879), vital statistics from the Stanstead Journal and the Sherbrooke Daily Record, B. F. Hubbard's Forests and Clearings, The Story of Hatley by Maude Gage Pellerin, Men of Today In the Eastern Townships, Planters of the Commonwealth by Charles E. Banks, and oral information from descendants still living in the area.
Not intended to be a complete genealogy of the following families, this survey deals with several members of some of the families who lived in the village of Hatley, and surrounding areas, in most cases commencing in the early to mid 1800s. In the case of some of the early families, there was not enough information available to include them in this book.


 LEAVITT

The Leavitt family was amongst the early families in Hatley and Compton Townships. They were descendants of Deacon John Leavitt, who sailed to America from England about 1628, finally settling at Hingham, Massachusetts where he is buried. John married first Mary Lovit [Leavitt] who died in July 1646, leaving five children. He married second Sarah Gilman at Hingham in December 1646; they had eight children, all born in Hingham. The following are the lines of the first Leavitt settlers in the Eastern Townships, including those of Jonathan and Rebecca [Ring] Leavitt, who emigrated from Grantham, New Hampshire in the very late 1700s or early 1800s.

Nathaniel Leavitt, born in 1727, was a great-grandson of Deacon John Leavitt. He married Lydia Sanborn [born in 1737], daughter of Jeremiah Sanborn of Sanbornton, New Hampshire. They were parents to:
Joseph b 1755 d 1840
Lydia b 1757
Moses b 1759 d 1827
Jeremiah b 1760 d at Hatley, Canada about 1817
Nathaniel b 1764 at Exeter, N.H. d 1839
Dudley b 1767 at Grantham, N.H. d 1839
John b 1769 at Grantham, N.H. d 1854
Josiah b 1772 d 1865
Jonathan b 1773 d 1842 at Compton, Quebec
Stephen b 1775 d 1776
Hannah b 1776 d 1839
Polly b ?? married a Mr. Frye of Grantham. N.H
Jonathan Leavitt, born in 1773, was the eighth son of Nathaniel and Lydia [Sanborn] Leavitt. The family removed to Grantham, New Hampshire; Jonathan married Rebecca Ring at Deerfield, N.H. They settled in the Eastern Townships of Quebec circa 1800, and settled in Hatley for approximately two years before removing to a property near the dividing line between Hatley and Compton Townships. Their land was actually in Compton although their main activities took place in the early settlement of Hatley, which was closer to their farm [approximately two to three miles]. They attended the Old North Church (Anglican) after it was erected in 1818. The Old North schoolhouse, which was erected in the same time period across the road from the church, was no doubt their educational institution, along with one of the earlier schools in the area. which was built circa 1804 in the Hatley area.
After acquiring their land and erecting their first home, Jonathan and Rebecca raised a family of seven children, most of them born on their Compton homestead:
1.Zebulon b 1801 d 1891 m Alice Corey
2. Mary b 1802 d aye 90 m Benjamin Corey
3. Jeremiah b 1808 d 1885: m 1st Elvira Howe and 2nd Julia Dearborn
4. Sarah b 1812 d age 87 m David Smith Flanders
5. Lydia b about 1814 d age 45 m Lucius Chapman
6. Jonathan b 1818 d 1903 m 1st Lois Little 2nd Alice Little
7. Hannah b nd d age 87 m a Mr. Marks from Kentucky
(Note: In the following text, Zebulon speaks of nine children. Most sources indicate seven; perhaps two family members died at a young age. On the occasion of Zebulon's death in 1891, the following article appeared in the Stanstead Journal:

"A short time ago an account was given in the Journal of a meeting of aged people at the residence of the late Carlos Ayer in Hatley, of those Mr. Zebulon Leavitt died on Friday last, in the ninety-first year of his age. He had been a long time resident of, or upon, the border of this township [Hatley], and was highly respected, as was made evident by the large attendance at the `Old Meeting House' on the 18th inst....under the services of Elder Sornberger.
"The following history of the life of Zebulon Leavitt was furnished by one of his near relatives, and was related by the deceased not long before his death; and is illustrative of pioneer life in this part of the country. He was the oldest of nine children of the late Jonathan and Rebecca Leavitt, who in [circa] 1805, moved from Grantham, N.H. to Stanstead [Hatley], and two years later moved to Compton next to the east line of Hatley, on the farm now owned by Jonathan Leavitt Jr., the only [living] brother of the deceased Zebulon Leavitt. There were no roads or clearings within about two miles of them. There the little 'log house' common to the early settlers, with its flagstone hearth and back, and a chimney, sticks and clay mortar, was built, and after some eight years, a log barn was bui1t and covered with poles and bark, as there were no boards to he had and no mills for many miles for grinding grain, their bread was made from corn pounded in a mortar during the first few years of their pioneer life.
"The inhabitants were few and far between, but they were all as united as the members of one family. When he was eight years old, he [Zebulon] first went to school in a small log school house near where Simon Bean now lives in Hatley, a distance of more than three miles from his home, and which was taught by Miss Rhoda LeBaron, whose tuition was paid in grain, as there was no money in circulation….the American school books were the only ones in use, and consisted principally of 'Webster's Speller' and 'Third Part'. He was present and assisted in the building of the first meeting house in Hatley [the Old North Church] which was dedicated on the fifth of February, 1818, and was called `Trinity Church' but is now known as `The Old Church' and in which the funeral service of Zebulon Leavitt was recently held, contiguous to which the body was buried."

In 1903 it was recorded in the local newspaper, the Sherbrooke Daily Record, on the occasion of Jonathan Jr.'s [Zebulon's brother's] 85th birthday:

"The family had lived on the farm where we met, for upwards to one hundred years. Mr. Leavitt and most of his family were born on the farm. His father [Jonathan] had died in 1842 and his mother [Rebecca] 20 years later at the age of 87 [This farm remained in the family until the early 1950s]."

1. Zebulon Leavitt, son of Jonathan and Rebecca, born in 1801, married Alice Corey, born in 1812. They were married in the Anglican church [St. James] in Charleston [Hatley Village] on October 27, 1831. Zebulon and Alice were parents to eight children:

a. John b 1832 d 1912 m Anna Horner
b. Mandana b 1834 d 1917 m Carlos Ayer
c. Iphidiah b 1836 d 1914 m Isabelle Thwaites
d. Jonathan b 1838 d 1912 m 1st Roxanna Kezar 2nd Julia Hurd 3rd Marina Cass
e. Emma Jane b 1841 d 1862 m Norman Cass
f. Mary E. b 1843 d 1864
g. Sarah b 1844 d 1862
h. George Albert b 1854 d 1897 m Jennie Gould

Zebulon and Alice settled in Hatley Township, close to the McConnell area. Zebulon died in 1891: "[Massawippi] Mr. Zebulon Leavitt died October 16, 1891, in his 91st year [Stanstead Journal)." His wife died in 1901: "[East Hatley] The funeral of Mrs. Leavitt, wife of the late Zebulon Leavitt of this town, took place January 5, 1901 [Stanstead Journal]." Also in the Sherbrooke Daily Record it was recorded: "[Hatley] Mrs. Leavitt, widow of Zebulon Leavitt and mother of Messrs. Jonathan and Iphadiah [Iphidiah] Leavitt and Mrs. Carlos Ayer [Mandana Leavitt], died January 2, in her 88th year." They are both buried in the Old North Church Cemetery. a. John, eldest son of Zebulon and Alice, was born in 1832. He married Anna Horner.
b. Mandana, eldest daughter of Zebulon and Alice, married Carlos Ayer: "[Married] September 7, 1858 in Stanstead, Carlos Ayer of Hatley to Mandana Leavitt, daughter of Zebulon Leavitt of Hatley [Stanstead Journal]." Carlos and Mandana were parents to three children:

1. Alice b 1859 d 1935 m William Hodges. Alice married in 1883: "At the residence of the bride's father, November 22, 1883, by Reverend L.S. Bean, William A. Hodges and Alice L. Ayer, eldest daughter of Mr. Carlos Ayer, all of East Hatley [Stanstead Journal]."
2. Frederick Carlos b 1865 d 1930 Harriet Couch. Frederick [Fred] married in 1894: "On October 3,1894 at the Methodist Church, East Hatley, by the Reverend H.S. Osborne, Mr. Frederick Carlos Ayer of Brooklyn, New York, son of the late Carlos Ayer Esq. [and Mandana Leavitt of Hatley to Harriet Ruth, daughter of the late Mr. Mahlon Couch of Compton [Stansted Journal]."
3. Minnie b 1873 d 1948 m Joseph Woodman. Minnie married in 1901: "At the Methodist Church, East Hatley, May 29, 1901 by Reverend A.O. Watts, Mr. Joseph F. Woodman and Minnie, youngest daughter of Mrs. Mandana Ayer, both of Hatley [Stanstead Journal]."

Carlos Ayer died in 1891: "At Hatley, January 16, 1891, Mr. Carlos Ayer, aged years [Stanstead Journal]." Mandana died in 1917. They are both buried in the Hatley United Church Cemetery in Hatley. c. Iphidiah Leavitt, second son of Zebulon and Alice, was born in 1836 and married in 1861: "In Stanstead, March 25, 1861, Iphidiah Leavitt to Isabell Ann [Isabella], daughter of James Thwaites, both of Hatley. Married by Reverend R.V. Hall [Stanstead Journal."
Isabella and Iphidiah were parents to only one child, Ruth Sarah, who married George E. Hartwell in 1882: "At the residence of the bride's father in Hatley on March 15 ,1882, by Reverend W.H. Lyster, George Hartwell of Compton and Ruth S., only daughter of Iphidiah Leavitt Esq. of Hatley [Stanstead Journal]." Iphidiah died in 1914, Isabella in 1936. They are both buried in St. James Church Cemetery in Hatley.
Isabella Ann Thwaites [Mrs. Iphidiah Leavitt], born in 1839, was the sister of William Richard Thwaites, born in 1843, who married Eliza McKay [born 1846]. Both were the children of James Thwaites and Ruth Hodgson.
William and Eliza McKay Thwaites were parents of Charles Thwaites [born 1877]. Charles married Anna Wilhelmina Anderson; they were parents to Isabel Gladys Thwaites. Isabel married Nils Archie Nelson; they now reside on the old Abbott farm in Hatley Township close to the homestead where young Wire Leavitt grew up.
d. Jonathan, third son of Zebulon and Alice was born in 1838. In 1862 he married Roxanna Kezar: "In Hatley, September 28, 1862 by Reverend C. Heard, Jonathan Leavitt to Roxanna L. Kezar, both of Hatley [Stanstead Journal]." Roxanna died in Compton nine years later, on March 18, 1871: "Mrs. Roxanna L. Kezar, daughter of Joseph and Selena Kezar of Hatley and wife of Mr. Jonathan Leavitt 2nd, aged 32 years, 20 das [Stanstead Journal].
In December of the same year Jonathan remarried: "On December 31, 1871 by Reverend C. Heard, Jonathan Leavitt to Julia Hurd, both of Hatley [Stanstead Journal]." Julia died in 1881: "In Hatley, January 23, 1881, Julia Hurd, wife of Mr. Jonathan Leavitt, aged 39 years [Stanstead Journal]." Jonathan and his second wife Julia Hurd had two children, a son Ritchie W. and a daughter [Susan] Susie May; Susie married Carlos Moulton and resided in Hatley Township. They were parents to five children including a son, Howard, who died in infancy:

1. Archie m Vivian Rick and became parents to two children, Wayne and Sandra.
2. Madeline m Ronald McClary and became parents to three daughters, Janice, Lois and Elane.
3. Charles 4. Margaret 5. Howard [see above]
Archie and Vivian resided in Hatley Village for many years. Vivian died in 1993 and is buried in the United Church Cemetery in Hatley. Archie now resides in Ayer's Cliff.
Madeline and her family also resided in Hatley Village for many years, where Madeline taught at the Hatley Elementary School. Ronald died in 1957 and is buried in the Hatley United Church Cemetery. Madeline now resides in Lennoxville, Quebec.

1n 1881, Jonathan married once more: "[Married at Moe's River] On September 29, 1881, by Reverend W.H. Lyster, Mr. Jonathan Leavitt of Hatley and Miss Marilla Cass, youngest daughter of Norman Cass of Cassville [Stanstead Journal]." In 1888, Jonathan suffered another loss: "On March 4, 1888, Frederick Middleton Leavitt in the 4th year of his age, second son of Jonathan and Marillia Leavitt [Stanstead Journal]:" Jonathan died in 1912: "[Massawippi] Mr. Jonathan Leavitt died March 5, 1912 at the home of his daughter Mrs. Carl Moulton, at the age of 73 years [Stanstead Journal]." Marilla died in 1938: "[Hatley] Mrs. Marilla Leavitt, wife of the late Jonathan Leavitt died January 25, 1938 at the home of her youngest son, Mr. Carl Leavitt in Foster, Quebec. She was a resident of this community for many years. She leaves two sons, Carl and Luther of Framingham, Massachusetts, one step-daughter Mrs. Carl Moulton of this place, one step-son Mr. Ritchie Leavitt of Framingham and other relatives [Stanstead Journal]."
Jonathan and his third wife had two children, Luther and Canton [Carl] M. Luther resided in Massachusetts. Carlton [Carl] Leavitt was born in 1887. He married Susie Moulton, also born in 1887: "At the home of the bride's father, Hatley on April 22, 1908, by Reverend J.I. Hughes, Mr. Carlton M. Leavitt of Hatley to Susie, daughter of Mr. Leroy Moulton [Stanstead Journal]." Carlton died in 1966, Susie in 1972. He is buried in the Hatley United Church Cemetery, Susie in the Massawippi Cemetery. Canton and Susie had three children:

1. Doris Lillian b 1909 m Kenneth Little
2. Frederick Wesley m Una Parsons; resided in Knowlton
3. Marion m Bernard Mitchell; resided in Lyndonville, Vermont
Doris and Kenneth lived in the Old North Church neighbourhood on one of the Little homesteads. They were parents to six children:

1. Donald Kaye m Ida Sarrasin; they have a daughter, Jane
2. Richard Frederick m Sara; 2 sons
3. Russell Thomas m Diane Whiteman; three children
4. Joyce Ann m Robert McVittie; three children
5. Elizabeth Helen m Frank Bartle; two children
6. Susan Jane m Douglas Humphries; three children

Frederick Wesley, son of Carlton and Susie, married Una Alice Parsons. Their son Reginald Keith married Maureen Donnelly. Their daughter Doreen Alice married Malcolm McPherson in 1957. They reside in Knowlton, Quebec where they raised four children:

1. Dawn Lynn m Dave Neely
2. Steven Miles m Lorraine Cournoyer
3. Betty Jill m Christopher Slack
4. Neil Mark b 1969

e. Emma, second daughter of Zebulon and Alice [Corey] Leavitt, married Norman Cass and died at a young age: "In Magog, May 7,1862, Emma Leavitt, aged 20 years, 3 mos. and 20 das [Stanstead Journal]."
f & g. Mary and Sarah, both middle daughters of Zebulon and Alice, died young; Sarah in 1862 and Mary in 1864. Mary and Sarah are both buried in the Old North Church Cemetery. It is recorded that Mary Leavitt married Wellington Hadlock: "On December 8 [1864], Wellington Hadlock to Mary Leavitt, both of Compton [Stanstead Journal]." In 1870, Wellington Hadlock remarried to Emily Heath; both were from Compton.
h. George Albert, youngest son of Zebulon and Alice, was born in 1854 and married in 1884: "In Hatley on March 20, 1884, at the residence of the bride's uncle, Mr. Willard Pope, by Reverend L.S. Bean, Mr. George Albert Leavitt of Hatley and Miss Jennie E. Gould, eldest daughter of Harvey I. Gould of Stanstead [Stanstead Journal]." George died at the age of 43 years: "In Hatley November 6, 1897, George Albert Leavitt, aged 43 yrs. 2mos. 6 das., youngest son of the late Zebulon and Alice Leavitt [Stanstead Journal]." He is buried in the Old North Church Cemetery.
After George Albert's death, Jennie Gould Leavitt married George Meigs. She died in 1937: "[Hatley] Mrs. George Meigs, aged 77 yrs., died at her home here October 30, 1937. Her maiden name was Jennie Gould, the daughter of Harvey and Ellen [McCoy] Gould. She leaves her husband and two children from a former marriage, Mr. Leon Leavitt and family of Windsor, Vermont and Mabel [Mrs. William Little] and family from Somerville, Massachusetts [Stanstead Journal]." Jennie is buried in St. James Church Cemetery in Hatley.
2. Mary, daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca Leavitt, died in 1895: "In Hatley, February 25, 1895, Mary Leavitt, wife of the late Benjamin Corey, aged 91 years 6 mos. 12 das [Stanstead Journal]." Her husband, Benjamin Corey, died in 1876: "In Hatley March 8, 1876, Benjamin B. Corey, aged 76 years, 9 mos. and 10 das [Stanstead Journal]." They are both buried in the McConnell Cemetery.
3. Jeremiah, second son of Jonathan and Rebecca, was born in 1808. He married 1^st Elvira Howe and 2nd Julia Dearborn. He died in 1885.
4. Sarah [Sally], daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca, married David Smith Flanders and resided in Hatley. In 1886 they celebrated an anniversary: "[Hatley News] A large party of relatives and friends gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. D.S. Flanders in Hatley on April 27,1888 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their marriage [Stanstead Journal]." Sarah died in 1897, David Smith Flanders in 1888. They are both buried in the Old North Church Cemetery.
5. Lydia, third daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca, was born circa 1814. She married Lucius Chapman; they lived outside Hatley in the Barnston area. In 1847 they lost an infant son. After Lydia's death in 1857, Lucius remarried in 1860 to Isabella Gahan of Barnston. He died in 1872: "In Barnston, Dec. 3, 1872, Mr. Lucius Chapman, aged 63 years. [Stanstead Journal]."
6. Jonathan, youngest son of Jonathan Sr. and his wife Rebecca, was born in 1818. He died in 1903: "Reference should have been made last week to the death of Mr. Jonathan Leavitt which took place on the 6th day of October, 1903. He has laid down the battle of life after more than eighty-six years of toil and strife, during which he maintained a consistent Christian character and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He will be especially missed by his daughter [Helen] who has always been with him, and several grandchildren. The summons to `come up higher' was gladly obeyed [Sherbrooke Daily Record]."
In another article from the same source a G.W. Chapman wrote of Jonathan: "He always lived a consistent Christian life, and was never ashamed to give a reason of his hope, which he could as well as anyone I saw. Every one had confidence in his religion, as was testified by the number of friends and neighbors which attended the funeral, there being those from his own neighborhood and those from a distance, and also by the tears which were shed for a kind and Christian veteran who had fallen. He leaves one daughter [Helen] who kindly cared for him during his last years, several grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends to mourn his loss..."
Jonathan had married Lois Little who died in 1851 at the age of 27. He then married her sister Alice, who died in 1862. Jonathan and his wives are buried in the Old North Church Cemetery. Jonathan and his first wife, Lois Little, had two children:

a. Maryette [Marietta] Leavitt b 1849 m Alonzo Emery. Marietta and Alonzo settled in Hatley. Marietta died in 1882: "In Hatley, September 12, of consumption, Mrs. Marietta Emery, daughter of Jonathan Leavitt [Compton], and wife of Alonzo Emery, in her 24th year [Stanstead Journal]."
b. Milton Leavitt b 1850

With his second wife Alice, Jonathan had three children:

c. Lois Leavitt b 1853 d 1854
d. Helen Maria Leavitt b 1855 d 1923 m Frederick Emery, son of John Emery and Fanny Chamberlin, in 1874 at a double wedding ceremony: "Also, at the same time and place, Mr. Frederick Emery of Hatley and Miss Helen M. Leavitt of Compton [Stanstead Journal]." They lived on the old Leavitt family homestead where they raised their children:

i. Alice, married Miles Kent in Hatley. They removed to western Canada where they raised a family of nine children:

1. Ethel Pierce n.d. first child
2. Henry Kent b abt 1900 d. 1966
3. Myrtle Alice d 1990 m a Mr. McCreary
4. Mildred Lois d 1995 m a Mr. Hill
5. Ralph Frederick d 1994
6. Francis Margaret d 1995 m a Mr. Pederson
7. Gerald Emery d 1998
8. Arthur Everet d 1968
9. Lloyd Kent

ii. Charles [who died in infancy] was born in 1884 and died in 1885. He is buried in the Old North Church Cemetery.
iii. Willis Jonathan was born in 1886. He married his second cousin Geneva Emery, daughter of Riverious and Margaet Henderson Emery; they resided on the old Leavitt homestead, home of Jonathan and Rebecca, and Willis' grandfather Jonathan Jr.. Willis and Geneva had four children:

1.Dorothy Helen married Bert Rice. They live in St. Louis, Missouri, and are parents to Jeffrey, Brian and Michael. Jeffrey is married with two children, and also lives in St. Louis. Brian is unmarried and lives in Oklahoma. Michael is married with two daughters; he and his wife also live in Oklahoma.
2.Winson (Winston) Willis never married, and died in 1982. He is buried in the United Church Cemetery in Hatley.
3.Phyllis Margaret married lst Lindsay Pocock; they had three children:

a. Sharon Joyce married 1st Kenneth Huff; they had two daughters Sandra and Robyn. She married 2nd Michael Baumtrog; they had two children Matthew and Emily. Sharon lives in Cambridge, Ontario with her two youngest children; she is employed as a children's librarian.
b. Russell Stewart married Therese Shaheen; they live just outside of Compton where they operate an organic food business. They are parents to Lara, Nathaniel, Aimee and Camille.
c. Joanne Margaret is married to William Floch; they live in Ayer's Cliff, at the southern end of Lake Massawippi. They are parents to four children: Anna and D'Arcy [by Bill's first marriage], and James and Paul. Joanne pursued studies in sociology and taught for several years at Bishop's University in Lennoxville. She is currently a fulltime mother, involved in several projects.
Phyllis married 2nd Terry Skeats. Phyllis worked as a librarian at Bishop's University in Lennoxville for many years. She and Terry reside in North Hatley, Quebec in a home built as a replica of the old Leavitt homestead on the Compton/Hatley Township line

4. Joyce Kay died in a car accident at the age of four years; she is buried in the Old North Church Cemetery.

iv. Leana Ruth, was born in 1897. She married Walter Kingdon; they settled on a farm outside of Hatley, and were parents to four daughters:

1. Helen married Phileas Gosselin; they settled on a farm outside North Hatley close to where an ancestor, John Emery, and his wife Fanny Chamberlin had settled. Here they became parents to seven children:

a. Richard m Peggy Gagne; they live in Newport, N.H.
b. Madeleine, unmarried; she lives in Lennoxville
c. Yvonne m John Louis Rousseau; they live in Montreal
d. Margaret m Robert Wheeler; they live near Concord, N.H.
e. Jacques m 1St Winifred Moore and 2"d Alberta Moore; they live in North Hatley
f. Michael m Carole Imbeault; they live in Sherbrooke, Quebec
g. Aline died young

Phileas Gosselin died several years ago; Helen now lives in Lennoxville
2. Muriel married Calvin Hartwell; they resided in Lennoxville. They were parents of two sons. Wesley is unmarried and lives in Lennoxville. Walter married Barbara Drew, daughter of Ronald and Cynthia Huff Drew. They also live in Lennoxville. Muriel died in 1990 and is buried in the Reedsville Cemetery.
3. Myrtle is unmarried and lives in the municipality of Wateville; she worked for many years in Sherbrooke and Waterville, and is now retired.
4. Dorothy, died at an early age in 1968; she is buried in the Reedsville Cemetery near North Hatley with her father Walter, who died in 1971.

Willis and Geneva sold the Leavitt homestead in the early 1950s and moved to Hatley village. Willis died in 1973, Geneva in 1984. They are both buried in the United Church Cemetery in Hatley village.

Helen Leavitt Emery died in 1923: "[Hatley] Mrs. Fred Emery died March 16, 1923 at the home of her daughter Mrs. Walter Kingdon [Ruth] at Eustis. Helen was the daughter of the late Jonathan Leavitt [Stanstead Journal]." Her husband Frederick died in 1919. They are both buried in the Old North Church Cemetery. [Fred and Helen Leavitt Emery were the paternal grandparents of the author, Phyllis Emery Skeats].
e. Willis Jonathan b 1860 m Jennett Kerr 1879 at the Congregational Church in Waterville, Compton County.
7. Hannah, youngest daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca, married a Mr. Marks from Kentucky. She died in Kentucky: "Mrs. Hannah Mark[s] died in Kentucky recently, aged 83. She was the sister of the late Jonathan and Zebulon Leavitt, also Mrs. Benjamin Corey of this place and Mrs. Lucius Chapman of Barnston. She was the youngest and last survivor of the family [Stanstead Journal]:"
There are many descendants of Jonathan and Rebecca [Ring] Leavitt in the Eastern Townships, including Hatley Township, Compton County and Brome County. They also reside in the Province of Ontario and in other parts of Canada. There are also descendants in the United States, including in New England.
Jonathan Leavitt Sr. died in 1842; his wife Rebecca, died in 1865. They are both buried in the Old North Church Cemetery.
Jeremiah Leavitt, third son of Nathaniel and Lydia [Sanborn] Leavitt, was the brother of Jonathan Leavitt Sr. He was born in 1760 and married Sarah Shannon. They resided in Grantham, N.H. and then removed to Hatley Township. They were parents to ten children:
1. Josiah b circa 1792 did not marry
2. Weare b circa 1785 d circa 1847 m 1st Abigail Cole 2nd Phoebe Cole
3. Jeremiah b 1795 d 1846 m Sarah Sturdevant
4. Nathaniel b circa 1790 d circa 1838m 1st Deborah Delano 2nd Betty Bear
5. Lydia b circa 1794 m Thomas Rowell
6. John b 1798 d 1852 m Lucy Rowell
7. Sally [Sarah] b circa 1796 m William Rowell
8. Betsey b 1800 d 1848 m James Adams
9. Rebecca b 1802 d 1892 m Franklin Chamberlin [Chamberlain]
10. Hannah b 1805 d 1876 m Horace Fish
Jeremiah Sr. died circa 1817; he is believed to be buried in the Old North Church Cemetery in Hatley. The records for the Old North Church do not commence in 1818, when Reverend Charles Stewart entered them into his registry. However, this cemetery was commenced in the late 1700s as a pioneer burying ground for early settlers. There is a reference to a Leavitt Burying Ground, which could have been the Old North Church Cemetery, as several early members of the Leavitt family are buried there. Jeremiah's wife, Sarah Shannon Leavitt, died after leaving for Utah.
4. Nathaniel Leavitt, son of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon, was born in 1790. He married 1st Deborah Delano and 2nd Betty Bear (see "The Puzzle of Betty Bear" by the author). There were six children with his first wife:

a. Roxana b 1818
b. Saliva b 1820c.
c. Nathaniel b 1823 d
d. Caroline b 1825
e. Flavilla b 1826
f. John b 1827

There were three additional children with his second wife, Betty Bear:

g. Mary b circa 1836
h. Weare [Wire] b 1837 d 1887
i. Priscilla [or Rosella] b 1838
Wire [Weare, Wear, Wier] Leavitt, son of Nathaniel and Deborah Delano, was born in 1837. At a very young age, he was left with the Abbott family, and never saw his natural mother again; he went by the name Abbott until he married. Wire married 1st Harriet Dustin and 2nd Mary Dustin. The children were:
One child with Harriet Dustin:

i. Betsey Jane b 1861 m Leon Stebbins

Children with Mary Dustin:

ii. Lovina Mary b 1865 d 1919 m Henry Hibbard
iii. Edwin Allan b 1868 d 1953 m Nettie Priest
iv. Hattie Cora b 1869 d1951 m William Cunningham
v. Helen Rosetta b 1873 d 1959 m Franklin Woodard
vi. John Luther b 1881 m Lottie Corliss

Wire died in 1887: "[Ayer's Flat] Mr. Wier Leavitt died suddenly May 12, 1877 [Stanstead Journal]." He is buried in the McConnell Cemetery in Hatley Township along with his first wife Harriet, who died in 1863, and his second wife Mary, who died in 1928: "[McConnell] Mrs. Mary Leavitt died May 17,1928, aged 91 [Stanstead Journal)." There are numerous descendants of Wier Leavitt in Canada.
There are numerous descendants of Wire Leavitt in Canada:

iv. Hattie Cora, second daughter of Wire and Mary Dustin Leavitt, married William Cunningham in 1891. William's parents were killed in a train accident when he was ten years old; he came to North Hatley to live with his mother's aunt and uncle, Nancy and Hiram Woodard. Hattie was a kind and gentle person. She and William settled near Abbott's Corner where they were parents to:

1. Goldie Adam Ralph Tweed
2. Ray Neil b 1894 m 1st Mabel Young and 2nd Winifrid Whitehead
3. Kenneth Roy b 1895 m Sylvia Perkins
4. Mildred Maud b 1897 m Lorenzo Hills
5. Hazel Helen b 1898 m Scott Kezar
6. Gordon Willie b 1900 m Stella Danforth
7. Myrtle Ivy b 1902 m Gerald Knutson
8. Thelma Lillian b 1905 m Charlie Mosher
9. Glenys Vivian m Stanley Leavitt
Hazel Helen, third daughter of Hattie Cora Leavitt and William Cunningham, married Scott Kezar; they settled in North Hatley where they were parents to (a) Priscilla Nan and (b) Joyce Blanche. Hazel's parents lived on a farm on Lake Road near Massawippi village.
Scott Kezar was the son of Albert Harry [Harry] Kezar and Laurena [Rena] Griffin. The family lived for several years on a farm adjoining that of Scott's father Amos, on the Lake Road near the village of Masawippi. After moving to North Hatley, they built the Pleasantview Hotel, later owned by J.R. McKay. Laurena Griffin Kezar died in 1927; her husband Albert H. died several years later. Both are buried in the Massawippi Cemetery.

(a) Priscilla Nan Kezar lives in North Hatley with her husband Earl Winslow Davis. Earl operated a popular store in North Hatley for many years.
(b) Joyce Blanche Kezar married Alden Parker of Lennoxville in 1948. They spent nine years in Florida and are parents to:

1. Jane Priscilla m Robert Fields
2. Scott Alden unmarried
3. Cheryl Ann married David King

All three children and their families live in Colchester, Vermont. Robert Fields is deceased, and Joyce Kezar Parker lives in Lennoxville.

Myrtle Ivy, fourth daughter of Hattie and William, married Gerald Sigurd Knutson on January 15, 1924 at the Universalist Church in North Hatley. Myrtle was born on December 5, 1902 and died February 24, 1993; she loved sports and curled until she was 86 years old. Gerald, whose parents were from Norway and Sweden, was born January 27, 1898, and died Ma 6, 1965.

Geraldine June Knutson, daughter of Gerald and Myrtle, married Leonard Swallow in 1946 at Trinity Church in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Geraldine worked at Bishop's University in Lennoxville as secretary to the Registrar. Leonard operated a garage specializing in antique cars. They are parents to:

1. Judy Heather m Christopher Guy Bean; they live in North Hatley
2. Joan Cheryl m Gary Prucha; they live in Ontario
3. Leonard John m Diane Salois; they live in Ontario
4. Jill Lori m Walter Wantola; they live in Ontario

v. Helen Rosetta, second daughter of Wire and Mary Dustin Leavitt, married Franklin [Francis] Woodard in 1893: "At the residence of the groom's father, George W. Woodard, Ayer's Flat on January 18, 1893, Mr. Frank H. Woodward [Woodard] to Miss Helen R., daughter of Weir [Wire] and Mary Leavitt of Ayer's Flat [Stanstead Journal]." Helen Rosetta died in 1959 and is buried in the Reedsville Cemetery outside North Hatley with her husband, who died in 1964.

Guy Floyd Woodard, son of Helen and Franklin, married Grace Reed in 1920 at the Universalist Church in North Hatley: "[North Hatley] At the First Universalist Church, North Hatley, September 2, 1920, by Reverend E.E. Marggraf, Mr. Guy Floyd Woodard, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Woodard and Miss Grace Carolyne Reed, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. T.V. Reed, both of this place [Stanstead Journal]." Guy died in 1980 and is buried in the Reedsville Cemetery as is Grace, who died in 1969. In November 1941, Guy and Grace announced the engagement of their daughter Mary Jean: "Mr. And Mrs. Guy F. Woodard, of North Hatley, Quebec, announcement the engagement of their daughter, Mary Jean Helen to Sergeant Gordon E. Beane of the R.C.A.F., Montreal, Que., son of Mrs. F.W. Beane and the late F.W. Beane, of Waterville [Sherbrooke Daily Record]."

Mary Jean and Gordon were married in 1941, and were parents to:

1. Gordon Thomas m Wenda Margaret Beattie
2. Verna Kathleen m Antonio Tyrol Molo
3. Christopher Guy m Judith Heather Swallow
4. Frederick Paul m Helene Francoise M. Laperle
5. Gregory Mark m 1st Heather Jean Green and 2nd Bonnibelle Joan Anderson
6. Nicholas John m Kimberly Jean McElrea

Mary Jean was a teacher for many years, and still resides in North Hatley. Her husband Gordon Edwin, died in 1992 and is buried in the Reedsville Cemetery near North Hatley.

3. Jeremiah, Jr., son of Jeremiah and Sarah Shannon Leavitt married Sarah Sturdevant in 1817 at Grantham, New Hampshire. They removed to Hatley soon after their marriage where his parents were already residing. Here they built a log home and had twelve children:

1. Mary Ann b 1818 in infancy
2. Clarissa b 1819 m 1st Horace Sturdevant 2nd Simon Colton
3. Louisa b 1820 in Hatley d 1855 m William Jones
4. Jeremiah b 1822 in North Hatley d 1878 in Eliza Harrover
5. Lydia b 1823 in Hatley d 1847 m William Snow
6. Weare Leavitt b 1825 in Hatley d Nauvoo m Lydia Savage
7. Lemuel Sturdevant b 1827 in Compton m five times
8. Dudley b 1830 in Hatley d 1908 m four times
9. Mary Amelia b 1832 in Compton d 1893 m William Hamlin
10. Thomas Rowell Leavitt b 1834 in Compton d 1891 m 3 times
11. Betsy Jane Leavitt b 1839 Twelve Mile Grove, Illinois
12. Sarah Priscilla b 1841 Nauvoo, lllinois

After the death of Jeremiah Sr. around 1817, members of this Leavitt family made the decision to leave the area and travel to Utah to follow the doctrine of Mormonism and the teachings of Joseph Smith. In her journal, written during her journey to Utah, Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt recorded the beginning of their adventure: "From this time we set out in earnest and ready to start with the rest of the company July 20, 1835. The company was made up of the Leavitt family, Mother Sarah Shannon Leavitt and her children, consisting of twenty-three souls. Franklin Chamberlain, her oldest son-in-law, took the lead. He did not belong to the church, but his wife did [Sarah's Journal]."

Another line of Leavitts settled in the Richmond-Melbourne area in the Eastern Townships. Early records show births to Dudley and Judith Pease Leavitt as well as to Wadleigh and Abigail Caswell Leavitt, and to others.
Jonathan Leavitt was the son of Joseph Wadleigh Leavitt and his wife Mary Wadleigh. He was born in 1730 and married Ruth Cram of Deerfield, New Hampshire, born in 1732. They had a large family of thirteen children:
1. Dorothy b 1716
2. Gideon b 1752
3. Hannah b 1753
4. Mary b 1756
5. Jonathan b 1758
6. Ruth b 1761
7. Wadleigh b 1763
8. Joshua b 1765
9. Love b 1768
10. Elizabeth b 1770
11. Dudley b 1773
12. Lydia b 1776
13. Joseph b 1778
7. Wadleigh [born 1763], married Elizabeth Leavitt, born in 1770. They were parents to: Abigail, Mary, Nathaniel, Ruth, Dudley, Elizabeth, Wadleigh Jr., Lovina, Nancy, Gideon, Guy and Mary. Elizabeth and Wadleigh must have moved to Melbourne circa 1800, as the birth of their daughter Elizabeth is recorded in church records in 1801. She was baptized in 1819.

Dudley Leavitt, son of Wadleigh Sr. and Elizabeth, was born 1799. In 1823 he married Judith Pease, born in 1804, at the Protestant Church in Shipton, near Melbourne. They resided in Melbourne where they raised their family:

1. Joseph b 1825
2. Wadleigh b 1828 d 1841
3. Elizabeth b 1830
4. Dudley b 1832
5. Alonzo b 1833
6. Sabrina b 1834
7. Matilda b 1836
8. Julius b 1837
9. Albert Dudley b 1839
10. Judith b 1842
11. Hosea b 1844
12. Emeline b 1846
13. Benton Chamberlain 1849
Benton Chamberlain, son of Dudley and Judith Pease Leavitt, was born in 1849 in Melbourne. He married Emily Cummings of Lowell, Massachusetts. They lived in Melbourne where they raised a family that included:

1. Alvin b 1875
2. Hattie b 1876
3. Albert Dudley b 1879
4. Emily b 1881
5. Berth K. b 1883
6. Ida May b 1886
7. Arthur G. b 1890 at Northfield, New Hampshire

Wadleigh Leavitt Jr., son of Wadleigh Sr. and Elizabeth Leavitt, was born in 1808 in Littleton, New Hampshire. He removed to Melbourne with his parents and married Mary Polly Percival in Eaton, Compton County, Quebec, Canada. They settled in Melbourne where they had six children:

1. Francis b about 1829
2. Catherine b 18313. Caroline b 1833
4. Jeanette b 1835
5. Calvin Percival b 1839
6. Hannah b 1842

Mary Polly Leavitt died in August of 1842; Wadleigh married Abigail Caswell in 1843 at the Congregational Church in Melbourne. They were parents to several children including:

7. Edwin b 1844
8. Mary b 1846
9. Sarah b 1850
10. Alice b 1852
11. Henry b 1865

The Leavitt family still has many descendants in the Eastern Townships, and through marriages and migrations there are still numerous descendants throughout the rest of Canada and the United States.