Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 121
VIII. Sylvanus, horn (says the town record, and his gravestones),
Nov. 21, 1731, and bap'd, according to the
church records, on the 14th of the same month. He
married Feb. 3, 1757, Hannah Sturgis. He had no
children. Before leaving for Cape Breton he made
his will, dated May 24, 1758 ; but it was not proved
till July 16, 1761. He styles himself a merchant, and
says he is bound on a dangerous enterprise. He gave
his whole estate to his wife. He died suddenly at
Martha's Vineyard, May 22, 1761. He was then a
captain in the provincial army, and was recruiting men
for the service, in which he had been employed several
years. He was 29 years of age. The inventory of
his estate amounted to £122.9, including a small stock
of merchandize. His widow died June 13, 1798,
aged 62.
IX. Eunice, born Feb. 16, 1732-3, bap'd on the 25th of the
same month; married June 19, 1754, Capt. John Gal-
lison of Marblehead. Her grandson, John, was a distinguised
Counsellor at Law.
X. Eichard, born Nov. 1, 1739, bap'd 18th of same month.
He was a physician, and though he usually laid his saddle
bags and spurs on his table every night, so that he
could promptly respond to a call, he rarely had a patient.
He was a very different raiin from his brothers. He inherited
none of the energy of character and good business
habits of his ancestors. He was a man of feeble intellectual
power,—simple-minded and incapable of making
much exertion. He was a well educated man, and it
has been remarked of him by persons well qualified to
judge, that he had a good knowledge of the theory and
practice of medicine ; but being wanting in judgment,
his learning was of no practical advantage to him. He
was very courteous and gentlemanly in his habits, and
one of the most accommodatina: and obliging of men.
He was the first Postmaster in Barnstable, an office which
he held many years, and the Barnstable Social Library
was kept at his house. For many years he was i.he only
Postmaster, and his house was a place of frequent resort.
At first, there was only a weekly mail ; afterwards a
semi-weekly, and in 1812 a tri-weekly—only two how-
. ever were paid for by the Post Office Department ; the