Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

234 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES.
Seudder lineage who wish to trace back their ancestry can easilr
do so from the above data.
The Seudder family has been one of the first and most distinguished
in Barnstable, and has produced a number of men conspicuous
in the professional and business walks of life.
David Seudder, derived from Eleazer, through Jlbenezer,
born Jan. 6, 1763, was an eminent citizen, and many years Clerk
of the Courts for the County of Barnstable. He married Desire
Gnge, and had Charles, born June o, 1789, who settled in Boston,
and died Jan. 21, 1861, after a long life of usefulness and distinction
as a merchant. Frederick Seudder, for several years County
Treasurer and Register of Deeds, was a younger brother of
Charles. Frederick Seudder is well remembered by this generation,
for his intimate connection with the County offices, his courteous
demeanor, his devotion to his public duties, and his upright
and useful life.
Hon. Zeno Seudder, who is derived from Josiah, through
Ehenezer, grandson of the first John, and his wife Rose (Delap),
was horn in (Osterville) Barnstable, in 1807. In his boyhood he
was inclined to follow the seas, but soon after engaged in mercantile
pursuits. Before he had attained his majority a paralysis of
the right leg induced lameness, which led to fui'ther change of
plans for life. Under the direction of Dr. Nourse of Hallowell,
Maine, and at Bowdoin college, he prosecuted the study of medicine.
Finding his infirmity an impediment to the practice of his
profession, he at once applied himself to the study of the law. He
took a preparatory course at the Cambridge law school, aud being
admitted to the bar in 1836, opened a law office in Falmouth ; but
he shortly changed his location to Barnstable. He soon acquired
a lucrative practice, and was regarded as an accurate, le?rned,
and diligent lawyer. He was elected to the State Senate from
Barnstable County, in 1846, and was twice re-elected. In his
third term of service he was chosen President of the Massachusetts
Senate, the duties of which office he performed with dignity
and ability. He was elected a member of the 32d Congress of the
United States, and took a good rank among the new members.
His speech, delivered Aug. 12, 18.'i2, on the American Fisheries,
evinced great research and an intimate knowledge of the subject.
The other interests of his constituents were guarded by him with
jealous care. His career as a representative of the peculiar
interests of the Cape promised to be one of commanding success
and influence. He was re-elected to the 33d Congress, but a fall,
which caused the fracture of a limb, proved so inconvenient that
he was obliged to resign his seat, and he was succeeded by Hon.
Thomas D. Eliot of New Bedford. His death followed, June 26,
1857. He was never married.
His younger brother, Henry A. Seudder, was also born in