Abijah Cheever (May 23, 1760 – April 21, 1843) was an American surgeon and politician from Saugus, Massachusetts.[2]
Abijah Cheever | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Saugus | |
| In office 1822–1822 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Cheever |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Makepeace |
| In office 1829–1830 | |
| Preceded by | John Shaw |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Cheever |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 23, 1760 Saugus, Massachusetts |
| Died | April 21, 1843 (aged 82) Saugus, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Federalist[1] |
| Alma mater | Harvard College |
Early life
editCheever was born on May 23, 1760, in Saugus.[1][3] He was a descendant of Ezekiel Cheever, longtime headmaster of the Boston Latin School. Cheever spent much of his youth working on his family's farm.[4]
American Revolution
editOn the evening before the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Cheever ran bullets from a mold over a fire for the muskets of his brothers, who took part in the battle the following day.[4]
In 1779 Cheever graduated from Harvard College. He then studied medicine and surgery under John Warren and obtained his M. D. in 1782.[4]
On May 13, 1782 Cheever was commissioned as a surgeon aboard the Tartar, a ship fitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for service in the American Revolution. On the ship's second voyage, it was captured by HMS Belisarius and Cheever was sent to a prison ship in New York Harbor. Once the war ended, Cheever was exchanged and returned to Massachusetts.[4]
Boston
editAfter the war, Cheever settled in Boston's North End, where he worked as a physician and surgeon.[4] On July 5, 1789, he married Elizabeth Scott. The couple had three children before her death on July 5, 1795.[5] On October 16, 1798, he married Sally Williams, with whom he had two children.[1]
Return to Saugus
editCheever returned to Saugus in 1806 and remained there for the rest of his life. Cheever was one of Saugus' largest land owners with over two-hundred acres. He was also one of Saugus' few slaveholders. On his family's land, he built an elegant home that became well known throughout the region.[1][6]
In 1815, Cheever was elected to Saugus' first Board of Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.[7]
In 1821, 1829, 1830, and 1831, Cheever represented Saugus in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[8] During his political career, Cheever frequently competed with his brother Joseph Cheever.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Lynn in the Revolution, Volume 2. W.B. Clarke Co. 1909.
- ^ Kelly, Howard A.; Burrage, Walter L. (eds.). . . Baltimore: The Norman, Remington Company.
- ^ "Dr. Abijah Cheever". NOBLE Digital Heritage. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Kelly, Howard Atwood (1920). American Medical Biographies. W.B. Saunders Company.
- ^ Johnson, Dale T. (1990). American Portrait Miniatures in the Manney Collection. Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 9780870995972.
- ^ a b Lynn Historical Society (Lynn, Mass.) (1913). The Register of the Lynn Historical Society, Volumes 16-18.
- ^ Atherton, Horace H. (1916). History of Saugus, Massachusetts. Citizens Committee of the Saugus Board of Trade. pp. 93.
- ^ Duane Hamilton Hurd, ed. (1888). History of Essex County, Massachusetts: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Volume 1. J. W. Lewis & Company. p. 394. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ "Lynn in the Revolution Pensioners/Lists". Shaun Cook. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2013.