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SHAW Sargent
Birth: 6 Dec 1791 Standish, Cumberland Co., Me.
Death: 4 Mar 1866 Gorham, Cumberland Co., Me.
Notes
information from Roger Hanson (see his web site); information in three hanson wpd
files
awt Flick-Hanson
1850 in Portland, Me. grocer
1860 in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Co., Me.
from awt priv file
also md Susanna Swett 1st and Abigail Files 3d
Source: Harriette F. Farwell, Shaw Records - A Memorial of Roger Shaw 1594-1661,
(Copyright 1903; Published 1904 by E. C. Bowler, Bethel, ME), Pgs. 161 & 162.
Mr. Shaw was a Baptist preacher, and lived and preached at different times in
Standish, where he served on the Board of Selectmen, and in other official capacities;
also in Windham, from which town he went as Representative to the State Legislature
in 1840; then removed to Portland, Me., where he was engaged in trade for some
years, where he died March 4, 1866, universally loved and respected.
His christian principles united with his naturally conscientious mind, conspired to
render him an exemplary member of society, as well as a faithful pastor of the people
to whom he preached, and where practiced in his home as well as in public, endearing
him to his family and relatives, the memory of which to the only surviving child (1904)
seems perpetual benediction of help and peace.
Source: Harriette F. Farwell, Shaw Records - A Memorial of Roger Shaw 1594-1661,
(Copyright 1903; Published 1904 by E. C. Bowler, Bethel, ME), Pgs. 162 & 163.
A sketch of the life and character of Rev. Sargent Shaw, written by Rev. D. M.
Graham for The Baptist Quarterly of April 1866, is so interesting that the following
extracts are hereto appended:
"The religious impressions of Sargent Shaw when but a mere lad were of a noticeable
character although a natural modesty or reticence prevented his making any public
profession until the year 1809. For the same reasons, and from the fact that the cares
and expense of a family devolved upon him, (the Baptists of that time with whom he
and his father had united, believing that like St. Paul, preachers should "work with
their own hands and be chargeable to none,") he did not at first obey the call to
preach, his conscientious scruples preventing a compliance with the entreaties of
prominent ministers of that denomination until 1828, when he was ordained to the
Christian ministry. His struggles to support a family without the help of a salary and at
the same time to fulfill all his obligations as pastor and preacher were vividly portrayed
by himself during life, when at last he became convinced that in order to reap the best
results from ministerial labor the whole mind should be given to that subject, and when
health and strength giving way he was obliged to discontinue preaching in a regular
way although often called to officiate at funerals and at times speak in public
meetings against slavery and intemperance. During the long contest on the subject of
slavery both before and during the Civil war, he was among the first to plead the
cause of the slave and was never intimidated by the ranting cry of his opposers who
despised "political preaching." but stood his ground in the front ranks of the "abolition
party." When at length the anti-slavery amendment to the Constitution was proclaimed,
he exultingly cried, "It is enough, mine eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord for
this nation? Now Lord, what wait I for?" His last address in a temperance meeting,
(when age had begun to tell on his long enfeebled physical powers,) was given at a
Convention in Gorham before the close of the war when many were afraid of
advocating temperance measures lest those hitherto loyal to the Union should divide
on that question, and the power of the administration become weakened. On hearing
these objections urged, the blood of the aged man was stirred and he could keep his
seat no longer, but Centre into the discussion with the fire of youth and carried
conviction to the minds of his hearers. When his speech was concluded, very few
present had any respect for a patriotism that would not go hand in hand with the
strictest temperance principles. Mr. Shaw was justly regarded as one of the wisest and
safest counselors in cases of difficulty in ecclesiastical affairs--his warm and loving
heart inclining him to the side of charity toward an accused brother until evidence of
his guilt was indisputable. Then his faithfulness in warning or rebuke knew no
restraints from the fear or favor of others--friend and foe were alike treated with
impartiality. By his consistent life, his unswerving fidelity to principle, his unshrinking
moral courage as well as by his fair and cogent reasoning, he did much to render
unpopular truth an efficient force in all the region where he was known. His natural
endowments were quite beyond the common lot; but his sense of propriety was so
acute, that his consciousness of possessing powers which he could not bring into
exercise according to his ideal was ever present, and often rendered him timid and
shrinking in the accomplishment of tasks for which he was fully competent. When told
by his physician during his last illness that his case was not serious, and that he would
be sick but a few days, he seemed disappointed and replied as if in prayer, "Why this
delay? I am ready for the journey; nevertheless, 'not my will, but thine be done' ". He
then gave charge that no encomiums be pronounced at his funeral--"say only I was a
sinner saved by grace," were almost his last words, and on a Sabbath morning he
responded to the summons, "Come up higher," leaving a wide vacancy in the home
where he was loved and revered with a passion akin to idolatry."
Marriage To HANSON Cynthia (14 Mar 1805 - )
m. 29 Sep 1839 Portland, Cumberland Co., Me.
Notes
Parents
HANSON Joseph (25 Dec 1779 - 11 Jun 1866)
HANSON Lydia (6 Nov 1786 - 1 Feb 1866)
Children by HANSON Cynthia 14 Mar 1805 -
SHAW Susan Swett (11 Apr 1841 - AFT 1903)
SHAW Lydia Ann (3 Sep 1843 - )
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