James Shattuck

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James Shattuck was born in Groton, MA on February 9, 1698/9 to Samuel and Elizabeth (Blood) Shattuck. He was the second of their nine children, born about three years after his older brother Samuel. The Shattuck farm was in the northwestern part of Groton on the far side of the Nashua River.

On November 22, 1726 he married Sarah Chamberlain, and ten months later their daughter Sarah was born. In total they had eight children over 24 years.

James died on May 1st, 1769, and was laid to rest in the Walton Cemetery in Pepperell, MA. At the time of his death Pepperell was a district of Groton; it didn't become its own town until 1775.

He left the majority of his estate to his sons Ruben and Joseph, and the traditional "Widow's Third" to his wife. Ruben was also the executor of the will. James left allowances to all of his children except for Sarah. She likely predeceased her father, though I haven't been able to find a death notice for her. He signed his name on his will, so he was at least semi-literate.

James Shattuck's gravestone was carved by the Park family of neighboring Groton. It features the phrase "Memento mori" and a winged soul effigy at the top. The typical Park-style foliage goes along the sides with thistles and birds at the shoulders.