Person Page - 333

Justin Sackett, an extensive contractor of Springfield, was born in Westfield, September 5, 1814. His grandfather, Joel Sackett, was an old resident of Westfield, having moved thither from Agawam when that village was flooded. Mr. Sackett's father, Elijah Sackett, was born in Westfield, and lived there until 1817, when he came to West Springfield. His wife, Cynthia, whose family name was the same as his own, bore him five children: Israel, deceased; Clarissa, the wife of Noah Ashby, of West Springfield; Justin; Cynthia; deceased; and Elijah.
     Justin, having attended school at Ashleyville, West Springfield, came to Springfield when a boy, and hired himself to a farmer for a number of years. In 1840, he went to work in the old Springfield cemetery, where he was employed for thirteen years. He then went to St. Johnsbury, Vt., and took the contract for laying out a cemetery there. Having complete charge of this work, Mr. Sackett gained a considerable reputation for skill and executive ability. The tracks and dike of Hampden Park were built by him, the length of the two tracks being a mile and a half. He here employed a force of thirty men. At the same time Mr. Sackett was busily engaged in fulfilling a contract for the Northampton Hospital, and one-half of each day was given to the supervision of the respective works. He continued taking contracts for earth works, and in 1859–1860 he was superintendent of the city streets. For nine years he held this important position, which he finally resigned. His main line of work was building of streets, putting in sewers, and grading lawns, which gave employment for a large number of men, and was the means of supplying many families. This especial work he continued until 1892, when his last contract, which was for the building of the Forest Park roads, was completed. He was one of the originators and directors of the Oak Grove Cemetery, which he took charge of personally, and which was mainly laid off upon his own ground.
     Mr. Sackett married Miss Sophia O. Marsh, a daughter of Mr. Apollo Marsh, who was a soldier in the War of 1812 and a representative of the old and well-known Marsh family of Springfield. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sackett: Edward, the eldest, who is a railroad man and engaged in the city; Alice, the wife of Mr. Charles Rust; and James, who has succeeded his father in business. The family attend the Unitarian church. Mr. Sackett, though formerly a Whig and later a Republican voter, has not been an active politician. Mr. Sackett has owned a large amount of real estate in and about the city. He has also built several residences. His own home, which is surrounded by a lawn covering an acre of ground, was built in 1861, and was then considered a long way out, though now in the heart of the city. The family still occupy this attractive old place, endeared by the associations of so many years. Mr. Sackett was for some time a member of the Board of Public Works, in which body he was an acknowledged authority.

—Biographical Review of the Leading Citizens of Hampden County, Massachusetts, Biographical Review Publishing Company (1895).

Death of Justin Sackett. Springfield, Mass, March 8—Justin Sackett, 82, died early this morning of old age. He was one of the best known landscape gardeners in his day and located Forest park in this city.
     He served on the board of public works, and for nine years, from 1860, was superintendent of streets.
     He leaves three children, Edward I. Sackett, division superintendent of the Boston & Albany railroad; James Sackett and Mrs Charles Rust, all of this city.

—The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, 3 Mar 1897, p 2

Deaths
Sackett, Justin, 3 Mar 1897.

—Boston Transcript, Massachusetts, 4 Mar 1897

Obituary Notes.
Justin Sackett of Springfield, Mass., died yesterday, aged eighty-two years. He was a landscape gardener of good reputation in New England. He served on the Board of Public Works of Springfield, and for nine years, from 1860, was Superintendent of Streets.

—New York Times, 4 March 1897

Abstract of Will of Caleb Sackett, of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Date: 18 Mar 1882.
Proved: Will includes "request that the said Jerusha may be exempt from furnishing any surety on her bond as executrix."
Beneficiaries:
Wife Jerusha, all real & personal estate "with confidence that she will make a just use of the same during her lifetime and an equitable disposition of the same as regards our children namely Mary Ames, Martha L Cooley, Lucy Cadwell and Frank E Sacket."
Executrix: Wife Jerusha.
Witnesses: L B Blood, George W Sibley, Frank E Sibley.

Westfield
Mrs. Lydia Caswell Dead
Aged Resident Had Spent Most of Life in Town
     Mrs. Lydia Caswell, 98, of 27 Bartlett street, one of Westfield’s oldest residents, died at her home yesterday morning after an illness of several months. She had lived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Wetmore of Bartlett street for many years.
     Mrs. Caswell was born in Middle Farms, December 28, 1819, and was one of a family of six girls and three boys, of whom she was the last survivor. She was the daughter of Asah and Lucretia (Gaylord) Chapman. She often spoke of her girlhood days, and of many of her playmates of that period, many of whom attained prominence in the world in later years. She had been a resident of Westfield practically all her life and had seen many changes in the town.
     Mrs. Caswell injured one of her eyes a few years ago, and her hearing was also slightly impaired by the accident, but she had retained most of her faculties up to a short time before her death. She was a fine conversationalist and a great reader. She was a singer of note during her younger days, and was much in demand at church and concert affairs. She rode on the second train that was run over the Boston and Albany railroad, from Hinsdale to Westfield.
     Mrs. Caswell was twice married, her first husband being Lemuel Sackett, by whom she had five children, one of whom, Mrs. Hebert L. Sackett, of Pochassic street, survives. Her second husband was Hiram Caswell, a veteran of the civil war, by whom she had one son, Hiram Caswell, Jr., who is now living in Springfield. She was a member of the Methodist church.
     The funeral will take place at 3 o’clock to-morrow afternoon at Parks chapel. Rev. Robert Tucker will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Hill cemetery.

—The Springfield Daily Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, 25 Aug 1917, p 10

Roland Sackett 2nd, of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Administration of estate
3 Mar 1868, Application for appointment as administratrix, Chloe B Sackett, widow. Other kin: Clara Bates Sackett, daughter, about 4, Jasper Lorenzo Sackett, son, about 2.
17 Mar 1868, Chloe appointed administratrix.
Inventory 6 Mar 1869: real estate 1¼ acres building lot $800, personal estate $51.77 incl. 150 lbs tobacco $10.
21 Dec 1869, Chloe B Sackett removed as administratrix following discovery of creditors of the estate.
1 Mar 1870, David Mosely appointed administrator, Henry Sackett & Linus E Owen sureties. To put notice in Westfield News Letter newspaper re creditors.
5 Jul 1870, Debts assessed $471.84. Value of real estate $800.
9 Nov 1870, Advertisement Westfield News Letter, sale by auction 1¼ acres at Prospect Hill next door to land owned or occupied by widow Polly Sackett.
2 Apr 1872, Sale of real estate to Henry Sackett $600. Creditors $537.09, incl. Henry Sackett $275.

Chloe Sackett, of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Administration of estate
10 Jul 1901, Clara B Sackett appointed administratrix, W H Whitney & George J Dow sureties.