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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN N. PITMAN, a prominent citizen of Pelham, who owns and cultivates a fine farm in that town, was born in South Kingston, R.I., May 19, 1828, son of George B. and Abigail (Nichols) Pitman, the former a native of Newport, born July 5, 1788, the latter of South Kingston, born September 13, 1792. George Pitman was a hatter by trade, but spent the greater part of his life in agricultural occupations. He moved to Pelham in 1830, and settled on the farm where his son now resides. His steady and judicious labor upon it greatly enhanced its value for his son. He died April 28, 1861. He was married March 5, 1820, to Abigail Nichols, who died March 27, 1845. She was the mother of five children, only one of whom — the subject of this sketch — is now living.

John N. Pitman grew to manhood in Pelham, receiving a good common-school education in that town. He became familiar with agricultural life on the home farm; and when a young man, he learned the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked at intervals during his after life. He purchased many years ago the land which he now cultivates, and has spent many a busy day in the labors of husbandry, from the time

“When the summer calleth
On forest and field of grain,
And with equal murmur falleth
The cooling drip of the rain,”

till the season when the forces of nature fall asleep under the stilling mantle of the snow. His estate comprises forty acres of land, which is devoted to general farming; and Mr. Pitman also has some fine live stock. In politics he is independent. On religious subjects he holds liberal views. He is well endowed with the goods of this world, which he acquired by his own untiring labor, and is one of the oldest, as he is one of the most respected, residents of Pelham. Mr. Pitman is unmarried.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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