National Association of Leavitt Families
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Dr. James Leavitt

5/3/2021

5 Comments

 
Picture
This creased and torn photograph was purchased on Ebay back in February, an unbelievable $4. special labeled as a posed haying photo​, with Dr. James Leavitt mentioned in the auction headline. On the reverse side, besides the doctor, it also mentions "Laurence, Mel, Frank Leavitt". No location was written on it, but a quick search easily found the only family to match these names.
Picture
This is the family of Dr. James Mellen Leavitt of Lord's Hill in Effingham, New Hampshire. He was born 26 Jul 1852 in Effingham, NH, the son of James Bean and Mary (Lamper) Leavitt [Desc. of Thomas Leavitt v4, pg 123/180 & v4-1990 pt1 p17] and was married to Emma Estelle Leavitt, dau. of Thomas B and Elizabeth H (Jordan) Leavitt [Desc. of Samuel Leavitt v5, pg 152], born 10 Oct 1855 in Boston, Suffolk, MA. They had nine children (While the 1900-'10 censuses both say "ch 7/5", NH VR show two more children had died in infancy), five of whom grew to adulthood. 
Picture
When comparing the ages of the three boys, Laurence, "Mel" (Mellen), and Frank, in the picture with the above 1910 census, it seems to show the picture was taken around that year. If Dr. Leavitt is in the foreground, then the older man standing at the right in the wagon may be a farm laborer (in 1920, the family had hired man Fred Murray living with them, aged 46). The three women would likely be Estelle and their two daughters, Mae and Gladys.
In the photo, an outline of mountains can barely be seen off in the far distance. From the 2008 Google Street View of Province Lake Road, the same range can be seen when looking westward over the former Leavitt farmland (the homestead is on opposite side of road). GPS: ​43.760260, -70.997582
Picture
Below is the satellite view of this neighborhood, with the old home and the family cemetery marked. In one of the fields opposite the home this old photo was taken. Much of the landscape has likely changed in the last 100 years, but the general location of this "photoshoot" is at least known. The NALF Reunion of 1990 visited Effingham and toured many of the buildings in town.
Picture
Picture
This amazing photo of the Dr. Leavitt homestead was sent to us by Pete Michaud (Nov 2021). On the back, only James was identified, as the man with beard (he is in the center with the doctor's bag). Based on the three children in photo, it is likely dated circa 1893, with woman on steps probably his wife, and his mother (who lived with him) sitting in the chair. The man beside the horse is likely a hired farm hand.
​Dr. Leavitt died at the Mass State Hospital in Boston, MA on 10 Feb 1931, while E. Estelle died in Effingham, NH on 23 Feb 1942. Both are buried in the family cemetery, opposite their late home.
Picture
A Boston Globe article, published on 30 Apr 1929, wrote that Dr. James Leavitt, at age 77, had been practicing as a country doctor for 55 years. It included a photo of the Dr.
Picture
Boston Globe, 11 Feb 1931, pg 11
5 Comments
Peter C. Michaud link
10/29/2021 05:18:53 pm

I have another photo of the family in front of their home there, in 1893, I believe. I found it at an antique shop in Northwood, NH about 2012. On the back, in a woman's hand, in ballpoint, it says
Dr. James M. Leavitt with beard
House in Effingham, N,H.
I located the home, on RT 153, a road which I have travelled often, and had actually admired that home. I would be happy to send a digital copy to anyone, just let me know.-------Pete Michaud, Salem, MA

Reply
Steve Dow
10/31/2021 05:16:09 pm

Hi Pete! Wow, that would be so awesome if you'd like to share that photo, and I could add it to the above article!! I live just minutes from Northwood, and have always been meaning to stop by those antique stores on Rt 4 some day. Think I'm missing out on some great items!

Reply
Peter C. Michaud link
10/31/2021 05:48:41 pm

Steve---Just tell me how to get it there !! ---Pete

Steve Dow
10/31/2021 06:48:26 pm

Oh yeah, I forgot that the e-mail I entered in my reply doesn't get published. It is NALFhistorian@gmail.com - thanks again!

Reply
Dale Ann Heckler
7/19/2022 10:26:33 pm

I happened on this while looking on my ancestry. Imagine my surprise to see these photos of my family. Dr. Leavitt is my Great Grandfather. My sister, my son and I are the last of this line of the Leavitts. I will look for some additional information to share.
Kindly,
Dale Ann Heckler.

Reply



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  • Home
  • Members
    • Membership >
      • MembersOnlyPage
      • MembersOnly2
    • Publications
    • Store
  • History
    • History
    • Leavitts in America
    • Founding Fathers
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    • Cemetery Records >
      • Quebec
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  • Scholarship
  • Reunions
    • Reunion 2023
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    • Hingham Reunions
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    • Reunions 1934 to 1969
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