Abijah Cheever
American politician (1760–1843)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abijah Cheever (May 23, 1760 – April 21, 1843) was an American surgeon and politician from Saugus, Massachusetts.[3]
Abijah Cheever | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Saugus | |
| In office 1822–1822 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Cheever |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Makepeace |
| In office 1829–1830 | |
| Preceded by | John Shaw |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Cheever |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 23, 1760 |
| Died | April 21, 1843 (aged 82) Saugus, Massachusetts |
| Party | Federalist[1] |
| Spouses |
|
| Relations | Joseph Cheever (brother) David Williams Cheever (grandson)[2] David Cheever (great-grandson) |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Harvard College |
Early life
Cheever was born on May 23, 1760, in Saugus.[1][4] He was a descendant of Ezekiel Cheever, longtime headmaster of the Boston Latin School. Cheever spent much of his youth working on his family's farm.[5]
American Revolution
On the evening before the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Cheever ran bullets from a mold over a fire for the muskets of his brothers, who took part in the battle the following day.[5]
In 1779 Cheever graduated from Harvard College. He then studied medicine and surgery under John Warren and obtained his M. D. in 1782.[5]
On May 13, 1782 Cheever was commissioned as a surgeon aboard the Tartar, a ship fitted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for service in the American Revolution. On the ship's second voyage, it was captured by HMS Belisarius and Cheever was sent to a prison ship in New York Harbor. Once the war ended, Cheever was exchanged and returned to Massachusetts.[5]
Boston
Return to Saugus
Cheever returned to Saugus in 1806 and remained there for the rest of his life. Cheever was one of Saugus' largest land owners with over two-hundred acres. He was also one of Saugus' few slaveholders. On his family's land, he built an elegant home that became well known throughout the region.[1][7]
In 1815, Cheever was elected to Saugus' first Board of Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.[8]
In 1821, 1829, 1830, and 1831, Cheever represented Saugus in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[9] During his political career, Cheever frequently competed with his brother Joseph Cheever.[7]