Fessenden and Barrows Family genealogy

The Fessenden family is a prominent political family that can trace its lineage in America back to John Fessenden's immigration from England circa 1665. The lineage is well-known and recorded for many centuries before this date. Notable members of the family include William Pitt Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury under Abraham Lincoln and Samuel Fessenden, who served in Massachusetts Legislature. Several children of William Pitt Fessenden served in the American Civil War with at least one dying in combat and others receiving serious injuries. The Barrows family claims descent from John Barrows, who emigrated to the United States from England in 1637. Although not as prominent as the Fessendens, members of the Barrows family served in the Maine Legislature and were active in their communities. The Fessenden and Barrows families were married together in 1812 through Mary Fessenden and William Barrows. The couple had four children. For more information on the Fessenden family and the Barrows' relation to that family, see Fessenden Family in America by Edward Allen Fessenden.