Charles D Sackett
| Father | Israel Sacket (1792-1851) |
| Mother | Lucy Doane (1799-1870) |
Charles D Sackett, son of Israel Sacket and Lucy Doane, was born in MassachusettsG in 1829.1,2 He died of gunshot wounds in Westfield, Hampden County, MassachusettsG, on 3 December 1872 after being shot by an attacker five days earlier on 28 November.3 He was buried at Pine Hill Cemetery, WestfieldG.4 He was unmarried.
Charles was the victim of an attack by an apparently jealous assailant. By his confession, the gunman, Albert Smith, was visiting Westfield to see Jennie Bates with whom it would appear he was infatuated. He found that Charles and Jennie were together at a theatre and, meeting them later in the street, he shot them both. Charles died of his wounds a few days later. Jennie survived. Smith was tried for murder and was executed by hanging in June 1873 in Westfield.
Charles was named as a beneficiary in his father's will made in WestfieldG on 8 April 1844. He was left the residue of real and personal estate with his brother Francis, subject to their paying one-third of the value of the real estate to their sisters Harriet and Mary.5
In 1850 Charles was living in WestfieldG in the household of his parents Israel and Lucy, and was recorded in the census as Charles Sackett, a farmer, aged 21 and born in Massachusetts.6
In 1860 he was living in WestfieldG in the household of his mother Lucy, and was recorded as Charles D Sacket, a farmer, aged 31.7
In 1870 he was living in WestfieldG and was recorded as Charles Sackett, a farmer, aged 41. Living with him were his mother Lucy, 69, and sister Harriett, aged 44.8
Charles made his will in WestfieldG on 3 January 1871. He left $50 each to a nephew and niece, the rest of his estate to be shared by his sisters, Harriet and Mary. Charles owned a substantial property in Westfield, valued in excess of $20,000, but funded in part by bank borrowings. After a sale of the properties in 1873, the executor, Charles's brother-in-law Henry Plimpton, paid the net proceeds of some $10,000 to the beneficiaries. One of the beneficiaries named in the will, Henry's wife Mary, had predeceased her brother Charles by two months and her share, of some $5,000, was then to be held in trust by Henry Plimpton as guardian of their children George and Lucy.
Charles's making of a will when only in his early 40s would seem unusual but may have been prompted by the death some months earlier of his brother Frank of similar age. Certainly, his being gunned down in the street near his home in the following year could not have been imagined.5
Charles was included in a list of principal tax payers of Westfield published in the Westfield News-Letter in August 1872.9
Charles was listed as a tobacco grower in the WestfieldG City Directory in 1873 (the directory having been compiled before his death in 1872). The inventory of Charles's estate included various crops valued at some $1,400 of which tobacco accounted for $1,100. Also listed among his effects was a gold watch valued at $100, perhaps indicative of his standing in the community.
Charles was the victim of an attack by an apparently jealous assailant. By his confession, the gunman, Albert Smith, was visiting Westfield to see Jennie Bates with whom it would appear he was infatuated. He found that Charles and Jennie were together at a theatre and, meeting them later in the street, he shot them both. Charles died of his wounds a few days later. Jennie survived. Smith was tried for murder and was executed by hanging in June 1873 in Westfield.
Charles was named as a beneficiary in his father's will made in WestfieldG on 8 April 1844. He was left the residue of real and personal estate with his brother Francis, subject to their paying one-third of the value of the real estate to their sisters Harriet and Mary.5
In 1850 Charles was living in WestfieldG in the household of his parents Israel and Lucy, and was recorded in the census as Charles Sackett, a farmer, aged 21 and born in Massachusetts.6
In 1860 he was living in WestfieldG in the household of his mother Lucy, and was recorded as Charles D Sacket, a farmer, aged 31.7
In 1870 he was living in WestfieldG and was recorded as Charles Sackett, a farmer, aged 41. Living with him were his mother Lucy, 69, and sister Harriett, aged 44.8
Charles made his will in WestfieldG on 3 January 1871. He left $50 each to a nephew and niece, the rest of his estate to be shared by his sisters, Harriet and Mary. Charles owned a substantial property in Westfield, valued in excess of $20,000, but funded in part by bank borrowings. After a sale of the properties in 1873, the executor, Charles's brother-in-law Henry Plimpton, paid the net proceeds of some $10,000 to the beneficiaries. One of the beneficiaries named in the will, Henry's wife Mary, had predeceased her brother Charles by two months and her share, of some $5,000, was then to be held in trust by Henry Plimpton as guardian of their children George and Lucy.
Charles's making of a will when only in his early 40s would seem unusual but may have been prompted by the death some months earlier of his brother Frank of similar age. Certainly, his being gunned down in the street near his home in the following year could not have been imagined.5
Charles was included in a list of principal tax payers of Westfield published in the Westfield News-Letter in August 1872.9
Charles was listed as a tobacco grower in the WestfieldG City Directory in 1873 (the directory having been compiled before his death in 1872). The inventory of Charles's estate included various crops valued at some $1,400 of which tobacco accounted for $1,100. Also listed among his effects was a gold watch valued at $100, perhaps indicative of his standing in the community.
Abstract of Will of Charles D Sacket, aged 40+, of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Date: 3 Jan 1871.
Proved: 7 Jan 1873.
Beneficiaries:
Niece Emma Jeannette Sacket, minor dau of late brother Frank Sacket, & nephew George L Plympton, minor son of sister Mary E Sacket, $50 each.
Sisters, Harriet N Sacket, & Mary E Plympton, wife of Henry R Plympton, residue of estate real & personal, for their sole use & benefit free from control of any husband.
Executor: Henry R Plympton, formerly of Westfield, now of Boston.
Witnesses: Roland Williams, Charles H Sugar?, Wm G Baker.
Probate Court
7 Jan 1873, approved petition dated 7 Dec 1872 by Henry R Plimpton of Boston, stating Charles D Sackett died in Westfield on 3 Dec 1872, and that heirs were: Harriet N Sackett of Westfield, sister; Emma J Sackett of Westfield, niece; George L Plimpton of Boston, nephew; and Lucy D Plimpton of Boston, niece.
Inventory, 3 Mar 1873
Real estate $20,867, total 57½ acres in Westfield, incl. 13½ acre land and homestead in Union St $20,500.
Personal estate $3,518.70.
Creditors $11,269.50, incl. Woronoco Savings Bank $7,080, Harriet Sackett's account $520 & note $650, H R Plimpton's account $260 & note $1,000.
4 Mar 1873, Executor licensed to sell whole of real estate for payment of debts.
2 May 1876, Executor's final account approved in amount of $20,262.15. Paid to 3rd parties, incl bank, $10,158, & $50 each to Nettie Sackett & George L Plimpton. Paid to beneficiaries, Harriet N Sacket $5,052, guardian of George L & Lucy D Plimpton $5,052.
Date: 3 Jan 1871.
Proved: 7 Jan 1873.
Beneficiaries:
Niece Emma Jeannette Sacket, minor dau of late brother Frank Sacket, & nephew George L Plympton, minor son of sister Mary E Sacket, $50 each.
Sisters, Harriet N Sacket, & Mary E Plympton, wife of Henry R Plympton, residue of estate real & personal, for their sole use & benefit free from control of any husband.
Executor: Henry R Plympton, formerly of Westfield, now of Boston.
Witnesses: Roland Williams, Charles H Sugar?, Wm G Baker.
Probate Court
7 Jan 1873, approved petition dated 7 Dec 1872 by Henry R Plimpton of Boston, stating Charles D Sackett died in Westfield on 3 Dec 1872, and that heirs were: Harriet N Sackett of Westfield, sister; Emma J Sackett of Westfield, niece; George L Plimpton of Boston, nephew; and Lucy D Plimpton of Boston, niece.
Inventory, 3 Mar 1873
Real estate $20,867, total 57½ acres in Westfield, incl. 13½ acre land and homestead in Union St $20,500.
Personal estate $3,518.70.
Creditors $11,269.50, incl. Woronoco Savings Bank $7,080, Harriet Sackett's account $520 & note $650, H R Plimpton's account $260 & note $1,000.
4 Mar 1873, Executor licensed to sell whole of real estate for payment of debts.
2 May 1876, Executor's final account approved in amount of $20,262.15. Paid to 3rd parties, incl bank, $10,158, & $50 each to Nettie Sackett & George L Plimpton. Paid to beneficiaries, Harriet N Sacket $5,052, guardian of George L & Lucy D Plimpton $5,052.
Charles D Sackett (1829–1872), Pine Hill Cemetery, Westfield, Massachusetts
(Src: Find a Grave, Phyllis Bombard)
(Src: Find a Grave, Phyllis Bombard)
Awaiting the Gallows
Springfield, Mass., May 5.—Albert M. Smith was to-day sentenced to be hanged, for the murder of Charles D. Sacket at Westfield, last November.
—Jackson Citizen, Jackson, Michigan, 6 May 1873, p 5
Hanged for Murder
Springfield, Mass., June 27.—Albert H. Smith was executed in this city this forenoon for the murder of Charles D. Sacket of Westfield, committed on the 28th of last month.
—Jackson Daily Citizen, Jackson, Michigan, 27 Jun 1873, p 6
The Death Penalty.
Execution of the Westfield Murderer.
Springfield, Mass., June 27.—Albert H. Smith, the murderer of Charles D. Sackett at Westfield, last November, was hung here to-day at 11 a.m.
Second Despatch.
Springfield, June 27.—Smith was visited yesterday by a large number of persons, including his brother Charles, who arrived to take the body to Baltimore. No other relative of the prisoner was here. His so-called confession contains nothing new, but is simply a narrative of the murder and the causes leading to it, which Smith has been writing for a week. All has been admitted by Smith, except as to the deliberate intention to commit murder, and on this point he confesses nothing, but still asserts strongly that the murder was the result of an insane passion which he could not control, and for which he believes he never was morally responsible. He says that it was on that fatal 28th of November night that he went to Westfield to see Jennie Bates, not knowing that she was at the theatre at the time. He started up to her house, but on the way he found out she and Sackett had gone to the theatre. "There I was," he says, "and felt like one that could die, and all the feelings that ever animated human breast were in mine. I was like one that was mad, and in fact I must have been partly so, from what was said on trial against me. I know nothing after that hour. Sackett was with Jennie. I know nothing of what Boderay or the two night watchmen said I did at the depot. All is new to me. If I was in the condition they say I was in, I was a wild or crazy man. I remember meeting Jennie and Sackett together on the sidewalk. Then, as a wild man still, I shot down Sackett; but as for the shooting of the girl I will say and always have said it was through an accident. When I heard she was shot, I felt sorry, and have shed many tears for her, because she was shot by me. I knew not what I was about or doing." On hearing the order given yesterday to get the cap for the execution, Smith remarked, "Get any old cap; one or two sizes too large will do just as well, and save the county two dollars."
Last night he partook of a hearty supper, and read the paper containing the account of Wagner's escape from the jail at Alfred, Me. It seemed to make no impression on him. His conversation ran on Jennie Bates, and he said: "I don't want to live if I can't have her." Also, "I would rather be hung than be in jail for life."
Those who conversed with him during the last few days noticed that he sometimes betrayed considerable agitation and nervousness. A prayer meeting was held in his cell last night.
The gallows was tested yesterday with a sand bag weighing 200 pounds, and worked all right. The platform was about ten feet high, giving about nine feet of a fall.
—The Daily Graphic, New York, NY, 27 Jun 1873, p 6
Notes & Citations
- Charles Weygant, The Sacketts of America, "1131. Charles Sacket."
- Date of birth based on age at death.
- The Daily Graphic, New York, NY (GenealogyBank.com image), 27 Jun 1873, p 6.
- Find a Grave.
- "Massachusetts, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991" (Ancestry image).
- 1850 United States Federal Census, M432_318/221[2]
Westfield, Hampden County, MA
Israel Sackett, 51, farmer, b. MA
Lucy Sackett, 50, b. MA
Harriet Sackett, 26, b. MA
Francis Sackett, 25, whips, b. MA
Charles Sackett, 21, farmer, b. MA
Mary Sackett, 10, b. MA
Lucinda Randall, 17, b. MA. - 1860 United States Federal Census, Roll M653_502FHL Film 803502, p 911
Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts
Sacket, Lucy, 60, personal estate $300, b. MA
Sacket, Harriet, 36, housework, b. MA
Sacket, Charles D, 31, farmer, b. MA
Sacket, Frances [sic], f [sic], 33, farmer, real estate $7,000, personal estate $1,000, b. MA
Sacket, Mary A, 29, b. England
Sacket, Nettie, 2, b. MA. - 1870 United States Federal Census, M593_619/420
Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts
Sackett, Charles, 41, farmer, $2,000, $500, b. Mass
Sackett, Lucy, 69, keeping house, $-, $400, b. Mass
Sackett, Harriett, 44, no occupation, $-, $600, b. Mass
Sackett, Mary Ann, 39, keeping house, $-, $1,000, b. England
Sackett, Emma, 12, attending school, b. Mass
Noble, Daniel, 45, farm laborer, b. Mass
Sackett, Frances, 43, female [sic], farmer, b. Mass. - Westfield News-Letter, Westfield, Massachusetts (Westfield Athenaeum image), 23 Aug 1872, p 2
The Heaviest Tax Payers.
The following list includes, we believe, the principal tax payers of Westfield.
[List of about 500 names includes:] Marshall A Sackett $55.83; Sackett Est of H $53.65; Sackett Noah $102.42; Sackett James M $71.17; Sackett & Cadwell $78.45; Sackett Roland $97.80; Sackett Martin $91.40; Sackett George $67.26; Sackett Enoch $101.60; Sackett Henry $132.65; Sackett Chas D $ 92.57.
| Sackett line | 6th great-grandson of Thomas Sackett the elder of St Peter in Thanet 4th great-grandson of Simon Sackett the colonist |
| Charts | Line 3a (American) |
| Generation.Tree | 7O.3 |
| Last Edited | 4 Jun 2024 |
and 
are links to Text and Image exhibits.
English line of Thomas Sackett the elder & other English lines
American line of Thomas Sackett the elder through Simon Sackett the colonist
Line of John Sackett of New Haven