Samuel Oak

about 1817-1900 · Male · died at about 83

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Photos and clippings count items you can view here.
Cited or transcribed records are counted separately.
Story links lead to accounts about the person; “Mentioned in another story” marks a passing reference.
Memorial links open Find a Grave.
A “family recollection” label marks something a relative remembered, not a written record.
A military-service label rates the record of that service, not the whole life.

Sex is as recorded in the family tree. Age at death is worked out from the dates shown and may be a range or an approximation. It is left out when a date is missing or is only a “before”, “after” or “between” date, when the research has found a date Unconfirmed, when the two dates conflict, or when they would mean an age over 110.

Overview

Gravestone inscribed 'SAMUEL OAK', in a cemetery lot with other stones behind it; the family tree attaches it to Samuel Oak (about 1817-1900).

Nathaniel Oak1780-1859Father Abigail (Cartland) Oak1788–1866Mother

Samuel Oakabout 1817-1900Lucinda Allen1820–1916Wife Betsey Shaw1820–1844Wife

Charles Ansel Oakabout 1849-1900Son Elizabeth Sarah 'Lizzie' (Oak) Jewett1851–1928Daughter Benjamin E. Oakc. 1859–1875Son Nina E. (Oak) Steward1864–1939Daughter Mary A. (Oak) Withee1856–1926Daughter Alice J. Oakdied 1865Daughter

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Stories and biography

About Samuel

Biography

A farmer's household, twice over

Samuel Oak was born 4 January 1817 at Exeter, Penobscot County, Maine, the son of Nathaniel Oak and Abigail. By 2 June 1850 he headed his own household there, a farmer with $1,000 in real estate -- a separate establishment from his father Nathaniel's, on the same census page, with his wife Lucinda, twenty-nine, and their one-year-old son Charles.

**1850 census, Exeter, Maine: Samuel Oak's household**
1850
Source: Ancestry (NARA M432, roll 265)

Confirmed About this evidence

Samuel's birth record and the 1850 census.

Samuel married Lucinda Allen on October 11, 1847, in Bloomfield, across the Kennebec River from Skowhegan. Charles Miller, pastor of Bloomfield's First Baptist Church, performed the ceremony. Samuel was 30.

**The town clerk's marriage return for Samuel Oak and Lucinda Allen, Bloomfield, Maine, 11 October 1847.**
11 Oct 1847
Source: Bloomfield, Maine, town records, via FamilySearch.

Confirmed About this evidence

The Bloomfield return dates the wedding to October 11, 1847. The Exeter marriage intention was filed on September 18; the county recorded the return on May 4, 1848.

By 1870 the family was at Skowhegan: Samuel, 53, farmer, real estate grown to $3,000 with $890 of personal estate besides (up from $1,600 and $400 in 1860), with Lucinda, 49, and five of their six children still at home -- Charles A. (21), Elizabeth S. (18), Mary A. (13), Benjamin E. (11) and Nina E. (6). By 1880 Samuel, 63, and Lucinda, 59, were still together at Skowhegan, with their youngest, Nina E., 16, still at home and in school.

Confirmed About this evidence

The 1870 and 1880 censuses.

Samuel and Lucinda's family included Charles A. (b. April 11, 1849, Exeter), Elizabeth Sarah "Lizzie" (b. November 7, 1851, Exeter; the 1860 census records her as "Sarah E." and the 1870 census as "Elizabeth S."), Mary A. (m. Elmore Withee) and Nina E. (m. Nahum S. Steward). Family research also identifies two children who died young: Benjamin E. "Bennie," who died in 1875, and Alice J., who died in 1865.

Likely About this evidence

Benjamin and Alice are identified as Samuel and Lucinda's children in the family research, but those identifications remain uncertain.

A farm for his wife, not his children

Samuel signed a short will on 27 January 1896: he left his entire estate, real, personal and mixed, to Lucinda outright, and gave nothing by name to his son Charles or his daughters Lizzie, Mary and Nina, "believing that my said wife will deal justly by them, should she survive me." He named his son-in-law Nahum S. Steward sole executor. The will was witnessed by H. Steinberg, J. Palmer Merrill and Edward P. Coffin. The probate index gives January 9, 1900, as both the will date and the probate date; that is the court's filing date, not the signing date. The probate was publicly noticed in the Somerset Reporter on 18 January, 25 January and 1 February 1900.

Confirmed About this evidence

Samuel's will was signed on January 27, 1896, and filed on January 9, 1900. The probate index uses the filing date for both its will and probate dates.

Death

Samuel Oak died at Skowhegan on 7 January 1900, aged eighty-three years and three days, of "Senile Gangrene," attended by Dr. L. A. Dascombe. His death notice in the Somerset Reporter four days later called him "a life-long resident of Skowhegan, a well known and respected citizen" -- a loose characterization next to his documented years at Exeter, where he was born and where he and Lucinda began their married life. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, one son and two brothers and a sister; his funeral was held at the home of his son-in-law Nahum Steward, conducted by the pastor of the First Baptist Church. His death record independently names his parents as Nathaniel Oak and Abigail Cartland, matching the direct line already established for his father.

Confirmed About this evidence

Samuel's Maine death record and the Somerset Reporter notice of January 11, 1900.

His Find a Grave memorial at Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan, gives a headstone reading "SAMUEL OAK / DIED / JAN 7, 1900 / AGE 83 YEARS," and names all six of his children with exact birth and death years: Charles Ansel (1849-1900), Elizabeth Sarah "Lizzie" Jewett (1851-1928), Mary A. Withee (1856-1926), Nina E. Steward (1864-1939), Alice J. (d. 1865), and Bennie E. (d. 1875).

**Samuel Oak's headstone, Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan (Find a Grave)**
2026
Source: Find a Grave

Confirmed About this evidence

The Find a Grave memorial lists six children, but Benjamin's and Alice's identities remain uncertain.

Family

Parents

Father: Nathaniel Oak 1780-1859
Confirmed evidence: show why
Why: Samuel's 1900 death record names his father Nathaniel Oak (image inspected in the saved research).
Records:
- Maine death record of Samuel Oak, 7 Jan 1900. Ancestry collection 1962, record 162712 (view at Ancestry)
Review: assessed 09-23-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Confirmed (09-24-2026, reviewed profile): Reviewed label 'Documented', migrated on evidence.
What the labels mean
Mother: Abigail (Cartland) Oak 1788–1866
Confirmed evidence: show why
Why: His 1900 death record names his mother Abigail Cartland, born Lee, NH (image inspected in the saved research).
Records:
- Maine death record of Samuel Oak, 7 Jan 1900. Ancestry collection 1962, record 162712 (view at Ancestry)
Review: assessed 09-23-2026; evidence: Image examined.
What the labels mean

Wife: Lucinda Allen 1820–1916
Confirmed evidence: show why
Why: Bloomfield's town clerk's return of 11 October 1847 records the marriage of Samuel Oak and Lucinda Allen, and Samuel's will of 27 January 1896 (Somerset County probate, vol. 94, p. 303) leaves his estate to his 'beloved wife Lucinda'.
Records:
Bloomfield, Maine, town clerk's marriage return, 11 Oct 1847: Samuel Oak and Lucinda Allen
Somerset County, Maine, Probate Records, vol. 94, p. 303: will of Samuel Oak, signed 27 Jan 1896, filed 9 Jan 1900 (register copy) (record page · view at Ancestry)
Daily Kennebec Journal (Augusta, Me.), 19 Aug 1916, p. 7: 'Mrs. Lucinda (Allen) Oak' (names her parents) (record page · view at Library of Congress, Chronicling America)
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean

Son: Charles Ansel Oak about 1849-1900
Likely evidence: show why
The evidence note for this conclusion names a relative who may be living, so it is shown only in the family area.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Elizabeth Sarah 'Lizzie' (Oak) Jewett 1851–1928
Likely evidence: show why
The evidence note for this conclusion names a relative who may be living, so it is shown only in the family area.
What the labels mean
Son: Benjamin E. Oak c. 1859–1875
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Nina E. (Oak) Steward 1864–1939
Likely evidence: show why
The evidence note for this conclusion names a relative who may be living, so it is shown only in the family area.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Mary A. (Oak) Withee 1856–1926
Likely evidence: show why
The evidence note for this conclusion names a relative who may be living, so it is shown only in the family area.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Alice J. Oak died 1865
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean

Wife: Betsey Shaw 1820–1844
Likely evidence: show why
Why: The Oak family monument names 'Betsey Shaw wife of Saml. Oak' (photo read in the saved research).
Records:
Find a Grave memorial 67475017: Nathaniel Oak Jr. (1780-1859), Crowell Cemetery, Exeter Center, with the Oak family monument (record page · view at findagrave.com)
Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Gravestone read from a photograph.
What the labels mean

Life events

Born	about 4 Jan 1817, Exeter, Maine Likely evidence: show why Why: His death record gives his birthplace as Exeter and his age as 83 years 3 days at death on 7 Jan 1900 (image inspected in the saved research); the date is computed from that age. Records: Maine death record of Samuel Oak, 7 Jan 1900. Ancestry collection 1962, record 162712 (view at Ancestry) Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean (the family tree records 4 JAN 1817, Exeter, Penobscot, Maine, USA)
Died	7 JAN 1900, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA Confirmed evidence: show why Why: His Maine death record, 7 Jan 1900, Skowhegan (image inspected in the saved research); the Somerset Reporter reported his death early that Sunday morning, aged 83. The Somerset Reporter's own notice adds that he was "a life-long resident of Skowhegan, a well known and respected citizen," survived by his wife, three daughters, one son, and two brothers and a sister. Records: Maine death record of Samuel Oak, 7 Jan 1900. Ancestry collection 1962, record 162712 (view at Ancestry) The Somerset Reporter, 11 Jan 1900, p. 8: 'Death of Mr. Samuel Oak' (view at Library of Congress, Chronicling America) "Death of Mr. Samuel Oak," The Somerset Reporter (Skowhegan), 11 January 1900, p. 8. (view at Library of Congress, Chronicling America) Review: assessed 09-23-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Buried	Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan, Maine Likely evidence: show why Why: Find a Grave memorial (saved page) with his 1900 obituary. Records: Find a Grave memorial 138082387: Samuel Oak (1817-1900), Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan, with his 1900 obituary; its family links list his children with their dates (record page · view at findagrave.com) Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Find a Grave memorial; volunteer-contributed. What the labels mean (the family tree records Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA) View memorial on Find a Grave
Marriage	11 Oct 1847, Bloomfield, Maine Confirmed evidence: show why Why: The town clerk's own return, the eighth of eight marriages returned for 1847, performed by Charles Miller, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Bloomfield; the county clerk's office received and recorded it on 4 May 1848, a routine filing lag. A separate Exeter intention-of-marriage record dated 18 Sep 1847 is the banns filing, not a competing date, consistent with normal New England practice. Records: Bloomfield, Maine, town clerk's marriage return, 11 Oct 1847: Samuel Oak and Lucinda Allen Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Marriage	11 OCT 1847, Bloomfield, Somerset, Maine, USA, with Lucinda Allen 1820–1916
Residence	Farmer, $1,000 real estate, with Lucinda and infant son Charles -- a separate household from his father Nathaniel's, on the same census page, 2 Jun 1850, Exeter, Penobscot Co., Maine Confirmed evidence: show why Why: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Exeter, Penobscot Co., Maine. Records: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Exeter, Penobscot Co., Maine: Samuel Oak's own household (dwelling 145, family 152). (view at Ancestry (NARA M432, roll 265)) Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Residence	1870, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA
Residence	1880, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA
Will	27 JAN 1896, Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA
Probate	9 JAN 1900, Somerset, Maine, USA
Probate	Will filed for probate, two days after his death; the court ordered notice for the February Term, 9 Jan 1900, Skowhegan, Maine Confirmed evidence: show why Why: Probate register and the Somerset Reporter's notice of 18 Jan 1900. No inventory, account or distribution has been found. Records: Somerset County, Maine, Probate Records, vol. 94, p. 303: will of Samuel Oak, signed 27 Jan 1896, filed 9 Jan 1900 (register copy) (record page · view at Ancestry) The Somerset Reporter, 18 Jan 1900, p. 4: Probate Court notice for the will of Samuel Oak (view at Library of Congress, Chronicling America) Review: assessed 09-24-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Residence	ABT 1900, Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine
Memorial	Headstone photograph and children's exact birth/death years, via Find a Grave, Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan, Maine Confirmed evidence: show why Why: Find a Grave memorial 138082387, opened (previously located but unopened). Records: Samuel Oak's Find a Grave memorial (headstone photo, family-members panel): memorial 138082387, Southside Cemetery, Skowhegan. (record page · view at Find a Grave) Review: assessed 10-01-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Occupation	Farmer, Exeter and Skowhegan, Maine Likely evidence: show why The evidence note for this conclusion names a relative who may be living, so it is shown only in the family area. What the labels mean