Seth Oak

Overview

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Service

Mentioned in other stories

These stories are about someone or something else, and name Seth Oak.

• The Oak men who served, from Marlborough's garrisons to the Cold War
• William Oak of Bolton and Winchendon

Family

Parents

• Father: Nathaniel Oak born 1703/4
  Likely evidence: show why

  Why: The Westborough record names Nathaniel Oak and his wife Tabitha as Seth's parents. That this Nathaniel is Nathaniel Jr. (b. 1703/4), son of the immigrant, rests on the 1906 register and the Rice wills; the register is a compilation.

  Records:

  • Westborough town record: birth and baptism of Seth Oake, 1 April 1733. 'Born unto Nathaniel Oak and Tabitha his wife the first Day of April 1733 a son named Seth Oake'; baptized 8 April
  • H. L. Oak, Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), entries 1, 7, 20 and 72 (record page · view at Internet Archive) (context)

  Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.

  Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-03-2026, research): Added from research; not in the imported family tree.

  What the labels mean

• Mother: Tabitha (Rice) Oak
  Likely evidence: show why

  Why: The Westborough record names Tabitha as Nathaniel Oak's wife and Seth's mother; her maiden name Rice comes from the register and the Rice wills.

  Records:

  • Westborough town record: birth and baptism of Seth Oake, 1 April 1733. 'Born unto Nathaniel Oak and Tabitha his wife the first Day of April 1733 a son named Seth Oake'; baptized 8 April

  Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.

  Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-03-2026, research): Added from research; not in the imported family tree.

  What the labels mean

Wife: Elizabeth (Shevally) Oak

Likely evidence: show why

Why: A Seth Oak married Elizabeth Shevally of Stow at Bolton on 25 May 1757 (Bolton record per the register); Harvard and Templeton enter Seth and Elizabeth's children; the match with this Seth rests on the names of the children.

Records:

• H. L. Oak, Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), entries 1, 7, 20 and 72 (record page · view at Internet Archive) (context)
• Harvard and Templeton vital records: children of Seth and Elizabeth Oak, 1758-1764. Harvard enters Calvin (born 12 September 1758), Katharine and Seth to Seth and Elizabeth, 1758-1760; Templeton enters Nathaniel (born 3 May 1762) and Salome to Seth and Elisabeth (confirmed as printed; the Templeton line has not been independently re-checked). (context)

Review: assessed 10-03-2026.

What the labels mean

• Son: Calvin Oak 1758–1815
  Likely evidence: show why

  Why: Harvard's record gives Calvin, born 12 September 1758, to Seth and Elizabeth; the 1906 register places Calvin at Athens; the Gazetteer lists Seth, Nathaniel and Calvin Oak together as Athens proprietors. No record names Seth as the father of the Calvin of Athens.

  Records:

  • Harvard and Templeton vital records: children of Seth and Elizabeth Oak, 1758-1764. Harvard enters Calvin (born 12 September 1758), Katharine and Seth to Seth and Elizabeth, 1758-1760; Templeton enters Nathaniel (born 3 May 1762) and Salome to Seth and Elisabeth (confirmed as printed; the Templeton line has not been independently re-checked).
  • H. L. Oak, Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), entries 1, 7, 20 and 72 (record page · view at Internet Archive) (context)
  • Revolutionary War pension file W.19932, Calvin Oak, widow Lucretia (33 pages). widow Lucretia Oak: Calvin Oak of Athens (Windham County, Vt.) a private in Capt. Wilder's company, 17 months allowed; died 8 or 10 Nov 1815; married 1782 at Leominster; she 'believes' he served a year under Capt. Seth Oaks (hearsay, not allowed); Campbell's 1840 letter: Seth 'probably acted as Capt. but was a subordinate officer' (context)
  • Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Athens: Seth Oak and sons as settlers. winter 1779-80 settlement: 'soon followed by Seth Oak and family from Winchendon'; 'The next May Mrs. Oak was delivered of a daughter, the first child born in Athens'; Seth first justice of the peace; Seth, Nathaniel and Calvin Oak among the original proprietors (context)

  Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.

  Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-03-2026, research): Added from research; not in the imported family tree.

  What the labels mean

• Son: Nathaniel Oak 1762–1830
  Likely evidence: show why

  Why: Templeton enters Nathaniel to Seth and Elisabeth (1762); the register makes this the Nathaniel of Athens; the age-18 Bolton soldier of 1780 and the Athens widow's statements fit; no document names Seth as his father.

  Records:

  • Harvard and Templeton vital records: children of Seth and Elizabeth Oak, 1758-1764. Harvard enters Calvin (born 12 September 1758), Katharine and Seth to Seth and Elizabeth, 1758-1760; Templeton enters Nathaniel (born 3 May 1762) and Salome to Seth and Elisabeth (confirmed as printed; the Templeton line has not been independently re-checked).
  • H. L. Oak, Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), entries 1, 7, 20 and 72 (record page · view at Internet Archive) (context)
  • Revolutionary War pension file W.25398, Nathaniel Oak of Athens, Vt., widow Susan. widow Susan Oak's declaration of 26 Sept 1838: Nathaniel Oak of Athens died 25 March 1830; married 3 Dec 1787 at Athens; he lived at Bolton, Mass. when he entered service; 6 months in Col. Nixon's regiment, 1780 (context)
  • Vermont, Capt. Ezra Chaffee's company pay roll, 1782, with the oath before Seth Oak, Justice of the Peace, Athens, 7 Jan 1783. page 2: 'Seth Oak' and 'Nathaniel Oak' on the pay roll of Capt. Ezra Chaffee's company, 1782; page 3: Chaffee swears his account at Athens, 7 Jan 1783, 'before Seth Oak, Justice [of the] Peace' (context)
  • Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Athens: Seth Oak and sons as settlers. winter 1779-80 settlement: 'soon followed by Seth Oak and family from Winchendon'; 'The next May Mrs. Oak was delivered of a daughter, the first child born in Athens'; Seth first justice of the peace; Seth, Nathaniel and Calvin Oak among the original proprietors (context)

  Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.

  Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-03-2026, research): Added from research; not in the imported family tree.

  What the labels mean

Life events

Newspapers

1 newspaper clipping to view here. View it larger, one at a time.

• Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock), 9 June 1907, p. 29: 'The Oakes Family and Its History,' a syndicated surname column that prints the Nathaniel Oak cabin-boy tradition, names his wives Mehitable Rediat and Mary Holloway, and lists Maine descendants.9 Jun 1907 · p. 29

Record images

27 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.

• Vital Records of Westborough (1903), Births, p. 81, under OAKE: 'Seth, s. Nathaniel and Tabitha, April 8, 1733' (from the church record), the first record found that names Seth Oak's parents; the page also lists Thankful, d. Nathaniel and Kezia (1739), William, s. Nathaniel (21 April 1728) and children of John and Susanah.1728-1751 (entries) · p. 81 (Births)
• Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster (1889), p. 34: the enlistment roll of 15 September 1755, in which the subscribers enlist in a regiment of foot raised to reinforce Major General Johnson's army, destined for Crown Point; the names include Seth Oak.15 Sep 1755 · p. 34
• Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, vol. 11, p. 598: the entry 'Oak, Seth, Winchendon', sergeant in Capt. Moses Hale's company of militia, Col. Nathan Sparhawk's regiment, on the Lexington alarm of 19 April 1775, and later in Col. Ephraim Doolittle's regiment, 1775 (sergeant, then quartermaster sergeant).1775 · p. 598
• Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, vol. XI, p. 597, heading OAK (A-N): entries for Beriah (Bolton), Calvin (Winchendon), Daniel, John (drummer, Harvard, 1780) and Nathaniel (Bolton, 1780 pay roll).1775-1801 (volume printed 1902) · p. 597
• Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, vol. XI, p. 598, heading OAK (N-S): Nathaniel of Bolton (1775 muster roll, continued), Seth of Winchendon and Sylvanus of Princeton, followed by the start of the OAKES heading.1775-1801 (volume printed 1902) · p. 598
• Capt. Seth Oaks' Company of Artificers, 1777-1778: the cover card of the Ainsworth List (Adjutant General's Office, NARA T817, reel 0011), headed 'Capt Seth Oaks' Co. of Ar[tificers]' with 'Miscellaneous Records: Lists, Returns, Pay accounts &c.'1777-1778 · page 1 (catalog no. 83; T817 reel 0011, sequence 516)
• Vermont Revolutionary War Rolls: Capt. Ezra Chaffee's company pay roll, 1782, page 2 (Seth Oak and Nathaniel Oak).1782 · p. 2 of folder 111
• Vermont Revolutionary War Rolls: folder 111 cover, Capt. Ezra Chaffe's command, 1782.1782 · p. 1 of folder 111
• Capt. Ezra Chaffee's account sworn before Seth Oak, Justice of the Peace, Athens, 7 Jan 1783 (page 3 of folder 111).7 Jan 1783 · p. 3 of folder 111
• Pension file W.15415, Zebedee Symonds, page 12: declaration of April 1818 naming Capt. Seth Oak's company, Col. Letterlow's regiment.Apr 1818 · p. 12
• Pension file S.30250, Thomas Atherton, page 5: declaration of 18 Sept 1832 naming Capt. Seth Oaks of Winchendon.18 Sep 1832 · p. 5
• Pension file W.19932 (Calvin Oak, Athens, Vt.; widow Lucretia), page 4: Lucretia Oak's widow's declaration of 29 Aug 1838, first page (names Capt. Seth Oaks). Lucretia Oak of Athens, aged 75, declares she is the widow of Calvin Oak, a private who served eight months in 1775 (part or all under Capt. Wilder, from Winchendon), afterward a year under Capt. Seth Oaks, Lieut. Luther Graves and Ensign Chapman, and nine months under Capt. Taylor or Warner.29 Aug 1838 · p. 4
• Heitman, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army (1893), p. 156: Doolittle, Ephraim (Mass.): Colonel Massachusetts Regiment, May to October 1775. Entry for Ephraim Doolittle, colonel of a Massachusetts regiment, May to October 1775.1893 · p. 156
• Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, vol. XI (1902), p. 598: Oak, Seth, Winchendon (sergeant, Capt. Hale's company, 1775; quartermaster sergeant, Doolittle's regiment) and Oak, Nathaniel (Bolton, six-months men, 1780). Seth Oak of Winchendon: sergeant in Capt. Moses Hale's militia company on the Lexington alarm (14 days), in Capt. Abel Wilder's company, Col. Ephraim Doolittle's regiment, and quartermaster sergeant at Winter Hill (Oct.-Dec. 1775). Above it, Nathaniel Oak on the Bolton pay roll of 6-months men for 1780.1902 · p. 598
• Goodrich, Vermont Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War (1904), p. 609: heading of roll 535, Capt. Josiah Fish's company (September 1782). Heading of the pay roll of Capt. Josiah Fish's company of foot, 1st Regiment of Militia, Gen. Fletcher's Brigade, Col. Stephen R. Bradley, September 1782, assisting the Sheriff; the Seth Oak row is on p. 611.1904 · p. 609
• Goodrich, Vermont Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War (1904), p. 610: column headings and dates of roll 535, Capt. Josiah Fish's company (September 1782). Column headings and the preceding dates of the Fish company roll of September 1782; the Seth Oak row is on p. 611.1904 · p. 610
• Goodrich, Vermont Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War (1904), p. 611: Seth Oak on the pay roll of Capt. Josiah Fish's company (September 1782, five days). The Seth Oak row (5 days) on roll 535, Capt. Josiah Fish's company, September 1782, assisting the Sheriff.1904 · p. 611
• Goodrich, Vermont Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War (1904), p. 807: heading of the Athens detachment list, September 1782 (Capt. Ezra Chaffee). Heading of the paper in which the commanding officer of the militia at Athens, on orders of Brig. Gen. Fletcher of 10 Sept 1782, mustered and marched men toward Guilford to assist the Sheriff; the named rows (Capt. Ezra Chaffee, Seth Oak, Nathaniel Oak) are on p. 808.1904 · p. 807
• Goodrich, Vermont Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War (1904), p. 808: Athens detachment, September 1782: Capt. Ezra Chaffee, Seth Oak and Nathaniel Oak (two days each). Rows of the Athens list: Capt. Ezra Chaffee 2, Seth Oak 2, Nathaniel Oak 2 (days allowed), among the men who marched toward Guilford in September 1782.1904 · p. 808
• Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (1906), p. 15: entry 11, Seth of Athens, Vt. (born Westborough 8 April 1733; wife Elizabeth Shevally of Stow). Seth, carpenter and farmer, Athens, Vt.; born Westborough 8 April 1733; married Bolton 25 May 1757; died Townshend, Vt., about 1814 (or probably 24 April 1810); wife Elizabeth Shevally of Stow; seven children. Service: Col. Oliver Wilder's regiment of horse 1755; sergeant at the Lexington alarm 1775; quartermaster sergeant at Winter Hill; to Athens in 1779.1906 · p. 15
• War Department reply of 8 May 1916 on Seth Oaks, captain of Capt. Oaks' Company of Artificers (first page)8 May 1916
• War Department reply of 8 May 1916, continuation (Nathan Oaks, Jacobs' regiment; suggestions to write to Massachusetts or the Pension Office)8 May 1916
• DAR Lineage Book XLIV (1917), p. 144: no. 43381: James Dutton, 'Capt. Seth Oaks' company of artificers' (Brandywine, 1777). Lineage entry for a DAR member (no. 43381) that gives her ancestor James Dutton (1740-1839) as at the battle of Brandywine, 1777, in Capt. Seth Oaks' company of artificers.1917 · p. 144
• Pension file W.25398 (Nathaniel Oak, Athens, Vt.; widow Susan), scan 00116: David F. Lane's inquiry of 12 Sept 1923 about Seth Oak and Nathaniel Oak. Letter to the Commissioner of Pensions asking for the military records of Seth Oak (born 8 April 1733, son of Nathaniel and Tabitha Rice Oak, died at Townshend, Vt.) and of Nathaniel Oak (born 1762, second son of Seth and Elizabeth Shevally Oak, died at Athens 25 March 1830); margin note 'Negative' beside Seth.12 Sep 1923
• A printed page headed 'State of Vermont' from a Revolutionary War rolls book, with a list of names that includes Seth Oak and petitions entered in the Secretary's office.undated (Vermont rolls) · printed page with a STATE OF VERMONT head
• A printed roll of Revolutionary War service, page 611 of a Vermont rolls volume, listing about forty men with their days of service, among them Seth Oak and Nathaniel Oak.undated (Vermont rolls) · p. 611
• Pension file W.14670, Stephen Boynton, page 4: widow Tabitha's declaration naming Capt. Seth Oaks of Winchendon (1777).p. 4

Sources

Research sources

• Capt. Seth Oak's Company of Artificers, 1777-1778 (index card) Military
• H. L. Oak, Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), entries 1, 7, 20 and 72 Family histories and trees view at Internet Archive
• Harvard and Templeton vital records: children of Seth and Elizabeth Oak, 1758-1764 Other documents
• Marvin, History of Winchendon: Capt. Seth Oaks and his family Family histories and trees
• Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors vol. 11: entries for Seth Oak (sergeant, 1775) and Nathaniel Oak (Bolton, 1780) Military
• Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, Massachusetts (1889), p. 34: enlistment roll of 15 September 1755 for the Crown Point expedition, naming Seth Oak (citing Massachusetts Archives muster-roll volumes xciii and xciv) Military
• Revolutionary War pension file S.30250, Thomas Atherton. Military
• Revolutionary War pension file S.30266, Josiah Beaman Military
• Revolutionary War pension file W.14670, Stephen Boynton. Military
• Revolutionary War pension file W.15415, Zebedee Symonds. Military
• Revolutionary War pension file W.19932, Calvin Oak, widow Lucretia (33 pages) Military
• Revolutionary War pension file W.25398, Nathaniel Oak of Athens, Vt., widow Susan Military
• Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Athens: Seth Oak and sons as settlers Family histories and trees
• Vermont, Capt. Ezra Chaffee's company pay roll, 1782, with the oath before Seth Oak, Justice of the Peace, Athens, 7 Jan 1783 Military
• Vital Records of Bolton, Massachusetts, to 1849 (printed), p. 157: Oak marriages, including "Beriah and Tabitha Fosket, Dec. 31, 1767" and "Seth and Elizabeth Shevally of Stow, May 25, 1757" Birth, marriage and death records view at Internet Archive
• Westborough town record: birth and baptism of Seth Oake, 1 April 1733 Other documents