Dorcas Barrett (1798-1872) of Concord, Mass., and James Sawyer Gerrish (ca. 1791-1833) of Salem, a teacher, were married in Salem in Aug., 1825. Their children (all born in Salem): James Barrett, 1826-1857; Joseph Story, 1830-1888; Charles Pickering, 1833-1874; plus two infant sons, one born and died in 1828, one in 1829. After the death of James Sawyer Gerrish, Dorcas Barrett Gerrish moved back to Concord with her children. She suffered some form of mental breakdown, was admitted to the McLean Asylum (bills for her care dated 1863 survive among the papers), and apparently recovered.
Joseph Story Gerrish was in the dry goods business in Concord and in Boston (he worked for John Brown and for C.F. Hovey & Co.) and in Chicago (in partnership with George Bellows of Concord). He was also connected in some way with North Chicago Steel Co. (later called North Chicago Rolling Mill Co.). Charles Pickering Gerrish was a member of the shipping firm of Jed Frye & Co. in New York. In 1874, having suffered financial loss and fearing insanity, he committed suicide.
From the description of Gerrish family papers, 1818-1887. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 33526937
