Biographical Sketch

Norwood Penrose Hallowell (1839-1914) was born on 13 Apr. 1839 in Philadelphia, Penn., the son of Morris L. and Hannah (Penrose) Hallowell. He graduated from Harvard College in 1861. On 10 June 1861, he was commissioned first lieutenant of the 20th Mass. Regiment and later promoted to captain. He fought in many battles, including Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, and Antietam, where he was wounded. On 17 Apr. 1863, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 54th Mass. Regiment and later colonel of the 55th Mass. Regiment, the second Black regiment raised in the state. The regiment was stationed at New Bern, N.C. and took part in the attack on Fort Wagner, S.C. Hallowell's brothers, Edward N. and Richard P. Hallowell, were also involved in the recruitment of Black soldiers for the 54th and 55th Regiments. The family was active in the anti-slavery movement and worked to get equal pay for Black soldiers and other equal treatment for Blacks.

In 1863, Norwood P. Hallowell was discharged from military service and entered the wool business in New York and Boston. He married Sarah Wharton Haydock on 27 Jan. 1868. The couple settled in Medford, Mass. and had six children: Anna Norwood Hallowell; Robert Haydock Hallowell; Norwood Penrose Hallowell, Jr.; John White Hallowell; Esther Fisher Hallowell; and Susan Morris Hallowell.