USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Historic homes and places and genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
Another family of this name in Barre is de- scended from Josiah White, who died at Barre in 1803, probably of the Weymouth family. Married at Sutton, April 28, 1737, Mary Tay- lor, and two other wives afterward, Hannah and Lucy. Children, all born in Sutton: i. Josiah, born July 8, 1738, died young. ii. Josiah, born April 1, 1745. iii. Hannah, born July 20, 1746, married John Moore. iv. Caleb, born July 31, 1747. v. Ebenezer, born Sep- tember 25, 1752. vi. Abel, born April 21, 1754 ; died 1844. vii. Rachel, born 1756. viii. Elias, born December 13, 1759. ix. Noah, born November 6, 1761. x. Lucy, born April 16, 1764. xi. Job, born March 6, 1766. This line is very distantly if at all connected with the line from Randolph.
John White, Jr., married in Barre, Octo- ber 29, 1807, Arathusa Holden, daughter of James and Hannah Holden. She was born at Barre, January 8, 1785. Children of John, Jr. and Arathusa White, born at Barre: I. Lo- renzo, born March 27, 1808. 2. Eliza, born September 22, 1809. 3. John, born November 23, 1811. 4. Ira Johnson, born July 9, 1813, mentioned below. 5. Silas, born July 4, 1815. 6. James, born November 21, 1817. 7. Mary, born January 1, 1821. 8. Charles, born Sep- tember 23, 1822, died July 10, 1827, at Barre. 9. Warren, born August 8, 1826. Few of the children of either generation located in Barre.
(VIII) Ira Johnson White, son of John White (7), was born in Barre, Massachusetts, July 9, 1813. He was educated in the public schools, settled in Boston. He married Sarah Jane Maling, a native of Charlestown, Massa-
97€
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
1
chusetts. Children : I. Herbert, born Novem- ber, 1848. 2. George Russell, born October 29, 1850, mentioned below. 3. Ira Irving. 4. Anna A., married Nathaniel P. Jones. 5. Charles H. 6. Daniel M. 7. Sarah A., died at five years of age.
(IX) George Russell White, son of Ira Johnson White (8), was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 29, 1850, and was edu- cated there in the public schools. He com- menced his business career as bookkeeper and clerk for the Boston Machine Company, and remained with this company for nine years. In 1875 he came to Melrose and engaged in the retail milk business, in which he has achieved marked success. He has enjoyed a flourishing trade for more than thirty years, and is well- known and highly esteemed in Melrose and vicinity. He is a Republican in politics, and a Unitarian in religion. He married, Decem- ber 24, 1872, Ellen M. Haines, daughter of William B. Haines, of Boston. Children: I. Mabel L., born February 7, 1877, married Adrian H. Boole, of Boston. 2. Ethel M., born April 5, 1880.
.
NICHOLS The Nichols family of Malden and Everett, Massachusetts, to which the following branch belongs, had their abode in the southerly part of Malden, which is now incorporated as the city of Everett. Here they have been located since the year 1660, and here they have been numerous and many of them have been promi- nent in the community and some of the mem- bers are yet residents upon the lands which their first ancestor, James Nichols, owned and occupied. While there were different families by the name of Nichols, in this part of Massa- chusetts, before 1700, this particular family appear to have come from the neighborhood of London, England, and are not, as far as known, related to the other families of the name in the adjoining towns.
(I) James Nichols, of Malden, Massachu- setts, died there, 1694. Married, April, 1660, Mary Felt, baptized January 26, 1639-40, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Wilkin- son) Felt, of Malden. He was made freeman in 1668. He was a soldier in King Philip's war in 1676, serving in Captain John Cutler's company. In 1680 he was appointed tithing- man. Children: I. Mary, born March I, 1660. 2. James, 1662, see forward. 3. Na- thaniel, 1666, married Sarah . 4. Eliz- abeth, married Andrew Kinsicum. 5. Ann,
married Thomas Dunbar. 7. Samuel, married , had a daughter Elizabeth. 8. Caleb. (II) James Nichols, son of James Nichols (I), was born at Malden, 1662, died there, March 22, 1726. Married (first), November 15, 1686, Hannah Whittemore, of Woburn; married (second), 1691, Abigail -. Chil- dren : I. Hannah, born November 22, 1687. 2. James, January 28, 1688-89, died young. 3. Esther, January 5, 1690-91. 4. Abigail, Au- gust, 1692. 5. James, October 22, 1694, see forward. 6. Joshua, January 5, 1696-97. 7. Caleb, April 27, 1699, died December 18, 1721. 8. Jemima, November 4, 1702.
(III) James Nichols, son of James Nichols (2), born October 22, 1694, died 1730. Mar- ried (first), July 19, 1719, Tabitha Floyd, who died September 22, 1723, in her twenty-first year (gravestone ) daughter of John and Rachel (Parker) Floyd, of Rumney Marsh, Boston; married (second), October 8, 1729, Mary Byles, born November 3, 1707, daughter of Josiah Byles. She married (second) Daniel Ballard. Children : I. James, born 1720, died 1740. 2. John, 1723, see forward.
(IV) John Nichols, son of James Nichols (3), born at Malden, 1723, died there August 17, 1789. Married, April 21, 1748, Elizabeth Burdett, born June 2, 1726, died December 7, 1803, aged seventy-eight years, daughter of John and Hannah (Cole) Burdett, of Malden. He was a member of the military company in Malden commanded by Captain John Dexter, his name being on a bayonet roll of that com- pany, dated Malden, November 30, 1758. Children : 1. John, born September 16, 1749, married, February 27, 1772, Phebe Oakes, daughter of Jonathan and Esther (Bucknam) Oakes, of Malden. 2. Elizabeth, January II, 1751-52, married, May 2, 1771, Joseph Dyer, of Boston. 3. Sarah, October 24, 1754, mar- ried, November 6, 1774, Jonathan Oakes, of Malden. 4. James, March 17, 1757, died 1830. 5. Ebenezer, April 21, 1759, died September IO, 1761. 6. Tabitha, April 7, 1761, married (first), May 6, 1787, Benjamin Bill, of Chel- sea ; married (second), March II, 1804, Wins- low Sargent, of Malden, died May 28, 1805. 7. Ebenezer, April 21, 1763, see forward. 8. Nathan, April 18, 1765, married, February 20, 1792, Dorcas Smith, daughter of Isaac and Dorcas (Barrett) Smith. 9. William, Novem- ber 24, 1767, married, December 19, 1790, Nancy White, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Tufts) White, of Malden.
(V) Captain Ebenezer Nichols, son of John Nichols (4), born at Malden. April 21, 1763,
971
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
died there August 1, 1836, aged seventy-three years. Married, April 5, 1792, Esther Sar- gent, born August 8, 1766, died April 6, 1854, daughter of David and Mehitable (Green) Sargent, of Malden. He was a farmer and he also worked at shoemaking during the winter months as was the custom of that time, having his shoemaking shop on his farm which con- sisted of thirty-five acres which was on what is now Nichols street, Everett, where he re- sided. Later the farm was sold to Caleb Pratt. He was a Universalist in religion. Children: I. Ebenezer, born March 8, 1793, married (first), April 22, 1821, Betsey Fletch- er, of Malden, and (second), November 5, 1835, Mrs. Lucy (Wetherbee) Pitts ; children : i. Ebenezer Walker, born August 2, 1822; ii. Betsey Fletcher, October 10, 1825. 2. Joseph, born October 9, 1794, died July 15, 1823, aged twenty-nine years ; married Abigail W. Camp- bell. 3. Esther, born April 18, 1796. 4. Han- nah, born May 18, 1798, died October 24, 1871; married, December 31, 1820, Andrew Davidson Nichols, of Malden. Children: i. Andrew, born January 28, 1823, died July 12, 1823. ii. Hannah, July 1, 1824, died July 14, 1825 ; iii. Andrew D., March 3, 1826, died Sep- tember 12, 1861 ; married, February 25, 1849, Ellen A. Tufts, daughter of Edward and Ellen Tufts, of Malden ; iv. Benjamin Franklin, July
23, 1830, died February 18, 1832. v. Benja- min Franklin, May 9, 1833 ; vi. Ebenezer, No- vember 9, 1835; vii. Thomas Oakes, Novem- ber 18, 1839; viii. Edward L., November 2, 1843. 5. Phebe, born December 23, 1799, mar- ried, 1827, Isaac Hill, of Malden ; children: i. John Sprague (Hill), born December 25, 1828; ii. Ellen M. (Hill), February 15, 1831, died February 3, 1848, aged seventeen years ; iii. Abraham G. (Hill), April 9, 1839. 6. Ben- jamin, born January 16, 1802, married, March 29, 1825, Mrs. Abigail W. (Campbell) Nich- ols; children: i. Abigail W., born March 8, 1826, died November 13,. 1832: ii. Joseph C., April 26, 1827; iii. Harriet E., January 3, 1829. iv. Rebecca A., April 27, 1832; v. Ben- jamin L., January 19, 1834, died November 25, 1845; vi. Abigail W., born June 5, 1837; vii. Martha S., December 28, 1839; viii. Jose- phine. 7. Eliza, born December 1I, 1803, died August, 1833; married, July 15, 1828, James L. Breeden, child : Ruth Wait ( Breeden), born at Malden, December 19, 1829. 8. Tabitha, born December 26, 1805, died August 28, 1885; married, June 1, 1828, Henry Shute of Malden, children: i. George Henry (Shute), born March 21, 1829, died September 4, 1859 ;
ii. William (Shute), May 17, 1831, died No- vember 28, 1891; iii. Eliza Nichols (Shute), January 1, 1834 ; iv. Amos (Shute), January I, 1834, died same day; v. Charles Francis (Shute), June 17, 1838; vi. Esther Nichols (Shute), January 9, 1842, died March II, 1843; vii. Edward L. (Shute), July 10, 1844 ; viii. Esther Nichols (Shute), January 20, 1850, died March, 1890; ix. Mary Waits (Shute), March 17, 1854. 9. George, born January 14, 1809, see forward. 10. Harriet, born April 24, 18II.
(VI) George Nichols, son of Captain Ebe- nezer Nichols (5), born at Malden, January 14, 1809, died there November 29, 1852. Mar- ried, November 29, 1830, Mary Farnham, born August 3, 1808, died May 24, 1895, daughter of Timothy and Susanna (Berry) Farnham, of Malden. He received his education in the common schools. He assisted his father on the farm, and learning the art and mystery of shoemaking of David Faulkner, of Malden, he followed that occupation winters and during the summer worked at farming. About 1840 he worked for his brother Benjamin at the same occupations and later hired the old David Faulkner farm situated on what is now Cross street, which he carried on for some six or seven years. He also conducted a large busi- ness in cattle, buying of the drovers that came from Maine and New Hampshire to the mar- kets at Cambridge and Brighton and selling them to the butchers and farmers. He was of medium height and dark complexion. In reli- gious belief he was a Universalist, and in poli- tics a Democrat. He served when a young man in the state militia. Children: I. George, born September 15, 1832, died January 7, 1907. 2. Levi Farnham, born July 14, 1834, married, June 26, 1871, Ellen S. Hall, of Mal- den. 3. Mary Ann, born December 20, 1835, died January 29, 1836. 4. Mary, born August 3, 1837, died December 29, 1906 ; married, De- cember 24, 1854, Thomas M. Balcom, of Charlestown; children: i. Lucy Melvin (Bal- com), born October 26, 1855, married, April 6, 1881, Frederick T. Mills, of Everett ; ii. Mary Lizzie (Balcom), December 16, 1859, married, December 28, 1881, Frederick P. Greenwood, of Everett; children: i. Walter Melvin (Greenwood), born November 25, 1882; ii. Florence Louise (Greenwood), July 26, 1885; iii. Chester Parker (Greenwood), July 7, 1890; iv. Jennie Gladys (Greenwood), June 27, 1894. 5. Harris, born September 4, 1839, died August 14, 1841. 6. Adeline Parker, born February 10, 1842, died January
1
972
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
5, 1888; married, November 15, 1860, Wil- liam Henry Adams, child Charles (Adams). 7. Lucy Ann, born January 29, 1844, married, June 22, 1871, Charles A. Sanborn, child : Charles Adams (Sanborn), married Blanche Blomuth and have Beatrice Edna (Sanborn) ; they reside at Woburn. 8. Benjamin Harri- son, born February 16, 1846, see forward.
(VII) Benjamin Harrison Nichols, son of George Nichols (6), was born at Malden, Feb- ruary 16, 1846. Married, at Everett, Decem- ber 28, 1871, Elizabeth A. Hager, born March 18, 1851, daughter of Horatio and Almira (Robbins) Hager, of Weston. He was six years old when his father died. His schooling was obtained in the present Maplewood dis- trict. When he was seventeen he began work by driving a milk wagon for W. H. Adams, of Lexington, on a route into Boston. The fol- lowing four years he drove a wagon on a sim- ilar route from Malden to Boston. This was so profitable that from his earnings he bought a route for himself, about 1869, of C. W. Bailey, and conducted it for three years, going daily to and returning from Boston, with head- quarters at Everett. He then sold his milk business to Frank Upham, of Melrose, and from the profits bought another milk route of a Mr. Murdock. This he again sold out at a profit and located himself in Woburn where he purchased an oil extracting business of Messrs. Follansbee & Randall, which was situated on the William Bartlett place. The process insti- tuted was that of extracting the oil and grease out of leather scraps which he disposed of to the leather dressers. He also manufactured a stuffing used by the leather manufacturers. His place of business was destroyed by an ex- plosion in 1898, and he soon afterwards re- tired. At present he is engaged in the care of his real estate, being the owner of a number of houses in Malden and Everett. He built his present beautiful residence at 37 Warren ave- nue, Woburn, March 4, 1897. He has been to some extent a dealer in horses and has the reputation of being an excellent judge of that animal. Mr. Nichols is genial and popular, and these qualities with his sunny nature have led his fellow citizens to call him constantly to public office. He is Republican in politics, and has served his party as a delegate to many state conventions. He has served the city of Woburn in her city council, as alderman, in the year 1900-01-06-07, being a member of the finance, highway and street railway com- mittees. He is an attendant of the Woburn Congregational church, and is a member of the
Towanda Club of Woburn, and has been call- ed the father of that club, because he pur- chased their present clubhouse and generously devoted it to their use. Children: I. Clara Louise, born at Everett, January 12, 1873, married, June 7, 1898, Dr. Seth Wight Kelly, of Woburn. 2. Benjamin Harrison, born at Woburn, August 19, 1889.
Hoyt is the surname of an ancient HOITT English family. Even to the present day the spelling lacks uni- formity. From the same ancestor in America we trace families spelling the name Hight, Hoyt, Hoitt, Hoit and Haight. Most of the family in New Hampshire and vicinity have followed the spelling Hoyt, though for a cen- tury or more the Northwood branch has clung to the spelling given in this sketch, Hoitt, and some of the New Hampshire family use the spelling Hoit. The word Hoit means to leap, to caper, and doubtless was originally a designa- tion of some agile progenitor of the thirteenth or fourteenth century in England. The early records have the name spelled Hoyt, Hoit, Hoyte, Hoytt, Hoitt, Hoyet, Hoyett, Hoyette, Hayght, Hoight, Hight, Hite, Hyatt, Hayte, Haite, Hayt, Haight, Hayts.
(I) John Hoitt, the immigrant ancestor of the American family, was born about 1610 in England, and was doubtless a son or brother of Simon Hoitt, who settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and was a proprietor there as early as 1630; removed to Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, where he became a proprietor, and was admitted freeman May 18, 1631 ; settling finally at Windsor, Connecticut. William was a proprietor of Salisbury, Massachusetts, as early as 1639, and owned land also at Ipswich in 1641 and at Haverhill in 1650, but his home was in that section of Salisbury, across the Powow river, later called Amesbury. He was among the earliest ,settlers of Salisbury and had land in the first division. His house lot of one acre was between the homes of William Holdred and John Dickinson. He had various other grants and parcels of land acquired by purchase in Salisbury. He was once fined for felling trees on the common lands without per- mission but the fine was abated. He was ad- mitted a townsman in 1650. In common with other inhabitants of Amesbury he was fined for neglecting to attend the Salisbury Church, after the Amesbury people established a church of their own, without permission of the general court. They had asked for the right in 1649
973
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
and had been refused. The minister at Salis- bury effected a partial compromise of the trou- ble by preaching at Amesbury once a month. In 1660 the township was set off and in 1672 the first minister, Rev. Thomas Wells, was called at Amesbury. Hoitt sold his house in old Salisbury, September 4, 1647, and removed to Amesbury and was one of the original com- moners of the new town, his name being on the articles of agreement signed by Salisbury and the new town in 1652. He held various town offices ; was selectman in 1681-82; mod- erator, April, 1687 ; and often later years ; con- stable ; juror and prudential man. A seat was assigned him in the Amesbury meeting house July 9, 1667 ; he took the oath of fidelity Oc- tober 3, 1650; was on the grand jury 1652; was a freeman ; was a planter and also brick- maker; was sergeant of the military company.
His wife Frances died February 23, 1642- 43, and he married (second) another Frances. He died February 28, 1687-88. He deeded most of his property to his sons during his lifetime. Ten years after his death an admin- istrator was appointed on his estate. Children of the first wife: I. Frances, married (first) John Colby ; (second) John Barnard. 2. John. 3. Thomas (twin), born January I, 1640-41, mentioned below. 4. Gregory (twin), born January I, 1640-41. 5. Elizabeth, born Feb- ruary 23, 1642. Children of the second wife : 6. Sarah, born January 16, 1644-45, died Feb- ruary 26, 1644-45. 7. Mary, born February 20, 1645-46, married Christopher Bartlett. 8. Joseph, born and died 1648. 9. Joseph, born and died 1649. 10. Marah, born and died 1653. II. Naomi, born January 23, 1654, mar- ried John Lovejoy. 12. Dorothy, born April 13, 1656, fined October 9, 1677, "for wearing man's apparrell." 13. Mehitable, born Octo- ber 25, 1664.
(II) Thomas Hoitt, son of John Hoitt (I), was born January 1, 1640-41. He married Mary Brown, daughter of William and Eliza- beth Brown. Children: I. Lieutenant Thomas, married (first) Elizabeth Huntington, May 22, 1689 ; (second), Mary Barnard, widow of Joseph Barnard, November 18, 1722; held many town offices. 2. William, born October 19, 1670, died October 29, 1670. 3. Ephraim, born October 16, 1671, married April 25, 1695, Hannah Godfrey; married (second), August 12, 1736, Hannah Godfrey; married (third), September 4, 1738, Elizabeth Macrest (Ma- cree ) ; died 1741-42; resided at Hampton, New Hampshire. 4. John, born April 5, 1674. 5. William, born April 8, 1676. 6. Israel, born
July 16, 1678. 7. Benjamin, born September 20, 1680; mentioned below. 8. Joseph, born 1684, married Hannah Chase, daughter of Aquila Chase, December 22, 1707; died at Stratham, New Hampshire, May 24, 1753; re- sided at Stratham and Newbury, Massachu- setts. 9. A daughter. 10. Deliverance, born May 2, 1688, died May 9, 1688. 11. Mary, born October 1, 1690, died January 20, 1690- 91.
(III) Benjamin Hoitt, son of Thomas Hoitt (2), was born September 20, 1680, and died 1748-49. He married Hannah Pillsbury, of Newbury, the intention being recorded Feb- ruary 19, 1703-04. He was admitted to the church May 10, 1713. He was a tanner and resided at Salisbury, Massachusetts, when married, but the first child was recorded at Newbury, Massachusetts. All the other chil- dren, except Enoch were recorded at Salis- bury. He resided in the First or East parish in Newbury. He was constable and was ex- cused in 1731-32 on account of lameness of his hands. He was a man of great strength. His will was dated December, 1748, and proved February 6, 1749. The inventory of his estate filed May 6, 1749, was six hundred pounds. Children : 1. Benjamin, born April 29, 1706, married Mary , March 25, 1730; died 1745-46; he joined the South Hampton church but his children were bap- tized at Salisbury ; said to be very strong. 2. Moses, born March I, 1707-08, married, July 15, 1731, Mary Carr ; died about 1784; resided at Salisbury and Epping, New Hampshire. 3. Hannah, born May 8, 1710, married Daniel Merrill, December 22, 1736. 4. Enoch, bap- tized September 5, 1714, married Sarah French, December 3, 1735. 5. Daniel, born March 25, 1715, mentioned below. 6. Joseph, born Sep- tember 20, 1717, married Naomi Smith, of Exeter ; married (second) Susan French ; soldier in the Indian wars; signed the asso- ciation test.
(IV) Daniel Hoitt, son of Benjamin Hoitt (3), was born March 25, 1715, and baptized June 5, 1715. He died November 17, 1757. He married, June 24, 1736, Judith Carr, of Carr's Island in the Merrimac, then of Salis- bury. He owned the covenant November 6, 1737, and was admitted to the Salisbury church August 26, 1744. He was dismissed to the church at Epping, New Hampshire. August 30, 1752, when he removed there. He bought of his brother Moses his land at Epping in 1754. when they were both living there. His estate was administered December 3, 1757, by Joseph
974
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Cilley. Daniel Hoitt had four sons in the Revolution. Children: I. Judith, born Octo- ber 26, 1737, baptized November 6, 1737, married Phillip Bartlett. 2. Richard, born November 2, 1739, baptized November 25, 1739; died in the Revolution or about that time. 3. Benjamin, born May 2, 1742, baptized May 16, 1742. 4. Lieutenant Daniel, born January 13, 1744-45; married Thankful Weeks; (second) Mary Bartlett. 5. Stephen, mentioned below. 6. Moses, resided at Salis- bury in 1771. 7. Joshua, born August 15, 1750, baptized at Epping; resided at North- wood ; was selectman in 1792 and 1800.
(V) Stephen Hoitt, son of Daniel Hoitt (4), was born about 1747 and baptized at Epping, New Hampshire. He married Lydia Buzzell. He married (second), January 10, 1795, Widow Rachel Piper, of Pembroke, New Hampshire. He married (third), Widow Hannah Clapham, December 7, 1809. He re- sided at Northwood, New Hampshire, but died in Canada. His farm was on a tract of land by the end of Jennes pond, which he bought of Abraham B. Cilley and cleared. He signed the association test. He served in the Revolution in Captain Joseph Chandler's com- pany, Colonel Wyman's regiment, in 1776. There were two Stephen Hoitts in Captain Isaac Baldwin's company, Colonel John Stark's regiment in 1775, also a Stephen Hoitt in Captain Cilley's company on Novem- ber 5, 1775. The historian of Northwood, New Hampshire, says that the three brothers, Daniel, Richard and Stephen were "solid men, good citizens, with good estates, and progeni- tors of a strong and hardy race." Children : I. Samuel, mentioned below. 2. Richard Carr, resided at Stanstead, father of Ira Bartlett Hoitt, sheriff and clerk of the court at Exeter, Rockingham county, New Hampshire. 3. John, a school teacher at Sa- lem, Massachusetts ; died unmarried at Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, about 1809. 4. Sally, married, February 21, 1803, William Locke; resided at Lee, New Hampshire, and had nine children. 5. Lydia, married Simeon Griffin and removed to Canada. 6. Nancy, married Micah Sinclair, of Stratham, and left children.
(VI) Samuel Hoitt, son of Stephen Hoitt (5), was born at Northwood, New Hamp- shire, and died May 3, 1819. He was a farmer at Lee, New Hampshire, owning a large farm where he raised cattle, sheep, horses and farm produce. He married Betsey Piper. She married (second), in 1829, Abraham Batchel-
der, who came to Northwood 1809, removed to Portsmouth in 1814 and to Lee in 1816. Children : I. Colonel Gorham W., born March 5, 1804; in the legislature in 1835-36; aid to Governor Steele, sheriff of Strafford county; executed the murderer Andrew Howard in 1846; died September 5, 1868; married, July 4, 1824, Abigail Lock, of Barrington, New Hampshire, and had nine children: 2. Joseph R. W., kept the American House in Damaris- cotta, Maine; resided his last years in Port- land ; married Elizabeth Wyman, of Damaris- cotta, Maine. 3. General Alfred, born Janu- ary 10, 1806, mentioned below. 4. Mary Eliza, married William Clark. 5. William K., born November 7, 1815, married, March 30, 1843, Sarah C. Swain, of Northwood, New Hampshire.
(VII) General Alfred Hoitt, son of Sam- uel Hoitt (6), was born at Lee, New Hamp- shire, January 10, 1806, and died November 9, 1883. He was brought up on his father's farm, and at the age of thirteen was the sole support of his widowed mother. At seven- teen he worked seven months as a farm hand at Stratham, receiving nine dollars a month, all of which he saved. He started a general store at Lee which became the center of trade for the surrounding towns. In 1837 he built a hotel in Lee, which became famous as a hostelry. He and his sons made this hotel very prosperous, and it was known as a "Half Way House" for the stages. In 1849, after the Boston and Maine Railroad was built, he removed to Durham Depot, with his family, where he continued in the general store busi- ness. Here he built a large store and a fine residence, near the site of the present Boston and Maine depot. He closed out the business in 1857 on account of the financial crisis and entered into the hay business, buying large quantities and sending it to Boston. This was about the first baled hay that came to the Boston market. In the sixties he practically retired from active business. He was a large owner of real estate, making his first purchase of a wood lot from his first savings and add- ing to his holdings from time to time until he had nine hundred acres of farm and wood land within six miles of Durham station. While engaged in business at Durham he paid in freight charges alone to the Boston & Maine Railroad the sum of about seven hundred thousand dollars. On one occasion he lost his house and buildings from fire caused by sparks from a locomotive. Though the charter of the railroad expressly stated its liability for
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.