Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 102

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Maine > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 102
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 102

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).

(4). Trenc,7 b. April 23, 1836.

(5). Laura I.,7 b. Jan. 6, 1838.

(6). John F.,7 b. Sept. 29, 1839.

V. MARY A.,6 b. Jan. 27, 1812.

VI. SAMUEL,6 b. Dec. 15, 1817.

2. AARON,5 born in Scarborough, Me., now Saco, Dec. 21, 1777 ; married Lucy, daughter of Thomas and Mollie Burnham (born in Scarborough, Feb. 26, 1777), in the year 1799, and soon settled on a farm, where he spent the remainder of a long life, and where he erected three houses, the second having been burned down April 15, 1879. His farm em- braced full 200 acres. He cut the first tree in beginning the clearing of his farm, and opened acre after acre to the sunshine as he hewed the forest down. When ninety-eight he was actively engaged with his farm work and labored in the corn-field cultivating a piece himself ; and at the age of one hundred years was able to stand before a mirror to shave himself. When one hundred and two years of age he built an elegant stand of farm buildings, giving full directions for the work and paying his help. His faculties were remarkably preserved and his memory concise and strong; and when his kindred, but not of his own family, assumed the right to have a guardian placed over him, he was justly indignant, and with noble, manly independence spurned the attempt. He was strictly temperate in his habits and never drank intoxicating liquors or took stimulants. He had never called a physician to attend him, and never sued his fellow-man; had no ambition for worldly honors and when appointed justice of the peace refused to serve. By industry, frugality, and good management, he acquired a handsome rural estate, and for years loaned money to those in need, never taking above six per cent. interest. He lived through every administration of the United States and was a voter more than eighty years, until, Friday, Feb. 6, 1880, when life's taper burned out and the patriarch was gathered to his fathers. His two daughters and a son died in infancy.

CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND HANNAH:

I. MARY, b. Nov. 27, 1782.

2. GEORGE, b. Feb. 21, 1784.

3. JANE, b. April 11, 1785.

4. RICHARD, b. Jan. 16. 1787.

5. CHARLES, b. Dec. 19, 1790.

6. BENJAMIN, b. Nov. 12, 1792; m. Sally Ridlon, dau. of Daniel Ridlon, who then lived on the farm now owned by Lewis McKenney. He was involved in the Cochranite delusion and left his family for many years, but returned late in life. His widow died in Portland, leaving issue.

7. WILLIAM, b. Dec. 9, 1795.

918

MCKENNEY FAMILY.

8. GRACE, b. April 18, 1797.

9. HANNAH, b. May 11, 1798.

IO. DORCAS, b. June 3, 1800.

II. HENRY, b. May 5, 1803.

12. JONATHAN, b. Aug. 24, 1805.

13. OLIVE, b. May 26, 1806.

CHILDREN OF JOHN AND SALLY PARCHER: (Married Oct. 25, 1810.)

I. FANNY, b. Jan. 3, 1813.

2. WILLIS, b. June 10, 1816.

3. DAVID, b. Oct. 23, 1820.

4. ELMIRA, b. May 14, 1826.

5. JOHN F., b. Oct. 29, 1829. CHILDREN OF JEREMIAH AND RUTH HARRIS:

I. SYLVIA, b. Dec. 17, 1820.

2. LEWIS, b. Feb. 26, 1822.

3. BETSEY, b. Mar. 26, 1823.

4. DANIEL, b. June 17, 1825.

5. NOAH, b. April 10, 1827.

6. SARAH A., b. Oct. 22, 1828.

7. MILLARD, b. June 28, 1830.

8. RUTH, b. Dec. 17, 1831.

9. JEREMIAH, b. Aug. 2, 1835.

IO. REBECCA, b. Jan. 12, 1838.

CHILDREN OF PHILEMON AND NARCISSA HEARN: (Married July 14, 1819.)

I. LEONARD, b. July 4, 1820.

2. MARTHA, b. June 15, 1822.

3. LUTHER, b. Feb. 12, 1827. CHILDREN OF ASA AND ELIZA:

I. GREENVILLE, b. July 1, 1824; m. Elizabeth B. Parker, Jan. 1, 1856.

2. ANN M., b. Mar. 7, 1826.

3. LEWIS, b. Sept. 25, 1827. CHILDREN OF MOSES AND EUNICE LARRABEE:

1. MARY, m. Philip Libby.

2. DOROTHY, m. Dominicus Libby.

3. HANNAH, m. William Libby.

4. BETSEY, m. Dennis Libby.

5. EUNICE, m. Ebenezer Carsely, Nov. 4, 1802.

6. MOSES, m. Salome Libby.

7. LYDIA, d. single, aged 74.

8. SALLY, m. James Thurston, Sept. 4, 1808.

9. AARON. IO. ISAAC.

919

MCKENNEY FAMILY.

CHILDREN OF WILLIS AND ABIGAIL H .: (Born in Buxton.)

1. MARY F., b. Dec. 1, 1840.

2. SARAH A., b. July 1, 1843-

3. CORDELIA G., b. March 30, 1845.

4. PRISCILLA L., b. July 16, 1848.

5. JOHN W., b. Dec. 23, 1850.

McKENNEYS OF LIMINGTON.

Humphrey MeKenney, 4 son of Henry and wife Sarah Hanscom, was born in Scarborough or Cape Elizabeth, but as the old family Bible* is lost the dates of birth, marriage, and death, and of his children could not all be ascertained. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Small, of Scarborough, and was one of the early settlers in the plantation of Little Ossipee, now Limington ; how long previous to the incorporation is not now known. He built a log- house at the south part of the township, near where the Quaker meeting-house was built, and the cellar, in an orchard, could be seen not many years ago. He lived to advanced life and was a man of enormous build and weight; a broad-shouldered, corpulent, rugged-featured, flush-faced, hearty, and jovial old yeoman as ever hewed out a farm among the Limington hills. He had a lusty voice withal, and his shout raised a flock of echoes that flew in all direc- tions, reaching the ears of his townsmen way down in the Edgecomb neighbor- hood, a mile off; "so they say." Nine children, five sons and four daughters.

Mary McKenney,+ daughter of Henry and Sarah, of Cape Elizabeth, was married to Maj. John Small, of Scarborough, Apr. 1, 1748. He was accident- ally shot in 1762, and she was married to - Haskins. She spent her last days in Limington, with her son Henry Small.

Sarah MeKenney,5 dau. of Humphrey, Ist, was married to Moses Frost, of Limington, Apr. 15, 1790.

Dominicus MeKenney,5 son of Humphrey, born June 6, 1768, married Mary Hasty, of Scarborough, Nov. 18. 1790 (she b. Oct. 12, 1772, d. May 15, I845, aged 72), and settled on an elevated site. some distance, by a lane, from the road that leads from Limington Corner to Cornish village. The location was well chosen and the homestead is pleasant and valuable. He died Apr. 2, 1843, aged 74 years. Children as follows :

* On December 24, 1894, the author started on a genealogical excursion. It was a crisp, frosty morning following a snapping night. Well enveloped in a heavy astrachan coat we drove over the crusty road, down among the rock-ribbed hills and threatening mountains of Limington. Our journey led us down steep and rain-washed wood roads, along the edge of dizzy ledges, and up through cart roads, where the patient beast had totor-nail it hard to reach the level table- land. We were searching for a traditional old Bible, said to have been the record book of the original Humphrey McKenney. At noon we were hospitably entertained at the cosy home of a ruddy-faced grandson. An old Bible was produced-yes, well-worn and ancient-looking and we turned to the record leaf ; it was not the one we wanted most. Another ing up the steep, icy. Alpine height where we viewed, as did Moses, "the landscape o'er"; then down, down, where we looked into the chimney-top of a farm-house at the foot-hill, until we entered the wide door- yard of an old rambling mansion. Here a very antiquated looking Bible was produced ; it was stained. corner-worn, shattered, and dog-eared. We opened it, found a list of names of Humph- rey's children, but not a date appeared ; it was not the real object of our search. One more dis- appointment, and, as the sun sank behind the western barriers, we turned homeward, disgusted with guide-boards that point the wrong way, and mile-stones that are not to be depended upon. But We returned with our pockets lined with genealogical data, which is now incorporated into the MeKenney family history, in suitable form for preservation. Let the whole list of old Humphrey's descendants rejoice and be glad.

920

MCKENNEY FAMILY.

I. BETSEY,6 b. Jan. 2, 1791.

2. HANNAH,6 b. Aug. 31, 1792.

3. SUSAN,6 b. Mar. 28, 1794 ; m. Andrew Wetherbee, May 20, 1821.

4. ROBERT,6 b. Nov. 8, 1795; m. Sally, dau. of John and Deborah Robin- son, of Limington, Nov. 24, 1819, and settled at New Limington, in Sebago or Bridgton. He was a large, brawny-framed man of florid complexion and coarse features; a Free Baptist. Children : Calvin,7 Sylvanus," Mary J., and Harriet.7

5. RACHEL,6 b. June 23, 1797; m. Aaron Libby, Feb. 6, 1823, and d. in Scarborough, Oct. 21, 1823.

6. MARY,6 b. July 31, 1799 ; m. Joshua Marr, Sept. 10, 1820, and lived in Limington.

7. LYDIA,6 b. Ang. 12, 1803 ; m. Luther Libby, Oct. 14, 1821 ; d. Sept. 22, 1843, in Scarborough.

8. LAVINA,6 b. July 15, 1804; m. Joel Cobb, Dec. 31, 1829.

9. HUMPHREY,6 b. Oct. 10, 1806; m. Lydia Cobb, Nov. 25, 1829.

IO. DOMINICUS,6 b. Dec. 20, 1807 ; m. Mary Kezar, of Parsonsfield, Mar. 31, 1836 (by Elder John Buzzell), and settled on the homestead. His first wife, by whom five children, d, Nov. 15, 1848, and he m., second, Mary A., dau. of Calvin Flood, of Buxton (by Elder John Mitchell), Aug. 9, 1849; she b. Apr. 16, 1822, and now living with her son at the old homestead. Mr. McKenney was a large, powerful man, with florid face. Children as follows:

I. MELVILLE,7 b. Sept. 12, 1837 ; d. Feb. 16, 1843.

II. SETH L.,7 b. Oct. 8, 1839; d. Feb. 14, 1843.

III. ABNER,7 b. July 6, 1841 ; m. May 15, 1873, Mary E., dau. of Gardner Flood.

IV. MARY,7 b. Mar. 31, 1845.

V. SIMON,7 b. Mar. 1, 1848.

VI. WILLIAM L.,7 b. May 4, 1853 ; m. Vesta Flood and lives on the home- stead ; has a son.

VII. ELLA F.,7 b. Jan. 14, 1856 ; d. Apr. 2, 1872.

VIII. CHARLES D.,7 b. Aug. 23, 1861 (?) ; d. Aug. 20, 1864.

Il. ASENATH,6 b. Jan. 16, 1810; m. John Larrabee, of Scarborough, July 4, 1832.

12. SALLY,6 b. Feb. 6, 1813.

13. DAVID H.,6 b. Oct. 23, 1815.

Elizabeth McKenney,5 dau. of Humphrey, Ist, was married to Charles McKenney, of Cape Elizabeth, Sept. 12, 1792.

Susanna McKenney,5 dau. of Humphrey, Ist, was married to Robert Edgecomb, of Limington, Nov. 7, 1792, and with him emigrated to Ohio at an early day.

Joshua McKenney5 was born June 16, 1775, in Cape Elizabeth ; married Abigail Knox, Aug. 22, 1798 ; married Salome Lombard, Apr. 10, 1800; mar- ried Mary, dau. of John and Deborah Robinson (b. Aug. 3, 1784, d. Dec. 26,

921

MCKENNEY FAMILY.

1879, aged 95). Mr. McKenney died May 9, 1866, aged 90 years, 3 months, and 23 days. He cleared a farm on the mountain side in the northwestern part of Limington and there passed the reminder of his days. He weighed about 240 pounds and was a powerful man ; complexion florid. Seven children :

I. HENRY,6 b. Mar. 24, 1801 ; m., first, Ruth Parker, Dec. 4, 1825; second Hannah ( Jose) Small, widow of Moses Small. He settled in Buxton, where his children were born, but removed to Auburn, where he died; wife Ruth d. Sept. 28, 1835. Issue :

1. HANNAH E.,7 b. May 3, 1826 ; d. unmarried.

II. MARTHA,7 b. Nov. 20, 1827 ; d. May 17, 1832.

III. ANN M.,7 b. Apr. 7, 1829; m. Ephraim Morse, who d. and she went to California with a son.

IV. SALOME,7 b. Dec. 3, 1831 ; m. Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr., in 1857, and survives. She had six children.

VI.

v. MARTHA,7 b. Jan. 16, 1833; m. John Perkins ; lived in Auburn ; dec. RUTH,7 b. Oct. 4, 1834; d. Oct. 8, 1855.

VII. RUTH,7 m. Samuel Dingley, of Lewiston.

2. CALVIN," b. Jan. 9, 1805 ; m. Mary Parker, sister of Ruth, and lived on the homestead, where he d. Mar. 19, 1830, leaving one child, Miranda, b. Dec. 11, 1828.

3. SALOME," b. April 24, 1807; m. Ivory Estes, of Limington, Nov. 13, 1828; deceased.

4. MARY,6 b. May 31, 1811; m. Gardner Flood, of Buxton, Nov 28, 1830; deceased.

5. LOUISA,6 b. Dec. 1, 1812 ; m. Daniel Lord, of Limington, Feb. 13, 1834; deceased.

6. ABIGAIL,6 b. Nov. 11, 1816; married Gardner Flood, of Buxton, as his second wife.

7. JOSHUA, JR.,6 born June 22, 1821; m. Ann Bradeen, of Limington, and resides on the homestead. He is of medium size and florid complexion. The view from the hill-side, where his house stands, is extensive and charming. Children as follows :

1. WINBURN A.,7 m. Martha Stone, of Cornish, and lives in Wisconsin.

I1. ELLEN,7 b. June 20, 1845 ; in. Charles D. Estes, and lives at home.

III. ANNA A.,7 m. Levi Merrifield, of Limington.

IV. HENRY H.,7 lives in Limington ; unmarried.

V. ARVILDA,7 m. Willard Pugsley, of Cornish.

Mary McKenney,5 dau. of Humphrey, Ist, was the wife of Nathaniel Ken- nard Staples, to whom m. Sept. 20, 1804.

Humphrey MeKenney, son of Humphrey, Ist, born in 1780, married Eunice, daughter of John and Deborah Robinson, of Limington, Nov. 17, 1808 (she born Oct. 21, 1785, died June 7, 1878), and settled at North Limington, on a lane leading from the left side of the Corner and Cornish road about one mile from his birthplace; the house, a two-storied one, is now standing. He was another big, red-faced McKenney; was 81 when he died. Three children :

922

MCKENNEY FAMILY.

I. FREEMAN,6 b. in 1811 ; m. Abigail Cheney, and settled on his father's homestead; was man of strong mind and sound judgment and possessed of considerable executive ability ; served as selectman, and was elected representative in 1857 ; d. May 27, 1886, aged rising 75 years. Issue :

I. CHARLES F.,7 m. Hannah Gordon, of Fryeburg, sister of Dr. Gordon, of Portland.

II. WINFIELD S.,7 m. Hattie B. Thompson, dau. of John C. Thompson, of Cornish, where he resides. Mr. McKenney is in trade associated with George Milliken, at Cornish village. He is a man of energy and good business parts; jovial and kindly hearted; a friendly person who has many friends.

III. FRANK H.,7 is now at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2. EUNICE,6 m. James Hurd, and lives, now a widow, at Porter village, Me.

3. SIMEON P.,6 b. June 7, 1816, in Limington. He was a man of classical education, fitting for college between sixteen and twenty-six. After but one year at college he entered the law office of C. R. Ayer, at Cornish village, in 1842, and was admitted to the York county bar in May, 1845. After a law practice in Turner, of six years, he settled in Bid- deford, where he continued until his death. He had been in the hard- ware trade latterly, in company with his nephew, Carlos Hurd. He was in the common council, and served as city solicitor, assessor, treasurer, and collector; was elected representative in the fall of 1879. He m. Octavia, dau. of Flanders Newbegin, of Biddeford, in July, 1850, by whom six children, viz .: Frank PJ (dec.), Ellen7 (dec.), Carrie B.,7 Carlos H.," Simeon P.," and Frank L.7

Simon MeKenney,5 son of Humphrey, Ist, m. Lydia Small, of Limington, intention recorded Oct. 14, ISI0; she, after his death, became the wife of Israel Boody, June 25, 1830. He d. when in the prime of life, in Limington; weighed about 250 pounds. Issue as follows :

I. HENRY,6 lived and d. in Limington.

2. JOSEPH W.,6 m. Joanna Sedgely, of Limerick, and went out West.

3. BETSEY,6 m. Leander Staples, who survives, a very aged man.

4. JOANNA,6 of whom no record.

Henry McKenney,5 son of Humphrey, Ist, may not have been the young- est. He came from his play with other lads, and said to his mother: "I am so tired I cannot play more." He went to his couch and fell asleep; "he did not awake in this world."

MeKENNEYS OF BALDWIN.

Daniel MeKenney,5 b. in Scarborough, June 2, 1780; m. Hannah San- born, of Baldwin (b. in Standish, June 18, 1782), in Limington, Dec. 1, 1803, and lived in that town until after 1805; then removed to Baldwin, where I suppose he passed the remainder of his days. The venerable members of the McKenney family in Limington do not know that he was related to them. These had eleven children, of whom one d. in infancy, and only two b. in Limington, as follows:

923

MEANS FAMILY.

I. JAMES,6 b. Mar. 9, 1805, in Limington ; d. in Baldwin, Dec. 25, 1824.

2. DANIEL,6 b. Jan. 4. 1807, and d. in Sebago, July 16, 1884, aged 77 years. He m. Eliza Thom, who d. about eight years before her husband. He moved to Picked mountain, in 1830, and built a log-cabin in the dense

wilderness. He was a brave hunter and heroic pioneer who cleared a good farm and built a commodious dwelling. He became blind when advanced in life, and was cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Clough. There were eleven children in this family, two sons who d. in childhood, and nine daughters, all of whom married.

3. JOSIAH,6 b. Dec. 27, 1808.

4. ESTHER,6 b. Dec. 2, 1810; m. George W. Burnell, April 1, 1831.

5. HANNAH,6 b. July 7, 1812 ; m. Ephraim Bachelder, Oct. 16. 1836.

6. SILAS,6 b. Oct. 27, 1815; m. Betsey P. Storer, of Sebago, Oct. 1, 1844, and settled on wild land in that town, where he was living in 1884. Until 1882 there had not been a death in the family, consisting of seven brothers and two sisters, for fifty-seven years.

7. STEPHEN,6 b. Oct. 23, 1817; settled in Sebago.

S. WILLIAM P.,6 b. May 17, 1821; m. Mary E. Ridlon, dau. of Isaac, 1852, and lived in Sebago.

9. ABNER D.,6 b. Nov. 27, 1822, and d. in 1882, in Sebago.

10. GEORGE," b. Oct. 12, 1824.

MARRIAGES.

Polly McKenney m. Joseph Wentworth, Sept. 27, 1805.

Elias McKenney m. Rachel Earl, Nov. 27, 1807.

Solomon McKenney m. Phebe Deshon, Jan. 8, 1815 (intention).

Betsey McKenney m. Andrew -, Jr., Jan. 14, 1811.

Means Family.

This is a Scottish surname and by various branches of the family in Europe and America is spelled Main, Mains, Meins, and Means. The ancestor of the families in Maine was

Robert Means,1 who came from the north of Ireland to Falmouth with James Armstrong in 1718, being then sixteen years of age. He married a daughter of Armstrong and settled at Falmouth Neck, where he remained five years. For two years he dwelt in a log-house near Stroudwater meeting-house: then at the ferry on Purpooduck about ten years. He finally removed to the Scotch-Irish settlement at Saco, where he died "suddenly," Sept. 3. 1769, aged 79 years. His widow died Feb. 18, 1789, aged 89 years. Children :

I. THOMAS,2 settled in Freeport, Me. He married and had two children b. to him. He was killed by the Indians, May 5, 1756, while defend- ing his family. Mrs. Means, who had been captured, escaped to the

924

MEANS FAMILY.

house but was shot. the ball passing through her infant in arms, killing it instantly and wounding the mother dangerously. Mrs. Means and her sister were carried away. A son survived who married and had issue, one of the sons being Dea. H. B. Means who lived at Freeport village. Thomas Means was selectman of Freeport in 1790 and for many subsequent years. Major Thomas was town treasurer in 1808-9.

2. JOHN,2 son of Robert,1 m. Eleanor Johnson. Dec. 25, 1748, and settled at Old Orchard in Saco, where he d. Mar. 16, 1776 ; his widow d. there Sept. IS, 1789, aged 60. These had five sons, who were probably the progenitors of all who bear the name in York county .*

I. GEORGE,8 b. Apr. 20, 1756; m. Hannah, dau. of Joseph and Hannah Banks, who was b. at Saco, Jan. 26, 1766, and resided in that town where children were born, named as will presently appear.

II. ROBERT,3 son of John, was probably, like his brothers, b. before any church was organized at Saco, and their baptisms are not recorded. His wife was named Molly. He d. in Saco, and his gravestone could be seen, not many years ago, between the Old Orchard railway station and the sea-shore. His son John was buried by his side.

III. JANE,8 m. Samuel Patterson, May 7, 1777.

IV. JAMES, commanded a company during the last four years of the Revo- lution, and afterwards settled at Stroudwater, where he lived in 1830.

v. JOHN,3 was found dead in a field in 1782 ; his age was 37 years.

1V. THOMAS,3 by wife Dorcas, had no less than four children as will appear.

VII. ELEANOR,3 m. David Patterson, Aug. 2, 1788.

VIII. MARGARET,3 bapt. July 10. 1763.

IX. DORCAS,3 bapt. Oct. 25, 1767.

x. MARY,3 bapt. July 8, 1770.

XI. HANNAH,3 b. Sept. 18, 1774.

CHILDREN OF GEORGE AND HANNAH:

I. ELIAS,4 b. Feb. 11, 1786; by wife Paulina, who was b. Aug. 28, 1787, had nine children, born in Saco, named as follows :

I. PRISCILLA,5 b. Oct. 27, 1808.

II. OLIVE,5 b. Nov. 1, 1810.

III. JOHN F.,5 b. Oct. 13, 1812.

IV. JOSEPH,5 b. Jan. 17, 1815.

v. EUNICE,5 b. Feb. 7, 1817.

VI. HANNAH,5 b. June 6, 1819.

VII. JULIA A.,5 b. Oct. 18, 1822.

VIII. GEORGE,5 b. Dec. 31, 1824.

IX. LUTHER,5 b. Sept. 24, 1827.

2. MARV,4 b. Feb. 29, 1788.

3. JOHN,4 b. May 15, 1790.

4. GEORGE,4 b. Nov. 24, 1792 ; d. Sept. 14, 1824.

* A family named Main or Mains was settled in old York at an early day ; as early as 1693.

925

MEEDS AND MEADS FAMILY.

5. HANNAH,4 b. Jan. 30, 1795 ; d. May 29, 1822.

6. OLIVE,4 b. May 4, 1797 ; d. July 11, 1798.

7. JOSEPH B.,4 b. Dec. 3, 1798 ; d. Sept. 13, 1813.

8. MARY, 4 b. Nov. 24, 1802.

9. CYRUS, 4 b. Apr. 29, 1805.

IO. ELIZABETH,4 b. Jan. 23, 1810.

11. DORCAS,4 b. Apr. 8, 1812 .*

CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND MOLLY :

1. JANE,4 bapt. June 28, 1779.

2. ELEANOR, 4 bapt. June 28, 1779.

3. JAMES,4 bapt. Apr. 30, 1780.

4. THOMAS,4 bapt. Apr. 30, 1780.

CHILDREN OF THOMAS AND DORCAS:

I. ELEANOR,4 b. July 10, 1791.

2. SARAH,4 b. Sept. 27, 1793.

3. JAMES,4 b. Jan. 27, 1796.

4. THOMAS,4 b. Sept. 19, 1798.

CHILDREN OF JOSEPH AND SARAH HALL:

I. JAMES H., b. Nov. 11, 1834.

2. JOSEPH, b. Oct. 20, 1836.

3. SAMUEL L., b. Jan. 1, 1839.

Meeds and Meads Family.

Meeds, Meads, Mead, and Meeder were evidently of the same derivation ; and branches of the same family in New England, if vital records are correct, have used the three former names. We should say that the original was terri- torial and from mead or meadow.

Samuel Meeds 1 was born in Harvard, Mass., Feb. 22, 1732, and died there Feb. 20, 1815. His son,

Francis Meeds,2 was born in Harvard, Mass., Oct. 28, 1765, and died in Limington, Me., April 22, 1847. His wife, Mary Crouch, was born in 1770, and died in Limington in 1882. These had sons named as follows:

I. ARTEMUS,3 b. Feb. 11, 1791, in Harvard, Mass., and died in Standish, Me., Jan. 26, 1844. His wife, Desire Johnson, of Limington, was born Sept. 25, 1793, and d. in Wisconsin, Dec. 5, 1872. These had thirteen children, as follows :

DANIEL J.,4 b. Apr. 20, 1825, in Denmark, Me .; m. May 12, 1855, a

*At the rooms of the York Institute, Saco, there is a large framed register of this Means family, on which the names and dates were beautifully wrought in silk within a border formed of a flowering vine which issues from a basket at the bottom and meets at the top. This skillful piece of needlework was done by Hannah Means while at the Augusta Female Academy.

926

MERRIFIELD FAMILY.

dau. of Samuel Maloon, of Greene, Me., who d. Oct. 21, 1882 ; second, July 4, 1887, Mrs. Marcie (Ridlon) Tarbox, dau. of William Ridlon, of Saco. He is a carpenter by trade; deacon Free Baptist church of Saco; resides on the Ferry road.

II. CEPHUS,4 of Newburg, N. Y .; was in the 3d Regiment N. Y. Volun- teers ; deceased.

III. STILMAN A.,+ served in the 26th Massachusetts Regiment.

IV. ALLEN,+ was in the 9th Wisconsin Regiment.

v. ALONZO D.,4 served in the 9th Wisconsin Regiment.

VI. CHARLES H.,4 was in the 27th Maine Regiment.

2. COL. CEPHUS,3 b. in 1792, in Harvard, Mass., and settled in Limington, Me., where he d. in 1881. His wife, Mary L. Chick, was b. in 1797, and d. in Limington in 1869. He was a judicious farmer and respected citizen ; commanded in the old militia as an efficient and popular officer. Children, known, as follows :

I. SIMEON P.,4 b. in 1822 ; d. in 1849. His wife, Ann M. Libby, b. in 1825; d. in 1854.

II. MARY J.,4 b. in 1826; d. in 1850.

3. IRENE, dau. of Francis, was m. to Carll Libby, of Limington, May 24, 1827, and d. Sept. 4. 1876.

Merrifield Family.

Merrifield seems to be a territorial surname, but its derivation cannot be ascertained with certainty. The American branches are of English extrac- tion, their ancestors having been long seated in the southern counties. In Devonshire the name was common, and from statements found in books that treat of the history and old families of that county, it appears that they were at one time held in some distinction and possessed of considerable landed estates there. As evidence of the territorial character of the surname, we mention "Merrifield bridge " over a small stream in Dartmoor, and an old estate near Plymouth named "Merrifield," besides several enclosed pieces of land known by the same designation. It has been assumed that the name "Mirfield." was derived from St. Mary's field. There is a village in Yorkshire called Some have suggested that the family name was derived from the French word " Mervielle" and that the ancestors may have come over from the south of France in the time of William the Conqueror. There is a German family named "Merfeld." One of the three knights who murdered Thomas a Becket in church, at the instigation of King Henry II, had a name of similar orthography. In England the surname was spelled variously, as Merifield, Merrefield, Merryfield, Merriville, and Merivale. One branch of the family was settled as goldsmiths at Exeter, Devonshire, and some of them became eminent in literature and in professional life. Of the Exeter family was JOHN HERMAN MERIVALE, scholar and translator, born in 1779, who became an able lawyer and author of legal works. His son, the REV. CHARLES MERI-

927

MERRIFIELD FAMILY.

VALE, born in 1809, acquired great distinction as an author by his work en- titled "Fall of the Roman Republic," and his "History of the Romans under the Empire." His brother, HERMAN MERIVALE, born in 1805, was appointed professor of political economy at Oxford in 1837, and permanent under secre- tary of state for India in 1859.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 102

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Portland, Me., The author Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424