Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II, Part 17

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 874

USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II > Part 17

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(11) Major Andrew McClary, eldest child of Andrew McClary, came to America, probably when about sixteen years of age, and had had some op- portunities for obtaining an education before leaving Ireland, which he had improved. He built a one- story frame house on the road between Epsom Village and Pleasant Pond, at a place since known as Lawrence's "Musterfield;" this was one of the most frequented places in that region, and was the resort of the settlers, proprietors, and scouts, who had occasion to trail in that direction. Town meetings and many other meetings of general inter- est were held there. He was always a popular man and in time became wealthy, owning all the land on the north side of the road to Deerfield line. His education and natural ability qualified him for public office, and he was made town clerk, and the records he left evidence his thorough knowledge of business and a beauty of penmanship seldom found at the present day. He was thoroughly in sympathy with all the interests of the people, and was the leader in that region in all military affairs. In

1755 he led a company of soldiers to search for the Indians who massacred a part and captured the remainder of the McCall family of Salisbury. At another time he obtained a small company to aid in doing garrison duty at Epsom while Indians lurked about. When the news of the battle of Lexington reached the Suncook Valley the patriots flew to arms and at Nottingham Square, where they assembled, made Captain McClary commander of the company of eighty men there collected. This band was composed of remarkable men and their march to the theatre of action is said to have no parallel in the annals of all the wars in our country. They left Nottingham Square at one o'clock in the afternoon and made a rapid march to Kingston, whence they marched at double quick or a "dog trot" without a halt to Haverhill, which they reached at sunset, having traveled twenty-seven miles in six hours. They halted at Andover for supper, and then continued their march through the night, and on the morning of the 21st, at sunrise, they paraded on Cambridge Common "Spiling for a fight." Those from Epsom had traveled seventy miles in less than twenty-four hours, and the whole company from Nottingham fifty-seven miles in less than twenty hours. The New Hampshire troops were soon after organized and John Stark chosen colonel and Andrew Mc- Clary major. At the battle of Bunker Hill the men of New Hampshire fought with distinguished gallantry, and Major McClary was the last to leave the field. After the retreat across the neck he went back to see if the British were in pursuit and was cautioned by his men against so rash an act. "The ball is not yet cast that will kill me." said he, when a random shot from one of the frigates struck and glanced from a button wood tree, passing through his abdomen. Throwing his hands above his head, he leaped several feet from the ground and fell on his face dead. He was buried near the encampment of the New Hampshire Brigade, Medford. near some two hundred New Hampshire soldiers who died of disease and wounds. He was a man of splendid physique and soldierly appearance and was the handsomest man in the army. He pos- sessed more completely than any other officer there the elements to make a popular and successful com- mander, and had he lived would doubtless have ranked among the most able and noted officers of the Revolution.

In early life he married Elizabeth McCrillis, and they were the parents of these children: James, Harvey, Andrew, John, William, Elizabeth, Mar- garet and Nancy.

(II) John, second son of Andrew (1) Mc- Clary, was born in Ireland, 1719, and was thirteen years old when he reached Londonderry and eight- een when the family settled in Epsom. He died at the age of eighty-two in 1801. He had no ad- vantages of schooling, but good judgment and a large share of common sense. He was a typical Scotchman, industrious, methodical, and exacting. While still a young man he became a leader in Epsom, was moderator and justice of the peace and for over forty years was a principal citizen and officer of the town. He was a scout in the French and Indian war, was a captain of militia at that time and rose to the rank of colonel before the Revolution broke out. When that struggle broke ont he took a leading place representing the civil rule under the Republican government, as he had before under the King. He represented Epsom,

J. FREMONT WEEKS

ALBERT M. WEEKS

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Allentown, and Chichester at the annual conventions at Exeter, and was a conspicuous member of the firm convention of organize a Colonial government. He was afterward a leader in erecting the state government, of which he was a member for about twenty years. From 1777 to 1783 he was a mem- ber of the committee of safety. He was made a member of the council in 1780 and annually elected the four years next following. In 1784 he was elected to the council and to the senate, and served in the latter body three years. He married Eliza- beth Harvey, of Nottingham, a native of Ireland, who came to America in the same ship with the McClarys. They had four children: John, Michael, Andrew and Mollie.

(III) Margaret, third child of Andrew Mc- Clary, married Wallace.

(III) Jane, the fourth child, married John M. Gaffy.

(III) Ann, the youngest child, married Richard Tripp (see Tripp, II).

The name Weeks is said to have

WEEKS been a Devonshire name of Saxon origin; but it was and probably is common in parts of Somersetshire.

(I) Leonard Weeks, tradition says, came from Wells in Somersetshire, England. The parish rec- ords of Compton Martin contain the name of Leonard Wyke, baptized 1639, and. that of his brother William about two years earlier, sons of John Wyke, of Moreton, which is in that parish. We know nothing more of the father of Leonard, or of the time when Leonard landed in America. His name appears first as that of a witness to a bond in York county, Maine, December 6, 1655, and next in the Portsmouth records, June 29, 1656, when he received a grant of eight acres of land in Portsmouth. In one record it is stated that "When he first went to the part of Portsmouth now called Greenland he lived one year on a farm owned by Captain Champernoon." July 5, 1660, he received grants of forty-four acres, of thirty- four acres, and of ten acres of land. In February, 1661, he had settled at Winnicut river, now in Greenland, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1707. During the political contest in 1665 respecting the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts, "Leonard Weeks stood for Massa- chusetts, rather than for the crown." In the court records, 1660, 4th mo. 26, is the following entry : "Leonard Weeks, for swearing by God and calling John Hall of Greenland ould dog and ould slave, and that he would knock him in the head, fined ten shillings for swearing, and to have an admoni- tion for his reviling and threatening speeches, and fees of court, three shillings." In the year following he was elected one of the selectmen of Portsmouth. He was afterward constable, and for several years sheriff. In 1669 he "was on a committee" with men from Dover and Hampton "to lay out the highway between Greenland and Bloody Poynt." His seat in the church at Portsmouth was No. 4, in front of the pulpit. He deeded his property to his sons before his death, retaining a life interest in the same. Much of the land he owned in Greenland has re- mained in the possession of his descendants until the present day. He married first, in 1667, Mary Haines, daughter of Deacon Samuel Haines, his neighbor; and second, Elizabeth , who survived him. The children, all by the first wife, were: John, Samuel, Joseph, Mary, Jonathan, Mar-

garet and Sarah. (Mention of Joseph and descend- ants appear in this article.)

(II) Captain Samuel, second son and child of Leonard and Mary ( Haines) Weeks. was born De- cember 14, 1670. He was a farmer, and resided on the paternal homestead in Greenland. He was a man of intelligence, wealth, energy, and influence in the church and in the town. He is said to have built about 1710 the brick house which gave name to his branch of the family, called "The Brick House Family," as distinguished from the "Bay Side Family," which descended from his brother Joshua. He died March 26, 1746, aged seventy-five. He married Elinor, daughter of Samuel Haines, Jr., of Greenland. She was born August 23, 1675, and died November 19, 1736. They had seven children : Samuel, John, Walter, Matthias, Mary, Elinor and William.

(III) Matthias (I), fourth son and child of Captain Samuel and Elinor (Haines) Weeks, was born in 1708. In 1766 he sold the land inherited from his father, on the Great Bay, and in 1773 with his children removed to Gilmanton, where he died before October, 1777. He married about 1735, widow Sarah Ford, daughter of John Sanborn. of North Hampton. She died in Gilmanton, Decem- ber 7, 1779, aged eighty-six. They had ten chil- dren : John, Olive, Matthias, Elinor, Mary, Samuel, Joanna, Benjamin, Noah, and Josiah. ( Mention of Benjamin and descendants appears

in this article. )

(IV) Matthias (2), third child and second son of Matthias and Sarah (Sanborn) Weeks. was born June 5, 1740. He was a tanner and farmer, and resided in Exeter. In May or June, 1778. he removed to Gilmanton, where he died March 20, 1821, aged almost eighty-one. He married in Exe- ter, November 21, 1760, Judith, daughter of Dudley Leavitt, of Exeter. She was born August 23, 1741, and died in Gilmanton, April 23, 1810. They had fourteen children : John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Matthias, Mary, Samuel, William, Joshua, Judith, Olive, Dorothy, Dudley, Anna (Nancy) and Stephen, whose sketch follows.

(V) Stephen, fourteenth child and seventh son of Matthias and Judith (Leavitt) Weeks, was born June 5, 1785, and died in Gilmanton, April 4, 1862. He was a prominent citizen of Gilmanton, and was called "Master Weeks." He married, December 29, 1808, Betsey Weed, daughter of Daniel Weed. She was born in Poplin, June 2, 1791, and died in San- bornton, July 3, 1880, aged eighty-nine. Their six children were: David, Stephen, Jesse W., Lorrain T., Matthias, and Mary Jane.

(VI) Matthias (3), fifth son and child of Stephen and Betsey (Weed) Weeks, was born No- veniber 15, 1824, and was a farmer on the home- stead in Gilmanton. He married in Canterbury, January 7, 1855. Laurinda. daughter of Barnes Hil- liard of Stewartstown. He died September 4, 1894. She died July 5, 1905. Their nine children were : Ermina (deceased), Jesse Fremont, Lorrain Ed- win; Albert Matthias, James Henry, Annie Eliza, Stephen Leavitt, John Moody (deceased) and Mary Ellen.

(VII) Jesse Fremont, second child and eldest son of Matthias (3) and Laurinda (Hilliard) Weeks, was born on the old homestead farm in Gilmanton. November 1, 1857. After completing his education at Gilmanton Academy, he was a teacher in the public schools for several years and afterwards a clerk in a grocery store in Randolph,

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Massachusetts. In 1889 he and his brother, Albert M., established The Notes and Critic, a weekly pa- per of Laconia, which they have since conducted. Fle is a Republican in politics, and a member of Rising Star Lodge, No. 76. of Randolph, Massa- chusetts. J. Fremont Weeks is a member of the Apollo Male Quartette, the leading male quartette of Laconia since 1881. He has studied music with the best local as well as Boston teachers, possesses a fine tenor voice, and has held several important positions in church choirs in both Lowell, Massa- chusetts. and Laconia. New Hampshire.

(VII) Lorrain Edwin, third child and second son of Matthias (3) and Laurinda ( Hilliard ) Wecks, was born in Gilmanton, September 17, 1859. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1885. is a farmer, and resides in Gilmanton. September 5, 1892, lie married Esther Alace, of Lynn, Massa- chusetts, and has one son, William Sillsbee Weeks. (VII) Albert Matthias, fourth child and third son of Matthias (3) and Laurinda ( Hilliard) Weeks was born in Gilmanton. June 9, 1861, and was graduated from Dartmouth College with the class of 1888. In March, 1889, hie associated him- self with his brother, J. Fremont, in the publication of the Critic, with which he has since been editori- ally connected. He married, December 25, 1893, Martha E. Drew, born September 9, 1862, at Wolf- boro. New Hampshire, daughter of Isaiah K. and Mary F. (Whitten) Drew, of Wolfboro. New Hampshire. They have three children: Raymond A., Ethel A., and Hazel O.

(VII) James Henry, fifth child and fourth son of Matthias and Laurinda ( Hilliard) Weeks, was born in Gilmanton. March 9. 1865. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and at Gilmanton Academy, and now resides in Belmont, where he is extensively engaged in lumbering. He married. August 22, 1889, Ellen F. Pease, of London. and they have four children: Bulah, Merritt, Everett M. and Ola E.

(VII) Annie Eliza, sixth child and second daughter of Matthias and Laurinda (Hilliard) Weeks, born March 27, 1867, was educated in the common schools, and at Gilmanton Academy, and taught school for some years. December 23, 1902. she married Edwin H. Sleeper, a prosperous farmer of London Ridge. They have two children-Marian and Ruth.

(\1I) Stephen Leavitt, seventh child and fifth son of Matthias and Laurinda (Hilliard) Weeks, was born October 30, 1870, and cultivates the old home farm where he was born. He married Bertha Batchelder. of Loudon. and has four children- Maitland B., Marjorie E., John F. and Stephen Norman.

(VII) Mary Ellen, third daughter and young- est child of Matthias and Laurinda ( Hilliard) Weeks, was born May 21, 1874. She married, September 17, 1896, Charles L. Merrill. of Loudon Ridge, and has two children-Grace and Doris.

( Il) Joseph, third son and child of Leonard and Mary ( Haines) Weekes, was born March 11. 1672, and died November 27, 1735. He was a cordwainer in Greenland. In 1723 he joined the church. IIis wife's name was Hannah, and they had four or more children :

Jedediah, Joshua, Joseph and Leonard. (111) Leonard, fourth and youngest child cf Joseph and Hannah Weeks, was born and baptized in 1725, in Greenland, where he joined the church in May, 1742, was a farmer. 1753, and where he died August, 1761. Ilis wife's name was Margaret.

They had three children, baptized in Greenland : Phineas, John and Margaret.

(IV) Phineas, eldest child of Leonard and Margaret Weeks, was baptized in 1745, and died in Greenfield, April 12, 1793 (?). He was a cooper, and removed to Loudon after his marriage. He married Maria Page, of Greenfield, and they had seven children: Abram, Sarah, John S., Eben, Thomas, Phineas and George.

(V) John S., third child and second son of Phineas and Maria (Page) Weeks, was born in Meredith, January 31, 1808 ( ?). and died at the old homestead, October 10, 1841 (?). He received very little schooling. and when fifteen years of age took his few belongings in a pack and walked to Boston. He got his first employment on the Medford turn- pike, where he was paid his wages in counterfeit money, but with the assistance of a friend obliged his dishonest employer to exchange it for legal cur- rency. After a time he learned the carpenter's trade, and carried on that business in company with his brother Thomas. He left this employment and be- came a wholesale dealer in fish and lobsters. carry- ing on that business until 1875. For several years succeeding that time he dealt largely in Boston real estate. and prospered, acquiring several choice pieces of property. About 1883 he returned to his former business of wholesale dealer in fish, and car- ried it on until his death, April 12, 1893 (?). He was a man of energy and good business ability, and suc- ceeded in accumulating a handsome property. He married Lydia Ann Flanders, who was born about ISIO, and died October 10, 1811. She was born at New Hampton. Their children were: John Frank and Elizabeth, who died in infancy.

(VI) John Frank, only son of John S. and Lydia Ann (Flanders) Weeks, was born in Boston, Mas- sachmisetts. March 1, 1834. After attending the Bos- ton schools for a time he was sent at the age of thirteen to New Hampton and later to Sanbornton Academy, where he pursued his studies until he was eighteen years old. He then returned to Boston and engaged in business with his father until 1901. In 1902 he purchased the ancestral homestead, sit- uated about four miles from the city of Laconia, which he fitted up in a luxurious manner, which his daughter now occupies. Mr. Weeks has ample means and lives a life of leisure after years of strennous attention to business. In politics lie is a Republican. The only secret organization in which he has a membership is the Patrons of Hus- bandry, of Laconia. He married (first), Sarah Elizabeth Smith, September 30. 1854. who died June 21. 1859: (second), January 31, 1861, Mary Rich- ardson Strout, of Deerfield, died November 26, 1890; ( third). August 15. 1901, Mary Susan Blais- dell. born August 25, 1853, daughter of David and Eliza (Gilman) Blaisdell, of Laconia, New llamp- shire. By his first wife there were two children: Mary Isabel and John Herbert. Mary Isabel, born in Boston. February 24, 1857, married Charles P. Hook, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and they have two children : Russell P. and Hazel. John Herbert, born in Boston, June 1, 1859. married in Worcester, Massachusetts, Addie Chandler, of Plymouth, and has two sons: Warren and Junie. By the second union there was one child, Grace, wife of Frank 31. Blaisdell, and they have one son, Carl.

(IV) Esquire Benjamin, eighth child and fourth son of Matthias and Sarah (Sanborn) Weeks, was horn in Greenland, February 28. 1749. He settled in Gilmanton, lower parish, where he lived until

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1787, when he removed to what is now Gilford. After living two or three years in Burton he re- turned to Gilford in 1792. He died in Gilford in 1829, aged eighty years. He was "a man who had the confidence of his neighbors and often acted as peacemaker in cases of arbitration left to his de- cision. He was a large land holder. dealing ex- tensively in lands. The education of his children was a matter in which he took much interest. He married, May 26, 1774, Sarah Weed, of Sandwich, who was born October 28. 1755. They had seven children : Daniel. Matthias, Sally, Elisha, William, Benjamin and Levi R.

(V) Captain Benjamin (2), sixth child and fifth son of Esquire Benjamin (1) and Sarah (Weed) Weeks, was born in Gilmanton, April 4, 1788, and died in 1864, aged seventy-six years. He was a farmer and merchant in Gilford. He married in Gilmanton, June 30, 1806, Betsey Hoyt, of Gil- manton, by whom he had eight children: Hazen, Sally, Benjamin Franklin, William, Mehitable, Thomas H., Harriet and Nathan H.

(VI) Thomas, sixth child and fourth son of Captain Benjamin (2) and Betsey (Hoyt) Weeks, was born in Gilford. August 19, 1816, and died in Gilford. June 12, 1884, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He got his education in the common schools, and was a lifelong farmer, owning a place of four hundred acres. a large part of which was covered with timber. In politics he was a Republi- can. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and no man in his town was more worthy of con- fidence or more thoroughly trusted than he. His fidelity and ability were rewarded by his fellow citizens, who made him selectman and sent him three times to the legislature. He married Nancy Hill, daughter of Arram and Hopey Hill, who was born in Gilford, 1822, and died 1877, aged fifty-five years. They had three children: M. Frances, S. Amanda and Austin B., the subject of the next paragraph.

( VII) Austin Boynton, only son of Thomas H. and Nancy (Hill) Weeks, was born on the home- stead in Gilford, July 7, 1858. He was educated in the common schools, and has always been en- gaged in agriculture. He has the farm which be- longed to his ancestors. It contains two hundred and fifty acres of productive land which enables him to keep a large herd of stock in which he is a dealer of some note. He attends the Methodist Church, and is a Republican in politics : a pro- gressive and prosperous citizen, and. like his grand- father, exerts himself to educate his children. He married, November 24, ISSO. Winifred Dodge, who was born in Tamworth. November 24, 1862, daughter of Theodore and Mary (Drealy) Dodge. They have two sons: Thomas T., born July 3. 1882; and Austin Dana, born November 25. 1884; and one daughter, Inga Amanda, born May 22, 1890.

This name is found variously SEVERANCE written in the early records of Essex county, Massachusetts, in- cluding such forms as Severns, Seaverns, Severans, and its present form. It was very early identified with the settlements in southern New Hampshire, bordering on Essex county, and is still found con- nected with the civil. religious and business affairs of the commonwealthi.

(I) The first of record was John Severans, of Ipswich, in 1636. He was among the original pro-

prietors of Salisbury, same colony, where he re- ceived land in the first division and also in 1639-40 and 1654. He was taxed as a commoner in 1650 and 1655, and signed a petition of 1658. He was a "planter, vietualler and vinter" and was licensed to keep the "ordinary" in Salisbury in 1662-63 and 1665 and later. He subscribed to the oath of fidelity in 1667, and died April 9, 1682, in Salisbury, two days after making his will. He was married (first) to Abigail Kimball, daughter of Richard Kimball, the patriarch of that family. (See Kimball, I). She died in Salisbury, June 17. 1658, and John Severans was married (second), October 2, 1663, to Susanna, widow of Henry Ambrose. She survived him, and was a signer of the Bradbury petition in 1692. His children, all born of the first wife, who died at the birth of the youngest, were: Samuel, Ebenezer, Abigail (died young), Abigail, Mary, John. Joseph, Elizabeth (died young), Benjamin, Ephraim and Elizabeth.

(II) Ephraim, youngest son and tenth child of John and Abigail ( Kimball) Severance, was born April 8. 1656, in Salisbury, and is of record as a freeman in that town in 1690. Both he and his wife signed the Bradbury petition of 1692. He was mar- ried November 9, 1682, in Salisbury, to Lydia Mor- rill, daughter of Abraham Morrill, the patriarch of that family. ( See Morrill, I). She was born March 8, 1661. He is undoubtedly the Ephraim Severance who is mentioned in the church records of Kingston as among the constituent members, where he is called "Old Goodman Severance." He probably removed to Kingston in old age. with his children. They included : Abigail, Mary. Lydia, Ephraim, Dinah, Ebenezer, Sarah, Jonathan and Hannah.

(III) Ephraim (2), eldest son and fourth child of Ephraim (1) and Lydia (Morrill) Severance, was born December 2. 1689. in Salisbury, and settled early in Kingston. New Hampshire. He was one of the constituent members of the First Church of Kingston, when the Rev. Ward Clark took charge thereof. September 29. 1725. He was baptized Sep- tember II, 1726. and also his children: Mary, Ben- jamin, Elizabeth and Joseph. His wife's name was Mary, and she was admitted to the First Church of Kingston, September 10, 1727. Ephraim (2) prob- ably removed from Kingston to Deerfield among the pioneers of that town.

(IV) Ephraim (3), son of Ephraim (2) and Mary Severance, was probably a native of Deerfield, and he was among the pioneers of Sandwich, New Hampshire. He was married October 25. 1649, at the Kingston First Church to Elizabeth Sweat.

(V) John, son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Sweat) Severance, was born about 1752, and al- ways lived in Sandwich. He was by occupation a capable and prosperous farmer, and withal had con- siderable mechanical genius which served him well in various kinds of handicraft. He was a prominent and public-spirited citizen, and in politics a sup- porter of the Democratic party. He served his native town as tax collector for sixteen consecutive years. Bothi he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married, Decem- ber 9, 1792, Lydia Jewell, by whom he had twelve children. as follows: John, born in 1793: Anne. born June 13, 1795: Asa. born March 31. 1798: Levi, born March 24, 1800: Lydia, born September 7. 1802: Jacob Jewell, born November 4. 1804, and died in Laconia, January 9, 1896; Sukey, born December 13. 1806; Sargent, born May 20, 1809; Martha F., born

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May 31, 1812; James M., born April 25, 1814; Polly M .. born May 14, 1816; Eliza, born May 10, 1822. (VI) Asa, second son and third child of John and Lydia (Jewell) Severance, was born in Sand- wich, March 31, 1798. When a young man he pur- chased a farm adjoining the old homestead, and was a prosperous farmer through life. He gave evi- dence of possessing an ability prophetic of a suc- cessful future, but expectation was cut short by his death in 1826. In his political faith he affiliated with the Democratic party, and in his religious views with the Free Baptists. He was a man of noble character and won the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Ile married Rhoda Webster about 1819, by whom he had four children, two only living to attain their maturity-John Webster, and Asa, who mar- ried Hannah MI. Webster.

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Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II, Part 17

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 874

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 874