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 90

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 90

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Westmoreland, December 11, 1852, and was buried in Surry, New Hampshire.

Phebe Hall died in Westmoreland, August 6. 1853, and was also buried in Surry. Henry B. Hall. son of Jonathan (3) Hall and

Polly Blasdel, Charlemont, Massachusetts, married in 1826: Polly died January 31,

were

I855. Henry B. married for his second wife Eliza C. Allen, September 9, 1855. By first union five children : George, born December 21, 1826, died May 28, 1831 ; Charles B., September 27, 1830, died Feb- ruary 9, 1907: James G., June 1, 1832, died 1907 ; Joshua and Mary Ann (twins), May 15. 1834: Joshua died October 18, 1834: Mary Ann died Feb- ruary 26, 1837. Charles B. Hall, second son of Henry B. Hall. and Sarah J. Hancock were married February 13. 1851. Their children : Otis, born March 6, 1852, was a locomotive engineer on the Vermont Central railroad, was killed by the explosion of his engine at Eagleville, Connecticut, December 4, 1896. He married Ellen Wilbur, who with two children survive. Mary A., born April 23. 1854, married Fred S. Moors, has two children: Charles E., born October 12, 1878, Carrie M., January 21, 1882. Hor -. ace H., born August 1, 1856. Addie R., born Sep- tember 17, 1858, married William Lawrence, Sep- tember 9, 1884. Emma J., born September 13, 1860, married Charles H. Thatcher. Lucy C. (Mrs. Sew- ard). Albert, born June 7, 1871, killed by a rail- road accident, at Lebanon, Connecticut, August 15, 1901. Bennie I., born September 13. 1873, was acci- dentally killed with his brother Otis at Eagleville, Connecticut, December 4, 1896.

STOUGHTON The Stoughtons are a family of remote antiquity in county Sur- rey, England. In the reign of King Stephen (1135-54) Godwin de Stocton lived at Stocton in that county. During the reign of Ed- ward I, Henry de Stocton received the royal license to embark one hundred and sixty acres of land there. In the early part of the eighteenth century, a younger branch of the family became seated at Saint Johns, county Warwick, occupying a large and ancient mansion originally the Hospital of Saint John the Baptist. The site of the old Stoughton Manor in Surrey is near the Church of Stoke with its Stoughton Chapel, where many ancient monu- ments of the family can be seen. The arms of the Stoughtons are: Field azure, a cross engrailed, er- mine ; crest. a robin redbreast.

(I) Thomas Stoughton came from England to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630 or 1633, and moved to Windsor, Connecticut, about 1640. His first wife was a Miss Montpeson, of county Wilts, England, who died in that country. After his ar- rival in Dorchester he married Mrs. Margaret Barret Huntington, whose husband, Simon, was a fellow passenger with Mr. Stoughton on the voyage over, and died before reaching land. There were three sons by the first marriage : Rev. John, of Alderman- bury, London; Ensign or Ancient Thomas and Colonel Israel. The latter two came to Dorchester with their father, and Colonel Israel Stoughton quickly became a man of mark in the Massachusetts Colony. lle left a large property, and like his son, Governor William Stoughton, unde generous be- quests to Ilarvard College. Thomas ( 1) Stoughton died March 25, 1661, at Wind-or, Connecticut.

(II) Ancient or Ensign Thomas (2), second son and child of Thomas (1) and ( Montpeson) Stoughton, came to Dorchester, Massachusetts, and

to Windsor, Connecticut, with his father. He wa. evidently a man of property and social distinction. The old Stoughton house or Stone Fort, a notable building in Windsor till it was pulled down in ISog, was erected and first occupied by Ensign Thomas (2). This famous structure was built in two por- tions, the earlier of stone and the later of wood. The stone part had two small, diamond-paned win- dows only, but there were numerous port holes under the eaves. Its heavy, oaken door was studded with iron spikes, and bore many a hack from Indian tomahawks. The modern or wooden part had a hung chimney containing a stone which was rudely cut with the owner's initials and the date, 1669. The figure three underneath was said to mean that this was the third chimney built after the house was raised, the others being rude affairs. On No- vember 30, 1665. Thomas (2) Stoughton married Mary, daughter of William Wadsworth. There were seven children: John, Mary, Elizabeth, Captain Thomas, Samuel, Israel and Rebecca. Thomas (2) Stoughton died September 15, 1694, leaving an, estate inventoried at about one thousand pounds. His widow survived him, and up to 1707 did a consider- able business in loaning money on mortgages. She died February 8, 1711-12.

(III) John, eldest child of Ensign Thomas (2) and Mary (Wadsworth) Stoughton, was born June 20, 1657, at Windsor, Connecticut. He became a leading man in East Windsor, serving as selectman, and heing frequently mentioned in the records of the day. He married (first), Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Abigail ( Moore) Bissell, who died July 17, 1688, leaving two sons, John and William. He married ( second) Sarah Fitch, January 23, 1689. They had ten children: Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rebecca. Ann, Nathaniel, Hannah, Mary, Martha and Rachel. John Stoughton died May 24, 1712.

(IV) Nathaniel, second son and sixth child of John and Sarah (Fitch) Stoughton, was born June 23. 1702, at East Windsor, Connecticut. He is men- tioned in Rev. Timothy Edward's Rate Book as paying his rates in shoes from 1725 to 1740, which would perhaps indicate his occupation. On Sep- tember II, 1729, he married Martha, daughter of John Ellsworth, of East Windsor. They had ten children : Oliver, Lemuel, Gustavus, Captain John. Alice, Joseph, Ann, Alice, Nathaniel (2) and Martha. Captain John was educated at Yale Col- lege, studied law, and rendered meritorious service in the French war. He settled upon lands given him by the Crown, still known as Stoughton Patent, between Lakes George and Champlain. He was drowned in Lake George in November, 1766. The date of Nathaniel (1) Stoughton's death is un- known. but his will was dated June 13. 1753.

(V) Nathaniel (2), sixth son and ninth child of Nathaniel (1) and Martha (Ellsworth) Stough- ton, was born March 6, 1746, at East Windsor, Con- necticut. In 1764 he with his brother Lemuel owned a store in East Windsor. In February, 1781, Na- thaniel (2) moved to Weathersfield, Vermont, where he cleared land and built a log house. He was one of the thirteen original proprietors of the town, and soon acquired prominence there. Ile was town clerk. for many years the only justice of the peace, and for eighteen years representative to the general court. Ile was a Revolutionary soldier. Ile kept a general store in connection with his farm, and is remembered as a very austere man. On Septem- ber 3. 1773, Nathaniel (2) Stoughton married Abi- gail Potwine, eldest child of Rev. Thomas Potwine,

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of East Windsor, Connecticut, who was born April 3, 1755. She seems to have been a remarkable woman, for she lived till April 26, 1848, completing ninety-three years, and having had one hundred and ninety-eight descendants-eleven children, seventy-five grandchildren, one hundred and nine great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grand- children. The children of Nathaniel (2) and Abi- gail (Potwine) Stoughton were: Abigail, Nathaniel, Lydia, Martha, Sarab, Jolin, Thomas P., Richard M., whose sketch follows; William P., Daniel and Alice. Nathaniel (2) Stoughton died February 6, ISI5.

(VI) Richard Montgomery, fourthi son and eighth child of Nathaniel (2) and Abigail (Pot- wine) Stoughton, was born at Weathersfield, Ver- mont, March 10, 1792. He was a carpenter and builder, and lived in various towns of the state. Up to 1836 he had lived at Reading for two separate periods, and at Westfield between times. He then spent a year at Quechee, in the town of Hartford, where he superintended the carpenter work on a woolen mill. In 1834 he went to Sharon, where he remained ten years, and then removed to Royalton, in order to educate his children at the academy there, and this place became his permanent home. Mr. Stoughton was a Democrat till the Civil war, when he joined the Republican party. While at Westfield he served as deputy sheriff. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and always a leader in the choir. He taught singing school and had considerable musical ability. On May 6, 1813, Richard M. Stoughton married Polly G. Fay, of Reading, Vermont, who was born October 6, 1795. There were nine children: Nahum F., Maria M., William P., Marcia M., Henry C., Daniel G., Pamelia W., Horace E. and Homer R. Of the daughters, Maria M. married Elias Alexander; Marcia M. married Spencer Howe; and Pamelia W. married Philemon N. Cobb. Two of the sons were in the Civil war. Henry C. was captain in a Michigan regiment, but was discharged after a year on account of poor health. Homer R. went out as captain of the Second United States Sharpshooters and came back as colonel. He served in the Army of the Potomac and was twice wounded. Richard M. Stoughton died at Royalton, Vermont, September 11, 1870. His wife died in 1888.

(VII) Daniel Goddard, fourth son and sixth child of Richard M. and Polly G. (Fay) Stoughton, was born in Reading, Vermont, January 23, 1826. He attended the common schools at Reading and Quechee, and studied at Royalton Academy one year. He followed farming at Royalton and Hart- land, Vermont; and Millbury, Massachusetts, till 1850. He then went to Worcester, where he took charge of a large farm for four years, engaged in the grain business for seven years, and for the suc- ceeding four conducted a retail milk business. He then went into the railroad service for a time, be- coming station agent at South Royalton, Ver- mont, for four years, and station agent at Charles- town, New Hampshire, for twenty-one years. In November, 1865, he bought a farm of one hundred and seventy acres near the village of Charlestown, which he cultivated for forty years, or until Jan- uary, 1905, when he retired. His son and family reside with him. While farming he made a spe- cialty of dairying, and kept an average of twenty-five cows. Mr. Stoughton is a Republican, and attends the Congregational Church. He was a member of the school board for eleven years, and was chair-

man for ten years. October 7, 1856, Daniel Goddard Stoughton married Caroline L. Patch, daughter of William W. and Sarah ( Willard) Patch, of Wor- cester, Massachusetts. They had one child, George Henry, whose sketch follows. They also adopted a child, Flora M. Howe, who lives with them at the present time.

(VIII) George Henry, only child of Daniel Goddard and Caroline L. (Patch) Stoughton, was born in South Royalton, Vermont, July II, 1862. He was educated in the public schools of Charles- town, New Hampshire, and assisted his father in railroad work till 1886. He then went to Boston where he was employed by the Fitchburg railroad for several years, going thence to Springfield, Mas- sachusetts, where he remained two years in the general freight auditor's office of the Boston & Albany; thence to Albany, New York, where he had charge of the local freight office for two years. He came back to Charlestown and bought out a harness shop. which he conducted for four years. He was then employed in the Connecticut River National and Savings Bank of Charlestown four years, and at the end of this time bought out an insurance business, which he has since conducted. He represents the New Hampshire, the Granite State, the Home In- surance Company of New York, the Etna of Hart- ford, Phoenix of Hartford, Continental of New York, and the Insurance Company of North Amer- ica, Philadelphia. He has been in the undertaking business since 1903. Mr. Stoughton is a Republican in politics, and served as selectman in 1895 and 1907. 'He is interested in fraternal organizations, and belongs to Faithful Lodge, No. 12, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Charlestown, of which he is past and present master; to Webb Chapter, of Claremont; and to Columbian Council and Sullivan Commandery, of Claremont; also to Charlestown Lodge, No. 88, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Charlestown. On October 29, 1890, George Henry Stoughton married Ella Frost, daughter of Lyman C. and Nancy E. (Churchill) Frost, a native of Springfield, Vermont. They have five children: Howard, Eliot Frost, Carolyn, Edith Frost and Lyman Daniel. The family attends the Congregational Church.

WORTHEN This name seems to have under- gone a slight modification since its arrival in America. It was early located in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and has sent out worthy descendants throughout New Eng- land and the United States. It has been identified with the pioneer development of New Hampshire, and still furnishes worthy citizens to the common- wealth. The name first appears in Amesbury, Massa- chusetts, as Wathen, or Wathin, but the present form has been in use for centuries, and will be uni- formly used in this narrative. We find an inventory of the estate of Margaret Wathen, a widow of Salem, recorded July 20, 1644. The first mention of the family appears to be in 1631, when the first child of George Wathen was recorded. He was a mem- ber of the Salem church in 1641, and his last child was recorded in 1645. The record appears of Eze- kiel Wathen in June, 1656, when he was apprenticed by the court until he was of age, to Thomas Avery. History gives the name of Captain George Worthen, killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. There is in the Bunker Hill monument two relics. a sword and flintlock musket said to have been the property of this George Worthen.

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(1) Ezekiel Worthen, of Amesbury, Massachu- setts, received land in that town in 1663, and is recorded as having a meeting house seat in 1667. He subscribed to the oath of allegiance in 1677, signed petition in 1680, and made his will there May 5, 1715. This will was probated August 6 of the following year, and it is presumable that his death occurred 1716. He was married December 4, 1661, to Hannah, daughter of George and Hannah Martin. She was born February 1, 1644, in Salisbury, and survived her husband about fourteen years, dying June 29, 1730, at the home of her son-in-law, Sam- uel Fowler. Their children were: Hannah, John, Thomas, George, Ezekiel, Mary, Samuel, Dorothy, Judith, Deborah. (Ezekiel and descendants are mentioned at length in this article).

(Il) George, third son and fourth child of Ezekiel (1) and Hannah (Martin) Worthen, was born December 15, 1669, in Amesbiiry, and was a "husbandman" in that town. In 1708 he was regis- tered among the "Snow-Shoe Men," defenders against Indians. His wife bore the baptismal name of Anne, and their children were: Priscilla (died young). Priscilla, Anne, Charles, George, Deborah, Judith and Aquila.

(III) George (2), fifth child and second son of George (I) and Anne Worthen, was born March 20, 1709, in Amesbury, which town was his abiding place throughout life. He was married, intention published December 8, 1730, to Mariam Barnard, born September 10, 1711, in Amesbury, daughter of Tristram and Ruth Barnard, and great-granddaugh- ter of Thomas Barnard, a pioneer of that region. (See Barnard).

(IV) Barnard, son of George (2) and "Mariam" (Barnard) Worthen, was born September 24, 1744, in Amesbury, and spent his life in agriculture in the vicinity of his birth. He married, June 11, 1767, Dorothy Bagley. He was a soldier of the Revolu- tion.

(V) Jacob, son of Barnard and Dorothy (Bag- ley) Worthen, was born April 16, 1780, in Ames- bury, and resided in that town until after the spring of 1812, when he removed to Sutton, and about 1820 to Springfield. In 1823 he removed to the Otter- ville neighborhood in New London, where he built a residence and lived for many years. He removed to Sunapee late in life and died there February 9. 1879, but was buried in New London. He married (first) Betsey, daughter of Thomas and Betsey (Sar- gent ) Sargent. She was born March 7. 1791, and died December 21, 1823. He married ( second) Irene (Mer- rill) Dow, widow of Jesse Dow, Jr., who died in December, 1852. Hle married (third) Mrs. Mary (Burpee) )Abbot, widow of Theodore Abbot. and lived on her farm in Sunapee. Jacob and Betsey had two children : Albert S. and Thomas S.

(VI) Albert S., elder of the two sons of Jacob and Betsey (Sargent) Worthen, was born in Ames- bury, Massachusetts, January 21, 1812, and died May 12, 1885. When a lad he accompanied his parents in their migration to New Hampshire, and was quite young when they settled in New London. He grew up to a sterling manhood and citizenship in his adopted town. Trained in habits of diligent indus- try. he was a landholder in 1836, and resided at "Lakeside." He was highly respected by his fellow citizens. being chosen by them to fill several offices of trust and responsibility. Later in life he sold his place to his son-in-law. John Pressen, but he and his wife had their home and died there. He mar- ried, April 20, 1834, Sally Abbott, who was born

August 1, 1814, and died in July, 1891. She was buried on her seventy-seventh birthday. She was the daughter of Theodore and Mary (Burpee) Ab- bott, the latter a woman of great vigor and energy, who trained her family to useful manhood and womanhood. After the death of her husband, Mary (Burpee) Abbott married Jacob Worthen, father of Albert S. Worthen. The children of Albert S. and Sally (Abbott) Worthen were: I. Lorenzo, dc- ceased. He was educated in the common schools and began his business career in Newport, New Hampshire, in the woolen mills. Later he went to the Nomaska Mills, in Manchester, where he was the second in charge, and was the first to weave fancy ginghams. He also conducted a boarding house for the corporation, later went west, and subsequently returned to Manchester. Still later he went to Hillsboro Bridge, where he was also engaged in inill work, and there spent the remainder of his life. his death occurring July 28, 1906. 2. James B., was for a time engaged in the mills at Manchester, and is now a farmer. 3. Betsey R., married John Pres- sen, deceased, who was a farmer. She resides in North Sutton, New Hampshire. 4. Eugene B., see forward. 5. Marietta Abbott is the widow of David H. Bean, resides in Manchester. 6. Ai is a farmer of New London, New Hampshire. 7. Byron is men- tioned below. S. Cora E., inarried John W. Clay and resides in Sutton Mills, New Hampshire. 9. Jacob N. died in infancy.

(VII) Eugene B., third son and fourth child of Albert S. and Sally (Abbott) Worthen, was born in New London, August 21, 1846. He acquired his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty years left the farm and took up his residence in Manchester. There he entered the employ of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, and was em- ployed first as filling boy, then as loom fixer, third hand, second hand and finally as overseer. He was advanced to the last mentioned position in 1887, and has now held it for a period of twenty years. He has charge of the department of fancy weaving, where three hundred and fifty laborers opcrate one thousand and two looms in a single room. Mr. Worthen's steady attention to business and thorough reliability have placed him in a position of respon- sibility to which only a few of the thousands of operatives of the great mills ever attain. He has discharged the duties of his position with such ef- ficiency as to gain him the fullest confidence of his employers both as to skill and integrity. From carly manhood he has been an active participant in politics and has acted with the Republican party. He held the office of councilman for four years, and has been a prominent figure in the Republican conventions of the city, Hillsboro county and the state for many years. He is an Odd Fellow, and has filled some of the highest offices in the gift of this order in the state. He became a member of Wildey Lodge, No. 45, of Manchester, about 1870, and was afterward its noble grand. He is a member of Mount Washing- ton Encampment, No. 16, of which he is a past chief patriarch. He was elected grand patriarch of the Grand Encampment of New Hampshire in 1904. and was re-clected to that office in 1905, this being the only time this honor has been twice conferred on the same individual in New Hampshire. He now (1907) fills the office of grand representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Ile is also a member of Pioncer Lodge, No. I, of the American Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master. He attends the Franklin Street Church. Mr. Worthen

Han Byran WorthEn

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married, at Manchester, August 21, 1873, Mrs. Mary F. Ford, widow of Henry Ford, of Poughkeepsie, New York, and daughter of Thomas Law, of Massa- chusetts, and they have children : I. Henry A., as- sistant civil engineer in the city of Manchester. He married Gertrude Porter. 2. Shirley F., in the em- ploy of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company.

(VII) Hon. Byron, youngest surviving son of Albert S. and Sally (Abbott) Worthen, was born in New London, June 3. 1853. He inherited from both of his parents the virtues of industry, honesty and frugality, together with vigorous health and a splen- did constitution, and was better equipped for his life work than many of those whose inheritance consists of houses, lands and gold. His education was ob- tained in the district school and his athletic exercise on the farm of his father, conducted in a very prac- tical manner, developed him physically and mentally into self reliant manhood. At the age of twenty- three he entered the employ of the Amoskeag Man- ufacturing Company in Manchester, where his in- dustry and faithful attention to the interests of his employers were observed and duly appreciated. He was advanced steadily from grade to grade, and in 1883 was made superintendent of wheels and shaft- ing, and is still filling this position of responsibility and trust at the present time. Mr. Worthen is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school. and in the realm of politics his fellow citizens have recognized his ability and worth. He was elected as a member of the board of aldermen for two successive terms- 1891-94. Upon the resignation of the mayor, Hon. E. J. Knowlton, in 1894, Mr. Worthen was elected chairman of the board and served as mayor during the remainder of the term with credit to himself and his party. At the close of this term he gave to the public press a full statement of the financial condi- tion of the city. Manchester was again in need of the services of Mr. Worthen in 1896, when he was made a member of the street and park commission. Upon the expiration of a term of six years he was re-appointed and has continued in that office up to the present time. He takes the greatest interest in the work of this commission, especially in the im- provement of the parks of the city. He is the presi- dent of the American Park Association, having held the office of vice-president for the two preceding terms. He was elected a member of the state senate in 1906, and there his sound judgment and business ability found a worthy field of labor. A Republican newspaper says editorially: "Senator Worthen did not get the committee assignments he would have received if he had been a Republican, but no one was more sensible, practical or better informed, and no one worked harder for his constituents. He stood four square for the interests of Manchester every time. and made friends who were very helpful when they were needed. Our city has had few better Sen- ators than Byron Worthen." His religious affilia- tions are with the Universalist Church, and he is a member of the following fraternal organizations : Past grand of Wildey Lodge, No. 45, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; past chief patriarch of Mount Washington Encampment, No. 16. Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows; member of Passacon- away Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men.

He married, in Tilton, New Hampshire, October 30, 1877, Mary A. Mathes, born May 26, 1855. and they have had two children: I. Sadie Ellen, born October 15, 1880, married Arthur G. Seaman, of Brooklyn, New York. 2. Harold Mathes, born Sep- tember 14, 1892, a student in the Manchester high

school. and a member of the class of 1910. Mrs. Worthen is the daughter of John and Eleanor (Mor- gan) Mathes, of Columbia, New Hampshire, the Mathes family having come to the state with the Mason colony. John Mathes was born in Canter- bury, New Hampshire, removed to Columbia, and was there engaged in farming from 1849 to 1862. He was a member of the Christian Church, in which he held the office of deacon, was Democratic in his political affiliations, and filled at various times all the local offices, being prominent in the public af- fairs of the community for many years. Mrs. Mathes died in 1890 at the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living at the present time. I. Cynthia, married Rodman P. Powers, now deceased. 2. Mary A., mar- ried Mr. Worthen, as mentioned above. 3. John M., is a hotel proprietor in Bethlehem. New Hampshire. 4. Katherine, married Henry Burbank, now deceased, of Bloomfield, Vermont. 5. Julia G., died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Worthen reside in a beautiful home on Lake Avenue Heights, and are noted for the gracious hospitality they extend to a large circle of friends.

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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 90

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