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. III, Part 127

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: 876

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. III > Part 127

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(I) Charles Knapp was born in London, England. about 1780, and when about thirty-five years of age emigrated to America and settled in Montpelier. Vermont, where he engaged in farming. He marri d , and they were the parents of Paul. Lucretia and Orlando.

(II) Paul, elde-t child of Charles Knapp, was bern October 23. 1826, in Montpelier. His carly education was acquired in the common an1 high schools of Montpelier, where he afterward ene: gel in the manufacture of boots and sh us. He was en- gaged in this line as long as he lived. He was ! man of affairs, possessed of good judgment, and was elected as a Republican to the office of selectman. and to minor offices which he filled with credit. I1 religious belief he was a Univers list. He married Margaret Kennedy, who was born in Montpelier, Vermont, daughter of James Kenne ly. Four chil-

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dren were born of this union: Julia, William (died young), Lee V. and Carrie. Julia, married Spauld- ing Clark, and died in 1903, leaving two children --- Blanche and Forrest. Carrie, married George Sar- gent, and resides in Montpelier. They have one child, Edith.

(III) Dr. Lee Victor, son of Paul and Margaret (Kennedy) Knapp, was born in Montpelier. Febru- ary 28, 1861. He attended the common schools, St. Johnsbury Academy, and Dartmouth College, spend- ing one vear at the last named institution. He ma- triculated at the Baltimore Medical School in 1893, und graduated M. D. with the class of 1801. After -erving as an interne physician at the Maryland Gen- (ral Hospital one year, he went to Danbury, New Hampshire, where he has since resided and built up

't successful practice. He is a member of the

American, the New Hampshire, and the Central New Hampshire Medical Societies. He takes an interest in local affairs and local institutions, and has been chairman of the school board and chairman of the board of health, and is president of the local Lin- coln Club. He is a member of Blazing Star Grange. Patrons of Husbandry, No. 71, and of Kearsarge Lodge, No. 71. A. F. and .A. M. He married Emma Ward, who was born in Danville, Vermont. daugh- ter of Thomas J. Ward, of Danville. They have two children: Lee Henry. now in Colby Academy. and Dorothy.

EATON Whatever may have been the cause of the immigration of this family from the old country. one thing is plain, that the leader was a man of conviction who icted upon his own judgment. His general course of conduct from the time he left Salisbury till he lied in Haverhill, clearly shows that he was capable under God of being the architect of his own fortune. His autograph his dealings in real estate, his official relations in Salisbury, his breaking away from his associations there, his choice of a home in Haver- hill, and finally his last will and testament, are so many testimonials to his intellectual ability and moral integrity. The various admirable characteristics so preeminent in the ancestor prevail very largely in his progeny. The general standing of the Eatons of America to-day is such as to reflect honor on the name.

(1) John and Anne Eaton with their six chil- dren came to our New England shores, like many other families of their time, without leaving any known record of the date or place of their arrival. or of the vessel in which they came. His name first appears on the proprietors' books of Salisbury, Massachusetts, in the winter of 1630-40. It is sup- posed that the family came from England, but no tr: ce of its ancestry has vet been found. There were several grants of real estate made by the "ffreemen" of Salisbury unto John Eaton, senior, from 1610 to 116 inclusive One was of a house lot in Salisbury. near the present town office: the other, supposed to be the one he lived upon, was a "planting lott con- taining pr estimation six acres more or less, lying upon ye great Neck" His house was near the "great Neck bridge" on "the beach road." This homestead has never passed out of the Eaton family and is now owned by seven sisters in equ. I and im- divided shares, under the pleasing name of "Brook- side Farm." In the spring of 1616 Ichn Faton (1) was chosen grand juror, and alsoone of the five "Prudential men," to manage the affairs of the town. In the same year he transferred his homestead to his son John (2) Eaton, and removed with the rest of

his family about fifteen miles up the Merrimac to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he spent the last twenty-two years of his life in tilling the soil and in manufacturing staves. One of the entries in the records of the town of Haverhill is. "Anne ye wife of John Eaton died on the 5th of February, 1660." Another. "John Eaton sen. and Phebe Dow, wid. of Thomas Dow of Newbury, were married ye 20th of November, 1661." John Eaton, senior, died in Haverhill. October 29. 1668. aged seventy-three years. Mrs. Phebe (Dow) Eaton died 1672. The children of John and Anne Eaton were: John, Ann, Elizabeth, Ruth, Thomas, and Hester. (Thomas and descendants receive mention in this article).

(TT) John (2), eldest child of John (1) and Anne Eaton, was born in 1619, probably in England, and died on his homestead on "The great Neck," November 1. 1682. He appears to have come to Salisbury, Massachusetts, with his father in the win- ter of 1639-40. John (2) succeeded to his father's homestead on "the great Neck" and other real es- tate, which he occupied till his death. He was the possessor of much real estate, and in conveyance is sometimes styled "cooper," and at other times "planter." He married, about 1644. Martha Row- landson, daughter of Thomas Rowlandson, Sr., of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and sister of Rev. Joseph Rowlandson, who was graduated from Harvard Col- lege in 1652. the only member of his class. She died July. 1712. a woman of great age, and of great excellency of character. Their children were: Hes- ter. John, Thomas, Martha, Elizabeth. Ann. Sarah, Mary, Samuel. Joseph and Ephraim. (The last pamed and descendants are mentioned at length in this article).

(IT) Joseph, fourth son and tenth child of John (2) and Martha ( Rowlandson) Eaton, was horn March 6, 1660 in Salisbury. and died there January 13. 1743. His will was made February 2, 1736. He subscribed to the oath of allegiance and fidelity in 1777. and was a freeman in 1690. He was married December 14. 1683. in Salisbury, to Mary French, daughter of John and Mary (Noyes) French, and granddaughter of Edward French. the pioneer of Salisbury (see French). She was born Ttine 12 1663, in Salisbury, and died July 12, 1726, in that town. Joseph Eaton was published Novem- ber 2, 1726, as intending to marry Mary Worster, of Bradford. His children were: John (died young), John, Samuel. Joseph, Benjamin, Moses, Mary, Nicholas. Sarah and Jacob.

(IV) John (3). second son and child of Joseph and Mary ( French) Eaton, was born October 18, 1685. in Salisbury, and there resided through life. \ Ile was married ( first), about 1713, to Esther John- son. of Kingston: (second), July 2. 1728. to Eliza- beth Hook. His first wife was baptized in the Salis- bury church. September 8, 1723.

(V) Wyman Eaton, son of John (3) and Esther (Johnson) Eaton, was born in Salisbury, Inly. 1725, and settled in that part of ITampton. New Hampshire, now Seabrook, and within six miles of the homestead he made. There five generations of descendants have resided up to the present time. In 1765 Wyman Eaten's name appears on the petition to Governor Wentworth for a Presbyterian Society in Hampton Falls, which shows that he was a free- holler and an inhabitant of the town.

(VI) John (5). son of Wyman Eaton, bought land in Buxton, Maine, in 1774, from James Gray. of Salisbury. Massachusetts, and moved to that town. Ile married Jemima Green ,and they had nine children.

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(VII) Tristam, fourth child of John (5) and Jemima (Green ) Eaton, was born December 16, 1781.

(VIII) Stephen Woodman, son of Tristam Eaton. was born in Buxton, Maine. He was edu- cated in the public schools, studied civil engineering, and was a member of the first surveying party en- gaged in locating the line of the Atlantic & St. Law- rence railroad. After his marriage he became a resident of Portland, Maine. He married Miranda B. Knox, of Portland, who was born in Portland, a descendant of General Henry Knox, of Revolution- ary fame. They had eight children: Stephen M., Samuel K., George R., Minnie (Mrs. Myron Hovey, of Boston), Charles P., Woodman S., Howard B .. and Edward.

(IX) George Roscoe, third son and child of Stephen W. and Miranda B. (Knox) Eaton, was born in Portland, Maine, November 16, 1837. He was educated in the common and high schools of Portland and Yarmouth, and at the age of fifteen years he entered the office of S. T. Corser, superin- tendent of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence (Grand Trunk) railroad. as a clerk, where he was employed two and one-half years. He then spent an equal length of time in the Grand Trunk freight forward- ing office at Portland. At twenty years of age he went to Berlin, New Hampshire, and became the general agent of the mill and store of H. Winslow & Company, of that place. For fourteen years he was connected with the management of this business, ‹luring which time its ownership changed several times. In 1872 he purchased a stock of goods and a store at North Stratford, and removed to that place. He was alone in trade until 1882, when he and E. B. Merriam became partners under the firm name of E. B. Merriam & Company. During the many years he had resided in New Hampshire previous to this time. Mr. Eaton, foreseeing the certain rise in value of the lumber of northern New Hampshire, had bought large areas of timber lands which at this time began to come into the market at greatly en- hanced prices. Mr. Eaton's foresight and financial ability now became generally recognized and appre- ciated, and his cooperation in various business enter- prises was sought. In 1882 the Lancaster National Bank was organized, and Mr. Eaton was persuaded to become its president, and thereupon removed to Lancaster, where he continued to reside the re- mainder of his life. In 1887 the Siwooganock Guar- anty Savings Bank was organized. and Mr. Eaton hecame one of the incorporators and trustees, hold- ing the latter office until his death. He was senior partner of the firin of Eaton & Sawyer, lumber man- ufacturers of Columbia, and junior partner in the firm of Marshall & Eaton, carriage manufacturers of Lancaster. For many years he was also a money loaner, private banker and real estate agent. In polities he was a Democrat, and the place he oc- cupied in official life was as prominent as that he filled in business circles. He represented Berlin in the legislature of 1872-73: was selectman for several years in Berlin and Stratford : a member of the con- stitutional convention in 1876 from Stratford; was a member of the board of county commissioners of Coos county from 1879 to 1883: and county treas- urer from 1885 to 1801. He was also a member of the Mt. Washington Stock Farm Company, and a promoter and president of the Lancaster Driving Club. He and his family attended the Unitarian Church, of which he was a generous supporter. He was also a Mason. Mr. Eaton was essentially a self- made man : he possessed those natural qualities which properly cultivated make a man strong and reliable.

He had good common sense and critical judgment of a high order: he was industrious, energetic, prompt, and whatever was committed to him to be done was duly performed. His natural qualifica- tions and proper use of them made him a leading man among the men with whom he associated.

He married, .April 10, 1860. Sarah J. Parker, who was born in Saco, Maine, daughter of Josiah

and Parker, of Saco. Three children were lorn to them: Minnie P .. Georgie May and Sadie May (twins ).

(X) Minnie P., eldest daughter of George R. and Sarah J. ( Parker) Eaton, was born in Lancas- ter. and married Dr. William H. Leith. (See Leith, III).

(III) Ephraim, cleventh child and fifth son of John (2) and Martha (Rowlandson) Eaton, was born in Salisbury, April 12. 1663, and died June 28, 1723. He resided in Salisbury, and was a cooper and farmer. In addition to his father's bequest to him of "go acres above the mill," his mother gave him "all my upland meadow and common right in said town given me by my sister Wells. after my natural life is ended." Ephraim Eaton also owned land in Haverhill. He married. February 5, 1689, Mary True, of Salisbury. She was probably a daughter of Henry and Jane (Bradbury) True, born May 30. 1668. She died about 1748. She was ad- mitted to membership in the First Church, February 19. 1690. On the 28th of the following May her four children were baptized, and each child born afterward received the rite in early infancy. The children of this union were: Mary. Ephraim, Jane, Samuel, Jemima, Henry, Jabez (died young), Jabez. ( An account of Jabez and descendants appears in this article).

(IV) Henry, sixth child and third son of Ephraim and Mary (True) Eaton, was born in Salis- bury, Massachusetts, January 22, 1703, was baptized June II, 1704, and died December 20. 1790. He was a cordwainer, and resided in Salisbury, on the farm of his wife's father. By will his own father gave him and his brother Samuel all his land in Haver- hill, with a clause inserted that if either should sell it should be to the other. It seems that he was connected with the army or militia, as he is called captain. Henry Eaton married, August 10, 1727, Mary True, daughter of Ensign Henry True, of Salisbury. She died October 28. 1790. The geneal- ogist says they were members of the church in Salis- bury, and were faithful to the covenant in this: they had all their children baptized in early infancy. Their children were: Mary, Jemima, True, Henry. Sarah. Abigail. Johannah, Ephraim, Peter (died young ), Peter and Timothy.

(V) Ephraim (2), eighth child and third son of Henry and Mary (True) Eaton, was born in Salisbury, February 1, 1745. and died in 1826 aged eighty-one years. He settled in Candia, New Hamp- shire, in 1773. and purchased of Ben. Bachelder, No. 113, second Part. second Division, where his grand- son, Henry M. Eaton, afterward lived. Ile married (first). 1768. Abigail Perkins, and (second), 1772, Sarah Stevens, who died in 1822, aged seventy-four. Their children were: Molly, Henry, Hannah, Peter, and . Sally.

(VI) Molly, eldest child of Ephraim and Sarah (Stevens) Eaton, married Dr. Jacob Mcore, of Andover, son of Coffin Moore, the first physician in Candia. (See Moore. V).

(VI) Hannah, third child and second daughter of Ephraim and Sarah ( Stevens) Eaton, married Moses Patten. (See Patten. III).

(VI) Peter Eaton, fourth child and second son

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of Ephraim and Sarah (Stevens) Eaton, was born in Candia. After obtaining what education was af- forded by the schools of the neighborhood, he as- sisted Moses Fitts as a clerk in his store at Candia for a considerable length of time. Afterward he built a store north of the old Congregational mect- ing house, and commenced trading about the year 1812. In 1835 he removed to Concord, and resided there a few years. He at length returned to Candia and resumed business at the old stand, where he continued for some years. He was a man well liked by his neighbors, and had a way of keeping a cus- tomer once he had him, and was successful in busi- ness. He was also a good farmer. In addition to his agricultural and mercantile business he carried on the manufacture of barrels for the Newburyport market. In 1852 he removed to Manchester, and his store was taken down and converted into tenements in that city. He married Hannah Hale. daughter of Deacon Ezekiel H. and Hannah (Haseltine) Kelly. She was born in 1787. The children of this mar- riage were: Ephraim K., Mary J., and Francis B.

(VII) Francis B., younger son of Peter and Hannah Hale (Kelley) Eaton, was born in Candia, February 26, 1825, and died July 25, 1904. He was educated in the public schools of Candia, at Pem- broke, and New Boston academies, and would have completed his education in the college if weakness of his eyes had not compelled him to abandon the ef- fort. He began to teach school at an early age, and taught in New Boston for some years. While still a youth he displayed marked literary talent, and for a number of years was one of the best known journalists in New Hampshire. He moved to Man- chester about 1852 and published a valuable history of Candia, and became assistant editor of the Man- chester Daily American, and later acted as Wash- ington correspondent of the same paper. In 1854 he accepted the position of librarian at the city library, which he held for ten years, during which time he acted as the local correspondent of the Boston Trav- cler. Early in December. 1861, he became the pro- prietor of the New Hampshire Journal of Agricul- ture, which he conducted for two years, and which was merged in the Mirror and Farmer. During the last year of the war of the rebellion Mr. Eaton went to Boston, where he assumed the position of editorial writer on the Boston Journal. While connected with the last named paper he was sent to Washing- ton, where he soon became one of the most promi- nent correspondents at the capital. In 1866 lie was appointed to an office connected with the United States custom service, and was stationed at Boston, Montreal. and Portland.

In early life Mr. Eaton found in Governor Fred- erick Smyth, who was also a native of Candia, a stanch and true friend who assisted the young man in getting a foothold in the commercial world. In 1885 Governor Smyth chose Mr. Eaton to compile a sketch of his life, which was circulated privately among the friends of the governor. Mr. Eaton con- ducted a book store on Elm street very successfully for eleven years and, although the business re- quired the greater part of his time, he found oppor- tunity to contribute articles to lending periodicals on timely topics. At the time of his death he was a director of the First National Bank and vice-presi- dent of the Merrimack River Savings Bank. He was prominent in educational matters, and served long in the midst of his multifarious duties as school commissioner. In politics he was a stead- fast Republican, and gave his unstinted support to the administration in the time of the Civil war. Be- fore attaining his majority he became identified with

the Congregational Church in Candia, and after his removal to Manchester, he was clerk for many years of the Second Congregational Society. In 1854, he married Lucretia Lane, daughter of John and Abi- gail (Emerson) Lane. (See Lane and Emerson, IV). In 1880 he built a residence on Chestnut street. northeast corner of Salmon, and retired from all business pursuits, living quietly till his death, which occurred July 25, 1904, after an illness of five weeks.

A sober commentary on the life and character of Deacon Francis B. Eaton can be little less than eulogistic. He inherited from his ancestors ability, a love for work, high ideals, and a reverence for religion. As a boy and young man he was obedient, quiet, thoughtful, studious and ambitious. When he had work to perform he did that first, and then spent his leisure in study and the perusal of books. for which he had a love from his earliest years. As a teacher he was conscientious and thoroughi, and imbued with a high regard for learning that made his work successful and caused him to take a deep interest and active part in education in later life. He was a fluent and graceful writer, and his composi- tions were complete, scholarly and forceful. His ready command of language and logical arrangement of ideas made his literary work telling. Equipped as lie was, his sphere rapidly widened, and he was called from Manchester first to an editorship on a metropolitan daily, and then given the more in- fluential position of Washington correspondent, where he had daily opportunity to show his rare tact in the management of men for the obtention of news. His fair treatment of friend and foe and re- gard for trust reposed in him, made him popular with the leading men in the nation's capital and in- fluential in politics. He was never a seeker for office, preferring rather to make and unmake others who sought political place. He was successful n a high degree as a merchant, and his ability to accum- ulate money called him into the council of the finan- cial world and put him in positions to assist in coll- trolling capital, where he was successful to a flatter- ing degrec. He was always an ardent patriot, and strove with his pen to render all the assistance he could in times when his country needed his support. In his church he was a benefactor and one of its staunchest supporters. In municipal matters he al- ways wanted what was of the greatest good to the greatest number. looking ahead to ultimate results. and never countenancing temporary expedients. He was an upright man, a friend and companion to his friends. and always to be relied on. Truthfully was it said at the time of his death that he was "One of the most prominent residents of Manchester for years and a man of high character and brilliant at- tainments."

(IV) Jabez, eighth child and fifth Ephraim (1) and Mary (True) Eaton, was born in Salisbury, August 0, 1708, baptized October 10, 1708, and died of smallpox, January 28, 1700, at Han pton Falls. He lived at first in Salisbury, where the births of his children are recorded, though the last five were born at Hampton Falls. He was a farmer. and a member of military organizations and hold the rank of lieutenant. He married Sarah True, da igh- ter of Ensign Henry True, January 16, 1702, and they were the parents of the following named chil- dren : Sarah: Paul, died young : Jemima, Samuel, Paul, Sarah, Jabez, Joshua. Abigail, Mary.

(V) Paul, fifth child and third son of Jal ez and Saralı (True) Eaton, was born in Salisbury, Angust 20, 1730, and died in Candia, New Hampshire. in 1830, aged ninety years. He removed from Sea- brook to Candia, New Hampshire, before 177o, and

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bought of Isaiah Rowe, No. 114. second Part, second Division, which descended to his children and grandchildren. He was in Rhode Island and var- ious other parts of the colonies in the Revolution. He is said to have been a man of extraordinary strength, and it is told on good authority that he once moved, by means of a chain and lever placed across liis thighs, a log which a smart yoke of steers could not start. He married (first) about 1765, Molly Tilton, of Candia, New Hampshire, who died about 1775: and (second), in 1778, Hannah Emerson, of Haverhill, Massachusetts. By the first marriage there were five children: Molly, Anna, Henry T., John and Sally : and by the second, two: Lydia and Luke.

(VI) Colonel Henry T .. third child and eldest son of Paul and Molly (Tilton) Eaton, was born in Candia. Ile succeeded to his father's homestead, and died in 1851, aged about eighty-four years. He was a member of the Universalist Church, a Dem- ocrat in politics, and was selectman and representa- tive in the New Hampshire legislature. He married Elizabeth. daughter of Nathaniel Emerson, Esq., who died in 1818. (See Emerson, V). They had four sons and six daughters.

(VII) True, son of Colonel Henry T. and Eliza- beth (Emerson) Eaton, was born in Candia, in ISII (?) and died in the same town. He tilled the old homestead, voted the Democratic ticket, and was a member of the Universalist Church. He married Susan C. York, daughter of Solomon York, born in Deerfield (now Pembroke), and died in Candia. They were the parents of six children: Martin Van Buren, Frank W., Lizzie J .. Sarah T., Susan E., and Henry T.

(VIII) Martin Van Buren, eldest child of True and Susan G. (York) Eaton, was born in Candia, May 8, 1841. He grew up on a farm and attended the public schools. When thirty years of age he went to Rhode Island, and was an instructor in the state prison for a time. He began the manufacture of shoes in Candia, which he afterward carried on in Haverhill and Lynn, Massachusetts, for thirty years. In 1891 he began the manufacture of antique furni- ture at Lynn, which he has since continued. being in Concord a part of the time. He lives at Pembroke, upon the Coughlan homestead, the buildings of which he has thoroughly remodelled. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious faith a Congrega- tionalist. He held the office of supervisor in Candia four years. Mr. Eaton married. September 6. 1881, in Candia, Ellen J. Barker, daughter of Abraham L. Barker, born in Candia.

(II) Thomas Eaton, second son and fifth child of John (1) and Anne Eaton. was born about 1631, in England. He came with his parents to Salisbury. Massachusetts, but in November, 1646. removed to Haverhill, where he ever after resided. In 1652 he was one of thirty-seven to sign a petition to the general court of Massachusetts to revoke the sen- tence of disfranchisement against Robert Pike for freedom of speech. He was a selectman of the town in 1675. and chairman of the board in 1692, and in 1607 was one of a committee to locate the meeting house. He was much interested in the church and town affairs. He died December 15. 1708, and his wife "U'nes" as he wrote it in his will, died October 5, 1715. ITe married (first) Martha Kent. August 14. 1656, who died March o, 1657, and ( second), January 6, 1659, Eunice Singletery, at Andover. Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Richard and Susanna Singletery, and was born January 7. 1611. Their children, first only by his first wife, were: Martha, born February 27. 1657, died young;

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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. III, Part 127

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: 876

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: 876