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 44

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 44

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The origin of the name of Porter is interesting. The ancestry of John Porter, of Windsor, Connect- icut, has been traced through sixteen generations to William de la Grande. a Norman knight, who came to England with William the Conquerer, and ac- quired lands near Kenilworth in Warwickshire. His son, Ralph or Roger, became "Grand Porteur" to Henry I during the years from 1120 to 1140; and from this circumstance came the name Porter.

(I) 'John Porter, a descendant of William de la Grande in the sixteenth generation, was a mem- ber of the Windsor Church, which was organized at Plymouth, England, by people from Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Warwick shires, in March, 1630, and under the guidance of the Revs. John Maverick and John Warham, pastor and teacher respectively, this little company of worshippers set sail in the ship "Mary and John," arriving in Bos- ton Harbor the following June, and settling in Dorchester. In 1635 a portion of these settlers went to Connecticut under the leadership of Rev. John Warham, and founded the town of Windsor. Among the latter was John Porter. There is, how- ever, a possibility that he did not go to Windsor with the first party of settlers, but went there later with the Rev. Ephraim Hewett, who was summoned to assist Pastor Warham in 1639. He established his residence near the Little river in Windsor, and he died there April 22, 1648. His will denotes him to have been quite well-to-do. The christian name of his wife was Rose, and her death occurred in July of the previous year. Their children were: John, Sarah, Anna, Samuel, Rebecca, Mary, Rose, Joseph, James, Nathaniel and Hannah.

(II) Samttel, second son and fourth child of John and Rose Porter, was born in England, in 1626. He became one of the first settler of Hadley. Massachusetts, and was engaged in trade. He died September 6, 1680. In 1659 he married Hannah Stanley, who accompanied her father, Thomas Stan- ley, in the ship "Planter," from England in 1635. (N. B. Thomas Stanley was made a freeman in the Massachusetts Colony in 1635, joined the An- cient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston in 1640, subsequently went to Hartford, Connecti- cut, and thence to Hadley, where he died in 1663. ) Mrs. Hannah Porter died December 18. 1702, having been the mother of ten children, namely: Samuel, Thomas, Hezekiah, John, Mehitable, Experience, Ichabod. Nathaniel and Stanley.

(III) Hezekiah, third son and child of Samuel and Hannah (Stanley) Porter, was born January 7. 1665. About the year 1707 he settled in East Britain, Connecticut, and resided there until his death, which occurred. January 3. 1752. He mar- ried (first), May 20, 1686, Hannah Coles, born No- vember 14, 1668, died September 5. 1701, daughter of John and Deborah (Bartlett) Coles, who came from England on the ship "Lion" in 1632, and set- tled in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Married (sec- ond) in 1703. Hannah Merrifield, born December 6. 1670, daughter of Henry Merrifield. Married (third) Esther Dickinson. His children were: Hez- ekiah, Timothy, Hannah, Abigail, James, Isaac. Jon- athan, Mary, Joseph, David, Sarah, Mabel and Na- thaniel.

(IV) James, third son and fifth child of Heze- kiah and Hannah (Coles) Porter, was born Feb- ruary 24. 1696, and died in 1759. The christian name of his wife was Experience, and he had a family of six children, whose names were Mary, James, Sarah, William, Noah and Nathan. The

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majority of these children settled in Charlestown, New Hampshire.

( V) Lieutenant James (2), second child and eldest son of James and Experience Porter, was born April 21, 1728. He was a lieutenant in the French war, and as an officer of the Charlestown minute-men, at the breaking-out of the American Revolution, he marched with his company to Win- ter Hill under General Stark, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. His wife, whose christian name was Elizabeth, bore him ten children, name- ly : Molly, Nathan, died young: Susanna, Noah, Nathan, Chandler, James, Joel. Sabra and Miriam. Mrs. Elizabeth Porter died September 28, 1778, aged forty-eight years.

(VI) Chandler, fourth son and sixth child of Lieutenant James and Elizabeth Porter, was born in Charlestown, September 20 1700. At the age of sixteen years he accompanied his father to the seat of war with Stark's minute-men and fought at Bunker Hill and in other engagements during the war for independence. After the close of the war he became the proprietor of Porter's Inn at Charlestown, and for many years subsequent to hi- death, which occurred March 18, 1795, that hostelry retained its original name. He married Jerusha Downer, who survived him, and on December 3, 1797, she became the wife of his brother Noah. Of her first union there were four children : \bel, James. Warren and Nancy. The children of her second marriage were. Noah and Clara.

(\'ll) Warren, eldest son of Chandler and Jer- usha (Downer) Porter, was born in Charlestown, June II. 1702. He learned the blacksmith's trade. which he followed as a journey man in Littleton for some years, and early in the last century he set- tled in Lancaster, where he became a manufacturer of edge tools. ITe was not only a good mechanic but possessed much natural ability in other direc- tions, acquiring among other useful things a good knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping and he was frequently called upon to assist in the settlement of estates. Having settled in Lancaster when there were but two white houses in the town, he witnessed its development into a large, prosperous and wealthy community, and was deeply attached to the place, participating actively in its political affairs, holding some of its important public offices and in various other ways assisting in its advancement. In politics he acted with the Whig party, later a Republican, and in his religious belief he was a Unitarian. He died in Lancaster, April 4, 1878. He married (first) Salinda Cram. by whom he had three children : Chan- dler. Mary and Edward. Married (second) Jane Blanchard, daughter of Captain Bezia Blanchard, of Cumberland, Maine, and reared two sons, Arthur Weston and Lorin Barnstead. Jane ( Blanchard ) Porter was a highly educated woman; she was a school teacher and a woman far above the ordinary.

Arthur Weston Porter, who was an unusually bright and intelligent child, but of an exceedingly nervous temperament, received at the age of about three years a severe mental shock, which caused him to permanently lose control of his mind. He had mastered the alphabet, could name the different colors and the various birds, and in other ways displayed extraordinary precocity.

(VIII) Lorin Barnstead, youngest and only sur- viving son of Warren and Jane ( Blanchard) Por- ter, was born in Lancaster, November 30. 1830. Ile began his education in the public schools, and after completing his studies at the Lancaster Academy

engaged in farming. For many years he conducted agricultural operations upon quite a large scale, but some time since he reduced his acreage by selling a considerable portion of his land, retain- ing sixty acres, which he continued to cultivate as a pastime rather than from necessity. In politics he is a Republican and has served as member of the board of selectmen. Mr. Porter married (first), September 3. 1864, Sarah J. Copp, who died Sep- tember 26, 1805. Married (second), September 20, 1866, Luseba B. Webb, daughter of Edward H. Webb, of Central Ilall, Vermont. Of this union there are two children, Jennie A., wife of James Leon Dow, of the firm of P. J. Noyes & Com- pany. druggists in Lancaster, and Edwin L., a druggist in Booth Bay Harbor, Maine. Mrs. Por- ter died February 26, 1905, and the bereaved hus- band, who now resides with his daughter, finds it exceedingly difficult to reconcile himself to the loss of one who had been his affectionate and in- separable companion for nearly forty years.

This family is one of the most an-

POTTER cient and numerous in America. No less than cleven different immigrants of the name came to New England during the sev- enteenth century. They were Anthony Potter, of Ipswich, Massachusetts; George, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island: George, of Lancaster, England ; Ichabod, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; John and William, of New Haven, Connecticut: Martin, of South Shields, England : Martin, of Philadelphia ; Nathaniel, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island ; Nicholas, of Lynn, Massachusetts; Robert. of Warwick, Rhode Island. So far as known none of these immigrants was related to any other, though it is conjectured that the Rhode Island settlers, George, Nathaniel and Robert, might possibly be connected.

(I) Nicholas Potter, born in England, migrated 10 Lynn, Massachusetts, before 1650. He had three wives: Emma, whose maiden name is unknown; Mrs. Alice Weeks, widow of Thomas Weeks, who died in 1658-59; and Mary Gadney, daughter of John G. Gadney, of Salem, Massachusetts. There were two children by the first marriage: Robert mentioned below. and Elizabeth, who were born at Lynn, Massachusetts. It is thought the second wife lived only a short time; hence the remaining twelve children probably belong to the third marriage. They were born at Salem, the home of Alice Gadney. Nicholas Potter died October 18, 1677.

(II) Robert, eldest child of Nicholas Potter and his first wife, Emma, may have been born in Eng- land. The only date we have in connection with him relates to his second marriage, which took place on January 25. 1600. to Ruth Driver. They had len children : Robert (2), mentioned below : Na- thaniel, John. Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Ruth, Joseph, Penjamin, Samuel and Thomas, all born in Lynn. The name of his first wife is unknown.

(III) Robert (2), eldest child of Robert (1) and Ruth ( Driver) Potter, was born at Lynn, Massa- chusetts, March 18, 1661. He married Martha Hall, January 0, 1681-82. There were ten children: Eph- raim. mentioned below : Martha, Sarah, Ruth, Eliz- abeth, Robert, Rebecca, Mary, Nathaniel and Eliza- beth all born in Lynn.

(IV) Ephraim, eldest child of Robert (2) and Martha ( Hall) Potter, was born at Lynn, Massa- chusetts, April 5. 1683. He married Sarah Witt, November 23. 1708, and they had eight children: Mary, Martha, Joseph, Persis, Ephraim. Sarah, The-

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ophilus, mentioned below ; and Elizabeth, all born in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Ephraim Potter died March 19. 1731.

( V) Theophilus, third son and seventh child of Ephraim and Sarah ( Witt) Potter, was born Jan- uary 26, 1725, at Marlborough, Massachusetts, In 1748 he married Lois Walker, who died in 1798. There were twelve children: Silas. Ephraim. Barn- abas, Hannah, Thomas. Abijah, mentioned below : Lois, Thaddeus, Esther, Elizabeth, Luke and Aaron. The fourth eldest were born in Marborough: the others in Brookfield, Massachusetts. Theophilus Potter died September 13, 1814. aged eighty-nine.

(VI) Abijah, fifth son and sixth child of Theo- philus and Lois ( Walker) Potter, was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, January 23. 1780. He married Mary Tower on February 1. 1784. There were eight children: Abijah, Mary ( Polly ), Mark, Charlotte, Lurania, Aaron, Justus and Leonard. The three eldest were born in North Brookfield : the other in Brimfield, Massachusetts, Ahijah Potter died July 17. 1842.

(VHI) Justus, fourth son and seventh child of Abijah and Mary (Tower) Potter. was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, May 28, 1790. In 1819 he married Elizabeth Miles, daughter of Daniel Miles. who was born in 1800. They had twelve children: Justus M., Olivia, Mary, Charles, Daniel, Hannah, Aaron A., Naomi, Narelia, Lovina, Abijah and Horace, all born in Stark, New Hampshire. Justus Potter was the first of his family to move to this state, settling on a farm in Stark, where he died May 20. 1880. His wife died in 1885.

(VIII) Justus ML .. eldest child of Justus and Elizabeth ( Miles) Potter, was born at Stark. New Hampshire, November 15, 1819. Hle was educated in the common schools and was a farmer all his life. He was a member of the Methodist Church. and his beautiful and natural tenor voice was heard in the choir for forty years, He was a Democrat in polities. November 19. 1840, Justus M. Potter mar- ried Hannah Dodge, daughter of David and Rachel Dodge, of Stark, who was born in 1817. They had seven children: Louisa, who is the widow of Aaron S. Cole, of Groveton, New Hampshire: Olive, who married Henry W. Linn, of Stark; Lucinda, who married W. H. Veazie, of Groveton ; Lafayette, who died in infancy ; Elizabeth A .. who married llazen Merrill, and is deceased; Adonno A., and Augusta Emma (twins). The last child died in 1861. The sketch of Adonno A. is given below. Justus M., Potter died in 1905, and his wife died in 1802.

(IX) Adonno Aaron, sixth child and second and only surviving son of Justus M. and Hannah ( Dodge) Putter, was born at Stark, New Ilamp- shire, October 2. 1856. He is a farmer, and has lived for a quarter of a century on his present place. lle recently sold about six hundred acres to the Percy Lumber Company, and is now working on the farm for them. He was road agent for a num- ber of years, and has served two terms as select- man, the last time being in 1904. and has also rep- resented his native town in the legislature of 1907. Hle attends the Methodist Church, and has sung bass in the choir for thirty years He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men and to the Grange. Mr. Potter has been thrice married, and has two children, both by his second wife. He mar- ried, April 20. 1885, Emma De Etta Growe. daugh- ter of Alroy W. and Miriam T. Growe, who was born in 1858. She died in 1889. without children. Mr. Potter married (second ), in 1802, Florence Skihb,

daughter of Austin and Maria Skibb. She died Jan- uary 17, 1002, leaving two children: Sybil E. and Ruth M. Mr. Potter's third wife was Adelaide M. Powell, daughter of Henry C. and Mary A. Powell, of Paxton, Massachusetts, who was born December 23. 1883. There are no children by the last mar- riage.

( Second Family.)

This is among the pioneer names of POTTER East Concord, and is traced to the early settlers of Ipswich, Massachus-

etts. It has been chicfly identified in Concord with agriculture, but the family has included many not- ed ecclesiasties and professional men of all classes. The records of Yale, Harvard and other New Eng- land colleges show many of the name among grad- uates. Concord has sent out some of the name who have done honor to it among whom may be men- tioned: Judge Alva Kimball Potter, of Niagara county, New York: General Joseph Hayden Potter, of the United States Army: Honorable Chandler Eastman Potter, author of the "History of Man- chester" and widely known as editor, scholar and historian ; and Jacob Averill Potter, judge of the court of common pleas of Merrimack county.

(I) The first to whom the New Hampshire family is definitely traced was Anthony Potter, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, where he is found of rec- ord in 1648. He was born 1628, in England. It is claimed by some authorities that he was a son of Robert Potter, of Lynn, but no records are found to bear out the claim. His first home was on the north side of the river, near the stone mill, in a house built and occupied at first by Major-General Daniel Denni-on. In 1604 he was owner of a share and a half in Plum and other property, and the records show sales of land by him in 1660 and 1661. In July. 1653, he was "presented" because his wife wore silk, but was able to prove himself worth two hundred pounds and discharged. This and his various purchase- and sales of land show him to have been a man of means. He had a farm on the Salem road, about one mile southwest of the vil- lage of Ipswich, one of the best in town, extending north to the river, and was successful in the culti- vation of fruit. He died early in 1600, his will being dated December 28, 1680, and proved March 26. fol- lowing. His wife. Elizabeth Whipple, was born 1620, daughter of Deacon John and Sarah Whipple She survived her husband until March 10. 1712. In jogo she presented to the First Church of Ips- wich a silver cup which is still among it possessions. The inscription on her tombstone includes this brief verse :

a tender mother a prudent wife at God's command resigned her LIFE

Her children were: John, Edmund. Samuel, Thomas, Anthony, Elizabeth and Lydia. ( Thomas and descendants receive mention in this article. )

(II) Samuel, third son and child of Anthony and Elizabeth ( Whipple ) Potter, was born in Ips- wich, Massachusetts, about 1656, and died in 1714, in that town. He was three times married: (first ) to Johanna Wood, who was born 1661, daughter of Isaac and Merey ( Thompson) Wood. His second wife was Rath Dunton, to whom he was married April 18 1692. She died before December 4. 1705, on which date he was married to Sarah Burnett, widow of Robert Burnett. The children of the first

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marriage were : David, Sarah, Johanna, Samuel, Thomas. Elizabeth and Henry. Of the second there were three children, namely: Anthony, Esther and Ezekiel. The second died in infancy as did probably the first since he is not mentioned in his father's will. The children of the third marriage were: Esther, Lydia and Abigail.

(III) David, eldest child of Samuel and Johan- na (Wood) Potter, was born March 27, 1685. in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died after 1714. He was married in 1710 to Mary Merriam, of Lynn, and their children were: Alexander, James and William.

(IV) William, youngest child of David and Mary (Merriam) Potter, was born about 1715. in Ipswich, and resided in Topsham. Maine, where he died March 9. 1747. He married Catherine Mustard. and their children were: James, Alexander, John. David, Joseph, Matthew, Samuel and William

(V) David (2), fourth son of William and Cath- erine (Mustard ) Potter, was born about 1738, in Topsham. Maine, and probably resided in that town. He married Ruth Curtis, daughter of David Cur- tis, and they were the parents of: David, Alex- ander, Miriam. Catherine and Daniel

(VI) David (3), eldest child of David (2), and Ruth (Curtis) Potter, resided in Fryeburg, Maine. where he died before 1885. He married Nancy Frye. daughter of Captain Joseph Frye, of Fryeburg. Maine (see Frye. V). Soon after his death the wid- ow. Nancy, married - Dinsmore, with whom she removed to Conway, New Hampshire.

(VII) Frederick Frye, only child of David (3) and Nancy ( Frye ) 'Potter, was born April 6, 1801. in Fryeburg, Maine, and when only four years old went with his mother and step-father to Conway, New Hampshire, where he grew up. He received the ordinary educational training of youths of that time and ultimately graduated from the medical de- partment of Dartmouth College. He began practice at Rumney. New Hampshire, and was later located at Pembroke. He died in the latter place August 29. 1862. He was a Congregationalist, and a man wno was highly respected for his character and his skill as a physician. In political principles he was a Democrat. lle was married February 19. 1832, in Rumney, to Calista Lucas, born November 13. ISto, daughter of Deacon Samuel and Elsie ( Bey- erly ) Lucas, the latter a native of Nottingham. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Dr. Alonzo Frye, the eldest, died in California, whither he went in pursuit of health, at the age of twenty- eight years. Normanzo, the second, died at eight years of age. Frederick Eugene is the subject of the succeeding paragraph. Grace .A. became the wife of A. B. Johnson and died in 1005. Arabella A., now deceased, was the wife of Varnum A. Holmes, of Wilmington, Delaware. Alice C. is Mrs. Joseph L. Hosmer. residing in Manchester, New Hampshire. Alma Elizabeth died when a child.

(VIII) Frederick Eugene, third son and child of Frederick F. and Calista ( Lucas) Potter, was born July 3, 1839, in Rumney, and grew up in Sun- cook. New Hampshire. He attended the public schools and remained at Suncook until he was eight- een years of age, when he entered the medical school of the University of Vermont and gradu- ated in 1859 at the age of twenty years. Immediate- ly after his graduation he went to New York and became a resident, and entered the King's County Hospital, where he was at the beginning of the Civil war. He was among the first to offer his

services in behalf of the nation's integrity. He en- tered the United States navy in the medical de- partment and was aboard the ship "Monticello" when the attack was made upon Forts Hatteras and Clark, and participated in their capture. He was soon after transferred to the naval forces operating on the Mississippi river, and was a participator in the famous campaign against Vicksburg. Ile al-o saw active service on the Cumberland and Tenne- see rivers, and was subsequently a participator in the unfortunate Red River Expedition. The arduous labors and exposure incident to these campaigns greatly impaired his health, and to relieve him from service in the field he was appointed as president of the board of examiners for admission to the naval medical corps, which was at that time sta- tioned in Cincinnati, Ohio. His nature, however, did not permit him to avoid labor wherever any- thing was to be done and it was found necessary to give him a year's leave of absence in order that he might regain his health. This year was passed in his native town, and having been restored to health and strength he again returned to active service and was sent into Mexican waters at the time when France was attempting to establish Maxmilian on a throne in that country. Dr. Potter served seven years on naval squadrons that visited Mexico and South American ports. He applied for an assign- ment nearer home and was ordered to Portsmouth navy yard, where he served four years. In 1876 he resigned his commission and began the practice of his profession in Portsmouth. He continued there more than a quarter of a century with great success. He enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his contemporaries and was held in high regard by the public as a man and a citizen. He had a com- manding presence and a most pleasing personality and his cheerful presence in the sick room was often of greater avail in healing the sick than were any nther remedies which he administered. He was known as one loyal to every duty and he possessed power to discharge his duties efficiently. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Massa- chusetts Commandery, Loyal Legion. He was a regular attendant of the Unitarian Church, and in politics was an ardent Democrat. In 1900, without any solicitation on his part, he was placed in nom- ination by his party for the high office of governor of the state. He died November 18, 1902. Dr. Pot- ter was married October 2, 1873, to Harriet, daugli- ter of Jeremiah 11, and Mary ( Thompson) Wilkins, of Pembroke, (see Wilkins, VII).

(JI) Thomas, fourth son and child of Anthony and Elizabeth ( Whipple) Potter, was born at an unknown date and died in 1745. He was married (publication made June 16, 1605), to Mary, born 1671, daughter of Caleb and Anna ( Hazeltine ) Kimball. Their seven children, born at Ipswich, were: Mary, Thomas, Anna, Lydia. Robert, Jacob, and Jabez.

(III) Thomas (2). eldest son and second child of Thomas (I) and Mary ( Kimball) Potter, was horn in Ipswich. August 17, 1698, and died June 7. 1749. He married, 1721, Sarah Wallis, daughter of Samuel Wallis. She died in 1749. Their children were : Samuel (died young ). Samuel, Joanna, Jo- seph and Sarah.

(IV) Samuel, second son and child of Thomas (2) and Sarah ( Wallis) Potter, was born in Ips- wich, November 15, 1724. The date of his death is unknown. He married. 1748 (publication January 14), Lucy Brown. Their eight children were :

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Thomas ( died young . Samuel. Thomas, Lucy (died young ), Joseph, Sarah, Lucy and Israel.

(V) Joseph, fifth child and fourth son of Samuel and Lucy ( Brown) Potter, was born in Ipswich. February 25. 1756, and died November 29, 1827. aged seventy-two. He married Nancy Gilman, born in 1760, died in 1818. aged fifty-eight. Their chil- dren were: Mary, Joseph, Susan and Lucy.

(VI) Joseph (2), second child and only son of Joseph (1) and Nancy ( Gilman) Potter, was born in Gilmanton. June 5, 1787, and died January 15. 1802, aged seventy-six. He grew up on his father's farm, a part of which he inherited. He was pros- peron, and besides his farm owned a saw mill with which he cut lumber off his own land. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat. Ile married Polly Martin, born in 1786. and died in 1852, aged sixty-six. Their children were: Mary ( .. Clarinda B., John M., Joseph B., Rhoda M, Sarah J., William M., Susan O .. and Betsey A. D. (VII) William M., seventh child and third son of Joseph (2) and Polly (Martin) Potter, was born in Gilford, May 31, 1822. and died February 28, 1895. aged seventy-three. He inherited the home- stead and spent nearly all his life there. He was a Democrat and a Baptist. He married first, De- cember 17, 1846, Julia B. Batchelder, who died Oc- tober 22, IS52: second. March 30. 1854, Margaret Buchanan. who died February 8. 1805. The chil- Iren of the first wife were: Mary G. and Joseph N .; and by the second wife. Araminta J., Cora J. Frank W. and Fred J.

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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 44

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