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 72

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 72

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(IV) James Cochran, son of Samuel T. and Sallie (Cochran) Yeaton, was born in Epsom, Feb- . ruary 5, 1828, and died June 8, 1884. He owned four hundred and fifty acres of land in Epsom, where he was extensively engaged in farming and other pursuits. He resided and died in the house built by his father and in which his sons and daughters now reside. He was a Democrat. and filled the offices of highway surveyor and school committeeman. He married, March 18, 1856. Han- nah Drake Towle, who was born in Barnstead. No- vember 28. 1832. She is the daughter of Robey M. and Abigail (Nelson) Towle. She died October 25, 1906. There were five children born of this mar- riage : Samuel R., Elizabeth H., Mary A., deceased, Nettie A., and James H. Samuel R. is the subject of the next paragraph ; Elizabeth H., born August 6. 1861, resides in the homestead; Mary A., born May 25, 1865, married Will D. Hutchins, and died in Concord, January 20, 1900: Nettie A., born Sep- tember 25, 1866, married William A. Smith, of Manchester ; James H., born February 14, 1875.

(V) Samuel Robie, eldest child of James C. and Hannah D (Towle) Yeaton, was born in Ep- som, October 16, 1857. He received his education in the common schools and the academies of North- wood and Pembroke. He is a lifelong farmer, and a prosperous and highly respected citizen. He has the large place his father owned, and carries on farming on a large scale. He is a member of the Freewill Baptist Church, is a Democrat, and as such has been elected to and filled the offices of select- man two years, town treasurer one year, and road agent four years, when the town was all in one dis- trict. He married. in October, 1882, Mabel E. Stew- art, born in Epsom, October 21, 1864, daughter of

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Alenson and Mary A. (Colton) Stewart. They have six children: Florence E., married Charles Bartlett, December 25, 1906; Josie M., died January, 1905; Sophronia M., Russell S., George S. and Mau- rice A.

YEATON As the name Yeaton does not appear in the Colonial Records before the eighteenth century, and is long time established in Rochester, it is probable the immi- grant ancestor first settled in Southeastern New Hampshire, after the year 1700.

(I) Theodore Yeaton was born Rollinsford, Strafford county, in 1764, and died there in 1856, aged ninety-two years. He spent his entire life in the same town, and was engaged in farming. He married Susan Warren and they had a son Oliver, and other children.

(II) Oliver, son of Theodore and Susan (War- ren) Yeaton, was born in Rollinsford, in 1805. and resided all his life on the old homestead, engaged in agriculture. He died in 1804, aged eighty-nine. He was a Republican in politics, and one of the select- men of Rollinsford for some years. He was known as Captain Yeaton. He married Caroline Cressey, who was born in Gorham, Maine, in 1809, and died in 1851. They had eight children: Ebenezer, Wil- liam H., John C., Nahum, Mary E., Arianna, Susan E., and Caroline.

(III) Nahum, fourth son and child of Oliver and Caroline (Cressey) Yeaton, was born in Rollins- ford, May 17, 1842. He worked on the old home- stead that has been in possession of the family over one hundred years, and went to school until he was nineteen years old. He then enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth United States Infantry, for three years, and served until September, 1864. when he was honorably discharged with the rank of ser- geant. He saw service with the hard fought Army of the Potomac, and took part in the siege of York- town and battles of Gaines Mill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Lectown. Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness Spottsyl- vania, seige of Petersburg, and Weldon Railroad.

Aften another year on the farm he was elected register of deeds for Strafford county, and by suc- cessive elections held that office five years, making a fine record for faithful and efficient service. In 1875 he engaged in the brick and store business which he carried on until 1899, when on account of poor health he gave up business for four years. January I, 1903, he was appointed postmaster of Gonic, and has since officiated in that position. He is a member of Sampson Post No. 22. Grand Army of the Republic, of Rochester. In politics he is a staunch Republican, as such represented Rochester in the legislature in ISSo-Sr. He has been and assessor for fifteen years past, and has held the office of justice of the peace continuously since 1867-forty years. He married. April 22, 1873, Helen Sawyer, who was born in Dover, New Hamp- shire, daughter of Thomas E. and Elizabeth (Moody) Sawyer, of Dover. They have two chil- dren : Alice H., born July 24, 1875, who married James L. Estey and they have a daughter, Helen Lee Estey, born April 24, 1907; and Edward H., born October 31, 1877, now of Seattle, Washington.

YEATON

Yeaton is one of the old names in Portsmouth, and it is found in sev- eral towns on the east side of the

state. There are many references to the family in

"Brewster's Rambles." Captain Hopley Yeaton commanded a company of the Sons of Liberty, just before the beginning of the Revolution. Captain William Yeaton a scaman was living in Portsmouth about the year 1800. He married a descendant of President Channey, of Harvard. Robert Yeaton owned a pew in the old North Church in Ports- month in 1812. William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration and Daniel Webster, were worshippers there at the same time. On account of the absences of records it is impossible to connect the present branch with any of these people or with the lines whose history has previously been recorded.

(I) John Yeaton was born about 1764, probably in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and died there September 19, 1838, aged seventy-four years. He was a tobacconist for many years in that city, and in his later years conducted a mariner's hotel there. The baptismal name of his wife was Jane. She died April 4. 1842, aged seventy-three years.

(II) Richard Carter, son of John and Jane Yeaton, was born December 25, 1807, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked with Thomas Martin many years. He also worked in the Portsmouth navy yard, doing cabin ship work, which occupation he conducted up to the time of his death, May 27, 1881. He was married August 23, 1829. to Eliza Frost Bell, who was born December 8, 1807, and died December 2, 1882. They had six children: two infants, who died young, Eliza, Jane. James Richard, Sarah Car- oline and George Henry.

(III) James Richard, fourth child of Richard and Eliza Frost ( Bell) was born August 14, 1836. in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was educated in the common schools of that city, and afterwards learned the tin plate trade from Ezra A. Stevens, He continued in that occupation for about three years, and in 1858, started in the grocery business, in which he has been engaged ever since. He has also been interested in farm lands outside the town. He is a Republican in politics, a member of Saint Jolin's Lodge, and a warden in the Christian Church. On December 7, 1858, James Richard Yeaton married Susan Emma Tripp, daughter of Elisha Tripp, of Portsmouth. They had two chil- dren : Maud and Clarence. Maud married Charles A. Laighton of Portsmouth. Clarence died in in- fancy.

There are numerous descendants of

YEATON this old family which appears to to have originated in Newcastle, New Hampshire. They are found mostly in southeastern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine. No rec- ords have been discovered which make it possible to trace the line herein treated in full.

(I) The first of whom we have any knowledge was Captain Moses Yeaton, who was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and died previous to 1770. The records show that on April 7, 1748, and August 9, of the same year, he was a private in Captain Job Clement's "gard' for the towns of Rochester and Barrington. New Hampshire.

(II) Captain Moses (2), son of Captain Moses (1) Yeaton, lived and died in Somersworth, New Hampshire. He was a hotel keeper probably all of his life. Two receipts held by Mr. George H. Yea- ton show that Moses was treasurer of the town of Somersworth. They are signed by George Jaffray, treasurer of Province of New Hampshire, and are for £474-2s-9p and £55-19s-2p, and state for prov-

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ince tax of Somersworth for the year 1756. He was captain of the state militia. deputy sheriff and his commission as such, signed by J. W. Parker, sheriff of Rockingham county, which included what is now Strafford county is still preserved and bears the date of 1771. Another similar commission bears the date of 1765, given by Sheriff Thomas Parker. Another, dated 1779, appoints him deputy sheriff of Strafford county by Theophulus Dame, high sheriff. The following bill of sale shows his pur- chase of slaves in 1762. "Know all men & soforth. That I Joseph Pattinson of Newington in province of Newhampshire Husbandman Doth Grant bargon & Sell unto Mr. Moses Yeaton of Somersworth, Vintener a Sertan Negro woman Named Vilot & a boy child named Grigg for the full & just sum of Eleven hundred fifty-five pounds. The receipt here of I acknowledg this 14 Day of Desember, 1762. Joseph Pattinson." Many of his papers are now in the possession of his great grandson, George H. Yeaton of Rollinsford. The latter also preserves a mariner's compass and chart, which belonged to Captain Yeaton, which would indicate that lie was to some extent a seafaring man. The date on the chart is September 5, 1763. Captain Yeaton was a patriot and an officer of the revolution. His official return to the provincial authorities shows, of date November 5, 1775, that Captain Moses Yeaton's company. stationed at Pierce's Island : and in a re- turn of the companies of New Hampshire militia in service in the continental army in December, 1775, is found the name of Moses Yeaton. He also was first lieutenant of Captain David Copp's company, inustered by Captain George Turner, November 27. 1775. Of date August, 1778, the pay roll of Captain Moses Yeaton's company of Colonel Joshua Win- gate's regiment of volunteers shows that he and his men marched from the stote of New Hampshire and joined the continental army in Rhode Island. serving from August 6 to August 28. On August 8. 1778. Moses Yeaton receipted for ten pounds lawful money for his bounty claim, as also on the same date did Moses Yeaton, Jr.

Captain Yeaton was a merchant at Rollinsford, which was originally a part of the town of Somers- worth. There he also taught school and served as sheriff. He married and reared a large family of children, including the following which are known to have been his: Moses, Frances, Samuel, Na- hum, Theodore and Ebenezer. He held a commis- sion from King George for service in the English army previous to the war of 1776. It was dated June 1, 1772. The great depreciation of currency immediately succeeding the revolution is shown by a few items which are here given which appear in the papers of Captain Yeaton. In 1780. the tax on Philip Yeaton Right No. of, in paper money was £103, IOS, and 4p. equal to silver to the amount of one pound and nine shillings.

(II1) Lieutenant Moses (3), eldest child of Captain Moses (2) Yeaton, was born October 13, 1753, in Somersworth. New Hampshire, now Rol- linsford. He was a farmer and took an active part in town affairs. being prominently employed in the settlement of estates. He was much looked up to by the citizens of that town. The present soldier's monument in Rollinsford is located on what was his farm. He was commissioned lieutenant and served as such in the Revolutionary army. He died Feb- ruiary 8, 1842. He married Sarah P. Hill, and they reared the following chilldren: Lucy Plummer, 1780; Mary Norton, Mahala, Susan, Betsey, Leavitt

and Moses. Three these, Mahala, Susan and Betsey, all became the wives in succession of Thom- as Clapman. who was a widower before having married two sisters previously from another family. (Mention of Moses and descendants appears in this article.)

(IV) Leavitt H., elder son and seventh child of Moses and Saralı P. (Hill) Yeaton, was born Feb- ruary 27, 1807, in what is now Rollinsford, New Hampshire, and there grew up. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a thrifty and respected citi- zen. He was a prominent abolitionist and aided in transferring many negroes from the south to a life of liberty in Canada. Like all his line of an- cestry he was a Baptist in religion. He did active service for his town in various official stations. He married Mary J. Wentworth, a daughter of George and ( Brown) Wentworth. She was born March 4, 1812, in Somersworth, and died June 7. 1894 (see Wentworth). They had a family of twelve children, namely: Francis H., Cyrus Free- man, Susan, Arthur Tappan, Elizabeth Stacey, George Edward. Martha Ann, Sarah Emma, Ma- halia, Charles Herbert (died young), George Her- bert, and Mary Adeline. Most of these died in infancy.

(V) George Herbert, fourth son and eleventh child of Leavitt H. and Mary (Wentworth) Yeaton, was born March 24, 1852, in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, and grew up on the paternal farm there. He attended the district schools of that neighborhood. South Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine, and Franklin Academy of Dover, New Hampshire. For four years he engaged in teaching in the various divisions of the old town of Berwick, Maine, and in Rollinsford. After his marriage he settled down upon the farm, and has since given his attention chiefly to agriculture. He is a gen- eral farmer on an extensive scale and makes a spe- cialty of rearing blooded Ayrshire cattle. His farm, known as the "Hickory Hill" farm. is the mecca of all lovers of the "Ayrshire" and is known to breeders from the Atlantic to the Pacific. His herd contains some of the finest and best bred stock in America, and a list of prize winners in the va- rious contests held by state agricultural societies and experimental station reads like a roll call at "Hickory Hill" farm. In 1902, Mr. Yeaton went to Scotland and brought home six pure blooded Ayrshire for breeding purposes. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and takes an active interest in the conduct of affairs. In 1877-78 he served as select- man and represented the town in the legislature from 1880 to 1801 inclusive. From 1897 to 1901 he was county commissioner. For more than twenty years he has been director of the Rollinsford Sav- ings Bank, and for eight years has served as a member of the local school board. He is a charter member of Hiram R. Roberts Grange, past master of the Eastern New Hampshire Pomona Grange, has served as district deputy of the New Hampshire Grange, and is now serving his fourth year as a member of the executive committee of the organi- zation. Mr. Yeaton's success in farming and his high standing in the esteem of the community are the result of his energetic and judicious use of the gifts given him by nature. He was married May 24. 1881, to Fanny W. Miles, daughter of Charles and Carrie (Dockham) Miles of South Berwick. Maine, where she was born November 2, 1861.

(IV) Moses (4), youngest child of Moses (3) and Sarah P. (Hill) Yeaton, was born June 9,

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1813, in Somersworth, New Hampshire, and died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December 31, 1892. In early life he followed the sea about three years. and later learned the carpenter's trade, after which he settled down and followed building and contract- ing in Portsmouth all the remainder of his active life. He was a man of considerable prominence in town affairs. He was a Democrat

tip to the time of the formation of the Republi- can party. ever after holding to that po- litical faith. He held various municipal offices, such as council alderman, and chief of the fire de- partment. He was married July 24, 1836. to Caro- line Norton. daughter of John Norton of Ports- mouth. She was born December 29, 1815, in that town, and died there September 16, 1891. They had seven children: John H., died in Brooklyn, New York, 1903; Henry A., Susan H. (Mix), died in Boston, Massachusetts, 1894; Thomas E., lost at sea, 1865, in early manhood; Kate P., died in in- fancy : Moses, at present and for many years a teach- er in the public schools of Brooklyn, New York. and Caroline (Hodgdon), died in 1888.

(V) Henry Augustus Yeaton, who has been prominently identified with the civil, political and business history of the city of Portsmouth and the county of Rockingham for the last more than forty years, was born in Portsmouth. New Hamp- shire. August 6. 1840, and has spent almost his entire life in that city. He was educated in its public schools, and after leaving school engaged as a clerk in the hardware store of Hon. John H. Bailey, leaving this for a few years of sea life. returning home to learn the trade of a carpenter under his father's instruction. In 1864, while working at this trade at the United States navy yard at Portsmouth. he met with an accident that made it impossible for him to follow his chosen vocation, and he be- came local agent for the Mutual Benefit Life In- surance Company, with marked success. In 1865 he entered the office of Joshua Brooks, flour and grain merchant, and became a partner in this busi- ness the icllowing year under the firm name of Joshua Prooks & Co. This was the real beginning of his career as a business man, and he has con- tinned such to the present time. although during the interval of forty years changes have taken place in the personnel of the old firm as originally estab- lished. Mr. Yeaton eventually succeeded to the interest of his former partner, and when his own own son came to his majority he became junior partner in the present firm, which for many years has been known in all trade circles as H. A. Yeaton & Son.

Mr. Yeaton is a successful and substantial busi- ness man, and while his time has been pretty well occupied with private affairs he has also taken an earnest interest in local and state politics. a pro- nounced Republican, he never has been regarded as being in any sense a politician. IIe has served as selectman and member of the board of aldermen of Portsmouth, representative to the general court. and in 1899-1900 was a member of the New Hamp- shire state senate. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and of Piscataqua Lodge of Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he is a Baptist, a member of the Middle Street Baptist Church and chairman of its board of wardens, a member of the board of trustees of the New Hamp- shire Baptist State Convention, and chairman of its finance committee. For many years he has been a director in the First National Bank and a trustee of

the Piscataqua Savings Bank. both of Portsmouth ; a director in the local Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, and a trustee of the Cottage Hospital and of the Howard Benevolent Society. Since its or- ganization in 1891 he has been managing director and treasurer of the Piscataqua Navigation Com- pany and is credited by his fellow directors as being largely instrumental in the uniform success that has attended that company.

In January, 1861, Mr. eaton married Ara Abby Brooks. She was born November 23. 1840. a daughter of Joshua Brooks, with whom Mr. Yeaton became associated in business. Of this marriage two children were born: I. Winifred, who became the wife of Albert E. Rand. a grocer of Portsmouth ; of this union four children were born: Margaret, Norman E., Wallis S., and Elinor. 2. Harry B., who married Mary E. Ferguson, to whom have been born Ruth A., Philip O., Dorothy, Donald F., Carolyn F., and Frederick T.

WESTON This family has furnished a gover- nor to the state of New Hampshire, as well as many other worthy and valuable citizens It is represented in the carly set- tlement of several different points in Massachusetts, and has been long identified with New Hampshire. Among the pioneers of Salem, Massachusetts, was Francis Weston, who was made a freeman there in 1633 and was representative to the general court in the next year. Soon after he removed to Providence, and in 1639, was one of the founders of the First Baptist Church in America. John Weston came to Salem in 1644. and Edmund Weston to Duxbury in 1615. It is presumed that these and Thomas Wes- ton. mentioned hereinafter, were relatives, but no certain information in this regard is afforded by the records. The first of the name in Massachusetts was Thomas Weston, a merchant, who came from London and commenced a colony at Wissagaset. now called Weymouth, in 1622. This colony was superintended by Richard Green, a brother-in-law of Weston, who died very suddenly, and soon after this Thomas Weston returned to London, and not long after he died at Briston, England. After his death his widow remained in England. It is not believed by modern genealogists that John Weston. of Salem, was a relative of Thomas above named. and we shall therefore begin with the next named as the first generation. Descendants now use two forms in spelling the name-Wesson and Weston. (I) About the year 1644, during the Civil war in England. John Weston came from Buckingham- shire, England. to Salem, Massachusetts. He left his widowed mother. and secured a passage to America hy concealing himself in a emigrant ship until well out to sea. He was then thirteen years of age. He was a member of the First Church in Salem in 1648, and about the year 1652 removed to Reading. He lived in that part of the town named Wakefield. He was a large landed proprietor. his property adjoining the meeting house square and bordering on the southeast part of the Reading pond. extending thence southerly. He was a man of great industry and wealth, being the largest tax- payer in the town, and became distinguished for im- portant services and active participation in the for- mation and administration of the Colonial govern- ment. Deeply interested in religious matters, he frequently penciled down sermons, in which he ex- hibited a good degree of skill. 11e died about the year 1723, at the advanced age of more than

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ninety-two years. He was married April 18, 1653, to Sarah Fitch, daughter of Deacon Zachary and Mary Fitch, of Reading, and they were the parents of eight children: John ( died young), Sarah, Mary, Tolin. Elizabeth, Sanitiel. Stephen and Thomas. (The last named and descendants are mentioned at length in this article.)

(II) John (2), second son and fourth child of Jolın (1) and Sarah (Fitch) Weston, was born March 0, 1661. in Reading, which town was his home through life. He was married November 26, 1684, to Mary Bryant, and they were the parents ot fourteen children, namely: John, Abraham, San- tel. Mary, Stephen, Zachariah, James, Benjamin, Jeremiah, Timothy, a still-born son, Jonathan, Sarah and Jolin. The first of these, born 1685, was killed during the French war in an engagement at Casco Bay, June 11, 1707. The last was born in 1709.

(III) Samuel, third son and child of John (2) and Mary (Bryant) Weston, was born July 10, 1689, in Reading. and settled in that town, where he died November 6, 1745. He was a tiller of the soil. He was married April 8, 1718, to Joanna Hill, and they were the parents of four children as follows : Samuel, Sarah, Jonathan and Joanna.

(IV) Jonathan, second son and third child of Samuel and Joanna ( Hill) Weston, was born April 13, 1731, in Reading, and passed his life in his na- tive town. He was married December 18, 1753, to Ruth Flint, and they had eight children, namely : Ruth, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Samuel, James, Amos, Experience and Louis.

(V) Amos, fifth son and sixth child of Jonathan and Ruth (Flint) Weston, was born April 21, 1767, in Reading, and died April, 1843. in Manchester, New Hampshire. As a young man he located in what was then Derryfield and had a farm in the southeastern part of the town. He was a man of strong character and much influence, and was a member of the committee of the town, chosen in March, 1810, to secure the name of Manchester instead of Derryfield.

(VI) Amos (2), son of Amos (1) Weston, was a child when he came with his parents to Derry- field. He located upon land adjoining that of his father, and cleared up of the wilderness a farm subsequently known in Manchester as the Weston place. He was a man of sound judgment and ac- tive mind, and was often employed in the public service. For five years he served as town clerk, was selectman fifteen years. eleven years of this period being chairman of the board. He represent- ed Manchester in the legislature three times, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. He was married to Betsy Wilson, daughter of Colonel Robert Wilson, of Londonderry, and granddaughter of James Wilson, the Scotch-Irish founder of the family in Londonderry. They were the parents of five children.

(VII) Governor James Adams Weston, youngest child of Amos (2) and Betsey (Wilson) Weston. was born in Manchester, August 27, 1827, and died there May 8, 1895. He passed his childhood and youth on the homestead, where he assisted his fa- ther in the labor of caring for the farm, and at- tended the district school and the Manchester and Pisataquog Academies. His forte was mathematics, and he directed his energies to acquiring a practi- cal knowledge of civil engineering with a view of making that his vocation for life, meantime teach- ing school winters. He applied himself assiduously to his studies, made rapid advancement in them, and

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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 72

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