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 80

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 80

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(IV) Jonathan, youngest son of Eleazer and Hannah (Bartlett) Churchill, was born in Plym- outh, October 19, 1720. He resided in Hingham for some years. He was married August 27, 1742, to Hannah Foster, born June 17, 1718, daughter of Joseph and Rachel ( Bassett) Foster of Sandwich. She bore him nine children: Jonathan, Jesse, Sam- tiel ( died young). Josiah, Samuel, Hannah (died young ), Francis, Hannah and Reuben.

(V) Francis, sixth son and seventh child of Jonathan and Hannah (Foster) Churchill, was born in Plymouth, June II, 1761. He served in the Revo- lutionary war as fifer in Captain Jesse Harlow's company (coast guards) at Plymouth, and is cred- ited with seven months' service in 1776. He subse- quently settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he became a large landowner, but eventually disposed of his property there and removed to Fairlee, Vermont, prior to 1790. He died in Fairlee, October 27, 1841. He followed the trades of car- penter and painter. He was always interested in military affairs, and commanded a militia company in Fairlee. September 24, 1786, he married Phebe Leathers, who was born February II, 1760, daughter of William Leathers of Somerville. She survived her husband and died at Nashua, New Hampshire, May 8, 1852. She was the mother of thirteen chil- dren : William Leathers, Francis Worcester, David Carroll. Robert Wallace, Simeon Richardson, Sam- nel Stillman, Joseph Warren. Reuben Edward, Thomas Worcester, Phebe Leathers, Mary Froth- ingham, John Emery and George Washington.

(V]) William Leathers, eldest son and child of Francis and Phebe (Leathers) Churchill, was born

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in Charlestown, March 22. 1787. The major portion of his life was spent in West Fairlee, Vermont. Ile served as captain in the war of 1812-15. He married Eliza Lanphear, of West Fairlee, and had a family of six children : William Leathers, Austin Finley, Chauncey Carroll, Eliza Jane, Benjamin Pixley and Francis Vennell.

(\'Il) Benjamin Pixley, son of Captain William I., and Eliza (Lanphear) Churchill, was born in West Fairlee, Vermont, September 2, 1822, and died in the same town, August 14, 1864. His education, which was acquired in the public schools, was an excellent one for the times, and he followed the profession of teaching in the country schools, set- tling upon a farm adjoining his birthplace. He was an ardent member of the Methodist Church at West Bradford, Vermont, and held a high standing in that denomination. His political affiliations were with the Abolitionist and Republican parties, and although he was a resident of a town in which his parties were in the minority, he was frequently elected to local offices, and was an organizer of note and ability. He married Susannah Thompson, born in Antrim, New Hampshire, October 10, 1829, ‹laughter of Alexander and Matilda (Richardson) Thompson. Her paternal grandfather, also named Alexander Thompson, came to Antrim, New Hamp- shire, from Perth, Scotland, and was the founder of this family in America. He married Elizabeth Nutt. The maternal grandparents of Susannah ( Thompson) Churchill were Caleb and Susannah ( Smith ) Richardson.

( VIII) Frank Carroll, son of Benjamin Pixley and Susannah (Thompson) Churchill, was born in W'est Fairlee, Vermont, August 2, 1850. He en- joyed the advantages of an education in the public schools and in Thetford Academy, and this has been supplemented by wide and diversified reading, travel and keen observation. He followed the occupation of teaching for a short time, and then entered upon a mercantile career, accepting a position as clerk in a country store at Lyme, New Hampshire, which he held from 1868 to 1870. He then entered the employ of Henry W. Carter. a wholesale merchant in Lebanon. New Hampshire, which town he has made his home since that time. In association with William S. Carter, in 1877 he organized the firm of Carter & Churchill, and for twenty-one years was actively identified with this concern in the wholesale mercantile and manufacturing business. His public career has been notable and interesting. He has always been identified with the interests of the Republican party, and for ten years was presi- dent of the local Republican organization of Leb- anon. He was chairman of the Republican state committee in 1890-1. during the famous "if entitled" campaign, when the state was divided almost evenly between the two great parties, the Republican Gov- ernor being elected by a close margin. He was chairman of the New Hampshire delegation to the Republican national convention which nominated Benjamin Harrison for president. He was a mem- ber of Governor Natt Head's staff in 1879-80, with the rank of colonel; a member of the executive council from the Fourth district in 1889-90, during Governor D. H. Goodell's administration; and a member of the house of representatives in 1890, serving on the judiciary and engrossed bills com- mittees. At this session of the legislature he secured a charter for the Mascoma Savings Bank, an ap- propriation for remodeling the town house for the use of the court, amendments providing for sessions

of the grand jury at Lebanon, and other matters helpful to his constituents. At this session he was also on the special committee, which later became somewhat noted, to re-organize the system of state printing. Following this he organized the Mascoma Savings Bank, and was elected its first president, being at the time a director in the National Bank of Lebanon, and a trustee of the Lebanon Savings Bank. He was president of the Mascoma Fire Insurance Company until this corporation was ab- sorbed by the Granite State Company. He was ap- pointed in 1899 revenue inspector for the Cherokee Nation of Indians in Indian Territory, by Secretary Hitchcock, of the Interior Department, and later was made a special agent for that department to formulate a system for the establishment and sup- port of public schools in Indian Territory, for the children of half a million whites where all land outside the towns was non-taxable. His report on this subject was transmitted to congress by the Department, with complimentary comments. He was afterward appointed a special agent to investi- gate the schools and government reindeer in Alaska, and spent several months in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea, bringing about important reforms in the interests of the natives of the far north, after which he was reappointed Indian inspector in 1905, a position he had held prior to accepting the Alaskan mission. He has traveled extensively, having visited every state and territory in the United States, as well as enjoyed tours through Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Bermudas and eastern Siberia. He was one of the commissioners to build the Stark monu- ment. in Concord, New Hampshire: was chairman of the committee to erect the Soldiers' Memorial Building, in Lebanon. in 1886, and in 1891 presented the figure of a soldier which now adorns the lot in front of the Public Library; and he segregated and surveyed the Platt National Park in Oklahoma in 1903. His fraternal affiliations are with the fol- lowing organizations : Franklin Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Andrew's Chapter, Washington Council and Mount Horeb Comman- dery, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. During the travels of Colonel Churchill in this and other countries, and especially while so- jouring with the Indians, he has with the aid of Mrs. Churchill, who is an ardent naturalist. being a systematic collector of bric-a-brac, minerals, geological specimens, ancient arms, beadwork, basketry, pottery, blankets, rare furs and utensils, until the Churchill Collection, as it is called, is not only interesting, but large and valuable; doubtless one of the largest private collections if not the most extensive in New England. comprising as it does thousands of curios and examples of prehistoric and modern articles of interest to the antiquarian and student. The success of Colonel Churchill's busi- ness career exemplifies what well directed energy and ambition are able to accomplish. llis mind is an exceedingly versatile one, with a decided leaning toward books and literary pursuits, with which his leisure moments are occupied. His especial interest centers in historical matters, and he has made occa- sional contributions to the press for a number of years, chiefly on local history and biographical sub- jects, much original matter concerning Indian his- tory and folk-lore, and they nave been highly com- mended in that direction. He has made a special study of North American Indians, with whom he has been officially connected since 1800. He is a man of independent thought and action, deliberate

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in forming an opinion, and then acting with the courage of his convictions.

Mr. Churchill married. June II. 1874, Clara G. Turner, daughter of Colonel Francis H. and Sarah Hook ( Perkins) Corser. Colonel Corser was a native of Boscawen, and his wife was a resident of Boston at the time of their marriage: both died young, and their daughter was adopted by George and Abby H. Turner. of Concord, New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill have no children.

The Biographia Britanica says :

WENTWORTH "The name of this family was taken from the lordship of

Wentworth, in the wapentake of Strafford. in the county of York, where at the time of the Conquest lived Reginald de Winterwode." Collins tells us that the word is of Saxon origin, as is agreed by all genealogists. The word Wentworth seems to be composed of the words guen or gwyn. signifying white, and worth meaning farm, plain or court, the whole signifying the white farm or court, and taking its style from the soil, which is composed of chalk or whitish clay.

The earliest portion of the Wentworth pedigree rests upon the authority of William Flower, Norroy King of Arms, one of the most careful and accurate genealogists ever connected with the College of Arms, who compiled it in the year 1855, and it has ever since remained upon the records of the college, and has been accepted, not only by that body, but by all genealogists as authentic.

(1) Reginald Wentworth, or. again in the pedi- gree. Rynold de Wynterwode. was living at the time of the Norman Conquest, A. D. 1066. At that time there were no actual surnames. but he was simply Reginald of Wentworth. In other words he was the possessor, in Saxon times, of the lordship of Wentworth. Nothing is known of his family ex- cept that he was succeeded by his son.

(11) Henry Wentworth, sometimes written de Wyntworth or Wyntword, concerning whom noth- ing has been preserved but his name. He was suc- ceeded by his son.

(11]) Richard Wentworth, who was succeeded by his son.

(IV) Michael Wentworth, who was succeeded by his son.

(V) Henry (2) Wentworth, who was succeeded by his son.

(VI) Hugh Wentworth, who died in the year 1200, and was succeeded by his son.

(VII ) William Wentworth, who was succeeded by his son and heir.

(VIII) Robert Wentworth, who married Emma, daughter and heir of William Woodhouse, of Wood- house (a manor or lordship contiguous to Went- worth ) ; and thus acquiring that estate that family was afterwards designated as Wentworth of Went- worth-Woodhouse. He was living in the reign of Henry III and Edward I-say as late as 1275- and was succeeded by his son and heir.

(IX) William (2) Wentworth, of Wentworth- Woodhouse, who married Beatrice, daughter of Gilbert Thakel, of Yorkshire, and left two sons, William and Richard.

(X) William (3) Wentworth, of Wentworth- Woodhouse, married. 1288, Dionysia daughter of Peter de Rotherfield, by whom he had two sons, William and John.

(XJ) William (4) Wentworth, of Wentworth, Woodhouse, married Isabel, daughter and co-heir

of William Pollington, Esq., of Pollington in York- shire, by whom he had two sons, William and John.

(XII) John Wentworth, Esq., of North Elmsall, in Yorkshire. inherited that estate from his Uncle John. He married Joan, daughter of Richard le Tyas, of Burghwallis, in Yorkshire, and was suc- ceeded by his only son.

( XIII) John (2) Wentworth, Esq .. of North Elmsall, married Agnes, sister and co-heir of Sir William Dornsfield, of West Bretton, in Yorkshire, and was living in 1413. He had four sons, John, Roger, Thomas and Richard.

(XIV) John (3) Wentworth. Esq., of North Elmsall, son of John and Agnes Wentworth, mar- ried Joan, daughter of Richard Beaumont, Esq., and had three sons, John, Roger and William.

(XV) John (4) Wentworth, Esq., of North Elmsail, married Elizabeth, daughter of William Calverley, Esq., of Calverley, county of York, and had issue, a daughter Jane, and an only son.

(XVI) Thomas Wentworth, Esq .. of North Elmsall, who married Jane. daughter and co-heir of Oliver Mirfield, Esq., of Howley, county of York, and had issue, John, Roger, Oliver. William, Thomas and two daughters.

(XVII) Oliver Wentworth, being a younger son of his parents, had no part in the paternal estate, and took up his residence at Goxhall. in the county of Lincoln. He describes himself in his will as "gentleman." He left two sons, William and Francis. ( XVIII) William (5) Wentworth finally set- tled at Waltham, in Lincolnshire, and died May 27, I574. He had three sons, Thomas, Oliver and Christopher.

( XIX) Christopher, third and only surviving son of William Wentworth, of Waltham. and Ellen Gilby, his first wife, were probably born about 1556. He married, August 19. 1583, at the church of Saint Peter at Cowts, in the city of Lincoln, Cather- ine, youngest daughter of William Marbury. Esq., of Girsby. They had children: William. Anne, Faith, Elizabeth, Frances, Priscilla and Christopher. (XX) William (6), eldest child of Christopher and Catherine ( Marbury ) Wentworth, was baptized at Saint Peter's at Cowts, June 8, 1584. He mar- ried, November 28, 1614. Susanna Fleming, widow of Uther Fleming, and daughter of Edward Carter, of Wells. They were the parents of three children as follows: William, Edward and Christopher.

(XXI) William (7), eldest child of William and Susanna (Carter) Wentworth, was baptized in the parish of Alford, near the city of Lincoln, Lin- colnshire, England, March 15, 1616, and is believed upon the evidence of many concurrent facts to be identical with Elder William Wentworth, the first of the Wentworths of the Massachusetts Bay colony, the first undisputable evidence of whom in this country is his signature to a combination for government at Exeter, New Hampshire. July 4, 1630.

Where William or when William Wentworth landed in this country is not certainly known. Burke, in his "Peerage" says that he came first to Boston, which is probable. He was from the same parish as Rev. John Wheelwright. in England, and probably came with or soon followed Mr. Wheel- wright, who came to this country in 1020. The latter was pastor of the church at Mount Wollaston ( now Quincy), and was banished in 1637 on account of a sermon he preached on a Fast Day in Boston, and settled with a company of followers at Piscat- aqua Falls, New Hampshire, and called their town

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Exeter. William Wentworth was one of the com- pany in 1639 or before. In 1642 on account of the extension of the jurisdiction of Massachusetts to include Exeter. Wheelwright and many of his col- onists moved to Wells, Maine. William Wentworth was one of those who went, and appears to have lived in Wells from 1642 to 1649, and there he was constable in 1648. From Wells he moved to Dover, New Hampshire, probably in 1649, where he re- sided the remainder of his life. He was the grantee of land, at different times between 1652 and 1659. amounting to several hundred acres. He lived upon land in Rollinsford in that part of the town known as Cocheco. It is sufficiently identified by the fact that a part is in the family name, having come down uninterruptedly from Elder William through five and six generations. His lands were not far from the mill privileges at Fresh Creek, and it is evident that he was concerned, at least at first, in the manufacture of lumber, one of the most important interests of Dover in the early times, the lumber being extensively exported.

In 1651 he was chosen one of the selectmen. The mutilation of the Dover records makes it im- possible to tell all the years in which he held office of any kind. The records, however, show the fol- lowing: He was one of the selectmen in 1651-57-60- 64-65 and 70; moderator in 1663; lot layer in 1657- 60-61, and from records of doings, in many other years. This last was an office which required much time and care, in the period when great numbers of town grants, vague and often conflicting, were located. He was the first named of five men in 1656, chosen by the town to arbitrate between the conflicting claims of lands which had become a serious difficulty. He was one of three persons from Cocheco to join with men in other parts of the town, in 1660, to settle the growing ecclesiastical diffi- culties between the Oyster River ( Durham) section and other parts, who reported an elaborate plan July 17. 1660.

The office, however, by which William Went- worth was best known was that of ruling elder of the church at Dover, especially as it resulted in his officiating as preacher many years of his life, but when he was chosen to this office or when he be- came a member of that or any other church is un- known. He was instrumental in saving from des- struction Heard's, one of the five garrisons in Co- checo, June 28, 1689. Although it was a time of peace, the unusual number of Indians gathered at Cocheco, which was a trading post, excited the suspicions of the people. It was noticed also that many strange faces were among them. The confi- dence of Major Walderue somewhat allayed their doubts, but many assembled in the garrisons. Elder Wentworth was in Heard's garrison about a mile from his house. In the evening of the 27th, squaws re- quiested leave to sleep by kitchen fires which was unusual. In the darkest hour before morning, the squaw's opened the doors to admit the Indians. Elder Wentworth was awakened by the barking of a dog. Suspicious, he hastened to the door, and found the Indians entering. Alone, and seventy- three years of age, he pushed them out, shut the door, and falling on his back held it until the in- mates came to his assistance. While laying in this position two bullets passed through the door above his head. This was the only garrison saved Twenty- three persons were killed and twenty-nine carried away captive.

In 1680, on the provincial tax-list, Elder William

stood seventh in amount among the residents of Cocheco, in point of property. Before his death he conveyed to his sons a large part of his real property. His inventory shows £97, 16s., 4d., the value of his estate at the time of his death. March 15, 1697. Elder Wentworth may have married twice, and it is prob- able that the first marriage was as early as 1640. Elizabeth Kenny must have been his first wife. A widow Elizabeth survived him. There are 110 records of the births of his children. So far as ascertained and in the most probable order of birth they were as follows : Samuel, John, Gershom, Ezekiel, Elizabeth, Paul, Sylvanus, Timothy, Sarah, Ephraim and Benjamin. ( Ezekiel, Ephraim and Benjamin and descendants receive extended men- tion in this article).

(XXII) John, second son and child of Elder William and Elizabeth Wentworth, is first found of record at Kittery, Maine, where he was mar- ried December 24. 1703, to Martha, daughter of Richard and Grace Miller, of Kittery. He lived in that part of Dover known as "Sligo," down the Salmon Falls river from Dover Village and some miles below the present South Berwick bridge. He owned land at the Falls and also a portion of the mill privilege, and was a farmer and lumber dealer. He was a surveyor of highways in 1709. 1711 and 1714, and constable in 1715. He was living on Christmas Eve of 1770, but was dead before July 20, of the following year. The inventory of his estate was returned June 15. 1719. His widow, Martha, was alive as late as January 3. 1755, when she gave to her son Thomas a part of the saw mill. She had been admitted to the church in Dover, September 20, 1719, and was afterwards dismissed to the Somers- worth Church which is now extinct. The Dover Church records give the baptism of four of their children under date of July 5. 1719, and the order on the record is the only means of judging of their age. They were: Richard, Ezekiel, Thomas and Mercy.

(XXIII) Thomas, third son of John and Martha ( Miller ) Wentworth, resided in Somersworth, New Hampshire. He was probably the Thomas Went- worth who participated in the expedition against Canada in 1758 and probably died on that expedition as the warrant of appraisal of his property was taken out in that year. Most of his children set- tled in Lebanon, Maine. He was a witness of the will of his uncle Gershom, August 2, 1758. lle mar- ried Mary Knox ( Knock), sister of Rebecca Knox, who married his brother Richard. After his death his widow married a Mr. Hanson, who died soon after and she thereafter resided with her son, Caleb Wentworth, in Lebanon, Maine, and died there December 6. 1802, aged eighty-eight years. Their children were: Martha. Moses, Mary, Nathaniel, Richard. Jedediah James and Caleb.

( XXIV) Richard, third son and fifth child of Thomas and Mary ( Knox) Wentworth, was born May 16. 1746, in Berwick, Maine, and resided in Lebanon, Maine, where he died June 15. 1835. His body was interred in the burying ground of his brother Caleb. He was a soldier in the Revolution and received a pension which was paid to his widow after him. Congress voted to him two hundred dol- lars for his gallantry in killing an Indian chief one night while on sentry. The family tradition re- garding this matter is as follows: Richard volun- teered to take the place of a comrade as sentry after the sentries for several nights in succession had been killed. He placed his clothes upon a post and concealed himself in the bushes to watch for

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the assassin. Observing a bush moving slowly and perceiving the enemy behind it he fired and killed a noted Indian chief who had been depredating upon the sentries. Richard Wentworth married Johanna Clark, and they were the parents of Stephen, Rich- ard, Johanna. Nathan, Mary,

Ruth, Thomas, Caleb. Charles. (Charles and descendants receive mention in this article).

( XXV) Stephen, eldest child of Richard and Johanna (Clark) Wentworth, was born in 1767. in Berwick, Maine. ved to Ossipee, New Hampshire, thence to Moultonboro, same state, and subsequently to Great Falls, where he died April 4. 1856. He was married December 22, 1791, to Sarah Nutter, who died January 19, 1854, aged eighty-one years. Their children were: Theodore, Armitta, Mary, Johanna, Samuel, Oliver, Clark, Ruth (died young), Ruth. Charles Darling and Stephen. ( Clark and descendants receive mention in this article ).

(XXVI) Oliver. second son and sixth child of Stephen and Sarah ( Nutter) Wentworth, was born April 3, 1803, and resided in East Springfield, New Hampshire. He was married in 1826, to Betsey R. Caswell, of Moultonboro, New Hamp- shire. She died in Dover, April 12, 1865, aged fifty- seven years and three months. Their children were : Valentine M., Ivory L., Sarah, Elizabeth, Catherine, Lucretia, Johanna, Oliver T., Mary Frances, Abbie Lozira and Sophronia.

(XXVII) Sarah. eldest daughter and third child of Oliver and Betsey R. (Caswell) Went- worth. was born February 5, 1831. and there mar- ried November 19, 1859, to her second cousin, Oliver Wentworth, of Dover.

(XXX) Charles, youngest child of Richard and Johanna (Clark) Wentworth, was born August 3. 1795, in Berwick. Maine, and resided in Dover, New Hampshire, where he died April 12, 1861. He settled in Dover when a young man and was there chiefly employed as a laborer. He was mar- ried December. 1822, to Harriet Thompson, dangh- ter of James Thompson, of Farmington. New Hamp- shire. She died March 2. 1876. in Dover. Their children were: Oliver. Eliza Ann, Clark, Charles, Susan E. and Thomas. .

(XXVT) Oliver, eldest child of Charles and Harriet (Thompson) Wentworth, was born August 3. 1823. in Dover, and resided in that town through life. He was married, November 10. 1850, in Dover. to Sarah N., daughter of his cousin, Oliver Went- worth. (See Oliver, XXVI). Two of their chil- dren died in infancy, the others were: George Frank- lin. Sarah Isabel and Edwin D. The last named re- sides in Boston.

(XVID) George F., eldest child of Oliver and Sarah N. (Wentworth) Wentworth, was born January 29. 1855, in Dover, and always resided in that town. Ever since the establishment of the free mail delivery in Dover he has been connected with the service. He is widely known as a taxidermist. and is a man of intelligence and extended informa- tion. He was married in Dover, August 24, 1874, to Margaret Judge, who was the mother of two children, Frank F. and Harry. The last named died at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. Wentworth married (second), Mary Conway, who is the mother of six children, namely : Blanche, Arthur, George. Helen. Dorothy and Alice.

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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 80

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