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. IV > Part 118
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He was married (first), December 17, 1861, to Sarah J. Ayers, of Cornish, who was born August 6, 1840, and died at the age of twenty-four years. She left one son Gideon Elmer, who died August 10, 1870, aged five years. Mr. Gould was married
(second), in Lempster, February 3, 1866, to Orpha Elmira Honey. She was born September 16, 1847, daughter of Alpheus and Susan ( Carr) Honey, and died April 18, 1902. She was the mother of children : Gideon, Alfred, Warren, Olin and Mary Alice. The last named graduated at the Newport high school in 1905. Both the sons died young. Mr. Gould was married (third), May 4, 1905, in Newport, to Ida M. Parker. She was born April 11, 1876, at East Mountain, Newport, daughter of Dexter and Maria ( Hutchinson) Parker. ( See further an- cestry of Honey family for Revolutionary History).
The family of Tilton is undoubtedly
TILTON Saxon. The town of Tilton in Leices- tershire was in existence prior to the time of William the Conqueror, and in "Domesday Book" are mentioned the town and family. We are told that certain members of the family made honor- able records in the Crusades (Sir John Tilton, Knight), and tradition says the lives of both Edward I and Edward III, were saved by Tiltons, and that on Bosworth Field seven of the family held positions under Henry in his fight against the third Richard, and several of them lost their lives that day. Many of the families in America use the Digby coat-of- arms. There is some doubt of their right to use it, though the Digby family of England were Tiltons, dropping the Digby De Tilton early in the seven- teenth century, using the name of Digby simply.
(I) The earliest ancestor in this country was William Tilton, who came here between 1630 and 1640, accompanied by his brother John. Tradition has it that they were both younger sons of some one of the Digby family and kept the name of Tilton. From this tradition comes the claim of certain of them to the right to use the Digby coat-of-arms. Certain it is that both William and John were men of edu- cation. The two brothers settled in Lynn, Massa- chusetts, probably when they first arrived, and Wil- liam seems to have been much the older; in fact some have claimed that John was his son, but it is more probable that he was his brother. About 1642 John's wife had serious trouble with the church by denying that infant baptism was an ordinance of God, and was fined by the church after much trouble. This resulted in part of the congregation who sym- pathized with her withdrawing, and all moving to Gravesend, Long Island. The books of the town government of Gravesend kept by John Tilton are still in existence, and show a fine penmanship and ability. From this family, some of whom later re- moved to Monmouth county, New Jersey, originate the Tiltons of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, many of whom have received honorable mention in the history of the country. Washington's first surgeon, General James Tilton, was of the Delaware family. Their descendants are found today in Florida and many western states.
William Tilton seems to have brought one son, Peter, with him. Some writers think he was by a former wife, as he was quite a little older than the other children. It is quite possible that all the older children may not have come with him here, though we have no records to show. Peter married several years after his arrival, and moved to Windsor, Con- necticut, and later to Hadley, Massachusetts, where he seems to have been a very prominent man, was deacon of the church, town recorder, representative to general court, associate county judge, assistant of the colony, and had great influence in the state and church. It is said that because he gave shelter to the regicides Gough and Whalley in defiance of Parliament's order, a warrant for his arrest was
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issued by Charles II, which is said to be yet in ex- istence. Certain it is that he never was taken before Parliament and tried, for he died July 1I, 1696, leaving no male issue. William Tilton was free- man in Lynn, and seems to have been elderly at the time. He was engaged in the settlement of estates, was allowed his own seal by the court, and seems to have been a professional man. In 1649 he was excused from military duty by reason of infirmities of age. He died in Lynn in 1653, leaving his wife Susanna as executress of his will, which was probated by her in May of the same year. There were three sons (no record of any daughters) : Samuel, Abraham and Daniel (mention of the last named and descendants appears in this work). The widow married the same year Roger Shaw, who held a position under the crown, and moved to Hampton, New Hampshire, taking with her Samuel and Daniel. (See Shaw). She died November 28, 1654. Samuel married, December 17, 1662, at Hamp- ton, New Hampshire, Hannah Moulton, and re- moved to Martha's Vineyard, and they were the ancestors of the Tiltons at the Vinyard.
(II) Abraham, fourth son of William and Sus- anna Tilton, resided for a time at Hampton, where he was married January 25, 1665, to Mary Cram. Subsequently he removed to Hamilton, Massachu- setts, and was the ancestor of most of the name in that state. No record of his children is found.
(III) In February, 1733, there were seven Til- tons at Hampton Falls, Massachusetts, viz: Jethro, Jonathan, Joseph Ist, Joseph 2nd, Josiah, Samuel and "Shurbun.'
(IV) "Nathaniel Tilton was probably a son of Samuel, but very few reliable data respecting him- self, his birth, his ancestry, or his immediate fam- ily have yet come to light," though his name is so prominent in the carly history of the first church in the town of Sanbornton. He first settled be- tween 1768 and 1771 on lot No. 65, 2nd Division (south end), nearly a mile above the bridge (now Colby's) ; was the second to put his name to the original "Church Covenant," November 13. 1771, and was chosen the second deacon, "Jan'y ye 2d, 1772." He served the old church more than thirty- nine years, and May 8, 1811, at the request of Deacon Tilton, it was "voted to excuse him from performing the services of a deacon." He was very strict in keeping the Sabbath and to prevent its desecration by his grandchildren used to tell them Bible stories. Hle married Abigail Gilman, a relative (cousin) of Governor John Taylor Gilman, who died in this town, October 14, 1803. He died February 11, 1814. There were seven children of this marriage, but the dates of their births are not known. Their names were as follows: Jacob, Abigail, Susannah, two daughters who joined the Shakers, names unknown, Jeremiah, and Peter Gil- man.
(V) Jeremiah, son of Nathaniel and Abigail (Gilman) Tilton, was born in Stratham, or New- market, New Hampshire, in 1762, and was brought to Sanbornton by his parents when a child. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the Revolutionary war and served six months as a teamster, his widow afterwards drawing a pension as a conse- quence. He built the original hotel at the Bridge (now Tilton), and occupied the same. on the site of the present Dexter House. He also carried on, in company with Benjamin Smith, a grist mill and factory, or triphammer shop, where they manufac- tured iron implements. He was a colonel in the state militia, a justice of the peace, and in all re- spects was a leader in founding the village that
now bears his name. He married, February 21, 1786, Melitable Hayes, born 1767, daughter of William Hayes (a revolutionary soldier, who died at Ticon- deroga) and his wife Mary Plimner. He died April 10. 1822, and his widow January 19, 1842. Their children were: John, born July 16, 1787; Samuel, August 20, 1789; Sally, 1791, died Janu- ary 31, 1818; Jeremiah, Jr., born September 10, 1793; James P., November 4, 1796; Abigail, 1798. died October 29, 1819: Mahala, born August, 1800, died June 12, 1820; Mary P., born December 13, 1802, died October 5, 1875: Alexander H., born De- cember 24. 1804; Mehitable, August 26, 1807, died November 12, 1844; and Sophronia, born 1810, died March 12, 1845.
(VI) Samuel, son of Jeremiah and Mehitable (Hayes) Tilton, was born in Sanbornton, August 20. 1789, and began life as a blacksmith in his father's triphammer shop. He subsequently occu- pied the hotel at the Corner, to which he added another story. He always lived at the Bridge vil- lage, which owed much of its prosperity to him. He was a man of great energy and acumen, and was a "leading spirit" (with Colonel Charles Lane). in the town at large for many years. He served as representative in the New Hampshire legislature five times, 1826-29. and 1835. He was justice of the peace and sheriff of Belknap county. In 1848 he was chosen one of the presidential electors from his state, and subsequently filled the office of United States marshal under President Pierce, and in 1852 was a delegate to the Democratic convention at Baltimore. It has been said of him "As a friend, he was honest, firm and unwavering, and no false- hood or pretense whatever had the least influence in detaching him from those in whom he confided. The records of the schools, seminary and houses of religious worship in his native village, will all bear witness that no man among us gave more freely or abundantly than he did toward their es- tablishment. Always conservative and patriotic in his feelings, a strong friend of the Union, and a most decided and outspoken opponent of all kinds of radicalism." He married, (first), January 31. 1815, Myra, daughter of Samuel Ames, of Canter- bury, born September 28, 1792, and died March 7, 1857; reported as a lady of uncommon excellence. He married (second), March 16, 1858, Mrs. Eliza- beth (Cushman) Haven, of Portsmouth. born Jan- uary 17, 1817. He died November 12, 1861. The children of Samuel and Myra (Ames) Tilton were : Alfred Edwin, born November 1I, 1815, died March 30, 1877. Sarah, born October 23, 1819. De Witt Clinton, born February 20, 1823, died October 22, 1824. Caroline Augusta, born October 2, 1825, died October 16, 1826. Charles Elliott, born September 14, 1827, died September 28, 1901.
(VII) Charles Elliott, youngest child of Samuel and Myra (Ames) Tilton, was born in the village of Tilton, September 14, 1827. He received his primary education in the common schools, and at the age of fifteen entered Sanbornton Academy, then under the charge of Professor Dyer H. San- born. Later he attended three years at Norwich University, a military school. When the war with Mexico arose, General Ransom, president of the university, was commissioned to raise a regiment, and induced nearly every student to enlist. Young Tilton was offered the command of a company, but declined through the influence of his father. Soon afterward he went to New York City, where his elder brother, Alfred Edwin, was engaged in business. He next sailed as the representative of his brother to the West Indies and South America,
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visiting the islands and prospecting the Orinoco and Amazon. He also journeyed overland to Car- acas and LaGuayra, thence to Marcaibo, St. Mar- tin, Carthagena and Chagres. Hearing of the dis- covery of gold in California, he at once proceeded to San Francisco via Panama and engaged in mer- chandising. In 1850 he went to Oregon. and the following year became a partner with W. S. Ladd for general mercantile pursuits, and this partner- ship continued till 1859. Mr. Tilton was interested in establishing a line of vessels to run between Ore- gon and China. One of these ships, the "C. E. Til- ton," made the quickest passage from New York to Oregon on record to that time. She was after- ward sold to the Japanese government and by it converted into a man-or-war, and was finally sunk in an encounter with the United States ship "Pow- hattan." In 1859 the banking house of Ladd & Tilton, of Portland, was organized, in which Mr. Tilton remained a partner till 1880. He was also interested in many other enterprises on the coast and in the interior states. He took a lively interest in the navigation of those two great waterways, the Columbia and Willamette rivers. He was one of the five who controlled what subsequently developed into the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, with a capital of $24,000,000. He also had an in- terest in the firm of Ladd & Bush. bankers, Salem, in the First National Bank of Portland, and in the First National Bank of Walla Walla, Washington Territory. The business of transportation across the plains also received much of his attention. He sent great trains of merchandise from San Bernar- dino, California, to Utali, and from St. Joseph, Mis- souri, to Colorado, and from there to Montana, giving his personal attention to them all, when the country they traversed was still almost in a state of nature and full of Indians more or less hostile. Trains were often attacked in those days, and sometimes captured and destroyed by the savages. Foreseeing the advantage of investments in the western country Mr. Tilton made purchases of land in all the ter- ritories, which proved advantageous. He also en- gaged in many other enterprises connected with the development of the western slope, which with few exceptions turned out profitably. Mr. Tilton resided in Tilton after the year 1879, and became a large owner of the stock of the Concord & Mon- treal Railroad Company. in which he was a director. He built a magnificent residence in 1861, on an em- inence overlooking the valley of the Winnepesaukee river from the north, which when built was said to be one of the finest in New England, the drawing room being unequalled in its appointments in New England. It is twenty-eight by thirty-eight feet in area and twenty-two feet high, finely finished in mahogany, and elegantly furnished and decorated, the carpets, rugs, drapery and furniture, mirrors and chandeliers having been manufactured for the room.
Mr. Tilton's love for his native town and its citizens was manifested in the form of many gifts to the public. Chief of these in the point of utility was the town hall, containing a market and town office, a store and a postoffice, all commodiously arranged, no expense being spared which would add to its convenience, the hall proper being com- pletely furnished, even to a piano. They return a handsome rental. He also enlarged the island in the river and adorned it with a pagoda and stat- uary, fitting 'it as a place for the public to rest and recreate. He created the park on Main street, which is an ornament to the city. The first con- crete pavement in Tilton was laid in front of his
block and donated to public use by him. In 1882 he placed an iron bridge from Main street to Park Island at a cost of $1,800, and previously gave $500 toward an iron bridge between Tilton and Northfield. His donations to churches have been generous, and toward the remodeling of one he contributed more than $3,000. The fountain and statue in the middle of Main street, the fountain and statue at the depot, and the beautiful bronze statue of "Squantum, Chief, 1620," just east of the depot, were all given by him. It has been said that up to 1881 Mr. Tilton's gifts for the pleasure and benefit of his townsmen amounted to $40,000. The handsome railroad station and convenient grounds are also due to Mr. Tilton's influence. On the summit of the steep hill rising from the south bank of the Winnepesaukee river, in full view of his residence on the opposite side, and commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country is Mr. Tilton's most costly monument, a granite arch fifty- five high, an exact copy of the arch of Titus, in Rome, and a sarcophagus which Mr. Tilton in- tended should contain his body after his death. In the keystone of the arch is this inscription : "Memorial Arch of Tilton, 1882;" and upon the sar- cophagus are the words : "Tilton, 1883." This mon- ument, which cost $50,000. is one of the most im- posing and enduring in New England. It has been said of Mr. Tilton: "While he was not responsible for all the improvements the town of Tilton possesses, yet without his public spirit there would not have been the bridges crossing the Winnepesaukee, the islands, a recreation place, roads that would be an example for many a large city, a handsome library building and a well selected library, a park com- plete in every detail, and railway accommodation that make the town accessible. All these things that mark the town are but a small portion of what he did for the state. There is the State Farm and a Soldiers' Home, for which Mr. Tilton was re- sponsible."
He was peculiarly successful in business, but had no taste for politics, and never held a public office. His strict integrity and honesty were as proverbial as his public-spirited generosity. In his intercourse with his neighbors and acquaintances he was cordial and pleasant. In many matters he was very democratic, and it was no unusual thing for him to invite one of his laborers to a seat in his carriage and give him a ride. His friendship was as decided and marked as was his business ca- pacity and generosity. His friends had no cause to complain of his loyalty. He is said to have once exhibited a note for $150,000, which a friend had made to him, but which was then rendered worth- less by the insolvency of the maker. But Mr. Til- ton only smiled and said : "Bill was a good fellow." The debtor's good fellowship outweighed his debt.
Mr. Tilton married ( first), January 1I, 1856, his cousin. Louisa P. Tilton, born April 30, 1827, daughter of Jeremiah, Jr., and Nancy (Carter) Tilton. She was a cultivated and excellent woman, but for years her health was feeble. She died un- expectedly, August 15, 1877. Three children were born of this marriage: Myra Ames, February 18, 1858. Alfred Edwin, June 15, 1861. William Ladd, January 9, 1865, died July 2, 1865. Mr. Tilton mar- ried (second) December 29, 1881, Geneveive East- man, of Littleton, daughter of J. Frank Eastman, by whom he had one son. Charles E., born May 4, 1887, now a student in Harvard College.
(VIII) Alfred Edwin, eldest son of Charles E. and Louisa P. (Tilton) Tilton, was born in Til- ton, June 15, 1861, and educated at the Tilton Sem-
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inary. At sixteen years of age he went to work in a printing office, and soon afterward became a fireman on the Concord railroad betweeni Concord and Nashua, filling this place thirteen years. He then had a similar position on the Boston, Concord & Montreal road for one summer, on what was known as the White Mountain train. In 1887 he was promoted to engineer, working in the yards at Lakeport short time, and then was made the first engineer on the Belmont road, filling this place three years. In 1893 he quit rail- road business and took a trip south with his wife, visiting points of interest in the southern states and in the Bermudas. Returning to his home he rebuilt the old Piper residence, which he has since occupied. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of Doric Lodge, No. 78, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Tilton, and of St. Omar Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Franklin. He is also a member of Peabody Chapter, No. 35, Eastern Star. He is not engaged in business other than taking care of his real estate. He married, June 25. 1890, Ella Augusta Freese, daughter of William W. and Carrie G. (Cooke) Freese. Mrs. Tilton's parents were natives of Moultonborough. She was educated in the schools of Concord, graduating from the high school, and from Deane Academy in Franklin, Massachusetts, and from the normal school at Plymouth, New Hampshire. Afterward she taught several years, three years of the time being in the graded schools of her native town. She is a member of Peabody Chapter of the Eastern Star.
(II) Daniel, youngest son of William and Sus- anna Tilton, was born 1646, in Lynn, Massachusetts, and settled in New Hampshire. Hampton being in need of a blacksmith, he learned the trade and was given by the town a tract of land, four acres, on the Falls Hill, in the center of what is now the town of Hampton, about 1665. He married, De- cember 23, 1669, MIchetable Sanborn, a daughter of William and Mary Sanborn, and from this union originate very nearly all the Tiltons of New Hamp- shire and many of Maine and Vermont. Daniel Tilton was a strong man in town matters and gov- ernment. As his family grew large he settled on land between Hampton and Exeter, building a block house which protected his family and other settlers from Indian attacks. History says that, having a large family of stalwart sons, they always successfully defended themselves when necessary to do so. He was known as Ensign in early his- tory, and represented Hampton in general court from 1690 to 1713, during some of which time he served as speaker. Fnally, being very infirm, he asked and was excused by the court from further duty. He died February 10, 1716. in Hampton. His sons settled in Hampton and adjoining towns. Their descendants, moving to towns further out, spreading through New Hampshire to Vermont and Mainc, were among the earliest settlers. We find them in the great west and on the Pacific coast, always among the pioneers, and many of them making honorable records in the new sections. The family has had many professional men, cler- gymen and doctors (but very few lawyers), and many military men who were distinguished in their services in all the colonial wars and the later wars of the republic. Daniel Tilton's children were : Abigail, Mary (died young ), Samuel, Joseph, Mary, Daniel, David, Jethro, Mehetable, Hannah and Jo- siah.
(III) Captain Joseph, second son of Daniel and Mehetable (Sanborn) Tilton, born March 19, 1677,
resided in Hampton, where he was a farmer, and died October 24, 1777, in Kensington. He was a prominent citizen, captain of colonial troops, first town clerk of Hampton Falls, representative to the general court and many years a selectman. He was an original proprietor of Chester, and many years proprietors' clerk. He married (first), December 26. 1698, Margaret, daughter of Samuel Sherburne; she died July 1, 1717, aged thirty-nine years, and he married (second), December 5, 1717, Mrs. Eliza- beth Shaw, daughter of Timothy Hilliard; she died April 19, 1724, aged forty-five years, and he married (third), June 17, 1725, MIrs. Elizabeth Hil- liard, daughter of Joseph Chase. She lived to be eighty years old, dying August 14, 1765. His chil- dren were, by first wife: Sherburne, John, Mary. Sarah, Jonathan, Joseph, by second wife: Daniel and Timothy (twins, Daniel died young), Joanna and Margaret.
(IV) Timothy, second son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Hilliard) Tilton, was born October 4, 1718, in Hampton Falls, and settled about 1770 in Lou- don, New Hampshire, where he died December I, 1785. The first town meeting in Loudon was held in his house, and he took a prominent part in town affairs during the Revolution. He was married, December 25, 1746, to Martha Boyn- ton, of Kingston. who was born, 1726, and died November 25, 1822. They had a family of four sons and two daughters, namely: Joseph, Joanna, William, Nathan. Elizabeth, (probably John), and David. His eldest son, Colonel Joseph, was a prominent man in London, whence he removed to Danville, Vermont. There the youngest son, David, joined him. William, the second, succeeded his father on the Loudon homestead.
(V) Nathan, third son of Timothy and Martha (Boynton) Tilton, was born February 3, 1757, in East Kingston, and established himself in Loudon as a farmer and miller. He died there December 28, 1814, near the close of his fifty-eighth year. He was married October 19, 1780. to Susanna Gail. who was born March 8, 1761, in Exeter, and died March 8, 1840, in Gilmanton. His children were: Bet- sey. Timothy, Susanna, Daniel, Nathan, Stephen, Newell, David, Joseph and Olive.
(VI) Stephen, fourth son of Nathan Tilton, was born September 29, 1793, in Loudon, and died December 17, 1867. After a few years residence in Northfield he removed to Meredith, and thence in 1845 to Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1858 he moved to California, where several of his children had preceded him. He was married, January 10, 1816, to Julia Batchelder. who was born March 31, 1799, in Northfield, and died March 23, 18SI. Both died, and are buried in San Mateo, California. Many of their descendants are living in California today. Their children were: Joseph Sullivan, Olive, Susan, Stephen S., Julia M., John Q. A., Sarah J., Mary C. (died young). Mary C., Henri- etta, Georgietta, Georgiana and Charles H.
(VII) Joseph Sullivan, èldest child of Stephen and Julia (Batchelder ) Tilton, was born June 13, ISIS, in Northfield, New Hampshire, and was only two years old when his parents moved to Meredith. He grew to manhood in Meredith, and shortly af- terward settled in Dorchester, New Hampshire, whence he moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, about 18448. In 1852 he, with two of his brothers, moved to California, where his family joined him a year later. He came back with his family to New Hampshire in 1857, and was one of the pioneers in the manufacture of hosiery in Laconia. He was a leading citizen of that city until his death. He
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