By Muriel Bristol | May 8, 2022
Gilman Jewett was born in Exeter, NH, January 18, 1777, son of Paul and Elizabeth ((Gilman) Gilman) Jewett. (Paul Jewett had been among the Exeter inhabitants that petitioned the revolutionary Committee of Public Safety, July 9, 1776, complaining about merchants hoarding goods. Later that same year (per a Jewett genealogy): It appears from the records of Exeter that he [Paul Jewett] owned slaves, as “Nov. 26, 1776, two negroes of Paul Jewett married” (Jewett, 1908)).
Gilman Jewett of Exeter, NH, graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy with its Class of 1789. (In so doing, he might have stood out as an educated man, as very few people – and those mostly ministers and physicians – pursued then any studies beyond completing their local district school educations (roughly eighth grade)).
Father Paul Jewett of Exeter, NH has been said to have settled in the Northeast Parish of Rochester, NH, i.e., Milton, circa 1785-86.
Paul Jewett, Amos Witham, Reuben Jones and others were the first settlers of the section near the West Branch river. They came probably about 1785 or 1786.
Among the first who settled at Three Ponds were Samuel Palmer, Levi Burgen, John Fish, Paul Jewett, Pelatiah Hanscom, Robert McGooch, and others (Hurd, 1882).
While the Jewetts may have had land or mill interests in Milton as early as the 1780s, his primary residence seems to have remained still in Exeter, NH, during the period 1790-96.
Father Paul Jewett headed an Exeter, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], two females [Elizabeth ((Gilman) Gilman) Jewett and Sally D. Jewett], and two males aged under-16 years [Gilman Jewett and Nathaniel Jewett].
Mother Elizabeth ((Gilman) Gilman) Jewett died in Exeter, NH, in 1796, aged fifty-four years. It would seem that the Jewett family moved finally to the Northeast Parish of Rochester, NH, i.e., Milton, after her death. At some point, either in Exeter, NH, or later, Paul Jewett married (2nd) Mary A. Avery.
… very soon after this a saw-mill was built at Milton Mills by a Mr. Nock. This mill soon went into the hands of Paul Jewett, and was subsequently known as the Jewett mill. This place was known for a long time as Shapleigh Mills (Hurd, 1882).
Father Paul Jewett signed the Salmon Falls sawmill petition of 1797. (See Salmon Falls Sawmill Petition – 1797).
Gilman Jewett married (1st) in Exeter, NH, September 10, 1798, Sally Mead, he of Rochester, NH, and she of Newmarket, NH. She was born in Newmarket, NH, September 16, 1775, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Dearborn) Mead. (Their known children would be Sarah D. Jewett (1799-1869), Eliza G. Jewett (1804-1877), Paul Jewett (1814-1861), and Asa Jewett (1815-1883)).
Daughter Sarah Dearborn “Sally” Jewett was born in Rochester, NH, September 23, 1799. She was a namesake for her maternal grandmother, Sarah (Dearborn) Mead.
Sister “Mrs. Polly” Jewett married in Wakefield, NH, in 1800, Noah Robinson, he of Wakefield, NH, and she of Rochester, NH. Rev. Asa Piper performed the ceremony.
Father Paul Jewett headed a Rochester Northeast Parish household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus [himself], one female aged 45-plus [Mary A. (Avery) Jewett], one male aged 16-25 years [Nathaniel Jewett], two females aged 16-25 years [Polly Jewett], one male aged 10-15 years, and one female aged 10-15 years. (See also Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Gilman Jewett headed a Rochester Northeast Parish household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-25 years [himself], two females aged 16-25 years [Sally (Mead) Jewett], and one female aged under-10 years [Sally D. Jewett]. (See also Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Gilman Jewett, as well as his father, Paul Jewett, signed the Rochester division petition of May 28, 1802. (Brother Nathaniel Jewett did not so sign). Paul Jewett received Milton’s first justice-of-the-peace appointment, June 9, 1802, at the time of its founding. (William Palmer, Esq., already held an appointment as a Rochester justice-of-the-peace).
The first town meeting in Milton was called by William Palmer, Esq., and held at the dwelling-house of Lieut. Elijah Horn (now the dwelling house of Lewis B. Twombly) on the 30th day of August 1802, at which meeting Beard Plumer was chosen moderator; Gilman Jewett, town clerk; and William Palmer, John Fish, John Remick, Jr., selectmen (Hurd, 1882).
Gilman Jewett was Milton’s first town clerk, holding that office from 1802 to 1806. He was succeeded by John Fish. Jewett served also on the meetinghouse building committee in 1804. (See also Milton Congregational Society Petition – 1814).
The first meetinghouse in Milton was erected on the Ridge in accordance with a vote passed at the annual meeting in 1802. John Fish, Beard Plumer and Gilman Jewett, were the executive committee. The lot on which the building was erected was purchased of Thomas and Aaron Downes for $26. The meetinghouse was completed at a cost of about $2,400, by Caleb Wingate, Capt. Daniel Hayes and Gilman Jewett. The net cost of the church, however, was not so large, as the pews were sold for nearly $2,000. The first service was held in 1804 and from that time until after 1830, the meetinghouse was constantly in use. The first preachers to occupy the pulpit were Rev. Gideon Burt and Rev. Christopher Page both of whom were here in 1804 (Mitchell-Cony, 1908).
Daughter Eliza G. Jewett was born in Milton, December 3, 1804. (She was a namesake for her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth ((Gilman) Gilman) Jewett. She would have later a younger cousin with the same name).
Father-in-law Benjamin Mead died in Newmarket, NH, in 1805.
Merchant James Rundlett of Portsmouth, NH, sold butter on commission for Gilman Jewett’s brother-in-law, Noah Robinson of Wakefield, NH, in 1809.
His books show forty-three kegs of butter received in 1809 from Noah Robinson of Wakefield, which he sold for $380.33 on a commission of 2½% (May, 1946).
Brother Nathaniel Jewett married in Wakefield, NH, March 18, 1810, Nancy J. Rogers, both of Milton. Rev. Asa Piper performed the ceremony. (Their known children would be Eliza G. Jewett (1811–1882), James Jewett (1813–1815), Mary Rogers Jewett (1817–1850), James J. Jewett (1822–1876), David Jewett (1825–1881), John R. Jewett (1827–1858), and Nathaniel Jewett (1827–1828)).
Father Paul Jewett headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself]. one female aged 45-plus years [Mary (Avery) Jewett], and two males aged 16-25 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Obadiah Witham and Jona Young. (And on the same page as Nathl Jewett).
Gilman Jewett headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Sally (Mead) Jewett], two females aged under-10 years [Sally D. Jewett and Eliza G. Jewett], and one male aged under-10 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Nicholas Harford and Thos Wentworth.
Brother Nathl Jewett headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Nancy (Rogers) Jewett], two males aged 16-25 years, one female aged 16-25 years, and one female aged 10-15 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Josiah Witham and Timo Wentworth. (And on the same page as Paul Jewett).
Son Paul Jewett was born in Milton, in 1814. He was a namesake for his paternal grandfather, Paul Jewett, and was sometimes called Paul Jewett, “Jr.” Son Asa Jewett was born in Milton, in 1815.
Sally (Mead) Jewett died circa 1817.
Daughter Sarah D. Jewett married in Milton, September 19, 1819, James Pinkham, both of Milton. Justice-of-the-peace Levi Jones performed the ceremony. (Their known children would be Lucy D. Pinkham (1819–1860), Nancy B. Pinkham (1821–), Mary E. Pinkham (1822–), James A. Pinkham (1824–1826), James B. Pinkham (1826–1867), Susan A. Pinkham (1828–1917), Sarah Y. Pinkham (1830–), Hannah M. Pinkham (1832–1914), Nathaniel G. Pinkham (1834–1906), John D. Pinkham (1837–1907), and Benjamin W. Pinkham (1837–1839)).
Father Paul Jewett of Milton made his last will, April 20, 1819. He devised a four-acre Milton lot and its buildings to Gilman Jewett, it being where Gilman then lived. He devised to the lawful heirs of Gilman Jewett a fifty-acre lot (purchased of N.A. and John Haven), and the Alpheus Spring lot, both in Shapleigh, ME, excepting that portion set off to Nathaniel Jewett and another portion being improved by Josiah Witham. (Acton, ME, which would border Milton Mills, was yet to be created from the western part of Shapleigh, ME). Witham would pay them for the portion he improved.
Paul Jewett’s will devised all his other Milton land and the forty-acre Wentworth lot in Shapleigh, ME, to his daughter Polly Robinson. She was to receive also his “Saw Mill & privilege & Iron Works, Saws & all the appurtenances thereto belonging, and grist mill & privilege, all I own on both side the river with all the appurtenances belonging thereto.” She was to receive also all his farming utensils.
Paul Jewett’s will reserved forty-five acres of Milton land, as fenced, for Nathaniel Jewett. This included a privilege of the Saw Mill and iron works associated with it. Nathaniel would also receive a twelve-acre portion of the aforementioned Spring Lot, and the one hundred eleven-acre Guppy Lot in Shapleigh, ME, and one-half of his money at interest, money, stock, and sheep. He named Gilman Jewett, Noah Robinson, and Nathaniel Jewett as his executors. John Remick, Junr, Wm S. Nutter, and Josiah Moulton signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 49:345). (The elder Paul Jewett would continue to live and, therefore, his will would not be proved for another sixteen years).
Gilman Jewett married (2nd) in Milton, circa 1820, Ann S. Nutter. She was born in Newington, NH, in December 1790, daughter of Hatevil and Susanna (Shackford) Nutter. (Note her father’s male Puritan “virtue” name: “Hate-Evil.” It is of a kind with more familiar female ones, such as Constance, Faith, Hope, Charity, Chastity, Prudence, etc.).
Gilman Jewett signed both of the Milton militia division petitions of November 1820. His father Paul Jewett, brother Nathaniel Jewett and son-in-law James Pinkham joined him in signing one of them. (See Milton Militia Division Petitions – November 1820). Milton’s selectmen sought his appointment as a Milton Three Ponds justice-of-the-peace later that same month (See Milton Seeks a Magistrate – 1820).
Daughter Eliza G. Jewett married in Lebanon, ME, July 5, 1821, Thomas Corson. He was born in Lebanon, ME, September 5, 1799, son of John and Tamsen (Hodgdon) Corson. (Their known children would be Charlotte F. Corson (1825–), Caroline Corson (1828–1908), Alonzo Corson (1831–1889), Melinda K. Corson (1833–1906), Henry H. Corson (1837–1841), Tamsen A. Corson (1839-1841), Henry H. Corson (1843–1880), and Amanda E. Corson (1845–1869)).
Gilman Jewett of Milton appeared in an acknowledgement by the publisher of an 1822 NH directory as being one of the “gentlemen, who have contributed materials and afforded other facilities to the improvement of this register” (Claremont Manufacturing, 1822).
Rep. Levi Jones (1771-1847) submitted the petition of Gilman Jewett and others to the NH House of Representatives, June 7, 1822. It sought incorporation of the Milton Social Library.
Mr. Jones of Milton presented the petition of Gilman Jewett and others praying to be incorporated into a Society by the name of the Milton Social Library. Voted That the said petition be referred to the standing committee on incorporations and that they report thereon (NH General Court, 1822).
The proposed society was so incorporated, June 14, 1822. Gilman Jewett was empowered to call its first meeting and preside over it as its moderator pro tem.
Twenty-three Milton inhabitants sought appointment of Gilman Jewett as Milton coroner, June 12, 1823. This appointment does not seem to have taken place as the petition bore on its reverse side a notation that it was “To be Postponed indefinitely.” (See Milton Seeks a Coroner – 1823).
Father Paul Jewett headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included two males aged 80-89 years [Paul Jewett], one male aged 50-59 years [Gilman Jewett], one female aged 50-59 years [Ann S. (Nutter) Jewett], one male aged 20-29 years, two males aged 15-19 years [Paul Jewett and Asa Jewett], and one male aged 10-14 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Steph. Shorey and Amos Witham. (And on the same page as son Nathl Jewett).
Son-in-law Jas Pinkham headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Sarah D. [(Jewett)] Pinkham], one female aged 10-14 years [Lucy D. Pinkham], two females aged 5-9 years [Nancy B. Pinkham and Mary E. Pinkham], one male aged under-5 years [James B. Pinkham], and two females aged under-5 years [Susan A. Pinkham and Sarah Y. Pinkham]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Lucy D. Hartford and Pelatiah Hanscom. (And on the same page as brother-in-law Thomas Coson [Corson]).
Son-in-law Thomas Cosan [Corson] headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Eliza G. (Jewett) Corson], one male aged 5-9 years, one female aged 5-9 years [Charlotte F. Corson], and one female aged under-5 years [Caroline Corson]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Isaac Worcester and Benj. P. Stokes. (And on the same page as brother-in-law Jas Pinkham).
Brother Nathl Jewett headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [Nathaniel Jewett], one female aged 40-49 years [Nancy J. (Rogers) Jewett], one male aged 20-29 years, one female aged 15-19 years [Eliza G. Jewett], one female aged 10-14 years [Mary Rogers Jewett], one male aged 10-14 years [James J. Jewett], one male aged 5-9 years [David Jewett], and one female aged 5-9 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Nutter and Obadiah Witham. (And on the same page as Paul Jewett).
Father-in-law Hatevil Nutter died in Newington, NH, December 25, 1831, aged eighty-three years.
Son Paul Jewett, Jr., married in Rochester, NH, March 9, 1834, he of Milton and she of Rochester, NH, Drusilla Pickering. Leonard Bennett performed the ceremony. She was born in Rochester, NH, March 2, 1812, daughter of William and Abigail (Calef) Pickering. (Their known children would be Sarah “Sally” Abigail Jewett (1837–), William Gilman Jewett (1842–1894), Benjamin Woodman Jewett (1844–1928), Mary Ann Jewett (1846–), Frank Henry Jewett (1849–1929), and Clara Frances Jewett (1853–)).
Father Paul Jewett died in Milton, in November 1835. His last will of April 1819 was proved before James Bartlett, Strafford County justice-of-the-peace and probate judge, December 14, 1835 (Strafford County Probate, 49:345).
The NH legislature incorporated Gilman Jewett and his associates as the Milton Mills Manufacturing Company in January 1837. They transformed an old woolen mill to a lathe and turning mill in 1837-38. (See Milton Mills Mfg. Co. & the Waumbeck Companies – 1837-98).
Paul Jewett (1744-1835) owned an early sawmill known as the Jewett Mill, which was operated by Asa, his father, Gilman Jewett, and uncle, Nathaniel Jewett. They incorporated the Milton Mills Manufacturing Company in 1837, transforming the mill into a lathe and turning mill where they produced wood products (NHHS, 2022).
The Milton Mills Manufacturing Company was organized in 1837, and in that and the following year built their mill, and after running it a few years transferred the business to Durgin & Co. (Scales, 1914).
Among the industries at Milton Mills in the early days of the town were several saw mills, a crude woolen mill, and a distillery where Stephen Watson manufactured whiskey from potatoes. Gilman Jewett, Nathaniel Jewett, Asa Jewett, and a Mr. Wedgewood transformed the old woolen mill into a lathe and turning mill about sixty-five or seventy years ago [c1837-1842], after which it was operated more or less irregularly up to the year 1847, when it was purchased by John Townsend … (Michell-Cony, 1908).
Son Asa Jewett married in Wakefield, NH, October 31, 1837, Mary Ann Richards, he of Milton and she of Wakefield, NH. Rev. Nathaniel Barker performed the ceremony. She was born in Wakefield, NH, April 20, 1813, daughter of Col. Ichabod and Annie (Hurd) Richards. (Ichabod Richards signed the Wakefield Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820). (Their kn0wn children were Nancy R. Jewett (1839–1904), Lydia M. Jewett (1842–1922), and Clara Alberta Jewett (1858–1863)).
Son Asa Jewett succeeded his step-uncle, William S. Nutter, as clerk of the Acton & Milton Baptist Church, i.e., the Milton Baptist Church, in 1837. He held that position until he was in turn succeeded by David Farnham in 1850 (Scales, 1914).
Gilman Jewett headed a Milton [Milton Mills] household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself], one male aged 40-49 years, one male aged 30-39 years [Paul Jewett], one female aged 30-39 years [Drusilla (Pickering) Jewett], and one male aged 15-19 years. Three members of his household were engaged in manufacture and the trades, while one member was engaged in agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles Swasey and John Nutter. (The household of his son Asa Jewett appeared further down the same page).
Son-in-law James Pinkham headed a Milton [Three Ponds] household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Sarah D. (Jewett) Corson], two females aged 15-19 years [Lucy D. Pinkham and Nancy B. Pinkham], two females aged 10-14 years [Mary E. Pinkham and Susan A. Pinkham], one male aged 10-14 years [James B. Pinkham], two females aged 5-9 years [Sarah Y. Pinkham and Hannah M. Pinkham], and two males aged under-5 years [John D. Pinkham and Benjamin W. Pinkham]. One member of his household was engaged in manufacture and the trades. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John McMillan and John Scates. (The households of his brothers-in-law Thomas Corson and Paul Jewett appeared a little further down the same page).
Son-in-law Thomas Corson headed a Milton [Three Ponds] household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Eliza G. (Jewett) Corson], one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years [Charlotte F. Corson], one female aged 10-14 years [Caroline Corson], one male aged 10-14 years [Alonzo Corson], one female aged 5-9 years [Melinda K. Corson], one male aged 5-9 years [Henry H. Corson], and one female aged under-5 years [Tamsen A. Corson]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Merrill Henderson and his brother-in-law, Paul Jewett. (The households of his brothers-in-law James Pinkham and Paul Jewett appeared on the same page).
Son Paul Jewett headed a Milton [Three Ponds] household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Drusilla (Pickering) Jewett], and two females aged under-5 years [Sarah A. Jewett]. One member of his household was engaged in agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of brother-in-law Thomas Corson and Stephen Drew.
Son Asa Jewett headed a Milton [Milton Mills] household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years, and one female aged under-5 years [Jewett]. One member of his household was engaged in agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ezekiel Merrow and Thomas Butter. (The household of father Gilman Jewett appeared further up the same page).
Brother Nathaniel Jewett headed a Milton [Milton Mills] household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years [Nancy J. (Rogers) Jewett], two males aged 15-19 years [James J. Jewett and David Jewett], and one male aged 5-9 years [John R. Jewett]. Three members of his household were engaged in agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Daniel Guptill and Merrill Brackett. (The households of brother Gilman Jewett and nephew Asa Jewett appeared on the previous page).
Fire at Milton Mills, N.H. About one o’clock on the morning of the 19th ult. the shingle and clapboard mill of Mr. Asa H. Jewett, was discovered to be in flames, and before aid could be had, the fire had progressed so far that all effort was useless, and the mill, with its contents, were burned to ashes. The loss is estimated at about $1200, insurance $550, in the Strafford Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Credit is due to the fire company, who with their engine succeeded in saving other buildings and property. – Dover Gazette (North Star (Danville, VT), August 4, 1845).
Not long after the fire the Jewetts sold their Milton Manufacturing Co. to Durgin & Co., who sold to John Townsend (Milton Mills Mfg. Co. & the Waumbeck Companies – 1837-98).
Son Asa Jewett had his portrait painted by Sturtevant J. Hamblin (1816-1884) in August 1848. Note the “attributes” over Jewett’s left shoulder: woods verging on a body of water, not unlike Milton’s Town Seal. This sitting may have taken place at Hamblin’s studio in East Boston, MA (MutualArt, 2020; National Gallery of Art, 2022; NH Historical Society, 2022).
Mother-in-law Susan (Shackford) Nutter died in Milton, November 13, 1848, aged ninety-one years.
President Zachary Taylor appointed Gilman Jewett as Milton Mills postmaster, April 30, 1849. Such appointments were political sinecures in those days, from which one might infer that Jewett was a Whig, as was Taylor. Gilman Jewett succeeded James Berry in that position. Berry’s tenure coincided with the presidency of Democrat James K. Polk.
Gilman Jewett, a postmaster, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Ann S. [(Nutter)] Jewett, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), Joseph Sharp, a manufacturer, aged forty years (b. England), Hannah Sharp, aged twenty-five years (b. England), Benjamin Sharp, a manufacturer, aged twenty-five years (b. England), Susan A. Hubbard, aged sixteen years (b. ME), [sister-in-law] Susan S. Nutter, aged forty-six years (b. NH), John McDonald, a tailor, aged thirty-five years (b. Scotland), and Joseph Robinson, a manufacturer, aged thirty-six years (b. England). Gilman Jewett had real estate valued at $2,000. Jewett’s household appeared next to that of John Townsend, agent for the Milton Mills Manufacturing Co., aged forty-three years (b. England).
Son-in-law James Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Jewett)] Pinkham, aged fifty years (b. NH), Lucy Pinkham, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Hannah Pinkham, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Nathaniel G. Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and John P. Pinkham, aged thirteen years (b. NH). James Pinkham had no real estate valued. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and Thomas Nutter, a shoemaker, aged thirty-five years (b. ME).
Son-in-law Thomas Corson, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Eliza G. Corson, aged forty-six years (b. NH), Alonzo Corson, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Melinda Corson, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and Henry Corson, aged seven years (b. NH). Thomas Corson had real estate valued at $1,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Aaron Hubbard, a carpenter, aged forty years (b. ME), and Jacob Staples, a shoemaker, aged forty-three years (b. ME).
Son Paul Jewett, a farmer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Druzilla Jewett, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Sarah A. Jewett, aged thirteen years (b. NH), William G. Jewett, aged eight years (b. NH), Mary Jewett, aged four years (b. NH), Frank S. Jewett, aged three years (b. NH), and Laura Jewett, aged four months (b. NH). Asa Jewett had no real estate valued. His household appeared between those of Joseph Nute, a laborer, aged fifty years (b. NH), and Robert Moulton, a laborer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH).
Son Asa Jewett, a lumber dealer, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. HIs household included Mary A. [(Rogers)] Jewett, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Nancy R. Jewett, aged eleven years (b. NH), and Lydia M. Jewett, aged nine years (b. NH). He had real estate valued at $11,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and Charles Swasey, a baker, aged fifty-one years (b. NH).
Postmaster Gilman Jewett received $56.88 in compensation for his work at the Milton Mills post office in 1851, and his post office had net proceeds of $77.66. The Milton postmaster, James M. Twombly, received $112.81 and his post office had net proceeds of $148.10 (US Dept. of the Interior, 1851).
Gilman Jewett appeared in the NH directory of 1854, as postmaster at Milton Mills (Farmer, 1854).
Gilman Jewett died in Milton, May 24, 1856, aged seventy-nine years.
Ann S. [(Nutter)] Jewett, aged sixty [seventy] years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included [her sisters,] Mary Nutter, aged seventy [seventy-two] years (b. NH), and Susan Nutter, aged fifty [fifty-eight] years (b. NH). Ann S. Jewett had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $1,000. Her household appeared between those of Joseph P. Swasey, a tailor, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Palmuth Came, a laborer, aged seventy years (b. NH).
Son-in-law James Pinkham, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah D. [(Jewett)] Pinkham, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), James B. Pinkham, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Gilman Pinkham, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Emily Pinkham, aged twenty years (b. NH), Clara Pinkham, aged two years (b. NH), and John D. Pinkham, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). James Pinkham had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $200. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Dearborn Ellis, a shoemaker, aged forty years (b. NH), and Joseph Jenness, a landlord, aged thirty-six years (b. NH).
Son-in-law Thomas Corson, a farmer, aged sixty years (b. NH [ME]), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Eliza Corson, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), Charlotte Corson, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Henry Corson, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and E.A. Corson, aged fourteen years (b. NH). Thomas Corson had real estate valued at $700 and personal estate valued at $500. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Stephen Drew, a practicing physician, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), and Simon Hart, a shoemaker, aged forty years (b. NH).
Son Paul Jewett, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Farmington P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Drusilla Jewett, aged forty-six years (b. NH), Mary A. Jewett, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Frank H. Jewett, aged twelve years (b. NH), and Clara F. Jewett, aged seven years (b. NH). Paul Jewett had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $200.
Son Asa Jewett, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, aged forty-five years (b. NH), Nancy R. Jewett, aged twenty years (b. NH), L.M. [Lydia M.] Jewett, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and C.A. Jewett, aged one year (b. NH). Asa Jewett had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $6,000. His household appeared between those of S.S. Hart, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Amos Witham, a sawyer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH).
Son-in-law James Pinkham died in Milton, February 4, 1861, aged seventy years.
Son Paul Jewett of Rochester, NH, made his last will, April 9, 1861. He devised all his real and personal estate to his beloved wife, Drusilla Jewett, while she remained his widow. He devised $25 each to his beloved daughters, Mary Ann Jewett and Clara Frances Jewett. Daughter Sarah Amm Jewett and her heirs had aleady received her portion. He bequeathed all the rest and residue, including his wife’s portion after her decease (or remarriage), to his three sons, William G. Jewett, who was also appointed executor, Benjamin W. Jewett, and Frank Henry Jewett. Daniel P. Warren, L.L. Leighton, and C.E. Wiggin signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 70:426).
Son Paul Jewett died in Rochester, NH, September 4, 1861, aged forty-six years. His son and executor William G. Jewett presented his last will for proving in a Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, in October 1861 (Strafford County Probate, 70:426).
Son Asa Jewett brought a lawsuit for debt against his cousin John R. Jewett, a son of Nathaniel Jewett, in the mid-1860s.
When Asa Jewett commenced his suit John R. Jewett, he held certain notes which were covered by the count for money had and received, and a claim for goods sold, covered by count for goods sold, and there was another count upon a claim growing out of the estate of their [grand?] father (NH Supreme Court, 1867).
Asa Jewett of Milton Mills paid $10 in tax for being a retail dealer. (See Milton’s US Excise Tax of May 1864).
The suit would expand to include Mary A. Page (1819-1902) of Milton, daughter of Joseph and Lydia S. (Remick) Page, whose separate suit against Asa Jewett reached the NH Supreme Court in 1866. She claimed that the sequence of events and the accounting methods employed by Asa Jewett had disadvantaged her own claims against John R. Jewett. Her case was dismissed (NH Supreme Court, 1867). (John R. Jewett was her brother-in-law, being the husband of her younger sister, Clara H. (Page) Jewett (b. 1829). In her last will, dated December 1882, Mary A. Page would devise all of her real estate to her nephew, Haven R. Jewett (1856-1924), a son of John R. and Clara H. (Page) Jewett (Strafford County Probate, 118:294).
Asa Jewett of Milton Mills paid $10 in tax for being a retail dealer, and another $10 in tax for his stallion in the US Excise Tax of May 1866.
Son Asa Fox appeared in the Milton directory of 1867, as a Milton justice-of-the-Peace. (His name appeared twice).
MILTON. … Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Elias S. Cook, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, Eli Fernald, Asa Jewett, Daniel S. Burley, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George W. Peavey (McFarland & Jenks, 1867).
Daughter Sally D. (Jewett) Pinkham died in Milton, July 13, 1869.
Ann S. [(Nutter)] Jewett, keeping house, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. Her household included [her sister,] Susan S. Nutter, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Mary A. Nutter, a housekeeper, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH). Ann S. Jewett had real estate valued at $600. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hiram Wentworth, a carpenter, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and Frank Bush, Jr., a woolen mill finisher, aged forty-nine years (b. France).
Son-in-law Thomas Corson, a farm laborer, aged seventy years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Eliza [(Jewett)] Corson, keeping house, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), Charlotte F. Corson, a housekeeper, aged forty-six years (b. ME), Caroline Parlin, aged forty-one years (b. NH), and Lydia J. Parlin, works in shoe factory, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Thomas Corson had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $2,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Robert Brown, works in shoe factory, aged forty years (b. NH), and Simon Hart, a shoemaker, aged forty years (b. NH).
Drusella Jewett, keeping house, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Lowell, MA, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. Her household included Mary A. Jewett, works cotton mill, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), and Clara Jewett, works cotton mill, aged seventeen years (b. NH). (On the same page was the household of Frank E. Jewett, a tinsmith, aged thirty-eight years (b. MA)).
Son Asa Jewett, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, aged fifty-six years (b. NH). Asa Jewett had real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate valued at $585. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ira Miller, a hotel keeper, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and Asenath Marsh, keeping house, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME).
Ann S. (Nutter) Jewett died in Milton, November 28, 1870.
Son Asa Fox appeared in the Milton directory of 1871, as a Milton justice-of-the-Peace.
MILTON – Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; E.W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, E.H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, C.A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, I.C. Varney, George Lyman, G.W. Peavey, J.S. Hersey, G.W. Tasker, E.W. Foss, M.V.B. Cook, T.H. Roberts, H.H. Wentworth, J.N. Simes, L.A. Lang (Claremont Manufacturing, 1871).
Son-in-law Thomas Corson died of cancer in Milton, March 13, 1875, aged seventy-five years, six months, and eight days.
Daughter-in-law Drusilla (Pickering) Jewett died of consumption at 113 Columbus Street in Lowell, MA, August 14, 1875, aged sixty-three years, four months, and twenty days.
Daughter Eliza G. (Jewett) Corson died in Milton, November 2, 1877.
Nancy J. (Rogers) Jewett of Milton made her last will, April 9, 1879. She devised all of her real and personal estate to her granddaughter, Mary A. Berry. (Mary A. Berry (1835-1922) was born in Milton, daughter of James and Eliza G. (Jewett) Berry). Ira Miller, Asa Jewett, Nellie C. [(Berry)] Roberts, and Irving Jewett signed as witnesses. It was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Somersworth, NH, in February 1881 (Strafford County Probate, 93:271).
Son Asa Jewett, a trader & farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, keeping house, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). His household was enumerated between those of Jeremiah C. Buck, a physician, aged fifty-eight years (b. ME), and George Hoyt, works in felt mill, aged forty-two years (b. ME).
Son Asa Jewett appeared in the Milton directory of 1882 as a Milton Mills clothing manufacturer.
MILTON. … Milton Mills … Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwrights, John Brackett, A.O. Prescott; clothing, Asa Jewett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; felt cloth, piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; picture frames, E.A. Hargraves; plows, W.F. Cutts; saddle housings, L.B. Roberts; soap, S.G. Chamberlain; rubber linings, table and piano covers, Townsend & Co., washing powder, E.J. Brierley (Tower, 1882).
Son Asa Jewett died in Dover, NH, April 17, 1883, aged sixty-seven years.
Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, a widowed home-keeper, aged eighty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. She owned her house free-and-clear. She was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett (Asa) appeared in the Milton directories of 1902 and 1905-06, as having her house at 51 Main street in Milton Mills. She appeared also in the Milton directory of 1909, as having her house at 49 Main street in Milton Mills, and as being “96 years of age.”
Thomas Cutts, a farmer (general farm), aged seventy years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Lydia [(Jewett)] Cutts, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, aged ninety-seven years (b. NH), his son-in-law, William L. Hargraves, a retired barber, aged fifty-one years (b. ME), and his daughter, Alberta [(Cutts)] Hargraves, aged forty-seven years (b. NH). Thomas Cutts owned their farm free-and-clear. Lydia Cutts was the mother of one child of whom one was still living. Mary A. Jewett was the mother of two children of whom one was still living. Alberta Hargraves was the mother of one child of whom one was still living.
Daughter-in-law Mary A. (Richards) Jewett died of nephritis in Milton Mills, August 7, 1910, aged ninety-seven years, three months, and seventeen days. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.
References:
Claremont Manufacturing Co. (1822). New Hampshire Register and Farmer’s Almanac. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=KgIXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA141
Claremont Manufacturing Co. (1871). New Hampshire Register, Farmer’s Almanac and Business Directory. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=FpMBAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA79
Farmer, John. (1854). New-Hampshire Annual Register, and United States Calendar. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=W0A4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA136
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Milton Observer 