Month: April 2023

By Muriel Bristol | April 30, 2023

In researching something else, several lengthy articles on Milton Mills were encountered in the Sanford Tribune of October, 6, 1911. This first article dealt with Milton Mills village, its mills, its churches, its library and some notable homes. (This information may cause some minor revisions or additions to some earlier Observer articles).

Accompanying Sanford Tribune articles (to be reproduced separately) dealt with the Andrews-Wasgatt factory, the Miltonia Mill, the Central House hotel, and some prominent Milton Mills residents.

The original author has not been identified but whomever it may have been gave acknowledgement to Milton Mills residents Elbridge W. Fox and John U. Simes for some of the information used.

A GLANCE AT THE PAST AND PRESENT OF MILTON MILLS. Historical Sketch of an Enterprising New Hampshire Town Close by the Hills of Acton, Maine. Some of the Men Who Founded and Are Continuing Its Industries. TEN miles from Springvale, separated from Sanford by the hills of Acton, lies the fair famed village of Milton Mills on the Salmon Fall river situated mostly on the New Hampshire side. Like many places in Maine and New Hampshire that are located away from the railroads, Milton Mills is not far famed; not having been given the publicity that perhaps less worthy villages have enjoyed by the accident of railroad connections. Hence its well merited fame for natural beauty, splendid homes – farm and village – manufacturing and superior social and civic conditions is limited to those persons who have mingled with its people or lived near its borders.

This village lies in the northern part of the town of Milton, New Hampshire, Strafford Country, along the dividing line between Maine and New Hampshire, about five miles from the source of the river. The adjoining town of Acton, in Maine, contributes a section to the village and while having no part in the government, the people are in all other ways a part of the New Hampshire community; and some of Acton’s most valuable estates are within this section.

Milton Mills is seven miles from Milton Three Ponds, the railroad station within the town, but not the nearest to the village. Union on the Northern division of the Boston and Maine Railroad is only four miles distant, and it is there that the railroad connection, by stage, is made. So far apart are the two Milton villages that each governs itself much the same as if village corporations existed.

The town joins Rochester on the south. It was set off from that town and incorporated under its present name in 1802. At that time the settlement was several miles south of Milton Mills and gradually spread out going towards the ponds first. Plummer’s Ridge was the first section to be settled. That was in 1772. Twelve or more years later the West Branch River was settled. As was the case in many instances in those early times the troubles of the people were over taxes and particularly taxation without representation. S0 it happened that the church tax that was levied upon the people in the northern part of Rochester for the support of a church so far away that they could not attend it was the serious trouble of the inhabitants in that part of the town. The matter finally culminated in the separation of the town and the incorporation of Milton.

At that time Milton Mills section was called Shapley’s Mills. Notwithstanding the excellent water privileges in that section it does not appear that mill business was the inducement to settlers and it is probable that farming was the principle attraction. According to Arthur Thad Smith, in his 100th anniversary address delivered at the celebration in 1902, there is in Milton developed and undeveloped water power greater than that at Dover and as great as that at Somersworth. He estimated the horse power to be 3500 units. There are north of Milton Mills village, beginning with the Miltonia site, six different falls. It is claimed by some that there is a total declivity of 100 feet. Only a part of the power is now utilized and splendid opportunities exist for small manufacturing concerns. [See Milton Water Power in 1901].

At one time or another all these privileges have been used and the history of the various enterprises that have at one time or another flourished on the river at and above the village, would make a large and interesting chapter of town history. Many years ago Alpheous Goodwin [(1791-1850)] conducted a tannery on the Milton side of the river near the village and on the Maine side at the same time was a grist mill. The site where the weave shop of the Miltonia mills now is had been for many years a grist mill site. One had passed by and a new one built, and later that was changed to a threshing mill. Where the shoe factory now is there was on the Maine side, a grist mill, and on the New Hampshire side, a bobbin factory. They were burned more than sixty years ago [earlier than 1851] and not rebuilt. At the privilege now known as the Waumbeck, there was a shingle mill in operation owned by Moses Hanson about the same time. On the site next above the shoe shop privilege there was saw mill in operation in the earliest days of the settlement. It was owned by Gilman Jewett. Its last log was sawed more than sixty-five years ago [before 1846]. That was near the Hooper dam. An eighth of a mile above that there formerly existed a saw and grist mill. They were washed away in a freshet years ago and not rebuilt. Above that site about the same distance is the Rowe dam. These last three named privileges are unused now.

The real development of the mill business at the village was when a mill was erected on the Waumbeck privilege by the people. A popular subscription furnished the funds.

It did not prove a success and was sold to Alexander and Charles Durgin. It was bought from them by John Townsand. In 1861 it was burned. Mr. Townsand, an account of whose career appears elsewhere, rebuilt and then sold to E.R. Mudge-Sawyer Co. In 1893 that company ceased to operate the factory and sold it to Whipple & Fairbanks. They made some repairs and in 1898 it burned and about 1900 Mr. H.H. Townsand bought the privilege, built a dam and run a penstock to the mills below.

But out of the effort and failure to establish manufacturing in the place by popular subscription has resulted indirectly the present Miltonia mills, the best of the town’s assets. A full account of the development of these mills appear elsewhere. About the beginning of the Civil war there originated a felt manufacturing business of which Edward Briely was the owner. He bought the privilege where the shoe shop now is and for a number of years made a success of the business. In 1872 the factory was burned. Mr. Briely rebuilt it. The business later came into the possession of David H. Buffum of Somersworth. A similar business was carried on by him. After the death of Mr. Briely, his son Edwin J. Briely, conducted the business for a while.

He finally sold the property to Mr. Buffum, who in turn sold to Varney and Lane who sold to Gale Brothers. Andrews-Wasgott Co. bought from them and are the present owners. The last three concerns operated it as a shoe shop. The firm of Andrews-Wosgott Co. are operating the shop, an account of which will be found elsewhere.

As one views the beautiful village of Milton Mills and takes note of the comfortable homes, the absence of poverty, and the general condition of happiness and prosperity that prevails, and compares the situation with towns not far away, that are said to have taken opportunities that Milton refused, to her hurt, there comes a feeling that perhaps it is better as it is. The development of the remaining water power in Milton can be accomplished now without bringing in its train some of the features that have completely changed the character of New England communities. The time is close at hand when every available pound of water power will be put to service but there is no reason why such utilization can not be made without revolutionizing the society of the community.

It is not intended to reflect upon the communities in which the early development was made and where conditions arose that were incident to the rapidity with which things were done, and not any part of a plan; but the reflection as above recorded helps the native of Milton to look with less regret upon the “mistakes” of the father than did Mr. Smith in his anniversary address when he said: “It is a matter of history that the Great Falls Manufacturing company first determined to locate at Milton about 1820, and in fact had chosen the site but were driven away by a most senseless series of law-suits occasioned by shortsighted and grasping riparian owners. Let us see what that mistake has meant to the town. If the water power of Milton were utilized in the manufacture of cotton cloth each horsepower would mean forty-eight spindles. This would give the town about 120,000 spindles; as one person is employed for each eighty, there would be from 1600 to 2000 operatives. Had it then not been for the shortsighted selfishness of some of the early settlers, Milton would be a city of 10,000 to 12,000 inhabitants, with all the wealth and prestige that such population would bring.”

The Congregational church that was at Plummer’s Ridge when Milton was set off from Rochester continued as the town church of Milton but with a new organization. In 1833 a meeting house was built at Milton Mills. There were a number of Calvinistic Baptists there and they joined with the Congregationalists and built the first meeting house in Milton Mills village. In the course of time the Calvinistic Baptists became so few in number that they ceased to be a factor in the church affairs as a society and the Congregationalist society took over the church in 1871. There were regular services held there until 1904 and since then special services have been held occasionally but so infrequently that the pew owners were quite unanimous in voting to sell to the Odd Fellows. An account of that event appears elsewhere. The membership of the Congregational society at time of taking over the church was twenty. Rev. Darius B. Scott was the first minister.

The Methodists had grown quite strong and in the year that the Calvinistic Baptists ceased to exist they organized and in 1872 built a church. A cut of the edifice is herewith shown. The present minister is Rev. Frederick H. Sleep. He began his pastorate in the spring. He was formerly located at Thornton.

While the Calvin Baptists declined the Free Baptists became strong, particularly on the Acton side. Many of the prominent men had embraced that faith. That society had a church probably as early as 1833, on a site near where the present parsonage now is, on the same side of the road. Later another one was built on the opposite side of the road. In 1871 it was moved to its present site on the river road. It will be noticed that the year 1871 was one of great activity in the religious societies of the place. The Free Baptist church in Milton Mills has the honor of originating the famous Free Baptist Educational society that has had such an influence in the educational work in Maine. Rev. James W. Williams is the current pastor. He is now serving the third year. He is superintendent of the Acton schools. There is a high school at Milton village where the scholars from the Mills village attend after completing the grammar course at home. The grammar school is well conducted and the building well-constructed and handsome in appearance.

One of the town possessions that are its pride and good fortune is a public library. It is the gift by will of the late Lewis Worcester Nute, who died in 1888. He also left funds for various other public purposes including the high school, which is the result of his benefaction. Milton Mills profited indirectly by the benefaction because the library that had already been established in Milton was moved to the Mills. There are 1600 volumes in it. They are kept in the vacant store on Main street where John U. Simes formerly traded. Mr. Simes is the librarian and keeps the library open Tuesday and Saturday nights. Mr. Simes is an ideal librarian. He is a native, a man of rare intelligence, well informed on local and general matters. He has represented the town in the legislature and has served as selectman and on the school board. The writer is indebted to him for aid in the preparation of this article and also to Elbridge W. Fox.

The village, while not laid out in true square, presents that appearance and so far as the convenience and the grouping of the residences within a reasonable compass is concerned, has the effect that squares are designed to have. As viewed from the hills the effect is very pleasing – the village and winding river are of the poet seen in actual existence. Not one of the least of the attractions of the place is the splendid landscape view from the valley. The hillsides display the combined grandeur of undisturbed nature and the beauty of cultivated fields. The effect is still further heightened by the many fine dwellings that are to be seen in any direction the eye may roam. On the Milton side and to the east the residence of Mr. Robert S. Pike, the Stephen Ricker home, occupied by Joseph Boyd, and Mr. Benjamin Hoyle’s fine home, and others. The village has concrete and curbed sidewalks.

On the Acton side some of the near-by places that attract attention are the residences of Mrs. Edward J. Briely and Mr. Hermon L. Buck. The latter place is the home place of Dr. Ruben Buck who is said to have given Acton its name and to have been one of the pioneer temperance advocates in the country. On the Lebanon road and a little farther off is the farm home of Thomas H. Roberts. It is appropriately named Valley View. Near by is the residence of O.C. Titcomb. A little farther beyond are the well-kept farm homes of George Fox, on the west and John Laskey on the east side of the road.

There are in the surrounding country many summer homes and places where campers find recreation. There are between 700 and 800 people in Milton Mills who are permanent residents but during the summer the population is very largely increased.

Among the notable residences in the village is that of John C. Townsand. It is the home place of Henry H. Townsand and is the largest and most costly residence in the village. Mr. Townsand and his wife, the only daughter of the late owner, have the home place by agreeable settlement of the estate. Mr. Townsand is the son [-in-law] of the late Henry H. Townsand, who was for twenty years superintendent of the mills in Wilton [Maine] and held the same position in the mills of his brother [-in-law] in Milton Mills. For eleven years Mr. John C. Townsand was resident of Saugus, Massachusetts, where he was employed his uncle, Joseph Whitney, in the grocery business. Mr. Townsand was well known in Milton and when he returned to make his home there he was greeted very cordially, and has demonstrated that he is a man of worth and public spirit and is one of the most popular men of the place. He is Past Noble Grand of Miltonia Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 52, and instrumental in bringing about the purchase of the old church by the lodge. He is also a member of the Masonic order.

On the opposite corner is the home of Mr. John E. Townsand, the owner of the mills.

The Milton town line goes close to Union village and the stage road between Milton Mills and Union is lined with very good farms and for the four miles between there is not to be seen an inferior set of buildings. Among some of the notably well appearing homes are those of Mr. S.G. Chamberlain and Mrs. Fellows. Mrs. Fellows only occupies her home during the summer. Mr. H.E. [Henry E.] Ayer has conducted the stage business on this route since July, 1909. He had been running the line to East Lebanon (Eastwood) for several years. Mr. Ayer was formerly engaged in the carriage business in Newfield. He has been a resident of Milton Mills for twelve years. He is a genial and accommodating man and is popular as a stage driver. He always drives a well appearing pair of horses and a trip with him is a pleasure. He makes two trips a day on the Union route. One a day on the Lebanon route. That is driven by his son Richard. He delivers mail on the R.F.D. route between Milton Mills and North Lebanon (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 6, 1911).

(See also the Vulpes Letter (Milton Mills in 1864) for a sketch of Milton Mills forty-seven years earlier).

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References:

Find a Grave. (2013. August 12). Harry E. Ayer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115348410/harry-e-ayer

Find a Grave. (2021, March 3). Herman L. Buck. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/223834249/herman-l-buck

Find a Grave. (2014, August 31). Alpheus Spring Goodwin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/135200941/alpheus-spring-goodwin

Find a Grave. (2013, August 16). Robert S. Pike. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115571871/robert-seth-pike

Find a Grave. (2013, August 12). John C. Townsend. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115352317/john-c-townsend

By Muriel Bristol | April 23, 2023

John Underwood Simes was born in Milton, June 7, 1836, son of Bray U. and Martha (Spinney) Simes.

John U. Sims of Milton was a male department student at the Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Academy of Wolfeboro, NH, during its eleven-week Summer Term of 1853.

The members of this Academy are required to be present at the devotional, and other general exercises of the school; to be in the Academy building or in their rooms during study hours; to attend church regularly on the Sabbath; and to be punctual in the performance of all other duties enjoined by the regulations of the school. It is the aim of the teachers to secure to their pupils a though and systematical course of education; to be kind and affable, though firm and decided in all their relations with their pupils. They also consider it their duty to watch with particular care over the health and morals of those committed to their charge, and endeavor to excite in their minds those lofty aspirations for high intellectual, physical, and moral attainments, which are so sure a passport to success in life, and qualifies in so eminent a degree to subserve the great object and end of existence (Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Academy, 1853).

B.U. Simes, a merchant, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Martha Simes, keeping house, aged fifty years (b. ME), Elizabeth Simes, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Ann Simes, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Adda Simes, aged twelve years (b. NH), and John Simes, a merchant, aged twenty-four years (b. NH). Bray U. Simes had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $3,000. His household appeared between those of Elbridge W. Fox, a farmer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and George Simes, a carpenter, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH).

John U. Simes married in Dover, NH, October 1, 1863, Nancy R. Jewett, both of Milton. He was a trader, aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged twenty-four years. Rev. B.F. Eaton performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, January 13, 1839, daughter of Asa and Mary A. (Richards) Jewett. (Gilman Jewett was her paternal grandfather).

(The children of John U. and Nancy R. (Jewett) Simes were: Ida Edee Simes (1864–1899), Everett Simes (1865–1866), Effie Simes (1867–1868), Walter Simes (1869–1946), Florence Simes (1871–1910), Hervey D. Simes (1874–1901), Percival Simes (1876–1877), Raymond U. Simes (1880–1880), and Chester Jewett Simes (1882–1936)).

Daughter Ida Edee “Eda” Simes was born in Milton, January 9, 1864. (She was the first child). Her father was a merchant. (He was mentioned in the Vulpes Letter of 1864, as being one of four Milton Mills “regular store” proprietors).

John U. Simes was elected Worshipful Master of the Unity Lodge of Masons just after the Civil War.

Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. and A.M., of Union – [By Charles W. Horne]. On the ninth day of June, 1857, A.L. 5857, Charles C. Hayes, Alvah Runnells, Joseph Sharpe, Oliver Seavey, Dr. William B. Reynolds, James Tucker, Dr. A.D. Merrow, and Hosea Runnells were granted a charter by the “Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of New Hampshire, constituting them,” and “such others as shall thereafter join them,” a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. The first officers were James Tucker, Worshipful Master; Charles C. Hayes, S.W.; Oliver Seavey, J.W.; William B. Reynolds, secretary; Lewis Plumer, treasurer; Herbert F. Stevens, S.D.; Alvah Runnells, J.D.; Lewis Plumer, chaplain; A.D. Merrow, S.S.; A.J. Lord, J.S.; Hosea Runnells, tyler. Bro. James Tucker continued to fill the master’s chair until May, 1862, when Charles E. Swinerton was elected. He occupied that position for one year and was succeeded by Herbert F. Stevens, who served two years. John U. Simes of Milton Mills was the next in order. He served one year and gave way to Hon. Asa M. Brackett, who served six years in succession. Now Herbert F. Stevens again takes the “gavel” for one year. Charles A. Varney serves three years and makes room for Charles C. Hayes for two years. Albert O. Robinson, Hiram O. Stevens, Frank B. Drew, Charles W. Horne and A.H. Chamberlain have each been master (Merrill, 1889).

Son Everett Simes was born in Milton Mills, September 21, 1865. (He was the second child). His father was a trader. He died in Milton Mills, June 30, 1866, aged nine months, nine days.

John U. Simes of Milton Mills paid a $10 tax for his retail dealer’s license and a $1 tax for his carriage in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1866.

Milton voters sent John U. Simes and Hiram V. Wentworth to represent them in the NH House of Representatives during the 1867-68 biennium. Rep. John U. Simes occupied seat 5-33, and resided at G.L. Nutter’s boarding house; Rep. Hiram V. Wentworth occupied seat 2-42, and resided in the Eagle hotel (McFarland & Jenks, 1867).

They reportedly made a 156-mile round trip to Concord, NH, and each was credited with that distance for reimbursement purposes. The actual distance would have been more like a 90-mile round trip. One supposes that the additional 66 miles were accumulated through traveling somewhat indirectly by train.

Rep. Simes of Milton filed a bill with the Committee on Manufactures, June 10, 1868, which sought incorporation of the Milton Pleasant Valley Manufacturing Company. (Rep Simes was a member of the Committee on Claims). It appears to have passed in the NH House but to have been postponed by the NH Senate until the next session of the legislature.

Daughter Effie Simes was born in Milton Mills, June 29, 1867. She died in Milton Mills, April 10, 1868, aged nine months, twelve days.

John U. Simes appeared in the Milton directories of 1867-68, 1868, and 1869-70, as a Milton Mills merchant.

John U. Simes received a five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 13, 1868. (Henry H. Wentworth received his appointment that same day).

Son Walter Simes was born in Milton Mills, July 19, 1869.

John U. Simes, a retail grocer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, keeping house, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Ida Simes, aged six years (b. NH), and Walter Simes, aged eleven months (b. NH (July)). John U. Simes had personal estate valued at $1,200. They shared a two-family residence with the household of Hiram Wentworth, a carpenter, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Olney, agent for the woolen mill, aged twenty-nine years (b. KY), and Ann S. Jewett, keeping house, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH).

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 Co., 1871).

John U. Simes appeared in the Milton directories of 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1880, as a Milton Mills merchant.

Daughter Florence Simes was born in Milton Mills, December 24, 1871. (She was the fourth child [?]). Her father was a merchant.

John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 11, 1873. (Joseph Mathes and Bard B. Plummer received their appointments that same day).

The Milton Superintendents, i.e., its School Committee, of 1873 were C.A. Sawyer, J.U. Simes, and A.H. Wentworth. The Milton Superintendents, i.e., its School Committee, of 1874 were J.U. Simes, A.H. Wentworth, and J.F. Joy.

Son Hervey D.  Simes was born in Milton Mills, March 8, 1874. Son Percival Simes was born in Milton Mills, August 31, 1876. (He was the seventh child). His father was a trader. He died in Milton, June 1, 1877, aged nine months, one day.

The Milton Selectmen of 1875 were George Lyman, G.H. Plumer, and John U. Simes. The Milton Selectmen of 1876 were Geo. Lyman, G.H. Plumer, and John U. Simes.

Justice-of-the-Peace John U. Simes performed the April 1875 Milton Mills marriage between Benjamin F. Goodwin and Miss Emma A. Wentworth, he of Milton and she of Acton, ME. (They were residing in Milton Mills, with two young daughters, in 1880).

MILTON. Justices – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, Frank Wells, M.V.B. Cook, B.F. Avery, State; J.U. Sims, Isaac Merrill, Joseph Plummer, Joseph Cook, Geo. Lyman, J.S. Hersey, J.F. Hart, B.B. Plummer, C.C. Hayes, Ira Miller (Claremont Manufactuing Co., 1877). 

John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 18, 1878.

Son Raymond U. Simes was born in Milton Mills, February 12, 1880.

John U. Simes, a trader, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, a housekeeper, aged forty-one years (b. NH), Edee Simes, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH), Walter Simes, at school, aged ten years (b. NH), Florence Simes, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), Harvey Simes, at school, aged six months (b. NH), and Raymond U. Simes, at house, aged three months (b. NH (February)). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brothers,] George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Edward S. Simes, a carpenter, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). (John U. Simes was also the census enumerator).

Son Raymond U. Simes died of a convulsion in Milton, October 15, 1880, aged eight months, three days.

John U. Simes appeared in the Milton directories of 1881, 1882, 1884, 1887, and 1889, as a Milton Mills merchant.

MILTON. Justices – Luther Hayes, C.H. Looney, E.W. Fox, M.V.B. Cook, B.F. Avery, C.C. Hayes, State; J.U. Sims, Joseph Plummer, B.B. Plummer, J.S. Hersey, Ira Miller, Geo. Lyman, J.F. Hart (Tower, 1882).

The Milton Superintendents, i.e., its School Committee, of 1881-82 were J.U. Simes, and H.F. Pitcher (See Milton in NH Education Report, 1882).

Son Chester J. Simes was born in Milton, August 28, 1882. (He was the ninth child). His father was a trader, aged forty-six years, and his mother was aged forty-four years.

Father-in-law Asa Jewett died in Milton Mills, April 17, 1883.

John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 17, 1883.

The Milton Selectmen of 1884 were Geo. Lyman, J.U. Simes, and W.H.H. Pinkham.

Father Bray U. Simes died of a heart ailment in Milton, July 15, 1885, aged eighty-four years, one month, and twelve days.

The Milton Board of Education, i.e., its School Committee, of 1887-88 were John Simes, Luther Hayes, and Martin V.B. Cook.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS. Martha Simes to John U. Simes, land in Milton, $1 (Farmington News, May 18, 1888).

John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 10, 1888.

The Milton Board of Education, i.e., its School Committee, of 1889 were John U. Simes, Charles D. Jones, and B.B. Plummer.

The Unity Lodge of Masons, of Union, NH, elected Charles W. Horne, John U. Simes, and J. Frank Farnham as a Standing Committee, in 1889.

Mother Martha (Spinney) Simes died in 1891.

John U. Simes was one of the three original Trustees of the Milton Free Public Library.

Under the law of 1891 for the establishment of free public libraries, the town of Milton at its annual meeting in March, 1892, adopted the provisions of the act, passed the necessary votes for the founding and maintenance of the Milton Free Public Library, located it at Milton Mills, and chose three trustees for its care and management. The trustees chosen were Charles C. Hayes, Elbridge W. Fox, and John W. [U.] Simes. Following the action of the town, the state, through its Board of Library Commissioners, donated books to the town to the value of one hundred dollars as nucleus for the library (NH General Court, 1907).

The new Milton Free Public Library was situated initially in the store of its first librarian, Henry E. Wentworth (1865-1919), which was situated in the Miller block, i.e., the Ira Miller store, in January 1893.

The free public library at Milton Mills has been opened in the Miller block (Farmington News, January 27, 1893).

John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 7, 1893.

MILTON. Justices – J.U. Simes, B.B. Plummer, E.W. Fox, C.H. Looney, Geo. Lyman, B.F. Avery, E.F. Fox, Ira Miller, Joseph Plummer, G.H. Goodwin, H.L. Avery, H.B. Scates, F.H. Cutts, F.L. Marsh, L.H. Wentworth (Tower, 1897). 

Son Hervey D. Simes married in Milton, August 3, 1898, Lulu E. Manson, he of Milton and she of Acton, ME. He was a shoemaker, aged twenty-four years, and she was a weaver, aged eighteen years. Rev. Eugene J. Deane performed the ceremony. (They were divorced by 1900). She was born in Farmington, NH, August 2, 1879, daughter of George H. and Lizzie M. (Longfellow) Manson.

John U. Simes, r. [Republican], was elected Moderator of the November 1898 election. He prevailed over Leroy F. Corson, d. [Democrat]. Elbridge W. Fox, George D. Canney, and William T. Wallace were elected as a Republican slate for Supervisors of the Checklist over a Democrat slate of Nathaniel G. Pinkham, John H. Maddox, and George H. Plummer. Freeman H. Lowd, r., was elected as NH State Representative for the 1899-00 biennium, defeating Stephen M. Bragdon, d., 264-82 (NH Secretary of State, 1899).

Son Walter Davis married in Lynn, MA, November 23, 1898, Sarah “Sadie” Davis, both of Lynn, MA. He was a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years, and she was an operative, aged twenty-seven years. Rev. Frank M. Holt performed the ceremony, She was born in Plaster Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, circa 1870, daughter of John and Jane (Rose) Davis.

Daughter Ida Edee Simes died of pulmonary consumption in Milton Mills, March 12, 1899, aged thirty-five years, two months, and three days. She was a dressmaker. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate. (A.A. Fox was the undertaker).

The Pleasant Valley Grange, No. 272, of Milton Mills, elected A.A. Fox as its Master, John U. Simes as its Lecturer, and Mrs. Florence N. [(Norwood)] Hanson as its Secretary, in 1900. (Meanwhile, in West Milton, the Lewis W. Nute Grange, No. 193, elected B.B. Plummer as its Master, M.P. Dickey as its Lecturer, and Mildred L. Bragdon as it Secretary) (NH Dept. of Agriculture, 1901).

John U. Simes, a dealer in wood, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and his children, Hervey Simes, runs McKay stitcher, aged thirty-six [twenty-six] years (b. NH), Florence Simes, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Chester Simes, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brothers,] Edward S. Simes, a carpenter, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH). (John U. Simes was also the census enumerator).

Walter Simes, a shoe cutter, aged thirty years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of one year), Sadie D. [(Davis)] Simes, aged twenty-nine years (b. Canada), his sisters-in-law, Lottie R. Davis, a shoe stitcher, aged thirty-three years (b. Canada), and Gertie M. Davis, a shoe stitcher, aged twenty-three years (b. Canada), and his brother-in-law, Fred C. Davis, a shoe cutter, aged fifteen years (b. Canada).Walter Simes rented their house at 13 Fisk Street.

MIDDLETON. The twenty-fifth annual reunion of the sons and daughters of Middleton was held at the town hall on the 12th of this month. Abound one hundred and twenty-five sat down to a bountiful dinner which as usual, reflected great credit on our ladies. After doing ample justice to the bill of fare, the party adjourned to Republican hall, where a business meeting was held and the following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: president, Furber Hanson; vice president, Samuel D. Twombley; secretary, George H. Cook; treasurer, Mrs. F.A. Orne; chaplain, Charles S. Boody. Voted to change the date of meeting from September to Thursday of Old Home Week, when Middleton hopes to greet all of her absent sons and daughters. Committees were appointed for next year, then followed an auction of cakes, pies, etc. John Simes of Milton Mills was auctioneer and kept the company merry by his witty remarks. A goodly sum was realized. Mrs. Henry Stevens rendered the solo “When I Heard the Wee Birds’ Singing,” in a pleasing manner, and received a hearty encore. Arthur Perkins sang “The Golden City;” he has a sweet voice and his singing was a pleasure to all. Remarks were made by the president; Mr. Gibbs; Mr. Simes; and others. After singing “God be with you till we meet again,” the company broke up deciding, that the twenty-fifth reunion had been a success socially and financially. We were sorry to miss Mr. Orne, who was in Concord at the convention and also Mr. and Mrs. James D. Moore, who were in Springvale, from our reunion, but hope to have them with us another year (Farmington News, September 21, 1900).

Son Hervey D.  Simes died of acute tuberculosis in Milton Mills, May 5, 1901, aged twenty-seven years, one month, and twenty-seven days. He was a shoemaker. Charles W. Gross, M.D., signed the death certificate. (A.A. Fox was the undertaker).

Milton Free Public Library librarian Henry E. “Harry” Wentworth gave up his men’s clothing store, at the corner of Main and Church streets, in or around 1900, and became a farmer.

At his retirement from trade the library was removed to its present location, a building formerly used as a store by John W. [U.] Simes, and for a number of years Mr. Simes has served as librarian (NH General Court, 1907).

John U. Simes succeeded Wentworth as librarian in a storefront that he owned and in which he had kept formerly his own store.

MILTON MILLS, N.H. John U. Simes has been sick and confined to the house for the past week (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 22, 1904).

Nancy R. (Jewett) Simes died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Milton Mills, April 4, 1904, aged sixty-five years, two months, and four days. She was a housewife and lifelong resident of Milton Mills.

John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1905-06, when it had 600 volumes.

MILTON MILLS, N.H. John U. Simes has been spending a week or two with his sons and other friends in Lynn and Boston, returning Tuesday evening with Walter Simes and wife (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 19, 1907).

John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1909, when it had 1,100 volumes.

John U. Sims, a farmer (home farm), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his daughter, Florence Sims, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH). John U. Sims owned their farm, with a mortgage. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles Langley, a general store clerk, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), and Elizabeth Simes, aged eighty years (b. NH).

Walter Simes, a shoe factory cutter, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Sarah D. [(Davis)] Simes, aged thirty-eight years (b. Canada), and his children, Roland D. Simes, aged four years (b. MA), Eda M. Simes, aged three years (b. MA), and Beatrice L. Simes, aged months (b. MA). Walter Simes owned their house at 12 Wagner Avenue, with a mortgage. Sarah D. Simes was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living. (She had immigrated in 1889).

Martha Torrey, aged sixty years (b. IN), headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, Lorassia Torrey, aged sixteen years (b. WI), and her boarders, Herbert Mcdonald, manager of Boston Mfg. Co., aged forty years (b. MA), John Gregson, Falk Co. clerk, aged twenty-one years (b. ME), Chester Simes, a traveling salesman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Hans Müller, a R.R. shop mechanic, aged thirty-two years (b. Sweden). Martha Torrey owned their house, free-and-clear.

Mother-in-law Mary A. (Richards) Jewett died in Milton, August 7, 1910, aged ninety-six years.

Daughter Florence Simes died in Milton, October 22, 1910, aged thirty-eight years.

John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1912, when it had 1,700 volumes.

MILTON MILLS, N.H. Mrs. Walter Simes and family are staying with John U. Simes for the summer (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 5, 1912).

John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1917, when it had 1,700 volumes.

Elizabeth E. Simes, aged ninety-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her brother, John U. Simes, aged eighty-three years (b. NH). Elizabeth E. Simes owned their house on Main Street, in Milton Mills Village, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between the two-family residence of Calvin S. Haines, an assistant to undertaker, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox, a widow, aged sixty years (b. NH), and Charles A. Langley, a retail grocery manager, aged forty-three years (b. ME).

Walter Simes, a shoe supplies salesman, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Davis)] Simes, aged forty-seven years (b. Canada), his children, Roland Simes, aged fourteen years (b. MA), Eda Simes, aged thirteen years (b. MA), and Louise Simes, aged ten years (b. MA), and his brother, Chester Simes, a shoe supplies jobber, aged thirty-four years (b. NH). Walter Simes rented their house at 3921 Galena Street.

Sister Elizabeth E. Simes died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Milton Mills, April 4, 1922, aged ninety-three years, four months, and twenty-six days.

Chester J. Simes married in Milwaukee, WI, June 23, 1923, Jane A. “Jennie” Coleman, both of Milwaukee, WI. She was born in Whitewater, WI, July 24, 1878, daughter of Joshua L. Coleman.

Announcement was also made at the meeting this morning of the marriage of Miss Jane Coleman, Milwaukee, retiring state vice president, to Charles [Chester] Jewett Simes, Saturday, in the Grand Avenue Congregational church, Milwaukee (Captiol Times (Madison, WI), June 28, 1923).

Chester J. (Jane A.) Simes appeared in the Milwaukee, WI, directory of 1926, as a manufacturers agent at 67 Erie street, with his house at 1101 Hackett avenue. Walter (Sarah) Simes appeared also as a salesman for C.J. Simes, with his house at 3928 Walnut street. Louise Simes appeared as a student, residing at 3928 Walnut street; and Roland Simes appeared as an electrician, residing at 3928 Walnut street.

John U. Simes died in Milton, September 28, 1927.

Walter Simes, a shoe factory salesman, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Davis)] Simes, aged fifty-nine years (b. Nova Scotia, Canada), and his daughter, Louise B. Simes, a life insurance cashier, aged twenty years (b. MA). Walter Simes owned their house at 3928 40th [Walnut] Street, which was valued at $8,000. They had a radio set.

Chester J. Simes, a sh0e factories manufacturing agent, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Shorewood, WI, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of seven years) Jane C. [(Coleman)] Simes, aged fifty-one years (b. WI), his daughter, Mary J. Simes, aged four years (b. WI), his adopted daughter, Nancy L. Simes, aged three years (b. WI), his mother-in-law, Mary Coleman, a widow, aged seventy-nine years (b. MI), his sister-in-law, Clara E. [(Coleman)] Groshong, a divorcee, aged fifty-nine years (b. WI), and his servant, Agnes Job, a private family servant, aged nineteen years (b. ND). Chester J. Simes owned their house at 1100 Summitt Avenue, which was valued at $3,000. They had a radio set.

Son Chester J. Simes died of heart disease in Milwaukee, WI, November 23, 1936, aged fifty-four years.

MANUFACTURER DIES. Milwaukee – (AP) – Chester J. Simes, 54, president of C.J. Simes, Inc., manufacturers’ agents for leather goods, died at his home yesterday of an attack of heart disease (Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI) November 24, 1936).

CHESTER J. SIMES. Chester J. Simes, brother-in-law of John C. Coleman, director of Vocation education in La Crosse, died suddenly in Milwaukee Monday evening, it was learned here. Mr. Simes was well known in this city, having visited here on a number of occasions. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman left for Milwaukee Monday night. Mr. Simes is survived by his wife, Jane Coleman Simes; two daughters, Mary Jane and Nancy Lou, and a brother, Walter Simes (LaCrosse Tribune (LaCrosse, WI), [Tuesday,] November 24, 1936).

Walter Sims, aged sixty-nine years, headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Davis)] Sims, aged sixty-eight years (b. Canada), and his daughters, Eda M. Sims, a county relief administration welfare investigator, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), and Louise B. Sims, a life insurance office cashier, aged thirty years (b. MA. Walter Sims owned their house at 3924 West Walnut Street, which was valued at $7,500. They had resided in the same house in 1935.

Jane [(Coleman)] Simes, a widow, aged sixty-one years (b. WI), headed a Shorewood, WI, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her daughters, Mary Jane Simes, aged fourteen years (b. WI), and Nancy Simes, aged thirteen years (b. WI), and her servant, Helen Hathaway, a private family maid, aged twenty-four years (b. WI). Jane Simes owned their house at 3540 [Summit avenue], which was valued at $25,000. They had resided in the same house in 1935.

Son Walter Simes died in Milwaukee, WI, November 1, 1946, aged seventy-seven years.

Daughter-in-law Jane A. “Jennie” (Colman) Simes died in Mequon, Ozaukee County, WI, August 28, 1975.

References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Eda Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612080/eda-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Effie Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612278/effie-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Everett Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612246/everett-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Florence Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612353/florence-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Hervey D. Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612495/hervey-d-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). John Underwood Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612563/john-underwood-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Percival Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612692/percival-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Raymond U. Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612712/raymond-u-simes

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Walter Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/78292440/walter-simes

Merrill, George D. (1889). History of Carroll County, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nQE2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA197

NH Department of Agriculture. (1901). Report of the Board of Agriculture. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=BYgZAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA416

NH General Court. (1868). Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=MEQtAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA248

NH General Court. (1907). Report of the State Library. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=fUwbAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PA454

NH Secretary of State. (1899). Manual for the General Court. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=-Xo0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA250

By Muriel Bristol | April 16, 2023

Charles Jones was born in Milton, July 21, 1833, son of Levi and Sally ((Worcester) Wallingford) Jones.

Levi Jones headed a Milton 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, one female aged 40-49 years [Sally ((Worster) Wallingford) Jones], one male aged 30-39 years [Joseph P. Plummer], one male aged 20-29 years [David Wallingford?], one female aged 15-19 years [Mary E. Wallingford], and one male aged 5-9 years [Charles Jones]. Three members of his household were employed in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Sarah Plumer and James A. Ricker.

Father Levi Jones died in Milton, August 18, 1847, aged seventy-five years.

[Future] Father-in-law John H. Varney died of rheumatic fever in Strafford, NH, in January 1850.

Sally [((Worster) Wallingford)] Jones, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Charles P. Jones, a farmer, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Mary [E. (Wallingford)] Neal, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Kirk B. Neal, aged five years (b. NH), Jonathan Abbott, a farmer, aged sixty-two years (b. ME), and Charles W. Conway, a farmer, aged twenty-two years (b. NH). Sally Jones had real estate valued at $10,000. (Mary E. (Wallingford) Neal was Sally Jones’ widowed daughter and Kirk B. Neal was her grandson). Her household was enumerated between those of Nahum Tasker, a farmer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, aged forty-six years (b. NH [ME]).

[Charles Jones appeared in all the available records as bearing the middle initial “P” only in this single instance from the Seventh (1850) Federal Census].

Charles Jones married in Milton, November 11, 1857, Betsy Varney, both of Milton. Rev. Andrew Peabody performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, March 18, 1834, daughter of John H. and Betsy W. (Cloutman) Varney.

(The known children of Charles and Betsy (Varney) Jones were: Fred Plummer Jones (1859-1941), Nellie Varney Jones (1861-1925), and Charles Dana Jones (1863-1908)).

Charles Jones received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 17, 1859. (Elbridge W. Fox received an appointment on that same day).

Son Fred Plummer Jones was born in Milton, October 23, 1859.

MILTON. Justice, State, John E. Goodwin. Justice, Quorum. Eli Wentworth. Justices, John L. Swinerton, Daniel P. Warren, Joseph Pearl, Robert Mathes, Elias S. Cook, David Wallingford, Charles C. Hayes, Thomas Y. Wentworth, Asa Fox, Daniel E. Palmer, Joseph Plumer, Luther Hayes, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Elbridge W. Fox, Charles Jones (Farmer, 1860).

Charles Jones, a farmer, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Varney)] Jones, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Fred P. Jones, aged eight months (b. NH), Salley [((Worster) Wallingford)] Jones, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), Lydia Worster, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), Abba Corliss, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and F.E. [Frank E.] Wallingford, aged eight years (b. NH). Charles Jones had real estate valued at $16,000 and personal estate valued at $6,000. Salley Jones had personal estate valued at $1,000. His household was enumerated between those of E.W. Plummer, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, aged fifty-six years (b. NH). (Lydia Worster (1795-1863) was a sister of Salley ((Worster) Wallingford) Jones. Frank E. Wallingford (c1852-1914) was an orphaned son of Ira and Delania D. (Thompson) Wallingford, his father having died in 1853 and his mother having died only several months before)).

Daughter Nellie Varney Jones was born in Milton, October 25, 1861.

Mother Sally ((Worster) Wallingford) Jones died in Milton, January 12, 1863, aged sixty-nine years, five months, and twenty-one days.

Son Charles Dana Jones was born in Milton, September 22, 1863.

Charles Jones and Theodore Lyman (1812-1891) were Milton’s NH State Representatives in the 1863-64 biennium. They were allotted 90 miles as the length of their round-trip mileage.

Rep. Jones of Milton, and Rep. Lyman, were among the 190 [67.4%] representatives that voted against moving the State Capitol from Concord, NH, to Manchester, NH, while another 92 [32.6%] representatives voted in favor of the move. The State Capitol remains in Concord, NH.

Rep. Jones of Milton, and Rep. Lyman, were among the 229 [79.5%] representatives that voted in favor of providing relief for the creditors of the Sullivan Railroad, while another 59 [20.5%] representatives voted against providing relief for those creditors. (The Sullivan Railroad suffered serious train wrecks in 1860 and 1863).

Rep. Little of Manchester, NH, introduced a joint resolution:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened, That the pay of the members of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives shall be two dollars per day, in gold, for the year 1865 and afterwards.

The NH House voted to indefinitely postpone the resolution – despite its having been reduced by amendment from $2.50 in gold to $2.00 in gold – but Rep. Hill of Manchester, NH, made a motion to reconsider. Rep. Jones of Milton, and Rep. Lyman, were among the 148 [56.3%] representatives that voted against reconsideration, while another 115 [43.7%] representatives voted in favor of reconsideration. (One may note that at least 115 of the legislators had hoped to be paid their per diem in gold, rather than in inflationary paper “Greenback” currency).

The NH House passed a resolution seeking to have the U.S. Congress propose and pass what would become in the following year the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

ARTICLE XIII. SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. SEC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

Rep. Jones of Milton voted with the 160 representatives [60.8%] that voted in favor of the resolution, rather than the 103 representatives [39.2%] that voted against it. (Rep. Lyman is not on record as having voted either way). The resolution passed the NH House and went on to the NH Senate. The actual Constitutional Amendment was in progress already in the U.S. Congress, and would come back to the NH House in the next legislative session.

Charles Jones paid a $1 tax on his 1-horse carriage, which was valued at $80, in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1864. (See also Milton’s US Excise Tax of May 1864).

Charles Jones received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 9, 1864. (Elbridge W. Fox received a renewal on the same day).

The Milton Selectmen of 1866 were J.U. Simes, E. Wentworth, and Chas. Jones.

Charles Jones paid a $1 tax on his carriage, a $2 tax on his second carriage, and a $10 tax on his sawyer’s license, in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1866.

Charles Jones was one of the ten prominent Milton citizens who incorporated a private secondary school – the Milton Classical Institute – at Three Ponds Village in Milton, NH, in July 1867. The incorporators included also shoemaker  George W. Tasker, Strafford Sheriff Luther Hayes, manufacturer Hiram V. Wentworth, miller William P. Tuttle, Dr. George W. Peavey, and others.

The Milton Selectmen of 1867 were Chas. Jones, Geo. Lyman, and E.W. Fox.

Charles Jones received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 9, 1869. (Elbridge W. Fox received a renewal on the same day).

Charles Jones appeared in the Government of New-Hampshire entry of a NH business directory of 1869-70 as holding the District No. 2 seat on the five-seat Governor’s Council in 1870, under Governor Onslow Stearns, of Concord. By virtue of his seat on the Governor’s Council, Jones also held an ex-officio seat on the State Board of Education.

Charles Jones, a farmer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Varney)] Jones, keeping house, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), Fred P. Jones, at school, aged ten years (b. NH), Nellie V. Jones, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), Dana Jones, at school, aged six years (b. NH), George H. Pike, a farm laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Josaphine Kimball, a domestic servant, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), and Frank E. Wallingford a farm laborer, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Charles Jones had real estate valued at $12,000 and personal estate valued at $21,000. His household was enumerated between those of Enoch W. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, a farmer, aged sixty-six years (b. ME).

MILTON – Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George W. Peavey, John S. Hersey, Geo. W. Tasker, E.W. Foss, M.V.B. Cook, Thos. H. Roberts, Henry H. Wentworth, John N. Simes, Larkin A. Lang (Claremont, 1871).

Charles Jones died in Milton, May 8, 1873, aged thirty-nine years, nine months.

Betsy (Varney) Jones, died in Milton, February 28, 1878, aged forty-one years.

Mother-in-law Elizabeth W. “Betsy” (Cloutman) Varney died in Milton, March 18, 1879.

Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged twenty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his siblings, Nellie V. Jones, keeping house, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Charles D. Jones, at school, aged sixteen years (b. NH). They shared their residence with the household of James W. Nutter, a farmer, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and his wife, Ruth V. [(Varney)] Nutter, a housekeeper, aged forty-nine years (b. NH). (The Jones Farm is now a part of the NH Farm Museum).

Son Fred P. Jones married in Lebanon, ME, November 20, 1881, Emma Jane Cowell, he of Milton and she of Lebanon. He was a farmer, aged twenty-two years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-two years. Rev. Benjamin Dodge performed the ceremony.  She was born in Lebanon, ME, August 27, 1859, daughter of Edmund E. and Elizabeth J. (Chamberlain) (Hussey)) Cowell. (Emma’s mother and brother were affiliated with Milton’s Classical Institute).

(The known children of Fred P. and Emma J. (Cowell) Jones were: Charles Jones (1885–1956), Robert Edmond Jones (1887–1954), Philip Cowell Jones (1891–1977), Elizabeth Jones (1894–1975), Alice Varney Jones (1896–1958), and Marjorie Jones (1899–1900)).

Son Fred P. Jones was installed as Guide of the Teneriffe Lodge’s United Endowment League, January 14, 1890. His brother, Charles D. Jones, was installed as both sentinel and medical examiner.

MILTON. Teneriffe Lodge, No. 5, United Endowment League, was successfully launched on its career Tuesday evening, January 14, by Supreme Organizer, Benjamin Holt of Lowell, Mass., and an efficient corps of assistants. The following list of officers was publicly installed for the term ending Dec. 31: President, Henry R. Johnson; vice president, John W. Avery; counsellor, A.C. Willey; secretary, Irving W. Tuttle; financial secretary, Harry L. Avery; treasurer, Hattie L. Pinkham; chaplain, Rev. G. Frank Durgin; guide, F.P. Jones; sentinel, Charles D. Jones, M.D.; medical examiner, Charles D. Jones, M.D.; guard, Hazen Plummer; trustees, Charles E. Lord, J.D. Willey, S.M. Bragden. This new comer among the fraternal orders of Milton has our best wishes (Farmington News, January 31, 1890).

(A United Endowment League was “one of a number of short-term endowment benefit fraternals that were popular in the 1880s and 1890s and then went bankrupt”).

MILTON. Miss Nellie Jones, who has been teaching in Clinton, Conn., has returned on a vacation (Farmington News, July 4, 1890).

Daughter Nellie V. Jones moved across country to Oakland, CA, in 1891, where she worked as a private school teacher, assistant principal, and, ultimately, a principal. (She would be teaching Latin at Miss [Sarah W.] Horton’s School in 1901 (Oakland Tribune, August 12, 1901)).

The Milton Selectmen of 1891 were O.F. Marsh, L.F. Corson, and F.P. Jones. The Milton Selectmen of 1892 were F.P. Jones, C.W. Gross, and W.T. Wallace.

MILTON. Lewis W. Nute grange organized Friday night, twenty-six members, by Frank P. Wentworth of Rochester. Officers elected and installed: B.B. Plummer, master; Fred P. Jones, overseer; C.A. Jones, secretary; Dr. M.A.H. Hart, treasurer; W.K. Norton, lecturer; Miss F.A. Ober, assistant lecturer; Miss Birdie B. Harte, chaplain; S.E. Twombly, steward; R.H. Shaw, assistant steward; Miss Sarah L. Benson, lady assistant steward; Mrs. B.B. Plummer, Ceres; Mrs. W.K. Norton, Pomona; Miss Minnie Woodman, Flora; L.C. Hayes, gatekeeper (Farmington News, December 23, 1892).

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS. DEEDS. TUESDAY, July 11. George H. Wilson to Nellie V. Jones, lot on the west line of Chestnut street, 100 feet south from Thirty-fourth, west 27 by south 50, block 676, Oakland; $1000 (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), July 11, 1893).

RURAL HEALTH RETREAT. ST. HELENA, June 8. – The following is a list of the guests from San Francisco and Oakland at the Rural Health Retreat: … From Oakland – Mrs. Eugene Frisbie, Mrs. Sperl, Mary Burnham, Charlotte F. Center, Nellie V. Jones, A.J. Osborne, H. Saxtorph, wife and daughter, Mrs. J.C. Ainsworth and daughter, Miss Freddie Stevens. Mrs. Frank Saxby, Percy W. Lewis (San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA), June 9, 1894).

Daughter Miss Nellie V. Jones, and her fellow teachers, Miss Sarah W. Horton, and Miss Mary M. Burnham, were members of the Oakland Whist Club when it convened for an informal reception on the evening of January 23, 1895 (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), January 23, 1895).

MILTON NEWS LETTER. … The pupils of Mrs. Fred P. Jones gave a piano recital in the Free Baptist church last Saturday afternoon, assisted by B.O. Danforth, an accomplished vocalist of Cambridge, Mass. The entire program was finely rendered and the two songs by Mr. Danforth were a rare treat to all lovers of vocal music. Among well-known guests present were Hon. Charles S. Whitehouse, Mrs. Charles Brown, Mrs. Fannie H. McDuffee, J. Edgar McDuffee, of Rochester; Mrs. and Miss Shapleigh of Lebanon, with the Ole Bull carriages, and parties from Union and Dover. Miss Prescott of Milton Mills, Miss Annie Kimball, Master Mark Dickey, Miss Mamie Marshall, and Miss Moulton of Boston were among those whose talent was specially notable (Farmington News, June 11, 1897).

MILTON. Mrs. Fred P. Jones gave a pupil’s piano recital at the A.O.U.W. hall Monday evening, assisted by Mrs. J.G. Coffin, soprano, of Rochester, and Miss Annie Kimball, violinist. The recital was in every way a complete success. All the music selected was of the best. Mrs. Coffin was a pupil of Mrs. Dexter and sang two songs, each receiving a hearty encore. All who listened to Mrs. Coffin would gladly listen again. Miss Kimball played two selections, “La Sonnambula,” arranged by Singeler, and “Polonaise,” by Allen. Both selections were rendered in a manner very pleasing to the audience, and highly gratifying to her friends. Miss Kimball has had excellent teaching from the first and is now studying with Prof. Gibson of Henniker. Her violin is a Duke, which she was fortunate enough to obtain through Mr. Gibson and which is a great help to success in playing (Farmington News, March 11, 1898).

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL. Miss Nellie V. Jones will leave for Europe shortly where she will remain for about six months (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), December 13, 1898).

Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eighteen years), Emma [(Cowell)] Jones, aged forty years (b. ME), and his children, Charles Jones, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Robert Jones, aged twelve years (b. NH), Phillip Jones, aged eight years (b. NH), Elizabeth Jones, aged five years (b. NH), and Alice Jones, aged three years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm, free-and-clear. Emma Jones was the mother of five children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Walt L. Sanborn, a farmer, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH).

Richard M. Anthony, real estate & insurance, aged fifty-nine years (b. MA), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-three years), Lucy [(Horton)] Anthony, aged fifty years (b. MA), his sister-in-law, Sarah W. Horton, a school principal, aged fifty-four years (b. MA), his roomers, May B. Graham, at college, aged twenty-three years (b. IL), Nellie B. Jones, a school teacher, aged thirty-five [thirty-eight years] years (b. NH), Charlotte F. Center, a school teacher, aged thirty years (b. MA), Maude R. Bishop, in school, aged eight years (b. CA), and his servant, Jessie Ford, a servant, aged thirty years (b. Scotland). Richard M. Anthony owned their house at 964 Eighteenth Street, free-and-clear. Lucy Anthony was the mother of no children.

Charles D. Jones, a dry & fancy goods store [-keeper], aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifteen years), Pauline [(Hart)] Jones, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), his children, Katharine Jones, at school, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Levi Jones, at school, aged nine years (b. NH), Russell Jones, at school, aged six years (b. NH), and Varney Jones, aged nine months (b. NH), and his servant, Annabel Harvey, a housemaid, aged sixteen years (b. NH). Charles D. Jones owned their house, free-and-clear. Pauline Jones was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living.

LOCAL. Mrs. Fred P. Jones gave a fine musical entertainment in A.O.U.W. hall in that town on Monday evening, May 27. Mrs. Grace Coffin and J.G. Coffin of Rochester with B.O. Danforth of West Lebanon (formerly of Cambridge) assisted as vocalist; Miss Annie Kimball, violinist; W.H. Willey, cornetist; Mark Dickey, pianist (Farmington News, May 31, 1901).

Grandson Charles Jones attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA, in September 1901. He had graduated already from Nute High School.

MILTON. Charles Jones, eldest son of Fred P. and Emma Cornell [Cowell] Jones of Plummers Ridge and Annie Blanche Kimball of this village went to Ashburnham, Mass., Monday, to attend Cushing Academy under the instruction of Prof. H.S. Cowell. Mr. Jones is a graduate of the Nute High school and expects to spend some of his time in tutoring. Miss Kimball will continue the study of music with Prof. Whitcomb of Fitchburg, Mass. (Farmington News, September 13, 1901).

WEST LEBANON. Mrs. E.J. Cowell is at Milton with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Jones, for a few days (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 17, 1902).

WEST LEBANON. Mrs. E.J. Cowell, who has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Emma Jones of Milton, N.H., has returned to her home (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 17, 1905).

MILTON, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Cowell of Denver, Col., Prof. and Mrs. H.S. Cowell of Ashburnham, Mass., and Miss Maud Brackett of Washington, D.C., were guests of Mrs. Fred P. Jones one day last week (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 10, 1906).

MILTON MILLS, N.H. At the school meeting Fred P. Jones was elected on the school board in place of Frank Horne whose term expired. It was yoted to make the necessary appropriation to continue with Wakefield the present efficient school superintendent Channing T. Sanborn (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 22, 1907).

MILTON, N.H. The Plummer Ridge circle met with Mrs. Fred P. Jones this week (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 24, 1907).

MILTON, N.H. Fred P. Jones has purchased a portable steam saw mill and has begun sawing off the timber on the lot which he has recently sold (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 22, 1907).

UNION. The Eastern New Hampshire Pomona grange held their regular meeting with Reunion grange, of Middleton, June 11th, a large number being present from the different granges. A closed session was called at 11 a.m. and the filth degree was conferred on seven candidates. A dinner was served to about one hundred and fifty, after which a very interesting program was listened to in the church. Mrs. Emma Jones, of Lewis W. Nute grange, Milton, gave a fine essay on charity. An address was also given by State Lecturer Richard Pattee, and an address by Frank R. Marston, of Henry Wilson grange, Farmington (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 26, 1908).

Son Charles D. Jones died of typhoid fever in Milton, July 2, 1908, aged forty-four years, nine months, and ten days.

MILTON. Robert E. Jones is home on a short vacation. Miss Elsye Wallace of Rochester visited Mrs. Emma Jones last Sunday and gave an excellent vocal solo in the Congregational church in the morning. Miss Wallace’s singing is very popular in Milton (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 19, 1909).

Daughter-in-law Pauline E. “Lena” (Hart) Jones died of pneumonia (with pulmonary tuberculosis as a secondary cause) in Milton Mills, February 12, 1910, aged forty-four years, and three days.

Fred P. Jones, a farmer (general farm), aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-eight years), Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged fifty years (b. ME), his children, Robert E. Jones, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), Philip C. Jones, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Elisabeth J. Jones, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Allice V. Jones, aged thirteen years (b. NH), and his servant, Henry M. Bowens, a farm laborer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm, free-and-clear. Emma C. Jones was the mother of six children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John M. Nutter, a farmer (general farm), aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and George B. Quint, an ice house laborer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).

Chas. L. Goddard, a dentist, aged fifty years (b. WI), headed a Santa Barbara, CA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty years), Louise B. Goddard, aged forty-six years (b. ME), his children, Malcolm L. Goddard, at school, aged sixteen years (b. CA), and Florence, at school, aged fourteen years (b. CA), his cousin, Eleanor M. Brown, aged seventeen years (b. IL), his lodgers, Nellie V. Jones, a teacher, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), Charlotte S. Center, a teacher, aged thirty-four years (b. MA), Mary M. Burnham, a teacher, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), Adelaide Hoyt, at school, aged thirteen years (b. CA), and his servant, Mary O’Brien, a house servant, aged twenty-five years (b. Ireland). Chas. L. Goddard rented their house at 155 Splay East.

In 1910 son Fred P. Jones was paid $5 for his services as fire warden. Fred P. Jones, fire warden, and eighty-eight others, were paid $88 in total ($1 each) for fighting a forest fire “below Farmington Road,” on April 17, 1910.

Son Fred P. Jones, Union P.O. (Telephone 41-15) was State Forest Fire Warden for Milton in 1911-12, 1913-14, and 1915-16. Jones’ Forest Fire Deputies were Fred B. Roberts, Milton P.O. (Telephone 23-2); H.R. Jewett, Sanbornville P.O. (Telephone 9-4); Isaac L. Lord, Union P.O. (Telephone 6-21); and F. Leroy Tripp, Farmington P.O. (Telephone 42-15) (NH Forestry Commission, 1912; NH Forestry Commission, 1914; NH Forestry Commission, 1916).

The Milton School Board of 1912 was M.A.H. Hart, Fred P. Jones, and Joseph Boyd. The School Board Treasurer was E.F. Fox.

The New Hampshire College football team elected grandson Philip Cowell Jones of Milton as its team captain for 1912. (Gov. Fred H. Downs had the college’s name changed to University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 1923). (See Milton in the News – 1911).

Daughter-in-law Emma C. (Cowell) Jones was appointed to the Reception Committee of the Milton Congregational Church in June 1913.

MILTON, N.H. The annual meeting and roll call of the Congregational church was held last Saturday afternoon and a large number was present. A most enjoyable dinner was prepared by the ladies of the church which was fully enjoyed by all. After an hour was spent in the discussing of the good things spread on the table, the members of the church for the election of the officers for the ensuing year and to listen to the reports from church officers. The report of the clerk showed a loss of two members by death the past year, George W. Tasker and Samuel Chamberlain, who had been Deacon of the church for over 53 years. Six members had been dismissed by letter to other churches. Three persons were elected to church membership to receive the hand of fellowship on Sunday. James M. Gage was elected as Deacon and Mrs. Emma Looney as clerk in place of Mrs. A.M. Roberts, who is in California. J.M. Gage was chosen as treasurer. The committees are Standing Committee, Rev. Clarence Pike, R.M. Kimball, Frank Dawson, Jr., Mrs. Chipman, and Mrs. J.B. Hart; Music, Mrs. Ella Hart, Mrs. Bertha Chipman and Mrs. Frank Dawson; Reception, Mrs. R.A. McIntosh, Mrs. Sarah Miller, Mrs. Fred P. Jones and Mrs. Ella Hart; Visiting Committee, Mrs. Ella Hart, Mrs. Lizzie Plummer, Mrs. C.L. Clements, and Mrs. Clara Corson. Letters were read from many who were unable to be present (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 13, 1913).

MILTON. Miss Elsye Wallace, of Boston, gave a song recital at A.O.U.W. hall last Thursday night; she was assisted by her sister, [and] Mrs. Fred P. Jones, and Miss Edith Whitehouse presided at the piano (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 13, 1913).

Grandson Robert Edmond Jones left the United States, June 25, 1913, arriving in Berlin, Germany, September 15, 1913, where he was engaged in “studying paintings.” His local address was Goethestr 69, i.e., 69 Goethe Strasse [Street], and the person to be informed in case of death or accident was F.P. Jones of Milton, N.H. He registered with the American consulate in Berlin, Germany, February 18, 1914.

Fred P. Jones, an owner (lumberman), aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged sixty years (b. ME), and his children, Charles Jones, Y.M.C.A. physical director, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), Robert E. Jones, a theater costumes designer, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Elizabeth Jones, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Alice V. Jones, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm on the Plummers Ridge Road, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles E. Perkins, a teamster (lumberman), aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH).

Richard Anthony, a real estate proprietor, aged seventy-nine years (b. MA), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household include his wife, Lucy [(Horton)] Anthony, aged seventy years (b. MA), his sister-in-law, Sarah Horton, a private school principal, aged seventy-five years (b. MA), and his lodgers, Nellie Jones, a private school teacher, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), Charlotte Center, a private school teacher, aged fifty-two years (b. MA), and Mary Burnham, a private school teacher, aged fifty-three years (b. MA). Richard Anthony owned their house 964 18th Street, free-and-clear.

Miss Sarah W. Horton (1844-1920), founder and principal of the Horton School, died in Oakland, CA, January 26, 1920, aged seventy-five years. Her assistant principals, Nellie V. Jones (1861-1925) and Charlotte F. Center (1867-1945), would continue the school as co-principals.

GUESTS AT FALLEN LEAF LAKE. Miss Nellie V. Jones and Miss Charlotte F. Center, of the Horton school staff, have gone to Fallen Leaf Lake for a month (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), July 19, 1922).

CALIFORNIA. The Horton School, Perkins and Palm Sts., Oakland, was established as a day school in 1884 by Miss Sarah W. Horton, who conducted it until her death in 1920. It is now continued by Nellie V. Jones and Charlotte F. Center as joint principals. It provides instruction from kindergarten through college preparation (Sargent, 1923).

Daughter Nellie V. Jones died in Oakland, Alameda, CA, August 28, 1925. (Her co-principal, Charlotte F. Center, would run the Horton School alone for a year, before taking on Louise S. Edgar as her co-principal).

PRINCIPAL OF SCHOOL DIES. Miss Nellie Varney Jones, principal of the Horton School of Oakland, died this morning following a brief illness. Stricken on Sunday, her sickness was not regarded as serious until a few hours before her death. Funeral services will be held tomorrow from her home, 964 Eighteenth street. Miss Jones was anticipating the opening of the fall semester of the Horton School next Tuesday. She will be succeeded in the principalship by Miss Charlotte Center, associate principal, who came to California with Miss Jones in 1891, becoming a member of the Horton School faculty. Born in New Hampshire, Miss Jones finished her training in education in the Framington [Framingham] Normal School of Massachusetts. She became a teacher in the Horton School upon her arrival on the coast in 1891, and succeeded to the principalship in 1920 upon the death of its founder, Miss Sarah Horton. Miss Jones was widely known throughout educational circles on the coast. She had long been active in the Head Mistress Association of the Pacific Coast, comprised of private schools accredited to the state universities. She had held the office of state treasurer (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), August 28, 1925).

Fred P. Jones, a farmer (general farming), aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-eight years), Cowell Jones, aged seventy years (b. ME), and his daughter, Elizabeth Jones, a poultryman (poultry farm), aged thirty-five years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their house on Plummers Ridge, which was valued at $5,000. They had a radio set. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Frank Ramsey, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer (general farming), aged fifty-two years (b. NH).

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Plummer Jones will be at home Friday, November the twentieth, Nineteen hundred and thirty-one, Plummer’s Ridge, Milton, New Hampshire, from three to six, to celebrate their Golden Wedding.

Fred P. Jones, aged eighty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged eighty years (b. ME), Elizabeth Jones, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Alice B. Jones, aged forty-four years (b. NH). They had all resided in the same house in 1935, except Alice B. Jones who had resided in NY in 1935.

Daughter-in-law Emma J. (Cowell) Jones died in Milton, April 13, 1941. Son Fred P. Jones died in Milton, November 10, 1941.

Rochester Locals. Private funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the home on Plummer’s Ridge in Milton for Fred P. Jones, 82, who died at the ancestral home late Monday night. He was born in Milton, the son of Charles and Betsy (Varney) Jones and was a lifelong resident of that community. He leaves three sons, Charles, Robert Edmund and Philip Cowell Jones and two daughters, Mrs. [Miss] Alice M. Varney [Jones] and Miss Elizabeth Jones. Burial was in the family lot on the Jones property (Portsmouth Herald, November 13, 1941).

References:

Find a Grave. (2021, November 1). Charles Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233615967/charles-dana-jones

Find a Grave. (2021, August 9). Charles D. Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230522846/charles-d-jones

Find a Grave. (2021, November 4). Fred P. Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233699063/fred-p-jones

Find a Grave. (2017, October 24). Levi Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/184574201/levi-jones

Find a Grave. (2021, November 8). Nellie V. Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233851065/nellie-v-jones

NH General Court. (1864). Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=xjotAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA5

By Muriel Bristol | April 9, 2023

Ichabod H. Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, December 14, 1795, son of Ichabod and Keziah (Cook) Wentworth.

Ichabod H. Wentworth served in Long’s Command during the War of 1812. Major Edward Jennings Long (1771-1824) of Portsmouth, NH, was in charge of a NH militia artillery detachment, between October 5, 1814, and November 22, 1814. (See also Milton in the War of 1812).

Ichabod H. Wentworth married in Rochester, NH, December 18, 1817, Peace Varney, both of Milton. She was born in Dover, NH, in October 1794, daughter of Aaron and Annie (Clements) Varney.

(The children of Ichabod H. and Peace (Varney) Wentworth were Hiram Varney Wentworth (1818-1890), and Eli Wentworth (1821-1863)).

Father-in-law Aaron Varney died in Milton, February 3, 1818. Mother-in-law Annie (Clements) Varney died in Milton, in 1818.

Son Hiram Varney Wentworth was born in Milton (or Rochester), November 12, 1818. He was a namesake for his maternal uncle, Hiram Varney (1804-1855).

I.H. Wentworth and his father, Ichabod Wentworth, signed the Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820 and Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance – June 1820).

Son Eli Wentworth was born in Milton, February 19, 1821.

The Milton Selectmen of 1824 were H. Hayes, H. Meserve, and I.H. Wentworth. The Milton Selectmen of 1825 were Jas. Hayes, Jr., I.H. Wentworth, and Thos. Chapman.

The Milton Selectmen of 1828 were Stephen Drew, W.B. Wiggin, and I.H. Wentworth.

Ichd H. Wentworth 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 30-39 years [Peace (Varney) Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years [Hiram V. Wentworth], and one male aged 5-9 years [Eli Wentworth]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jona Hurd, and Ichd Wentworth.

Mother Keziah (Cook) Wentworth died in Milton, April 4, 1833. Father Ichabod Wentworth died in Milton, April 16, 1834.

Ichabod H. Wentworth headed a Milton 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 [Peace (Varney) Wentworth], one male aged 20-29 years [Hiram V. Wentworth], one male aged 15-19 years [Eli Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years, and one male aged 5-9 years. Four members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Plumer, Jr., and William Wentworth.

Son Hiram V. Wentworth married, circa 1842, Mary Jane Nute. She was born Milton, circa July 1820, daughter of John C. and Sarah A. (Varney) Nute.

Son Eli Wentworth married in Milton, July 23, 1843, Mehitable Jane “Jane” Howe, both of Milton. She was born in Milton, in 1822, daughter of Jonathan and Mehitable (Twombly) Howe. Jacob Davis performed the ceremony.

The Milton Selectmen of 1843 were Jas. Hayes, Jr., I.H. Wentworth, and Asa Fox. The Milton Selectmen of 1844 were Jas. Hayes, Jr., Asa Fox, and I.H. Wentworth. The Milton Selectmen of 1845 were Asa Fox, I.H. Wentworth, and David Wallingford.

Ichabod H. Wentworth received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 6, 1846. Joseph Pearl and Robert Mathes received their appointments to that office on the same day.

Milton sent Ichabod H. Wentworth to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative in 1846 and 1847. He served on the Unfinished Business Committee.

Rep. [Dr.] Nathaniel Low (1792-1883) of Dover, NH, drafted several preambles to a so-named “Personal Liberty” bill. It opposed slavery and its extension into new territories. But, beyond what was usually said on these issues, it contained a novel argument that slave labor constituted unfair competition against the free labor of northern farmers.

Whereas the interests of New-Hampshire have been opposed, disregarded and compromised in reference to that policy which opens to the farmer a near and ready market for his produce, stimulates enterprise, rewards industry, develops skill, employs labor and fills the land with a thriving and happy population, and
Whereas the feelings and principles of her citizens on the great questions of human liberty and human rights have been so perversely misrepresented as to make them seemingly the advocates and champions of slavery; and
Because the eagerness for territorial acquisition, in order to multiply new states, with forms of government making slavery perpetual, evinces a conspiracy to extend the hateful institution, to protect and confirm it by additional ties and fresh securities; whereby the expectation of the friends of liberty, who believed that, under the beneficent influence of our compact and form of Union, the foul blot of slavery would, at no distant period, be effaced our national escutcheon, have been grievously disappointed: Therefore,
Resolved, That pending the choice of an individual to represent to this state in the Congress of the United States, it is expedient to declare, that the policy of protecting American free labor against unfair competition with the cheaper labor of other nations ought to be sustained; and as every man is born free and has an equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we do
Further solemnly disclaim, in behalf of the people of New-Hampshire, all sympathy with that odious system of oppression which robs him of these inestimable blessings, and asserts the doctrine that one man may rightfully hold and use another as property; such abominable principles being at war with the inalienable rights of man, abhorrent to every feeling of humanity, and to every dictate of religion and morality (NH General Court, 1846).

On June 9, 1846, Rep. Wentworth of Milton voted with the 160 representatives [70.2%] that voted in favor of this preamble to the so-named “Personal Liberty” bill, as opposed to the 68 representatives [29.8%] that voted against it.

On June 18, 1846, Rep. Wentworth presented the petition of Thomas Y. Wentworth (1798-1866), which sought to join a part of West Milton to neighboring Farmington, NH. The Committee on Towns and Parishes, to which the petition had been referred, postponed consideration until the next legislative session.

Mr. Wentworth presented the petition of T.Y. Wentworth and others, to disannex a portion of land in the town of Milton, and annex the same to the town of Farmington (NH General Court, 1846).

Rep. Wentworth of Milton voted with the 173 representatives [72.4%] that voted in favor of postponing the Northern Extension and Connecticut River Valley Railroad bill, as opposed to the 66 representatives [27.6%] that voted against postponing it.

Ichabod H. Wentworth, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Peace Wentworth, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and Nathan Nutter, a shoemaker, aged thirty years (b. NH). Ichabod H. Wentworth had real estate valued at $3,500. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Asa M. Durell, a farmer, aged eighty-one years (b. ME), Eli Wentworth, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and Hiram B. Wentworth, a shoe manufacturer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), in a three-family residence on one side, and, on the other side, Hiram Gerrish, a farmer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH).

Ichabod H. Wentworth received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 27, 1851. Joseph Pearl and Robert Mathes received their renewals on the same day.

Justices of the Peace. MILTON – Stephen Drew, John L. Swinerton, Joseph Cook, John J. Plummer, Daniel Hayes, jr., Daniel P. Warren, James Berry, Ichabod H. Wentworth, Joseph Pearl, Robert Mathes, Èlias S. Cook, David Wallingford, John E. Goodwin, Charles C. Hayes, Jas. Jewett, Thos. Y. Wentworth, Asa Fox, James Connor, Eli Wentworth (Lyon, 1854).

Brother-in-law Hiram Varney died in West Milton, September 8, 1855.

Ichabod H. Wentworth received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 24, 1856. Joseph Pearl and Robert Mathes received their renewals on the same day.

Ichabod H. Wentworth, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Peace Wentworth, aged sixty-four years (b. NH). His household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Jones, a shoemaker, aged twenty-six years (b. ME), and Alfred Tuttle, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH).

Ichabod H. Wentworth was an incorporator of the First Christian Society of Milton, when the NH Legislature authorized it in June 1860. (This was the Christian Church of which Daniel B. Goodwin (1811-1888) would be the Elder).

CHAPTER 2429. AN ACT to incorporate the First Christian Society in Milton. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
SECTION 1. That Ichabod H. Wentworth, Joseph Cook, Isaac C. Young, Jonathan Howe, and Joseph Goodwin, and other proprietors and pew-holders in the Union Christian Chapel in Milton, their associates, successors, and assigns, be, and are hereby incorporated and made a body politic and corporate, under the name of the First Christian Society in Milton, with all the powers and privileges necessary and proper for effecting the object of their incorporation, and are authorized to ordain and establish such by-laws and regulations not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State, as they may think proper, for the election and government of the officers and members, and the management of the property of said society.
SEC. 2. Said society may take, hold, and possess by purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise, any real and personal property to the amount of three thousand dollars, the major part whereof being now invested in the meeting-house now occupied by the First Christian Society (so called) in Milton, with the land upon which the same is situated, for the purpose of maintaining a house of public worship, and other buildings connected therewith, and for the support of public worship therein. … (NH Secretary of State, 1860).

Son Eli Wentworth died of a fever at Snyder’s Bluff, Milldale, MS, July 18, 1863, aged forty-two years, six months. (He was a quartermaster in the U.S. Army). The Army death register had him as Lt. Eli Wentworth, a member of the Sixth NH Volunteer Regiment, which was then in the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps. The Sixth NH Volunteer Regiment’s assistant surgeon, F.N. Gibson, recorded his death, from Feb. [Febrile] Typhoid.

Ichabod H. Wentworth, a farm laborer, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Peace Wentworth, keeping house, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), and Martha Hayes, aged seventy-six years (b. NH). Ichabod H. Wentworth had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $2,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Luther Hayes, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), and James H. Tibbetts, works for shoe factory, aged twenty-five years (b. ME).

Ichabod H. Wentworth made his will, presumably in Milton, October 28, 1871. He devised $200 and an undivided share in West Milton land to his son, Hiram V. Wentworth; $50 to Mary J. [(Nute)] Wentworth; $50 to Mehitable J. [(Howe)] Wentworth; $10 to Clara M. [(Wentworth)] Burley, wife of Daniel S. Burley; a life estate in all notes, bonds, money, and personal property to his wife, Peace [(Varney)] Wentworth; and, after her decease, the household furniture to Mary J. [(Nute)] Wentworth and Mehitable J. [(Howe)] Wentworth. He devised the remaining undivided share in the West Milton land to his grandsons, Henry H. Wentworth and Charles W. Wentworth, as well as any rest and residue not devised. (The land was bounded north by land of H.H. Pinkham, west by land of Joseph Horn, south by land of Joseph Barker, and east by land of David Furbush). John F. Hart, Ira S. Knox, and Ezra H. Twombly signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 83:99).

Daughter-in-law Mary J. (Nute) Wentworth died in Milton, May 13, 1872, aged fifty-one years, ten months.

Ichabod H. Wentworth died of paralysis and fever in Milton, July 19, 1872, aged seventy-six years, seven months. He was a farmer. His last will was proved at Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, in August 1872 (Strafford County Probate, 83:101).

Peace (Varney) Wentworth died of catarrh and age in Milton, August 14, 1873, aged seventy-six years, ten months. She was a widow.

Son Hiram V. Wentworth died in Milton, September 12, 1890, aged seventy-one years, ten months, and seventeen days. C.D. Jones, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Daughter-in-law Mehitable Jane (Howe) Wentworth died in Milton, April 30, 1895, aged seventy-two years.

References:

Find a Grave. (2011, December 31). Aaron Varney. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/82754067/aaron-varney

Find a Grave. (2011, December 31). Ichabod Wentworth. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/82754387/ichabod-wentworth

Lyon, G. Parker. (1854). New-Hampshire Annual Register, and United States Calendar. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=W0A4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA60

NH General Court. (1846). Journal of the Senate of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=Li4TAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA5

NH General Court. (1847). Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=wcdHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA4

NH Secretary of State (1860). Laws of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=_pVGAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA2325

By Muriel Bristol | April 2, 2023

Robert Mathes, Jr., was born in Milton, June 15, 1812, son of Robert and Sally (Jones) Mathes.

Mother Sally (Jones) Mathes died in Milton, August 22, 1822.

Robert Mathes headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years, two male aged 15-19 years [Robert Mathes, Jr., and Joseph Mathes], and one female aged 10-14 years [Sarah Mathes]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of D.M. Plummer and John Palmer.

Robert Mathes married in Dover, NH, June 3, 1838, Mary Fogg Moulton. She was born in Milton, May 8, 1817, daughter of Captain Josiah and Mary (Watson) Moulton.

(The known children of Robert, Jr., and Mary F. (Moulton) Mathes were Clara M. Mathes (1839-1931), Albert O. Mathes (1842-1907), Dana H. Mathes (1852-1924), and Aimee E. Mathes (1868-1880)).

Daughter Clara M. Mathes was born in Milton, in July 1839.

Robert Mathes [Jr.] headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Mary F. (Moulton) Mathes], one male aged 15-19 years, and one female aged under-5 years [Clara M. Mathes]. Two members of his household were engaged in Commerce. His household appeared between those of Jane Ellis and Benjamon G. Willey.

Sarah Mathes headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 40-49 years [herself], one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, and one female aged 10-14 years. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hopley Meserve and Daniel Goodwin.

Robert Mathes was the Milton Town Clerk in the years 1841-1851. He was preceded in that office by James M. Twombly and followed by Daniel E. Palmer.

Son Albert Orlando Mathes was born in Milton, July 21, 1842.

Robert Mathes received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, July 6, 1846. (Joseph Pearl and Ichabod H. Wentworth received appointments that same day).

Milton sent Robert Mathes to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative in 1850.

Late on the evening of what would become the all-night session of Friday, July 12, 1850, several representatives sought to table or otherwise delay several anti-slavery resolutions rather than have to deal with them. The resolutions were intended in part to direct New Hampshire’s U.S. Senators and Representatives.

Rep. Uri Lamprey (1809-1881) of Hampton, NH, led those trying to bypass, table, adjourn or otherwise dispose of those resolutions; Rep. Charles H. Butters (1818-1860) of Pittsfield, NH, led those determined to vote on the resolutions.

Mr. Butters moved that the resolutions be referred to the committee on Unfinished Business. Mr. Lamprey moved that the resolutions be laid upon the table. Mr. Butters moved that the House do now take a recess of thirty minutes until twelve o clock. The question being put upon agreeing to the motion. It was decided in the affirmative. So the House took a recess of thirty minutes.

Both sides likely used the recess to consult with their supporters. When the House returned from its recess,

The House proceeded to the consideration of the un-finished business upon the motion of Mr. Lamprey that the resolutions relating to slavery be laid upon the table. The question being put upon agreeing to the motion, It was decided in the negative. So the House refused to lay the resolutions upon the table.
The question recurring, Shall the resolutions be referred to the committee on Un-finished Business. It was decided in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Butters –  Resolved, That when the House adjourn, it adjourn to meet at four o clock the present morning. Mr. Burnham moved that the House do now adjourn. The question being put upon agreeing to the motion, It was decided in the negative. So the House refused to adjourn.
Mr. Butters moved that the further consideration of the resolutions be postponed to the next session of the legislature. On this question Mr. Butters demanded the yeas and nays.

Fifty-nine representatives [39.3%] voted to postpone the anti-slavery resolutions to another session, while ninety-one representatives [60.7%], including Rep. Robert Mathes, voted not to postpone them. After a second recess, until 4 AM, the anti-slavery resolutions passed.

Robert Mathes, a trader, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathes, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), Clara M. Mathes, aged ten years (b. NH), Albert O. Mathes, aged seven years (b. NH), Edwin Cowell, a clerk, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and Abby D. Moulton, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH). Robert Mathes had real estate valued at $6,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA) and Joseph Mathes, a carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).

Robert Mathes received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, June 27, 1851. (Joseph Pearl and Ichabod H. Wentworth received renewals that same day).

Son Dana Homer Mathes was born in Milton, December 18, 1852.

Robert Mathes received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, June 24, 1856.

MILTON. Justice, State, John E. Goodwin. Justice, Quorum. Eli Wentworth. Justices, John L. Swinerton, Daniel P. Warren, Joseph Pearl, Robert Mathes, Elias S. Cook, David Wallingford, Charles C. Hayes, Thomas Y. Wentworth, Asa Fox, Daniel E. Palmer, Joseph Plumer, Luther Hayes, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Elbridge W. Fox, Charles Jones (Farmer, 1860).

Robert Mathes, a house carpenter, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary [(Moulton)] Mathes, aged forty-three years (b. NH), Clara M. Mathes, aged twenty years (b. NH), Albert O. Mathes, a house carpenter, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Dana H. Mathes, aged seven years (b. NH). Robert Mathes had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $1,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel A. Kimball, a shoemaker, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and Henry Downs, a farm laborer, aged forty years (b. NH).

Robert Mathes received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, June 15, 1861.

Daughter Clara M. Mathes married in Milton, November 1, 1863, Amos M. Roberts. He was born in Dover, NH, June 7, 1835, son of James C. and Lydia (Scates) Roberts.

Robert Mathes, a farm laborer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathes, keeping house, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), and Frank W. Dearborn, a shoebox maker, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Robert Mathes has real estate valued at $4,000 and personal estate valued at $350. They shared a two-family residence with the family of John L. Roberts, works in shoe factory, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John F. Hart, works in shoe factory, aged forty-one years (b. NH), and John O. Hayes, a stone mason, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).

Amos M. Roberts, works in shoe factory, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, aged thirty years (b. NH). Amos M. Roberts had personal property valued at $300. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John O. Hayes, a stonemason, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Ira S. Knox, works for shoe factory, aged forty years (b. ME).

Norton Scates, a laborer, aged eighty-one years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Hannah [(Cook)] Scates, keeping house, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and Albert Mathes, a clerk in savings bank, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH). Norton Scates had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $500.

Charles K. Chase, retail dry goods, aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Gonic P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Ellen M. [(Burleigh)] Chase, keeping house, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), Charles S. Chase, at home, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Gracie M.J. Chase, aged ten years (b. NH), Henry W Chase, aged one years (b. NH), Dana Mathes, clerk in DG [dry goods] store, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and Charity Nutter, a domestic servant, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH).

MILTON – Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George W. Peavey, John S. Hersey, Geo. W. Tasker, E.W. Foss, M.V.B. Cook, Thos. H. Roberts, Henry H. Wentworth, John N. Simes, Larkin A. Lang (Claremont, 1871).

Robert Mathes was clerk of the Milton Congregational Church in 1875.

Son Albert O. Mathes appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1876, as a clerk at the savings bank for the county of Strafford, boarding at the American house. Son Dana H. Mathes (Mathes & Co.), appeared as a hatter, at 4 Morrill’s blk., boarding at the American house. Mathes & Co. (D.H. Mathes), hatter, appeared at 4 Morrill’s new block, Franklin Sqr. (American house was also in Franklin Sqr.).

Robert Mathis, a farmer, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3 Ponds Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathis, keeping house, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and his adopted daughter, Aimee E. Mathis, at school, aged eleven years (b. MA). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph H. Avery, an excelsior manufacturer, aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), and George Blake, a laborer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH).

Amos M. Roberts, works in shoe factory, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and his wife, Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, boarding, aged forty years (b. NH), were boarders in the Farmington, NH, household of Daniel P. Cilley, a clergyman, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census.

Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Bliss, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her granddaughter, Annie M. Bliss, at school, aged ten years (b. MA), and her boarders, Hannah E. [(Cook)] Scates, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), and Albert O. Mathes, a bank clerk, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). They resided on Portland Street. [This record has a substantial tear from top to bottom].

Adopted daughter Aimee E. Mathes died in Lebanon, ME, July 11, 1880. (She had been born June 1, 1868).

Son Albert O. Mathes married in Woburn, MA, December 15, 1880, Mary Josephine Drew, he of Dover, NH, and she of Woburn, MA. He was a bank teller, aged thirty-eight years, and she was aged thirty-three years. Rev. Daniel March performed the ceremony. She was born in Woburn, MA, October 21, 1847, daughter of Stephen W. and Mary Y. (Chase) Drew. (Her father was a son of Milton’s Dr. Stephen Drew (1791-1872)).

Son Dana H. Mathes married, in 1881, Mary Lord Merrill. She was born in Maine, August 16, 1860, daughter of Thomas L. and Elizabeth C. Merrill.

Rep. Asa A. Fox presented the petition of Robert Mathes and others, June 21, 1881, which sought authorization for a Dover & Winnipesaukee branch railroad line from Alton Bay to Laconia, NH.

PETITIONS, ETC., PRESENTED AND REFERRED. To Committee on Railroads. By Mr. Fox of Milton, the petition of Robert Mathes and forty-seven others, citizens of Milton, praying for legislation to authorize the Dover & Winnipiseogee Railroad to build a road from Alton Bay to Laconia, and a branch to Weirs Landing (NH General Court, 1881).

Robert Mathes was clerk of the Milton Congregational Church in 1888, of which Rev. Frank Haley was pastor.

Robert Mathes was clerk of the Milton Congregational Church in 1894, of which Rev. Myron P. Dickey was pastor.

Robert Mathes died of valvular heart disease in Milton, July 31, 1894, aged eighty-two years, one months, and sixteen days. William F. Wallace, M.D., signed the death certificate.

HERE AND THERE. Mr. Robert Mathes of Milton died on Tuesday evening at the age of eighty-two years. He was a notable figure of Milton and was one of the best-informed men in the county, concerning local history. He had a quick and correct memory, and was an extensive reader of the best authors of the past and present, enjoying also the conversation of bright people. He had been out of health a long time and suffered intensely at times. He was of colonial family and had may interesting recollections of former days at his tongue’s end, and possessed some prized relics of a time long past. Mr. Mathes leaves a widow, a daughter, Mrs. Amos M. Roberts, two sons, Albert O. Mathes of the Strafford bank at Dover, and Dana Mathes of Oakland, California, and two grand-daughters Miss Lura Mathes of Dover, and Miss Molly Mathes of California, besides a brother, Mr. Eben Mathes of Rochester, and hosts of friends (Farmington News, August 3, 1894).

Brother Ebenezer J. Mathes died in Rochester, NH, October 16, 1894.

HERE AND THERE. The many friends of the family of the late Mr. Robert Mathes of Milton will be glad to learn that Mrs. Mathes is recovering from a very serious recent illness (Farmington News, July 26, 1895).

PERSONAL. Mr. and Mrs. Amos M. Roberts of Milton and Mr. and Mrs. Albert O. Mathes of Dover, who recently enjoyed a two weeks’ drive in the White mountains, called on Farmington friends last Friday, on their way to Milton from The Weirs. Among their souvenirs of the trip were some very fine specimens of the closed gentian (Farmington News, September 24, 1897).

Amos M. Roberts, a storekeeper, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathes, a widow, aged eighty-three years (b. NH), his aunt, Abby D. Jones, a widow, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and his boarder, Thomas Kelly, a salesman in store, aged thirty-three years (b. MA). Amos M. Robert owned their house, free-and-clear. Mary F. Mathes was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Harry Amey, an attorney, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and Ira S. Knox, a day laborer, aged seventy years (b. ME).

Albert O. Mathes, a bank clerk, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of nineteen years), Mary J. [(Drew)] Mathes, aged fifty-two years (b. MA), and his daughter, Lura Mathes, at school, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Albert O. Mathes rented their house at 56 Silver Street. Mary J. Mathes was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.

Thomas L. Merrill, a clerk (water co.), aged sixty-four years (b. ME), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elizabeth C. Merrill, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), his son-in-law, Dana H. Mathes, a merchant (groceries), aged forty-six years (b. NH), his daughter, Mary L. [(Merrill)] Mathes, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), his granddaughter, Bernice Mathes, at school, aged eighteen years (b. CA), and his servant, Catherine M. Hainy, a servant, aged twenty-nine years (b. CA). Thomas L. Merrill rented their house at 1215 Brush Street.

Son Albert O. Mathes speculated in the stock market, first with his own money and then with money belonging the bank in which he was employed. The loss was discovered in May 1903.

OUT OF BANK’S HANDS. No Move Yet in Case of Treas. Mathes. State Won’t Act Immediately, Says Pres. Brown. Alleged Shortage Not Likely to Be Increased. DOVER, N.H., May 21 – No action has been taken as yet by the attorney general or by County Solicitor Scott regarding the Strafford savings bank case. At least, the alleged defaulting treasurer, Albert O. Mathes, has not been placed under arrest. Said Pres. Brown of the bank tonight: “The case is entirely out of the bank’s hands, so far as action against Mr. Mathes is concerned. The state authorities are left to do as they see fit in the matter. There is really no necessity for haste on their part. Mr. Mathes cannot get away. He is safe in Milton, and I do not, therefore, imagine the state will take immediate action” (Boston Globe, June 1, 1903).

(See Milton in the News – 1903 and Milton in the News – 1905 for further details).

MILTON, N.H. Dana H. Mathes, a visitor from California, tried his luck with skates for the first time in thirty-five years the other afternoon (Sanford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 9, 1906).

Son-in-law Amos M. Roberts died of exhaustion following intestinal obstruction in Milton, August 10, 1907, aged seventy-two years, two months, and three days. He was a grocer and lifelong [SIC] resident of Milton. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

IN MEMORIAM. AMOS MAIN ROBERTS. The several years spent by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts in Farmington cause it to be fitting that special note be made of the decease of the former in his native town of Milton, last Saturday, Aug 10, aged 72 years. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Clara Hatch of this town. In early life Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Clara Mathes of Milton, who is left to mourn a most kind and indulgent husband. Mr. Roberts, like his recently deceased brother, John S. Roberts of the New Durham Ridge road, was of splendid physique, and of imposing figure, His admirable traits of character won the true respect of all with whom he was associated, and he was sincerely beloved by his friends and the members of his family connection. He had a fine tenor voice which was lent freely during many years to the First church, and in other interests, in Milton. Having conducted a general store for the long period since he returned from Farmington to Milton, he was well known to later residents as well as to old friends, and was held by all in a hearty liking. One of the best of citizens, he leaves a vacancy that hardly can be filled. Interment, following the funeral service, the 12th, was made in the family grounds in the cemetery (Farmington News, August 16, 1907).

Son Albert O. Mathes died of cerebral apoplexy at 6 Cushing Street in Dover, NH, July 20, 1907, aged sixty-four years, ten months, and thirty days. He had resided in Dover, NH, for forty-four years, i.e., since circa 1863, with his previous residence having been in Milton. G.B. Morgan, M.D., signed the death certificate.

MR. MATHES. Farmington people, like those of other districts, became more or less well acquainted with Albert O. Mathes in the course of the thirty-five years of his connection with the Strafford Savings bank in Dover, and the residence in the village, of his sister in a period long past, added to the number of the circle of friends of the family. All of these had a sad interest in the news of his decease from hemorrhage of the brain, last Saturday morning, July 20. He would have been 65 years old on July 21. Mr. Mathes was born in Milton and was one of the two sons of Robert and Maty (Moulton) Mathes. He leaves his venerable mother, his sister, Mrs. Roberts of Milton, and a brother in Cal., and is survived also by his wife and daughter. He was a Free Mason, belonging to local organizations. The simple funeral was held Monday morning in Dover, Rev. G.E. Hall, D.D., the attending pastor, who conducted also the committal service in Milton at noon. Bearers were E.R. Brown, J.T.W. Ham, G.F. Piper, Dr. J.H. Twombly, the latter of Milton. Mr. Mathes was naturally of most warm and generous impulses, ever mindful of the kindnesses that add to the happiness of one’s surroundings. He was passionately fond of nature and knew the haunts of countless varieties of wild flowers. His knowledge of county people and both the present and past conditions of the state made him an instructive as well as a pleasing companion. Profound sympathy is felt for his family on this occasion (Farmington News, July 26, 1907).

Mary Fogg (Moulton) Mathes died of acute indigestion in Milton, September 8, 1907, aged ninety years, four months. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

LOCAL. The many Farmington friends of Mrs. Amos M. Roberts of Milton have deep sympathy for her in this year of her repeated afflictions, the decease of a brother and her husband having been followed by the passing away on Sunday morning of her mother [-in-law], Mrs. Robert Mathes. Mrs. Mathes, a most charming type of venerable women, respected and beloved, was ninety years of age last May. Having been very feeble it was only with great care and devotion that her life was prolonged until this month. Mrs. Roberts was left with one brother, Dana H. Mathes of Oakland, Cal., and with two nieces, her only surviving near relatives (Farmington News, September 13, 1907).

Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, a widow, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3 Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included her boarder, Ralph Frobisher, an engineer office draughtsman, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and her servant (and his wife of six months), Elva Frobisher, a private family servant, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Clara M. Roberts owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Isador Storm, Jr., a sawmill sawyer, aged thirty-five years (b. Canada), and Ira S. Knox, own income, aged eighty years (b. ME).

Dana H. Mathes, a grocery store proprietor, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-nine years), Mary L. [(Merrill)] Mathes, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), his daughter, Mary B. Mathes, aged twenty-seven years (b. CA), his mother-in-law, Elizabeth C. Merrill, own income, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), his cook, Yung Sing, a private family servant, aged forty-four years (b. China), and his servants, Yung Lock, a private family servant, aged sixteen years (b. China), and Yung Swon, a private family servant, aged thirteen years (b. China). Dana H. Mathes rented their house at 1355 Madison Street. Mary L. Mathes was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Elizabeth C. Merrill was the mother of three children, of whom two were still living.

Cards have been issued by Mr. and Mrs. Dana Homer Mathes for the marriage of their daughter, Miss Mollie Mathes, and Lester A. Greene, the evening of Monday, February 27 at the family home in Jackson street. Sixty guests are included in the invitation (San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), February 11, 1911).

Malcolm A.H. Hart, a physician, aged fifty-eight years (B. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Estell L. [(Draper)] Hart, aged fifty-six years (b. VT), his son, Ezra D. Hart, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and his boarder, Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, a widow, aged eighty years (b. NH). He owned his house on Lower Main Street, in Milton Village, free-and-clear. They appeared in the census enumeration between the households of Natt E. Young, a draftsman, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and Fred C. Downs, an ice company laborer, aged forty-two years (b. NH).

Dana Mathes, a grocer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary [(Merrill)] Mathes, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), his daughter, Mollie [(Mathes)] Green, aged thirty-seven years (b. CA), and his mother-in-law, Susan Mason, aged seventy-six years (b. ME). Dana Mathes rented their house at 1566 Madison Street.

Daughter-in-law Mary J. (Drew) Mathes died of a cerebral hemorrhage at 58 Silver Street in Dover, NH, August 24, 1922, aged seventy-four years, ten months, and three days. R.G. Blanchard, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Son Dana Homer Mathes died in Oakland, CA, March 4, 1924.

DIED. MATHES – In Oakland, March 4, 1924, Dana H. Mathes, beloved husband of Mary L. Mathes, loving father of Mollie Mathes Greene and brother of Mrs. Clara M. Roberts of Milton, N.H., a native of New Hampshire. Funeral services and interment strictly private. Kindly omit flowers (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), March 4, 1924).

Harriet A. [(Lary)] Lord, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. her household included her son, Ernest A. Lord, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and her boarder, Clara A. [(Mathes)] Roberts, aged ninety-two years (b. NH). Harriet A. Lord rented their house, at $10 per month. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles A. Lawson, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Thomas Voudomas, a retail merchant [“Milton Spa”], aged thirty-eight years (b. Greece).

Daughter Clara M. (Mathes) Roberts died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Main Street in Milton, June 8, 1931, aged ninety-one years, ten months, and twenty-six days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

LOCAL. Many friends of this community learn with deep regret of the death of Mrs. Clara Mathes Roberts of Milton. Mrs. Roberts, who was the widow of Amos Roberts, passed away at her home in that village a week ago last Sunday at the venerable of nearly 92 years. She was the last of one of Milton’s oldest and most respected families and herself a generous and helpful contributor to every interest of the town and its general welfare. She will be fondly remembered as “Aunt Clara” by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Especially active in church work since she was 16 years of age, in this institution she leaves imperishable monuments to her memory (Farmington News, June 19, 1931).

Daughter-in-law Mary L. (Merrill) Mathes died in Oakland, CA, January 27, 1946.

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References:

Claremont Manfacturing Co. (1871). NH Register, Farmer’s Almanac and Business Directory. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=AwEXAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA71

Find a Grave. (2012, January 5). Sarah Jane Mathes Bliss. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/83009464/sarah-jane-bliss

Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Aimee E. Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239234727/aimee-e-mathes

Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Albert Orlando Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239244070/albert-orlando-mathes

Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Dana H. Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239234847/dana-h-mathes

Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Robert Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239234385/robert-mathes

Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Robert Mathes [Jr.]. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239234540/robert-mathes

Find a Grave. (2022, April 26). Clara M. Mathes Roberts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239243704/clara-m-roberts

NH General Court. (1850). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=CNg3AAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA553

NH General Court. (1881). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=0580AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA404