By Muriel Bristol | August 13, 2023
Luther B. Roberts was born in Waterboro, ME, September 13, 1845, son of Maj. Jeremiah and Olive J. (Roberts) Roberts.
Albert H. Roberts, a farmer, aged thirty-three years (b. ME), headed a Waterboro (“N. Waterborough P.O.”), ME, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Everline [(Dearborn)] Roberts, keeping house, aged thirty years (b. ME), Arthur J. Roberts, at home, aged two years (b. ME), Jere Roberts, a farmer, aged seventy-two years (b. ME), Olive J. [(Roberts)] Roberts, keeping house, aged sixty-two years (b. ME). Albert H. Roberts had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,200.
Abby Libby, keeping house, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Limerick, ME, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Olive Libby, aged eighteen years (b. ME), Alvin Libby, a clerk in store, aged seventeen years (b. ME), Ernest Libby, aged nine years (b. ME), and Luther Roberts, a bookkeeper, aged twenty-four years (b. ME). Abby Libby had real estate valued at $150 and personal estate valued at $200.
Mother Olive J. (Roberts) Roberts died in Waterboro, ME, July 15, 1870, aged sixty-two years, five months. (“A blessing to her family”).
Luther B. Roberts married in NH, November 19, 1871, Nellie C. Berry, he of Limerick, ME, and she of Milton. He was a merchant, aged twenty-seven years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-seven years. Rev. Dexter Waterman performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, April 2, 1844, daughter of James and Eliza (Jewett) Berry. (Sister-in-law M. Augusta Berry had endorsed the Granite State Health Institute in Hill, NH, in June 1864 (See Milton in the News – 1864)).
(The known child of Luther B. and Nellie C. (Berry) Roberts was Eva Jewett Roberts (1881-1964)).
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directory of 1873, as a salesman at Chadbourne & Kendall’s, boarding at Commercial House. (Chadbourne & Kendall were Middle Street woolen dealers). Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directory of 1875, as a salesman, with his house at 22 Bracket street.
Father Major Jeremiah Roberts died in Waterboro, ME, July 24, 1874, aged seventy-six years, two months. (“Precious to the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”).
A Portland Man Honored – To the Editor of the Argus: In looking over the returns of the election of New Hampshire I see the town of Milton elected a Democratic representative, Luther B. Roberts, formerly of Portland, Me. I think the people of Milton have caught the honest spirit and voted for the best man up for the office. A few of the less popular among the republicans feel sore. It is hard for some to submit to an honest election. I trust Mr. R’s many friends in Portland will be pleased with his success – Milton, March 20th, 1878 – ED. (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), March 28, 1878).
Milton sent Luther B. Roberts and William F. Cutts to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representatives, for the 1878 session. They were allocated 180 miles in mileage expenses. Rep. Roberts was assigned to the Committee on Manufactures, and Rep. Cutts was assigned to the Committee on Retrenchment and Reform.
On Tuesday, June 11, 1878, Rep. Roberts was assigned as “teller” for one of five House divisions, or seating sections. A teller would collate or tally the voting results for his division and report them to the House Speaker.
The speaker announced the following gentlemen as the tellers of the House: First division, Mr. Roberts of Milton; Second division, Mr. Page of Haverhill; Third division, Mr. Parker of Merrimack; Fourth division, Mr. Tredick of Portsmouth; Fifth division, Mr. Patten of Manchester.
On Wednesday, June 12, 1878, Rep. Roberts filed a bill to adjust Milton’s proportion of State taxes. His bill was assigned to the Committe on Judiciary, July 3, 1878.
By Mr. Roberts of Milton, a bill for the relief of the town of Milton, and in amendment of chapter 49, Session Laws of 1876, establishing a new proportionment for the assessment of public taxes.
The Milton tax apportionment relief bill passed on Thursday, July 18, 1878.
Prior to establishment of the civil service, many governmental offices, especially subsidiary ones of a bureaucratic nature, were purely political plums or sinecures. Frequent rotation of postmasters based upon their political affiliation is an example of this practice. (“Elections have consequences”). Now it was proposed that the tenure of the Hillsborough County Register of Probate “Major” Timothy B. Crowley (1830-1886) of Nashua, NH, be ended. (He had been overlooked in the purge or reshuffling of 1874).
NEW HAMPSHIRE. Legislative Matters – The Case of Major Crowley, Register of Probate in Hillsborough County. (Special Despatch to The Boston Globe). Concord, N.H., July 17. The special assignment for this forenoon was an address for the removal of Timothy B. Crowley, Register of Probate for Hillsborough County. He was spared during the general slaughter when the State Government changed in 1874, but his head is now demanded, he is a wounded soldier, and this fact was the consideration which saved him before from the public guillotine. Aaron F. Stevens of Nashua advocated his removal, and said it was in accordance with the established custom of both political parties. He acknowledged that Major Crowley was an honest, faithful and capable man, and stated that his removal was on political grounds alone; also, that he had, by his earnest and effective work in behalf of the Democracy of Nashua and the State, made himself objectionable to the Republicans, who now demand his removal. Frank H. Pierce of Hillsborough referred to a remonstrance signed by ex-judges, lawyers and distinguished persons of Hillsborough County, as well as several ex-mayors of the city of Nashua, against his removal, and stated that the gentleman named as Crowley’s successor had also signed the remonstrance and would not raise bis hand to deprive the gallant soldier of the office he now holds. Mr. Pierce said if any cause other than of a political character could be presented for this removal, he might then cease his opposition. General Marston of Exeter, a prominent Republican, has previously stated that he would never vote for Crowley’s removal as he went into the battle where he received his wounds at his command. The General and a number of other Republicans desire that Major Crowley retain the office. An unsuccessful effort was made to indefinitely postpone and the matter will come up tomorrow as unfinished business (Boston Globe, July 18, 1878).
On Thursday, July 18, 1878, Republican Rep. Aaron F. Stevens (1819-1887) of Nashua, NH, made a motion to remove Timothy B. Crowley from the office of Hillsborough County Register of Probate. Crowley was a Democrat, who had been a Major in the Civil War and had been wounded in battle. He had served in the war under another House member, a Republican, who refused to vote for the ouster on personal grounds rather than political ones.
Proceedings began with a vote on whether or not to even take the vote. It was decided to take the vote. That began as a division vote, i.e., a hand raising or secret ballot count, which resulted in 153 members [54.3%] in favor of removing Register Crowley and 129 members [45.7%] opposed to removing him. But Democrat Rep. Frank H. Pierce (1848-1920) of Hillsborough, NH, demanded a roll call vote, i.e., one where the names are recorded, which resulted in 171 members [53.1%] in favor, including Rep. Cutts of Milton, and 151 members [46.9%], including Rep. Roberts of Milton, opposed.
On Monday, July 22, 1878,
A House bill entitled, “An act in relation to the New-Hampshire asylum for the insane,” with amendments by the honorable Senate, was, on motion of Mr. Roberts of Milton, laid upon the table.
On motion of Mr. Roberts of Milton, the bill entitled, “An act in relation to the New-Hampshire asylum for the insane,” was taken from the table, and, on motion of Mr. Dow of Concord, laid upon the table.
Luther B. Roberts, a storekeeper, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included Nellie C. [(Berry)] Roberts, aged thirty-six years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Winfield S. Miller, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. ME), and John Lewis, a bookkeeper, aged thirty-seven years (b. England).
L.B. Roberts appeared in the Milton directories of 1880, 1881, and 1882, as a manufacturer of saddle housings.
Daughter Eva Jewett Roberts was born in Portland, ME. September 14, 1881.
Mother-in-law Eliza G. (Jewett) Berry died of a heart complaint in Milton, December 13, 1882, aged seventy years.
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1883, and 1884, as a traveling salesman at 229 Middle street, with his house at 22 Green street.
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1885, and 1886, as a traveling salesman at 229 Middle street, with his house at 50 Winter street.
Father-in-law James C. Berry died of enteritis in Milton, December 5, 1886, aged eighty-one years, six months, and five days. He was a farmer.
Presentation. Directly after the installation of the officers of Longfellow Lodge, No. 43, K. of P., last evening, Past Chancellor Luther B. Roberts stepped to the Past Chancellor’s chair, and in a neat speech presented Past Chancellor Chas. M. Ilsley with a jewel of his office. It was a surprise to Charles, but he responded in his usual honest and happy manner (Portland Daily Press, January 6, 1887).
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1887, 1888, 1889, and 1890, as a traveling salesman at 229 Middle street, with his house at 55 Winter street.
PERSONAL. Mr. Luther B. Roberts, president of the Maine Commercial Travelers’ Association, will attend the fifth annual dinner of the wholesale dealers at Lewiston this evening (Portland Daily Press (Portland, ME), April 22, 1889).
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1891, as an agent for S.V. Coal & Iron at 16 Monument square, with his house at 55 Winter street.
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1893, as a general agent and broker at 223 Middle street, with his house at 845 Congress street.
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directory of 1899, as an insurance agent, boarding at 311, Cumberland ave.
Luther B Roberts, an insurance agent, aged fifty-four years (b. ME), headed a Portland, ME. household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-nine years), Nellie C. [(Berry)] Roberts, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), his daughter, E. [Eva J.] Roberts, aged eighteen years (b. ME), and his boarder, Clifford Legrow, a cabinet engineer, aged twenty-three years (b. ME). Luther B Roberts rented their house. Nellie C. Roberts was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1902, as an insurance agent at 96 Exhange street, with his house at 311 Cumberland ave. Miss Eva J. Roberts appeared as boarding at 311 Cumberland ave.
Luther B. Roberts appeared in the Portland, ME, directories of 1904, 1905, and 1906, as a Ward 4 Councilman and insurance agent, with his house at 311 Cumberland ave. Miss Eva J. Roberts appeared in those same years as boarding at 311 Cumberland ave.
Luther B. Roberts, a real estate agent, aged sixty-five years (b. ME), headed a Portland, ME, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-eight years), Nellie C. [(Berry)] Roberts, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), his daughter, Eva J. Roberts, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), and his lodgers, George Huntress, a paper hanger, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), and Lura C. Partington, aged seventy-eight years (b. ME). Luther B. Roberts owned their house at 311 Amb. Avenue. Nellie C. Roberts was the mother of two children, of whom one was still living. Lura C. Partington was also the mother of two children, of whom one was still living.
SOCIAL LIFE AND GOSSIP. The Calendar Club was attractively entertained Friday afternoon by Mrs. Fred S. Woods of Deering street, the meeting being held in honor of Miss Eva J. Roberts, whose marriage takes place early in October. The afternoon was passed socially and the guest of honor received the cordial good wishes of her fellow club members being presented with a handsome piece of cut glass. Refreshment dainties were tastefully served, the spirit of the occasion being suggested by the decoration of wedding bells in gilt, tied with blue ribbon representing the club colors. Those present on this occasion were Mrs. Francis Cummings, Miss Alice M. Fernald, Mrs. T. Richard Pye, Miss Luenna F. Sands, Miss Clara L. Schumacher, Mrs. E. Leland Stone, Miss Annie G. Weeks, the hostess, Mrs. Woods, and the honor guest, Miss Roberts. The club is to study Shakespeare this season and very attractive programs were distributed at this meeting (Portland Sunday Telegram (Portland, ME), September 22, 1912).
Daughter Eva Jewett Roberts married in Portland, ME, October 2, 1912, William Henry Wood, she of Portland, ME, and he of New York, NY. He was a broker, aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged twenty-nine years. Rev. Alfred W. Jefferson performed the ceremony. He was born in New York, NY, October 13, 1884, son of James Henry and Augusta E. (Dodge) Wood.
Luther B. Roberts was one of seven men sent by the voters of Portland, ME, to represent them in the ME State House during the 1915-16 biennium.
Luther B. and Nellie C. (Berry) Roberts moved back to Milton Mills, circa 1917, where they took up residence with his sister-in-law, Augusta M. Berry.
THE SUANTERER. “What has become of Luther B. Roberts?” asked the Saunterer of George T. Means the other day. “For the past two years” said Mr. Means, “Luther has been living on a farm owned by an aunt of his in Milton Mills, N.H. This is a post village on a branch of the Salmon Falls River, about 24 miles north of Dover. Of course you remember that 30 years ago Luther was one of the leading Democrats of this City. He was chairman of the Democratic Club committee in 1892, the year D.H. Ingraham was elected mayor. Later he was a member of the common council from Ward Four. But his business gradually slipped away from him and no doubt he was glad to accept the proposal of his aunt to take charge of her farm. Naturally the property will come into Mr. Robert’s possession some day” (Portland Sunday Telegram (Portland, ME), August 17, 1919).
Agusta M. Berry, aged eighty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the tie of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her brother-in-law, Luther B. Roberts, aged seventy-four years (b. ME), and her sister, Nellie C. [(Berry)] Roberts, aged seventy-five years (b. NH). Agusta M. Berry owned their house on Main Street, free-and-clear. Their household appeared between those of Frank H. Whipple, a blacksmith, aged thirty years (b. MA), and Loring W. Pillsbury, a woolen mill carpenter, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME).
William H. Wood, a furs broker, aged thirty-four years (b. NY), headed a Manhattan, New York, NY, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eva R. [(Roberts)] Wood, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), and his children, William R. Wood, aged six years (b. NY), and Janice A. Wood, aged three years (b. NY). William H. Wood rented their house.
Sister-in-law M. Augusta Berry died of chronic interstitial nephritis on Main Street in Milton Mills, January 10, 1923, aged eighty-seven years, eight months, and eighteen days. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.
A Milton Mills house owned by Luther B. Roberts was one of six that burned down in the early hours of Thursday, November 20, 1924. (See Milton in the News – 1924).
Luther B. Roberts, of Milton Mills, and William P. Farnham, of Lynn, MA, both attended the Battle of Bunker Hill sesquicentennial celebrations. Their grandfathers had participated in the battle. (See Milton in the News – 1925).
Luther B. and Clara E. (Berry) Roberts were both sick in bed when rescued from the fire that destroyed their 2½-story Milton Mills house in March 1930. (See Milton in the News – 1930).
SANBORNVILLE. The Misses Goldie and Pauline Elliott recently were in Milton Mills to visit the scene of the Luther Roberts fire. We are very sorry for this aged couple. They have many friends in this village (Farmington News, April 4, 1930).
Luther B. Roberts, retired, aged eighty-four years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Clara E. [(Berry)] Roberts, aged eighty-seven years (b. NH). Luther B. Roberts owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $2,000. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared between those of Fred H. Simes, a woolen mill superintendent, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), and Mary E. Clark, a private family housewife, aged fifty-nine years (b. NY).
William H. Wood, a hatter’s weaver, aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Scarsdale, NY, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eva R. [(Roberts)] Wood, a housewife, aged forty-one years (b. ME), and his children, William R. Wood, aged sixteen years (b. NY), and Janice A. Wood, aged fourteen years (b. NY). Eva R. Woods owned their house at 101 Greenacres Avenue, which was valued at $50,000. They had a radio set.
Brother-in-law Charles J. Berry died in Milton, March 17, 1933, aged ninety-six years. (See Milton in the News – 1933).
Luther B. Roberts died in Milton Mills, August 5, 1933, aged eighty-seven years.
Former Member of Legislature Dead. Luther B. Roberts, 87, formerly of Portland, from which he was Representative to the State Legislature in 1915-16, died Saturday at his home in Milton Mills, N.H. He was a grandson of John Roberts, who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was born in Waterboro, Sept. 13, 1845, and married Miss Nellie C. Berry 25 years later. In 1878 he was member of the New Hampshire Legislature. Mr. Roberts came to Portland more than 55 years ago and resided here over 40 years, being engaged in insurance and real estate work. He was a member of the Common Council of Portland in 1900-01 and again in 1905-06. Before leaving this City some 15 years ago he was member of the executive committee, the Thomas Brackett Reed Memorial Association, and was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Masons. Funeral services will be at his residence at 2 p.m. Tuesday (Portland Evening Express (Portland, ME), August 7, 1933).
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Nellie Roberts fell, cutting her head (Sanford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 7, 1938).
Clara Ellen “Nellie” (Berry) Roberts died of broncho-pneumonia in Milton Mills, August 23, 1938, aged ninety-four years, four months, and twenty-one years. She was a lifelong resident, except for forty years. P.A. Kimball, M.D. signed the death certificate.
Eva [(Roberts)] Wood, aged fifty-four years (b. ME), headed a Yonkers, NY, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her son, William R. Wood, a salesman, aged twenty-six years (b. NY), and her son [daughter], James [Janice] Wood, a private secretary, aged twenty-four years (b. NY). Eva Wood rented their apartment at 26 W. Pondfield Road, for $73 per month. They had all resided in the “same house” in April 1935.
Eva R. [(Roberts)] Wood, aged sixty-eight years (b. ME), headed a Yonkers, NY, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1950) Federal Census. She was divorced and resided in an apartment at 949 Palmer Avenue.
Daughter Eva J. (Roberts) Wood died of a myocardial infarction in the Texas Christian Nursing Home in Houston, TX, March 18, 1964, aged eighty-two years. She had resided there for ten years.
Former son-in-law William H. Wood died in Houston, TX, January 3, 1982.
References:
Find a Grave. (2018, April 26). Maj. Charles J. Berry. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189182567/charles-jewett-berry
Find a Grave. (2013, August 12). James Berry. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115349770/james-berry
Find a Grave. (2013, August 12). Mary A. [Augusta] Berry. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115349918/mary-a-berry
Find a Grave. (2014, August 10). Maj. Jeremiah Roberts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/134126523/jere-roberts
Find a Grave. (2013, August 13). Luther B. Roberts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115578547/luther-b-roberts
NH General Court. (1878). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=CuM3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA227
Milton Observer 