By Muriel Bristol | July 7, 2024
Josiah Norton Witham was born in Milton, November 25, 1815, son of Josiah and Mehitable (Jones) Witham.
Josiah N. Witham married in Milton, May 31, 1838, Sarah A. Walker, both of Milton. Rev. John French performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, April 20, 1814, daughter of Joseph and Sally (Pray) Walker.
Josiah N. Witham headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], and one female age 20-29 years [Sarah A. (Walker) Witham]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in enumeration between those of Levi Wentworth and [his father,] Josiah Witham.
Josiah N. Witham, farming, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Walker)] Witham, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Charles Witham, aged ten years (b. NH), Eliza Witham, aged six years (b. NH), Charles Witham, aged three years (b. NH), Mehitable [(Jones)] Witham, aged fifty-two years (b. ME), Lucy Witham, aged fifty years (b. NH), and Martha Witham, aged forty years (b. NH). Josiah N. Witham had real estate value at $3,000. Their household was enumerated between those of Brackett Merrill, a lumber dealer, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), and Asa Jewett, a lumber dealer, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).
The Milton Selectmen of 1853 were Eli Wentworth, J.S. Hersey, and J.N. Witham. The Milton Selectmen of 1854 were J.S. Hersey, J.N. Witham, and Lewis Plummer.
J.N. Witham, a farmer, aged forty-four years, headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah A. [(Walker)] Witham, aged forty-six years (b. NH), Charles Witham, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and Mary E. Witham, aged eleven years (b. NH). J.N. Witham had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Nathl Rines, a farmer, aged forty-four years (b. NH), and Mehitable [(Jones)] Witham, aged ninety years (b. ME).
The Milton Selectmen of 1862 were Jos. Cook, Geo. Lyman, and J.N. Witham. The Milton Selectmen of 1863 were Geo. Lyman, J.N. Witham, and T.H. Roberts.
According to Scale’s History of Strafford County, the Methodist Church of Milton Mills organized itself in June 1869 and erected its “neat and tasty” meeting-house in 1871. J.N. Witham was chosen to be both a steward and trustee.
The Methodist Church of Milton Mills was organized in June, 1869. The first officers were Asa A. Fox, clerk, John Brackett, treasurer, Harris Brown, sexton, Alpheus Remick, collector; Stewards A.B. Shaw, John Brackett, E.C. Abbott, S.F. Rines, W. Hapgood, J.N. Witham, B.S. Butler, H.L. Mitchell, A.A. Plumer; trustees, A.B. Shaw, B.S. Butler, J.B. Dow, J. Brackett, S.F. Rines, J. Lewis, J.N. Witham, G.E. Hart, W. Patten (Scales, 1914).
Lura Agnes Booth was born in Milton Mills, September 5, 1864, daughter of British natives George (b. England) and Belle Booth (b. Scotland). (Her father, George Booth, remains a bit of a mystery. A Bella Booth, was born in Scotland in 1832, had immigrated circa 1865, and resided as a widow in the Strafford County Farm and House of Correction form at least 1900 through her death there, October 14, 1925, aged ninety-five years). Josiah N. and Sarah A. (Walker) Witham adopted Lura A. Booth, at sometime between her birth in 1864 and her appearance in their household in 1870.
Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah A. [(Walker)] Witham, keeping house, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), Lura Booth, aged six years (b. NH), and Allen Randall, a farm laborer, aged forty years (b. NH). Josiah N. Witham had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,072. Theirs was a two-family residence, which they shared with the household of Lucy Witham, keeping house, aged seventy-two years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Coleman, a carpenter, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and Olive L. Remmick, keeping house, aged seventy-nine years (b. ME).
Josiah N. Witham, went as Representative of the Unity Lodge, No. 62, to a semi-annual communication meeting of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New Hampshire, which was held in Concord, NH, December 28, 1875. Champlain L. Smith, went also as the proxy for Worshipful Master (M.W. Grand Lodge, 1876).
Josiah N. Witham went again as Representative of the Unity Lodge, No. 62, to a annual communication meeting of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New Hampshire, which was held in Concord, NH, May 17, 1876. Charles C. Hayes attended also as Worshipful Master, and Daniel S. Burleigh as proxy for the Senior Warden (M.W. Grand Lodge, 1876).
Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged sixty-four years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah A. [(Walker)] Witham, keeping house, aged sixty-four years (b NH), and his adopted daughter, Lura A. Witham, works in felt mill, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel F. Rines, a blacksmith, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), and Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged twenty years (b. NH).
Josiah N. Witham of Milton made his last will in Wakefield, NH, December 7, 1882. He devised all his real and personal property to his beloved wife, Sarah A. Walker. Should she die before the will came into effect, his property would be split between Lura A. Booth and the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milton Mills. Booth was to get all of the real estate and one-half of the household goods and personal property. The church was to get the other half of the personal property and create a fund with the proceeds to maintain worship. He appointed John U. Simes as his executor and also revoked a prior will of February 15, 1875. Daniel S. Burley, Sophia J. Varney, and Charles A. Varney signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 102:81).
Josiah N. Witham died of enteritis in Milton, June 22, 1884, aged sixty-eight years, eight months, and three days. He was a married farmer. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, in July 1884 (Strafford County Probate, 102:83).
Adopted daughter Lura A. Booth married (1st) in Wakefield, NH, August 13, 1890, Edwin C. Barnes, she of Milton and he of Chelsea, MA. She was a lady, aged twenty-six years, and he was an accountant, aged sixty-four years. Rev. Joseph Spinney performed the ceremony. Barnes was born in Boston, MA, July 24, 1826, son of Edwin and Betsy L. (Lincoln) Barnes.
Son-in-law Edwin C. Barnes of Chelsea, MA, made his last will, May 22, 1891. He devised to his wife, Lura A. Barnes, his house and land at 139 Chestnut Street in Chelsea, which he had received by the will of his former wife, Harriette C. Barnes (back in 1888). She was also to receive “… all my household furniture including bedding, carpets, silver ware, silver-plate, china, glass, ornaments, piano, books, pictures, and all household effects, together with the fuel and consumable supplies that may be in my house at the time of my decease, excepting however, certain articles hereinafter bequeathed to my sons.” He devised also to her his gold watch and chain and all the wearing apparel of his former wife.
Barnes devised also to his sons, Henry C. Barnes, Arthur M.L. Barnes, and Edwin S. Barnes. Son Henry C. Barnes received the large worsted picture of “Peter the Great Saved by His Mother,” a large silver pitcher, and his grandfather’s Masonic regalia. Son Arthur M.L. Barnes received a worsted picture of “Feeding the Horses,” and a silver cream pitcher present to his grandfather by the St. Andrew’s Lodge of Boston, MA. Son Edwin S. Barnes received two worsted pictures, one of a child in a carriage with a dog, the other of a Scottish peasant’s house interior, as well as a gold watch and chain and silver-keyed cocoa flute. He devised all the rest and residue of his estate in shares to his wife, Lura A. Barnes (4/10), sons Henry C. Barnes and Arthur M.L. Barnes (1/10 each), and Edwin S. Barnes (4/10) and a trust fund (Suffolk County Probate, 664:46).
Son-in-law Edwin C. Barnes died of cirrhosis of the liver in Boston, MA, November 15, 1892, aged sixty-six years, four months. He was a married bookkeeper. His will was proved in Suffolk County Probate court, December 1, 1892 (Suffolk County Probate, 664:46).
Death of Edwin C. Barnes. Mr. Edwin C. Barnes, one of the oldest residents of Chelsea, and a life-long Democrat, died at his residence, 139 Chestnut st., yesterday. In former years he was one of the most prominent members of the city government. Was a member of the council in 1866-67, an alderman in 1868-74, and was the first Democratic candidate for mayor. He was ill but a few weeks, and death was due to dropsy and heart failure (Boston Globe, November 16, 1892).
Adopted daughter Lura A. (Booth) Barnes married (2nd) in Milton, November 1, 1899, John J. Howland, Jr., she of Milton and he of Carroll, NH. She was a lady, aged thirty-four years, and he was a hotel proprietor, aged thirty-nine years. Alba M. Markey, J.P., performed the ceremony. Howland was born in Canada, circa 1860, son of John and Catherine (Dillon) Booth.
Sarah A. [(Walker)] Withum, a homekeeper, aged eighty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her son-in-law, John J. Howland, a day laborer, aged forty years (b. Canada), and her adopted daughter, Lura A. [((Booth) Barnes)] Howland, aged thirty-six years (b. NH). Sarah A. Withum owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Leonard Reed, a wool picker (factory), aged forty-six years (b. ME), and Crosby H. Prescott, a hotel headwaiter, aged forty-nine years (b. ME).
Sarah A. (Walker) Witham of Milton made her last will, September 10, 1900. She devised $1 each to her nieces and nephews, George M. Walker, Aza Walker, Charles Walker, Reuben Walker, John Walker, Frank Walker, Clarrie Lord, Angie Hanson, Mary Shaw, Emma Morey, Nellie Gifford, Martha Foss, Louisa Gaynor, and Eliza A. Walker. She devised $100 to the Milton Mills Methodist Episcopal Church for repairs to the church and parsonage, as might be needed. She devised all the rest and residue of her real estate, personal property, and bank accounts to her adopted daughter, Lura A. Howland, who she also named as executrix. Hiram Wentworth, Frank D. Stevens, and Ira Miller signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 119: 416).
Son-in-law John J. Howland appeared in the Milton directory of 1902, as a hotel clerk, with his house at 23 Western av., Milton Mills.
Sarah A. Witham died of exhaustion (and an abdominal tumor) in Milton Mills, December 17, 1902, aged eighty-eight years, eight months. She was a widowed housekeeper. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate.
The last will of Sarah A. Walker was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, January 6, 1903 (Strafford County Probate, 119: 417).
Son-in-law John J. Howland appeared in the Milton directories of 1905, and 1909, as a hotel clerk at Crawford House, with his house at 23 Western av., Milton Mills.
(A John Howland was enumerated in the Crawford Grant as a hotel painter, aged twenty-eight [eighteen] years (b. Canada), in 1880. John J. Howland was resident in Carroll, NH, and had just attained the statutory twenty-one years of age, when he was naturalized in Lancaster, NH, in November 1881. At the time of his 1899 marriage certificate, he resided still in Carroll, NH. It seems more likely that he clerked for – and seasonably commuted to – the Crawford House at Crawford Notch, rather the Crawford House in Boston, MA. (Both were accessible by train)).
John J. Howland, Jr., a hotel clerk, aged fifty years (b. Canada), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Lura A. [(Booth)] Howland, aged forty-two years). John J. Howland, Jr., owned their house, free-and-clear. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Hanscom, a sawmill master, aged twenty-nine years (b. ME), and Nicholas Mucci, a general store proprietor, aged forty (b. Italy).
Son-in-law John J. Howland appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a hotel clerk at Crawford House, with his house at 23 Western av., Milton Mills.
MILTON MILLS. (Special to The Tribune). The Ladies’ Aid of the Methodist church met with Mrs. Fannie Emerson Wednesday of last week. The new officers for the ensuing year were elected: Mrs. Sarah L. Jewett, president; Mrs. Lura Howland, vice president; Mrs. Annie Sibley, secretary; Mrs. Fannie Emerson, treasurer. The next meeting will be held with Mrs. James Lewis (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 5, 1916).
Son-in-law John Howland, Jr., died December 17, 1916, aged fifty-six years. (He was buried in Milton Mills).
Son-in-law John J. Howland appeared posthumously in the Milton directory of 1917 as a hotel clerk, with his house at 23 Western av., Milton Mills.
Lura A. [((Booth) Barnes)] Howland, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. She owned her house on Western Avenue, free-and-clear. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Freeman H. Lowd, a lumberman (owner), aged sixty-six years (b. ME), and Harriet Farnham, aged eighty-four years (b. NH).
Lura A. Howland appeared in the Milton directories of 1927, and 1930, as having her house at Milton Mills.
Lura [((Booth) Barnes)] Howland, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. She owned her house on Western Avenue (near Willey Hill Road), which was valued at $1,200. She did not have a radio set. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Herbert Goldthwait, a laborer (odd jobs), aged forty-two years (b. MA), and Freeman Lowd, aged seventy-six years (b. ME).
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Lura Howland is in Boston visiting friends (Farmington News, November 2, 1934).
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Lura Howland has gone to Boston to visit friends for a few weeks (Farmington News, February 15, 1935).
Lura A. Howland appeared in the Milton directory of 1936-37, as having her house at Milton Mills.
Lura A. [((Booth) Barnes)] Howland, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Center”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Laura A. Howland owned her house, which was valued at $1,000. She had resided in the “same house” in 1935. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Harry P. Fletcher, a painter (own shop), aged forty-seven years (b. ME).and Halton R. Hayes, a blanket mill proprietor, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).
Mrs. Carr G. Horn of Portland, ME, gave a silver tea benefit for the Sunday School of the Acton Corner Community Church, at her summer house in Horn’s Mills in Acton, ME, in August 1941. It was said to be one of the most important social events of the season. Among those present were Mrs. Marguerite Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred W. Lewis, Mrs. Fannie A. Langley, Mrs. Delia M. Flye, and Mrs. Lura A. Howland, all of Milton Mills (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 21, 1941).
Lura A. Howland, of 35 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, NH, attended a cooking school class given by Miss Ruth Bean on April 7, 1943. She was one of twenty-five attendees that won a market bag door prize (Portsmouth Herald, April 8, 1943).
Adopted daughter Lura A. ((Booth) Barnes) Howland died of arteriosclerotic heart disease in the Portsmouth Hospital in Portsmouth, NH, March 9, 1950, aged eighty-five years. She was a widowed home keeper. John J. Doyle, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Deaths and Funerals. Mrs. Lura Howland. Mrs. Lura Agnes Howland, 85, of 35 Daniel street, a resident of this city for the past four months, died today at Portsmouth hospital. The widow of the late John Howland, she was born in Milton Sept. 5, 1864. She was a member of the Milton Mills Methodist church and its Women’s Society of Christian Service and the Milton Mills Rebekah lodge (Portsmouth Herald, March 9, 1950).
Deaths and Funerals. Mrs. Lura A. Howland. Funeral services for Mrs. Lura Agnes Howland of 35 Daniel street were held at the Milton Mills Methodist church yesterday. The Rev. Roland L. Thornton pastor of the Methodist church, Sanbornville, officiated, assisted the Rev. Buell Maxfield of the Milton Mills Baptist church. Mrs. Abbie Anderson was organist. Included in the attendance were members of the church, the Women’s Society of Christian Service headed by Mrs. Grace Taylor, and more than 20 members of Sunrise Rebekah lodge of Milton Mills headed by Mrs. Virginia Mee, noble grand. Bearers were John Horne, Halton Hayes, Frank Goodwin, William Madden, Charles Langley and George Longley. Temporary interment was in the receiving vault in South cemetery, Portsmouth. Burial will take place later in the family lot in Milton Mills (Portsmouth Herald, March 13, 1950).
References:
Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Lura A. Howland. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114677309/lura-a-howland
M.W. Grand Lodge. (1876). Proceedings of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New Hampshire. O.H. Rittner: Manchester, NH
Wikipedia. (2022, September 12). Crawford House (Crawford Notch, New Hampshire). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_House_(Crawford_Notch,_New_Hampshire)
Milton Observer 