By Muriel Bristol | June 29, 2025
Pelatiah Hanscom, Jr., was born in Kittery, ME, December 28, 1777, son of Pelatiah and Susanna (Cole) Hanscom. His father was a Revolutionary soldier. “Pelatiah” is a male given name from the Bible, which means “deliverance of the Lord.”
Paltiah Hanscum headed a Kittery, ME, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], three males under-16 years [Pelatiah Hanscom, Jr., Samuel S. Hanscom, and John Hanscom], and three females [Susanna (Cole) Hanscom, Susanna Hanscom, and another]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ephehm Scammond and Saml Shapley.
Pelatiah Hanscom [Sr.] was among the first to settle at Three Ponds in Rochester’s Northeast Parish, in the 1790s. He died before 1800.
Among the first who settled at Three Ponds were Samuel Palmer, Levi Burgen, John Fish, Paul Jewett, Pelatiah Hanscom, Robert McGeoch, and others (Scales, 1914).
Pelatiah Hanscom [Jr.] headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included three males aged 16-25 years [himself, and brothers Samuel Hanscom and John Hanscom], two females aged 16-25 years [Susanna Hanscom], one female aged under-10 years, and one female aged 45-plus years [Susanna (Cole) Hanscom]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Peltiah Hanscom signed the Rochester division petition of May 28, 1802.
Pelatiah Hanscom married in Berwick, ME, August 22, 1803, Betsy Tibbetts. She was born in Berwick, ME, June 11, 1780.
(The known children of Pelatiah and Betsy (Tibbetts) Hanscom were: Samuel Hanscom (1804-1834), Ivory Worster Hanscom (1806–1885), Susan Marie Hanscom (1808–1877), Catherine J. Hanscom (1810-1831), Albe Cady Hanscom (1816–1845), Adaline Hanscom (1819–1856), James Hearl Hanscom (1822–1890), Elizabeth “Betsy” Hanscom (1825–1888)).
P. Hantscom purchased Pew No. 8 in the Milton Town House, for $31 in 1804. It was situated on the east side of the ground floor, between those of Wm Lord, Pew No. 7, and W. Jones, Pew No. 9 (See Milton Town House – 1804).
Son Samuel Hanscom was born in Milton, November 1, 1804. Son Ivory Worster Hanscom was born in Milton, August 1, 1806.
Peletiah Hanscom was assessed in the Milton School District No. 5 of John Fish in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
Daughter Susan Marie Hanscom was born in Milton, August 19, 1808.
Palatiah Hanson [Hanscom] headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Betsy (Tibbetts) Hanscom], two males aged under-10 years [Samuel Hanscom and Ivory W. Hanscom], one female aged under-10 years [Susan M. Hanscom], and one female aged 45-plus years [Susanna (Cole) Hanscom]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Thos Wentworth and Wm Jones. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Daughter Catherine J. Hanscom was born in Milton, October 27, 1810.
Pelatiah Hanscom served as a Sergeant in Capt. Andrew Pierce’s Company of detached militia, May 24, 1814. Pierce’s Company served in Major Edward Jenning Long’s Battalion command of militia artillery. His Portsmouth-based command “… was stationed mainly at Fort Washington, but portions of it were at Forts Sullivan and Constitution.” Sgt. Hanscom served until July 3, 1814 (NH Adj. Gen., 1868).
Pelah Hanscom was among those that petitioned the NH General Court, in or around June 1814, seeking incorporation of the Milton Congregational Society. (See Milton Congregational Society Petition – 1814).
Pelatiah Hanscom served also as a Sergeant in Capt. William Courson’s Milton militia company when it marched to Portsmouth, NH, in September 1814 (See Milton in the War of 1812).
Son Albe Cady Hanscom was born in Milton, March 25, 1816. Daughter Adaline Hanscom was born in Milton, August 2, 1819.
Pelah Hanscom signed the Milton anti-division remonstrance of June 1820. He signed also the Milton militia division petition of November 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Son James Hearl Hanscom was born in Milton, March 25, 1822.
Mother Susanna (Cole) Hanscom died in Milton, January 9, 1823.
Pelah Hanscom signed the June 1823 petition requesting that Gilman Jewett be appointed as a Milton coroner. (See Milton Seeks a Coroner – June 1823).
Daughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Hanscom was born in Milton, January 10, 1825.
Peltiah Hanscum 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 50-59 years [Betsy (Tibbetts) Hanscom], one female aged 40-49 years [Susan Hanscom], one male aged 20-29 years [Ivory W. Hanscom], one female aged 20-29 years [Susan M. Hanscom], one male aged 10-14 years [Albe C. Hanscom], one female aged 10-14 years [Adeline Hanscom], one male aged 5-9 years [James H. Hanscom], one female aged 5-9 years [Betsy Hanscom]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jas. Pinkham and Steph. Drew. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Son Ivory W. Hanscom married (1st), probably in Milton, circa 1830, Huldah Goodwin. She was born in Milton, August 6, 1813, daughter of James and Mary “Polly” (Wakeham) Goodwin.
Daughter Catherine J. Hanscom died in Milton, February 27, 1831, aged twenty years, four months.
DIED. In Milton, Miss Catherine, daughter of Mr. Pelatiah Hanscom, 30 [20] (Dover Enquirer, March 29, 1831).
Son Samuel Hanscom married in Milton, November 18, 1832, Eliza Hanson, he of Milton and she of Lebanon, ME. She was born in Lebanon, ME, March 11, 1807, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Moody) Hanson.
MARRIED. In Milton, Mr. Samuel Hanscom, to Miss Eliza Hanson, of Lebanon, Me. (Dover Enquirer, December 4, 1832).
Daughter-in-law Huldah (Goodwin) Hanscom died in Milton, in January 1833, aged twenty years.
DIED. In Milton, Mrs. Huldah, wife of Lt. Ivory Hanscom, and daughter of Mr. James Goodwin, of Milton, aged 20 (Dover Enquirer, January 29, 1833).
Son Samuel Hanscom died in Milton, February 25, 1834, aged twenty-nine years, four months.
Died. In Milton, Mr. Samuel Hanscom, aged 29 (Dover Enquirer, March 11, 1834).
Sister Susanna Hanscom of Milton made her last will, July 5, 1834. She bequeathed all her real and personal estate to her beloved niece, Susan [M.] Hanscom of Milton, single woman, who she also named as executor. Pelatiah Hanscom, Luther Wentworth, and James Roberts signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 52:139).
Pelatiah “Pelah” Hanscom officially emancipated his son, Albe C. Hanscom, as he became nineteen years of age.
Notice. TO whom it may concern. This certifies that I the subscriber have given to my son, Albe C. Hanscom, his time, to act for himself, and shall not exact any of his earnings nor pay any debts of his contracting after this date. PELAH HANSCOM. Witness—JOSEPH NUTE, IVORY W. HANSCOM. Milton, March 18, 1835 (Dover Enquirer, March 24, 1835).
Sister Susan Hanscom died in Milton, January 18, 1837, aged fifty-one years, eight months. Her last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Rochester, NH, May 13, 1837 (Strafford County Probate, 52:139).
Son Albe C. Hanscom married, circa 1839, Mary Ann Pray, both of Milton. She as born in Milton, circa 1817, daughter of Joshua and Kezia (Wentworth) Pray.
Peltiah Hanson [Hanscom] 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 [Betsy (Tibbetts) Hanscom], two males aged 20-29 years, one female aged 20-29 years [Adaline Hanscom], one male aged 15-19 years [James H. Hanscom], one female aged 15-19 years [Betsy Hanscom], and one female aged 5-9 years [Mary Hanscom]. For members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Lucy D. Hartford and Joseph Nute.
Alba C. Hanscom headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Mary Ann (Pray) Hanscom], and one male aged under-5 years [Charles P. Hanscom]. One member of his household was engaged in Manufacture and Trade.
Daughter Betsy Hanscom married, circa 1843, Charles F. Horne. He was born in Milton, February 18, 1822, son of James H. and Huldah (Roberts) Horne.
Pelatiah Hanscom died in Milton, January 14, 1844, aged sixty-six years, one month.
Son Albe Cady Hanscom died in Natick, MA, April 15, 1845, aged twenty-nine years.
Widowed daughter-in-law Mary Ann ((Pray) Hanscom married (2nd) in Chelsea, MA, March 31, 1847, William P. Mason. He was aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged twenty-seven years.
Son James H. Hanscom married, circa 1848, Sarah Jones. She was born in Milton, in 1820, daughter of Nathan and Susannah (Davis) Jones.
Son Ivory W. Hanscom married (2nd) in Milton, December 6, 1849, Judith Foss, both of Milton. Rev. James Doldt performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, circa 1807, daughter of William and Mary (Downs) Foss.
Betsey [(Tibbetts)] Hanscomb, aged seventy-one years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Susan Hanscomb, aged forty years (b. NH), Adaline Hanscomb, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Mary Hanscomb, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Thestah D. Hanscomb, aged four years (b. NH). Betsy Hanscomb had real estate valued at $300. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Elisha H. Hersom, a carpenter, aged thirty-eight years (b. ME), and Joseph Nute, a laborer, aged fifty years (b. NH). (Mary Hanscomb, was the daughter of Ivory and Huldah (Goodwin) Hanscom).
Ivory W. Hanscomb, a shoemaker, aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time o the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Judith [(Foss)] Hanscomb, aged forty-two years. Ivory W. Hanscomb had real estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Moses Downs, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), and Samuel Foss, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH).
Wm P. Mason, a mariner, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [((Pray) Hanscom)] Mason, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Charles P. Hanscom, a laborer, aged nineteen years (b. MA), Mary Hanscom, aged nine years (b. MA), Abby J. Hanscom, aged five years (b. MA), and W.W.E. Mason, aged two years (b. MA). They shared a three-family residence with their landlord, Ruel Morse, a farmer, aged sixty-six years (b. MA), and Onvra Taylor, a shoemaker, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA).
James Hanscomb, a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a MIlton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census, His household included Sarah [(Jones)] Hanscomb, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), Violetta A. Hanscomb, aged one year (b. NH), George B. Jones, a shoemaker, aged sixteen years (b. ME), David R. Jones, a shoemaker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Delana F. Wentworth, aged seventeen years (b. NH). James Hanscomb had real estate valued at $500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and Moses J. Downs, a shoemaker, aged thirty-three years (b. VT).
Charles F. Horn, a mechanic, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed an Ossipee, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Betsy [(Hanscom)] Horn, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), James H. Horn, aged five years (b. NH), George E. Horn, aged one year (b. NH), and John H. Cram, a shoemaker, aged thirty-six years (b. NH).
Son-in-law William P. Mason died of consumption in Natick, MA, October 24, 1852, aged thirty-five years, four months.
Widowed daughter-in-law Mary Ann ((Pray) Hanscom) Mason married (3rd) in Natick, MA, June 3, 1855, Joseph Critcherson. He was a cordwainer, aged thirty years, and she was aged thirty-six years. Elias Nason performed the ceremony.
Daughter Adaline (Hanscom) Kimball died in Milton, March 26, 1856, aged thirty-six years, eight months.
Susan Hanscom, a dressmaker, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included Betsey [(Tibbetts)] Hanscom, aged eighty years (b. NH [SIC]), and Thestesh D. Hanscom, aged fourteen years (b. NH). Susan Hanscom had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Warren Parlin, a painter, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), and Alonzo Corson, a shoemaker, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH).
Joseph Critcherson, a shoemaker, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(((Pray) Hanscom) Mason)] Critcherson, aged forty years (b. NH), Charles P. Hanscom, a shoemaker, aged twenty years (b. MA), Mary P. Hanscom, aged nineteen years (b. MA), and Abbie S. Hanscom, aged fifteen years (b. MA). Joseph Critcherson had personal estate valued at $500.
James Hanscom, a shoemaker, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Jones)] Hanscom, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), V.A. Hanscom, aged eleven years (b. NH), E.C. Hanscom, aged eight years (b. NH), J.A. Hanscom, aged ten months (b. NH), Ivory W. Hanscom, a shoemaker, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), C. Brackett, a shoemaker, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and M. Nutter, a carpenter, aged seventy years (b. NH). James Hanscom had real estate valued at $100, and personal estate valued at $500. M. Nutter had real estate valued at $1,000, and personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged forty-one years (b. NH), and Stephen Downs, a farmer, aged fifty-two years (b. NH).
[Judith Foss, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Judith Foss had real estate valued at $600 and personal estate valued at $100. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel Foss, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), and John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged forty-one years (b. NH)].
John P. Jones, works for shoe fact., aged fifty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Louisa M. [(Wentworth)] Jones, keeping house, aged fifty years (b. NH), Susan A. Jones, works in cotton mill, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Mary J. Jones, at home, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Joshua R. Jones, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH), Lydia E. Jones, at school, aged six years (b. NH), and Ivory W. Hanscom, works for shoe fact., aged sixty-three years (b. NH). John P. Jones had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $200.
Charles P. Hanscome, works in shoe factory, aged thirty years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Eldora I. [(Perry)] Hanscome, keeping house, aged twenty-five years (b. MA), Eva C. Hanscome, attends school, aged six years (b. MA), Joseph Critcherson, works in shoe factory, aged forty-three years (b. NH), and Mary A. [(((Pray) Hanscom) Mason)] Critcherson, keeping house, aged fifty-one years (b. NH). Charles P. Hanscome had personal estate valued at $200; and Joseph Critcherson had personal estate valued at $300.
James Hanscom, works for shoe fact., aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Jones)] Hanscom, keeping house, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), Violette A. Hanscom, works in cotton mill, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Emma C. Hanscom, at home, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Willie W. Sanborn, works for shoe fact., aged twelve years (b. NH). James Hanscom had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $544.
Joseph H. Avery, works for shoe factory, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His his household included Thesta [(Hanscom)] Avery, keeping house, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Hermon A. Avery, aged three years (b. NH), Addie Avery, aged two years (b. NH), Betsey [(Tibbetts)] Hanscom, aged ninety years (b. ME), and Susan M. Hanscom, aged sixty years (b. NH). Susan M. Hanscom had real estate valued at $300. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Stephen Drew, a physician, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and Moses J. Downs, works for shoe factory, aged fifty-three years (b. VT).
Betsy (Tibbetts) Hanscom died in Milton, May 13, 1873, aged ninety-two years, ten months, and twenty-two days.
The wife of Mr. James Hanscom of Milton, while engaged in milking a cow last Monday night, was kicked in the head by an ugly steer standing by, breaking her skull, and rendering her entirely senseless. The accident, if such it may be called, is a very bad one indeed, but it is thought that Mrs. H. will recover. Mr. H. was away from home or he would have done the milking himself, as usual, and the accident would not have occurred (Dover Enquirer, May 31, 1873).
THE DEMOCRATS OF NATICK. The Democratic voters of Natick have chosen the following delegates to the conventions about to be held: To State Convention, Walter N. Mason, H. Perry, George G. Hammond, Daniel Keiley, Dr. J.A. Doke, Nathan U. Gay, Charles W. Gleason and James McManus; Congressional Convention, Calvin H. Perry, John B. Walcott, Walter N. Mason. Dr. A.H. Bryant, William McCullock, William W. Pray, Warren Bird and Daniel Keiley; Senatorial Convention, Noah L. Hardy, Peter Hogan, S.W. Hardy, George Hall, George Brock, Isaac D. Morse, N.U. Gay and Alfred P. Allen; Councillor Convention. John Everett, Thomas Curry, Joseph Critcherson, Edward McManus, Warren Bird, Eliot Walker, E.F. Perry and Calvin H. Perry (Boston Globe, September 8, 1874).
Daughter Susan M. Hanscom of Milton, single woman, made her last will, December 27, 1877. She bequeathed to her beloved sister, Betsy Horne, one bed and bedding, to be selected by her, and also her wearing apparel, one table, and a warming pan. She devised her homestead to her beloved grandniece, Addie May Avery. (Addie M. Avery was a daughter of Joseph H. and Thesta D. (Hanscom) Avery, and a granddaughter of [her sister,] Adaline Hanscom). She was to hold it free of all control of her husband, should she ever marry, and in case of her decease before marriage and leaving no closer heirs, the homestead property should pass instead to her beloved niece, Emma Catherine Hanscom. (Emma C. Hanscom was a daughter of [her brother,] James H. Hanscom, and would become the second wife of Joseph H. Avery). She devised all the rest and residue to her beloved grandniece, Addie May Avery. She appointed Charles F. Horne as her executor. Charles F. Horne, James Hanscom, and Melinda K. Gilmore signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 89:379).
Daughter Susan Marie Hanscom died in Milton, October 29, 1878, aged seventy years, two months. Her last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Somersworth, NH, November 6, 1878 (Strafford County Probate, 89:381).
Executor’s Notice. THE subscriber hereby gives notice to all concerned, that he was, on the 6th day of November, A.D., 1878, duly appointed and allowed to be Executor of the last will and testament of Susan M. Hanscom, late of Milton, in the County of Strafford, deceased, and has taken upon himself that trust, and has given bond as the law directs. Dated this 3rd day of December, A.D., 1878. CHARLES F. HORNE (Dover Enquirer, December 19, 1878).
Ivory W. Hanson, a laborer, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), was one of one hundred sixty eight inmates and prisoners at the Strafford County Farm, at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. (See Milton’s Poor Farm – 1839-1867).
Simeon H. Waters, a watchmaker, aged thirty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Natick, MA, household t the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary T. Waters, keeps house, aged thirty-seven years (b. MA), his son Arthur H. Waters, aged four years (b. MA), and his boarders, Joseph Critcherson, a billiard hall liquor saloon, aged sixty years (b. NH), and Mary A. [(((Pray) Hanscom) Mason)] Critcherson, aged fifty-five years (b. NH).
James Hanscom, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Jones)] Hanscom, keeping house, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), his daughters, Vilette A. Hanscom, works in cotton mill, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and Emma C. Hanscom, works in cotton mill, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and his brother [?], John H. Crane, at home, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH). They shared a two-family residence with the household of John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged sixty-one years (b. NH).
Charles F. Horne, a farmer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Betsey [(Hanscom)] Horne, keeping house, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), his boarder, Daniel F. Nye, a conductor, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), his boarder’s wife, Ida Nye, aged twenty years (b. ME), his boarder, Samuel K. Scott, a tailor, aged twenty-five years (b. England), his boarder’s wife, Josephine Scott, aged twenty-five years (b. Ireland), and his boarders, John J. Moore, a carriage maker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), John Newton, works in shoe factory, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Mary Corson, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).
Son Ivory W. Hanscom was reported as missing, presumed dead, in the fire that destroyed the Strafford County Farm, in Dover, NH, January 7, 1881.
PAUPERS BURNED TO DEATH. COUNTY FARM HOUSE DESTROYED – INMATES LOCKED IN THEIR ROOMS. DOVER, N.H., Jan. 7. – A fire was discovered in the main building on the Strafford County Farm about 4:30 o’clock this morning. At the time of the discovery the flames had made great headway and many rooms were filled with smoke. One hundred and sixty-nine persons were in the building at the time, and great difficulty was experienced in getting them out, some of them having to be dragged to a place of safety. Thirteen persons are missing, and probably lost their lives. Their names are Frank Jones, Asa Hall, Peter Sargent, Burnham Nute, Jeff Holland, Thomas McDermott, Ivory Hanscom, Joseph Cook. Charles Riley, Sadie Abbott, Martha Jewell, Lizzie Wilson, and Clara Scates. The loss is estimated at $70,000; insured for $25,000. If the weather had not been unusually warm the loss of life would have been much heavier. The inmates who escaped are now clothed and sheltered through the generosity of neighbors and citizens of Dover. A fire engine sent from Dover, four miles away, was unable to reach the scene of the conflagration on account of the heavy snow on the ground. The fire caught from a furnace. The County Commissioners have been on the ground all day and have made arrangements for the protection and shelter of the inmates. The Water-works were rendered useless by extreme drought, and no water could be obtained. Perhaps this could not have been avoided, but there seems to have been mismanagement somewhere. Most of the inmates were locked in their rooms, and there was no one to let them all out. All the sick were saved, and of others rescued nearly all were able to go about. There was no watchman on the premises, and the fire had made great headway before being discovered. Several able-bodied paupers rendered great assistance in saving the sick and feeble. The loss on the county building is estimated at $65,000. Nothing further can be done toward recovering the bodies until the mass of debris cools. No water can be applied. There were two fire escapes on the building, but the doors leading thereto were shut, and that circumstance is subject to no little unfavorable comment (NY Times, January 8, 1881).
But he apparently survived the fire, as he died later of old age in Milton, August 6, 1885, aged seventy-nine years. He was a widowed farmer.
A burglar robbed the Natick, MA, house of grandson Charles P. Hanscom, in May 1881.
NATICK. NOTES. … Thursday evening the house of Charles P. Hanscom, on Reynold avenue, was broke into while the family were away, and a coat, watch case, a pocketbook containing $2 or $3, also $125 which was in the bedroom, stolen (Boston Post, May 28, 1881).
Son-in-law Charles F. Horne won his lawsuit against the town of Rochester, NH, in 1882.
SUIT FOR DAMAGES Against a Town Allowed. DOVER, N.H., Sept. 15th. The case of Charles F. Horne, against the town of Rochester to recover $4,000 for injuries received by being thrown from his carriage, the horse taking fright at the cars, standing on the Eastern railroad track near the street crossing in Rochester, was given to the jury yesterday. They came into court this forenoon, rendering a verdict of $725 (Lewiston Sun-Journal, September 15, 1882).
Daughter Betsy (Hanscom) Horne won her lawsuit against the town of Rochester, NH, in 1888.
New Hampshire Items. … Mrs. Charles F. Horne of Rochester has sued the town for $1000, claiming damage to her property near Rochester hill, from overflow of water from the highway (Portsmouth Daily Chronicle, February 6, 1888).
Daughter Betsy (Hanscom) Horne died in Rochester, NH, June 11, 1888, aged sixty-three years, five months, and six days.
Daughter-in-law Sarah (Jones) Hanscom died in Milton, September 24, 1889, aged sixty-eight years, eleven month, and twelve days.
Son James H. Hanscom died January 29, 1890, aged sixty-seven years, ten months, and four days.
Son-in-law Charles F. Horne died in Rochester, NH, June 18, 1894, aged seventy-one years, one month.
Joseph Critcherson, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Natick, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-five years), Mary A. [(((Pray) Hanscom) Mason)] Critcherson, aged eighty-two years (b. NH). Mary A. Critcherson was the mother of seven children, of whom three were still living. They shared a two-family residence with the household of John J. Mortimer, a driver, aged forty-seven years (b. MA).
Daughter-in-law Mary Ann (((Pray) Hanscom) Mason) Critcherson died of organic heart disease at 68 Pond Street in Natick, MA, January 17, 1904, aged eighty-six years, two months. She was a widow.
References:
Find a Grave. (2024, February 1). Mary A. Critcherson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/263562141/mary-a-critcherson
Find a Grave. (2024, February 1). Albe C. Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/263565874/albe-c-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, November 16). Catherine J. Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/234063665/catherine-j-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, August 14). James Hurl Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230779097/james_hurl-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, November 16). Pelatiah Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/234062460/pelatiah-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, November 16). Samuel Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/234063849/samuel-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, November 16). Susan Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/234063447/susan-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, November 16). Susan M. Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/234063742/susan_m-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2012, September 21). Betsy Elizabeth Hanscom Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/97553398/betsey-elizabeth-horne
Find a Grave. (2012, September 21). Adaline Hanscom Kimball. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/234064070/adaline-kimball
NH Adj. Gen. (1868). Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=3mBGAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA116
Scales, John. (1914). History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nGsjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA510
Milton Observer 