By Muriel Bristol | July 6, 2025
William Wentworth Lord was born in Berwick, ME, February 18, 1761, son of Ebenezer and Martha (Emery) Lord.
Mother Martha (Emery) Lord died May 5, 1773, aged forty-eight years. His father married (2nd), in 1774, Jane (Hight) Plaisted.
William W. Lord married (1st) in Rochester, NH, October 13, 1783, Mary (Garland) Allen. She was born circa 1763.
(The known children of William W. and Mary ((Garland) Allen) Lord were: Mary Lord (1783-183?), Sally Lord (1784-181?), Rebecca Lord (1786-1812), and Jane Lord (c1793-1835).
Daughter Mary “Molly” Lord was born February 28, 1783. Daughter Sally Lord was born circa 1784. Daughter Rebecca Lord was born October 16, 1786.
William W. Lord headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], and four females [Mary ((Garland) Allen) Lord, Mary Lord, Sally Lord, and Rebecca Lord]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Benja Pierce and Moses Pierce.
Daughter Jane Lord was born circa 1793.
Wm W. Lord headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years [Mary ((Garland) Allen) Lord], one female aged 16-25 years [Mary Lord], two females aged 10-15 years [Sally Lord and Rebecca Lord], one female aged under-10 years [Jane Lord]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Ebener Ricker headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Deborah (Pinkham) Ricker], one male aged 16-25 years [Charles Ricker], one male aged 10-15 years [Shapleigh or Smith Ricker], two males aged under-10 years [John Ricker and Ebenezer Ricker], and three females aged under-10 years [Betsy Ricker, Patience [Ricker], and Sally M. Ricker]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Lemuel Ricker headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [Lemuel Ricker], one female aged 45-plus years [Dorothy (Knox) Ricker], one male aged 26-44 years [Jerediah Ricker], two males aged 16-25 years [Joshua Ricker and Ezekiel Ricker], two females aged 16-25 years [Dorothy Ricker and Joanna Ricker], and two females aged 10-15 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Gershom Downs headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years [Elizabeth Downs], one male aged 16-25 years [Aaron Downs], one female aged 16-25 years, and one male aged under-10 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
William W. Lord signed the Rochester division petition of May 28, 1802. (Soon to be son-in-law, Jerediah Ricker and his father, Limuel [Lemuel] Ricker, signed too).
Daughter Sally Lord married in Rochester, NH, February 16, 1803, Jedediah [Jerediah] Ricker, both of Milton. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. Ricker was born in Dover, NH, March 2, 1773, son of Lemuel and Dorothy (Knox) Ricker.
Will W. Lord and his son-in-law, Jerediah Ricker, were among “a number of respectable inhabitants & freeholders” that sought a special Town Meeting to reconsider the proposed Meeting House site. They thought that the site should be instead ninety or a hundred rods lower down, on the south side of the brook at the head of the Northwest Pond. The special Town Meeting was held at the home of Lieut. Elijah Horn, September 1, 1803, and that meeting decided not to change the proposed Meeting House site.
Wm Lord purchased Pew No. 7 in the newly-constructed Milton Town House, for $30, in 1804. It was situated on the east side of the ground floor, between those of Caleb Wingate, Pew No. 6, and P. Hantscom, Pew No. 8. At that time, son-in-law Jeh [Jerediah] Ricker purchased Pew No. 18, for $28.25. It was situated on the west side of the ground floor, between those of J. Scates, Pew No. 17, and D. Burnham, Pew No. 19. (See Milton Town House – 1804).
William W. Lord was one of fifty-two Milton petitioners that sought to have Jotham Nute appointed as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, in August 1805.
Daughter Rebecca Lord married in Rochester, September 4, 1805, Aaron Downs, Jr., she of Milton and he of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. Downs was born in Rochester, NH, June 22, 1780, son of Gershom Downs.
Daughter Mary Lord married in Rochester, NH, March 11, 1810, Charles Ricker, both of Milton. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. Ricker was born in Milton, June 7, 1784, son of Ebenezer and Deborah (Pinkham) Ricker].
Wm W. Lord headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years [Mary ((Garland) Allen) Lord], one male aged 26-44 years [Charles Ricker], one female aged 16-25 years [Mary (Lord) Ricker], one male aged under-10 years, and one female age under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Nathl Pinkham and Garshom Downs. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Jeremiah Ricker headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included on male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 16-25 years [Sally (Lord) Ricker], and one female aged 10-15 years.
Aaron Downs 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 16-25 years [Rebecca (Lord) Downs], one female aged under-10 years [Sarah A. Downs], one male aged under-10 years [Luther Downs]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Garshom Downs and Stephen Hendrn. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Father Ebenezer Lord died February 19, 1812. Daughter Rebecca (Lord) Downs died in Milton, in 1812.
Son-in-law Charles Recker [Ricker] served also as a Corporal in Capt. William Courson’s Milton militia company when it marched to Portsmouth, NH, in September 1814 (See Milton in the War of 1812).
Widowed son-in-law Aaron Downs married (2nd) in Newington, NH, May 29, 1816, Martha P. Nutter. She was born in Newington, NH, October 26, 1788, daughter of Thomas Nutter.
William W. Lord and his sons-in-law, Charles Ricker and Jerediah Ricker, all signed the April 1820 petition requesting the appointment of James Roberts as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. (See Milton Seeks a Magistrate – 1820).
William W. Lord and his sons-in-law, Aaron Downs, Charles Ricker and Jerediah Ricker, all signed the June 1820 remonstrance petition requesting that Milton not be divided in two parts. (See Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance – June 1820). William W. Lord and son-in-law, Aaron Downs, both signed the Milton Militia Division petition of November 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Stepmother Jane ((Hight) Plaisted) Lord died in Berwick, ME, April 10, 1822, aged eighty-six years.
The NH legislature authorized incorporation of the Milton Social Library by nine Milton men, including son-in-law Charles Ricker, June 14, 1822. Gilman Jewett was empowered to call its first meeting and preside over it as its moderator pro tem.
William W. Lord of Milton, yeoman, made his last will, December 17, 1822. He devised a life estate in his real estate to his beloved wife, Mary Lord, with the reversion after her death or remarriage to his grandson, James A. Ricker. He devised a cow and three sheep to his daughter, Molly Ricker, who was also to received one-half of his furniture after his wife’s decease, excepting one feather bed and bedding which he reserved for the said James A. Ricker. He devised a decent comfortable living at his house to his daughter Jane Lord, while she remained single, and a cow, three sheep, and the residue of the furniture thereafter. He devised $1 to his grandson, Ezekiel Ricker, together with what had already been given to his late mother, Sally Ricker. He devised $1 each to his grandsons, Aaron Downs and Simon E. Downs, together with what had been already given to their late mother, Rebecca Downs. He devised all the rest and residue of his real and personal estate to his grandson, James A. Ricker, whom he named as joint executor with his wife, Mary Lord. Timothy Roberts, Rebecca H. Roberts, and James Roberts signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 41:273).
Mary ((Garland) Allen) Lord died between December 1822 and October 1828.
William W. Lord married (2nd) in Rochester, NH, October 14, 1828, Mercy (Corson) Langton, he of Milton and she of Lebanon, ME. Rev. Isaac Willey performed the ceremony. She was born in Rochester, NH, 1763, daughter of Ichabod, Jr., and Mary (Allen) Corson.
Wm W. Lord headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years [Mercy ((Corson) Langton) Lord], one female aged 30-39 years [Jane Lord], one male aged 20-29 years, one male aged 10-14 years, one female aged 10-14 years, and one female aged 5-9 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Aaron Downs and Jas Roberts. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Jedediah [Jerediah] Ricker headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], two females aged 40-49 years, and one female aged 80-89 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Sally Downs and Joshua Handson. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Chas Ricker headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Mary (Lord) Ricker], one male aged 15-19 years, two females aged 10-14 years, one female aged 5-9 years, one male aged under-5 years, and one female aged under-5 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jas Bragdon and John Drew. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Aaron Downs headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Martha P. (Nutter) Downs], one male aged 10-14 years [Eri G. Downs], one male aged 5-9 years [John R. Downs], two females aged 5-9 years [Sarah A. Downs and L. Margaret Downs], and one female aged under-5 years [Rebecca S. Downs]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Saml Blaisdell and Wm W. Lord. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
NOTICE. THIS may certify that I have given my son SIMON EMERY DOWNS, his time, and declare him free to act and trade for himself, and I shall claim none of his earnings nor pay any debts of his contracting after this date. AARON DOWNS. Witness – JOHN KNOX, jr. Milton, December 2, 1830 (Dover Enquirer, December 7, 1830).
William W. Lord died in Milton, February 13, 1831, aged sixty-nine years, eleven months, and twenty-five days.
DIED. In Milton, on the 13th ult., Mr. WILLIAM W. LORD, aged about 70. By this dispensation of DIVINE PROVIDENCE a wife is deprived of an affectionate and tender companion; children of an indulgent and worthy father; and society of one of its best members. – “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” – [Com. (Dover Enquirer, March 1, 1831).
The last will of William W. Lord was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held on March 9, 1831 (Strafford County Probate, 41:275).
Dorothy (Knox) Ricker died in Milton, November 26, 1831, aged eighty-four years.
DIED. In Milton, on the 26th Nov., Mrs. Dorothy, widow of Mr. Lemuel Ricker, aged 84 years (Dover Enquirer, December 20, 1831).
Daughter Jane Lord died in Milton, in November 1835, aged forty-two years.
Died. In Milton, Miss Jane Lord, 42. The day preceding her death, she attended to her domestic concerns as usual; retired to bed about nine, and in the morning was found a lifeless corpse (Dover Enquirer, November 17, 1835).
Son-in-law Charles Ricker died in Milton, September 15, 1836, aged fifty-two years.
DIED. In Milton, on the 15th inst., Mr. Charles Ricker, aged 52 (Dover Enquirer, September 27, 1836).
Son-in-law Jerediah Ricker occupied a farm slated to be sold at auction on Saturday, April 22, 1837.
A Farm at Auction. WILL be sold at public auction on the premises, on SATURDAY the 22d day of April next at one of the clocks in the afternoon (unless previously disposed of at private sale) the farm now occupied by Jerediah Ricker situate in Milton, on the Teneriff road, so called, containing about 100 Acres of EXCELLENT LAND suitably divided into mowing, tillage and pasturing, about forty acres of which is covered with an excellent growth of Hard Wood.
The buildings are new consisting of house 26 by 34 ft. and Barn 30 by 36 feet. There is a good orchard and a well of water on said farm. Any person wishing a good bargain in a farm will do well to call and examine the same.
Conditions liberal and made known at the place of sale. For particulars enquire of Joseph Gerrish, Great Falls, Jerediah Ricker on the premises, or the subscriber.
STEPHEN M. MATHES. Milton, March 14, 1837 (Dover Enquirer, March 21, 1837).
Aaron Dow[ns] headed a Milton, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years [Martha P. (Nutter) Downs], one male aged 15-19 years [Eri G. Downs], one female aged 15-19 years, and one female aged 10-14 years [Rebecca S. Downs]. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John H. Roberts and Nathaniel Clark.
Aaron Downs, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Martha [(Nutter)] Downs, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), Eri Downs, a farmer, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), Matthias Nutter, a shoemaker, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Rebecca S. Downs, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Aaron Downs had real estate valued at $1,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jacob Staples, a shoemaker, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and James C. Roberts, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH).
Son-in-law Aaron Downs died July 14, 1850.
Supreme Judicial Court. Geo. W. Merrill vs. Aaron Downs and Simon E. Downs. In this action a verdict was taken by consent of parties for the plaintiff. Exceptions taken to the rulings of the Court and the case transferred to the full bench for decision. Christie & Sanborn for plaintiff; Woodman and Bell for defendant (Dover Enquirer, October 6, 1859).
References:
Find a Grave. (2022, February 3). Rebecca Lord Downs. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/236455035/rebecca-downs
Find a Grave. (2012, June 22). Jane Hight Lord. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/92405308/jane-lord
Milton Observer 