By Muriel Bristol | December 14, 2025
David Corson was born in Rochester, NH, January 9, 1761, son of Ichabod and Abigail (Roberts) Corson.
Father Ichabod Corson was one of the one hundred and one Rochester, NH, inhabitants that petitioned, February 8, 1762, for Rochester to be represented in the NH Provincial Legislature. Barnabas Palmer, and John Plumer were also among those that signed the petition. (See Rochester Representation Petition – 1762).
Father Ichabod Corson served on Rochester’s Committee of Correspondence in 1775, and its military recruiting committee in 1778-79.
Many years later, when applying for a Revolutionary War service pension, David Corson, of Milton, aged seventy-three years, and others described his Revolutionary War service in coastal defense, in the summer of 1778, in the Continental Navy, beginning in October or November 1778, and finally on a privateer or letter of marque vessel, ending in 1780. In the absence of any documentation or discharges, which had rarely been issued, other surviving Revolutionary veterans testified in support of his application.
I, David Corson of Milton, in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, testify and say, that in the summer of the year 1778 Capt William McDuffee, then of Rochester in the County aforesaid, had orders to enlist soldiers in the United States service for one month and did accordingly enlist a number. At that time, I was a living at said Rochester and was the first person that the said McDuffee then enlisted. I enlisted for one month as aforesaid and marched for the Great Island [Newcastle, NH]. I do further depose and say that after the expiration of said month, I turned out as a volunteer, but how long that company volunteered for I can not now recollect as it was never cald [called] for as I believe and after said month service, & c., I entered the United States service on board the United States ship Ranger as I declared in my declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension, at the making of which I did not recollect the above enlistment, as that instrument was made in something of a hurry. And I do further testify that I am seventy three years of age, lacking a few days, am laboring under the infirmities of old age and am dispossessed of all kind of real or personal taxable property. David Corson.
Strafford County, Ss. January 3rd A.D. 1833. Subscribed and sworn to before me ~ James Roberts Justice of the Peace.
I am well acquainted with the above deponent David Corson and Certify that he is considered a man of truth and veracity ~ James Roberts Justice of the Peace.
I, Timothy Roberts of Milton in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, aged seventy three, depose, testify and say that in the Fall of the year A.D 1778, I enlisted on board the Ranger a Continental Ship in the war of the revolution, Thomas Simson [Simpson] being being Commander, Elijah Hall First lieutenant, David Callum second, and Timothy Mumford sailing sailing master. That David Corson now of the town of Milton belonged to the same vessel, that we sailed from Portsmouth in the said State of New Hampshire on a cruise in company with the Warren and Queen of France, two Continental Ships, that we took a British privateer some time after sailing and the next day came in contact with the Georgia fleet and took seven sail, and after manning said vessels we returned back to said Portsmouth having been engaged about five months. Timo Roberts. Strafford, Ss. September 14th, 1832. Subscribed and sworn to before me ~ James Roberts Justice of the Peace.
State of New Hampshire. Strafford, Ss. I, James Bartlett, Regr of the Court of Probate of said County do hereby Certify that James Roberts whose name is above Subscribed to the four preceding papers is a Justice of the Peace for said Court. In Witness Whereof I have hereto affixed the Seal of said Court this 14th day of September A.D., 1832. James Bartlett, Regr.
I, Jonathan Dore of Milton in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, depose and say that in the Fall of the Year 1778 I was in the war of the revolution on board the ship Ranger with David Corson, now of said Milton, and others for about Five month, that we took a British privateer and seven sale sale [sail] of British Vessels, we sailed from Portsmouth in this state, that Thomas Stimpson [Simpson] was Captain, Elijah Hall was first lieutenant and David Callum second and After returning to said Portsmouth were discharged. Jonathan his x mark Dore. Witness James Roberts.
Strafford, Ss. September 14th 1832. Subscribed and sworn to before me ~ James Roberts Justice of the Peace.
I Certify the above deponent is a creditable witness. James Roberts J.P.
I, Amos M. Hayes of Northyarmouth [North Yarmouth] in the state of Maine, in the seventy seventh year of my age, do testify and say that in the year A.D. 1780 I had orders to enlist men aboard a privateer [the Julius Caesar] Commanded by Captain Nathaniel Bently [Bentley], that in May or June of the same year I enlisted David Corson, then of Rochester in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire and now of Milton in the County of Strafford, that we immediately sailed from Portsmouth in said State of New Hampshire to the eastward, and after having been at sea about one month we took a British vessel from Dartmouth bound to Halifax, that in four or five weeks after that we took another British vessel loaded with merchandise of various kinds and bound to Quebeck [Quebec], that we took no other vessel but chased several to no effect, & after having been out about three and a half month we returned to New Bury Port [Newburyport] and from thence the said Corson and I returned to Rochester aforesaid where we both then resided. Amos M. Hayes.
Subscribed and Sworn to by the above deponent at Milton in the County of Strafford this fifth day of July A.D. 1832 before me ~ James Roberts Justice of the Peace.
I certify that from the best information I have respecting the above named Deponent Amos M. Hayes, that he is a regular member of the church, and a very respectable person for truth and veracity ~ James Roberts Justice of the Peace.
David Corson married in Rochester, NH, February 22, 1781, Mary McDuffee, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. She was born in February 1759, daughter of William and Martha (Allen) McDuffee.
(The known children of David and Mary (McDuffee) Corson were: William Corson (178?–178?), Timothy Corson (1786–1843), David M. Corson (1788–1860), and Mary McDuffee Corson (1793–1831)).
Younger sister Anna Corson married in Rochester, NH, October 7, 1784, Elijah Horn, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony (NEHGS, 1907). Horn was born in Rochester, NH, May 4, 1764, son of Peter and Mercy (Wentworth) Horn.
David Corson was among the three hundred ten Rochester inhabitants that petitioned the NH legislature, August 30, 1785, seeking repeal of an act requiring milled boards to be square-edged and an inch thick (and other lumber in proportion). Those inhabitants described themselves then as being “largely Concerned in Lumber.” They sought also repeal of an act forbidding transport of lumber to the British West Indies, and seeking the issuance of a new paper money (Hammond, 1884). (See Rochester Lumber Remonstrance – August 1785).
Son Timothy Corson was baptized in Rochester, NH, November 17, 1786. Son William Corson was baptized in Rochester, NH, November 20, 1786.
Son David M. Corson was born in Rochester, NH, January 20, 1788.
Ichabod Courson headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included two males aged 16-plus years [himself], two males aged under-16 years, and two females [Abigail (Roberts) Corson]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Tebbets and Wentworth Twombly.
David Corson headed a Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], one female [Mary McDuffee) Corson], and two males aged under-16 years [Timothy Corson and David M. Corson]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Daniel Door and Richd Pinkhim [Pinkham]. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).
Daughter Mary McDuffee Corson was baptized in Rochester, NH, July 14, 1792.
David Corson mortgaged one hundred forty acres of land in Rochester, NH, to Beard Plummer, June 4, 1793, and paid it off seven months later, January 3, 1794.
David Corson, husbandman, of Rochester, for 40 pounds money, provisionally conveyed to Beard Plumer, husbandman, of Rochester, land in Rochester drawn to original right of Tobias Hanson, Lot # 66, 3rd Division, containing 140 acres, with the provision that if the above amount is paid with interest by September 24, next, this deed becomes void. The deed was witnessed by Joseph Clark and Anna Clark; deed dated on June 4, 1793, and recorded on June 25, 1793. The loan was paid off on January 3, 1794. (Strafford [County Deeds], 16:195/197, 1793) (Colson, 1991).
Father Ichabod Courson of Rochester, NH, gentleman, made his last will, February 22, 1799. He devised a life estate to his beloved wife, Abigail Courson. Also, two cows and four sheep were to be kept for her summer and winter, one riding horse, suitable for her, and the household furniture. He devised the home farm to his beloved son, Timothy Courson, it being the whole of First Division Lot #34 in Rochester, with buildings. He was to have also all cattle not otherwise disposed, the instruments of husbandry, .i.e., the farm tools and equipment, any due debts, and any rest and residue remaining. He devised all the household furniture to his beloved daughters, Keziah Ellis, Elizabeth Richards, Mehitable McDuffee, Anna Horn, and Sarah Wallingford. It was to be equally divided when their mother was done with it. This, together with what he had already given them, would be their full share.
He had vested by deed his sons, Ichabod Courson, Joshua Courson, Ebenezer Courson and Benjamin Courson, with their shares of his estate. He devised his wearing apparel to his sons, Ebenezer Courson and Benjamin Courson, to be equally divided. He devised $1 to his son, David Courson, he having already received his full share. He appointed his son, Timothy Courson, as executor. James How, Jacob Hanson, and Richd Dame witnessed his signature or, rather, witnessed “his mark” (Strafford County Probate, 6: 455).
Ens Ichd [Ensign Ichabod] Corson 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 [Abigail (Roberts) Corson], one male aged 26-44 years, one female aged 26-44 years, two males aged 10-15 years, three females aged 10-15 years, one male aged under-10 years, and two females aged under-10 years. [Ichd Corson, Jr, headed a separate Rochester, NH, household].
David Corson headed a Northeast Parish, 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 [Mary (McDuffee) Corson], one male aged 16-25 years [Timothy Corson], one male aged 10-15 years [David M. Corson], and one female aged under-10 years [Mary M. Corson]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Father Ichabod Corson died in Rochester, NH, in July 1801. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court, November 2, 1801 (Strafford County Probate, 6:455).
David Corson sold land in Rochester, NH, i.e., in Milton that would be, to Ephraim Drew (c1760-1845) in November 1801. It adjoined land he had sold formerly to brother-in-law Elijah Horn, and was situated north of the pond, i.e., Meetinghouse Pond, and south of the Wakefield road, i.e., what is now NH Rte. 125.
David Corson, husbandman of Rochester, for $50 sold Ephraim Drew, cordwainer of Rochester, 12¼ acres in Rochester, 3rd Division, drawn to original right of John Trickey, et al., lying between that of Jonathan Dorr and land David sold Elijah Horn, joining on north side of pond and south side of road leading to Wakefield. The deed was witnessed by John Fish and Pelatiah Hanson; deed dated November 16, 1801, and recorded June 14, 1802 (Strafford County Deeds, 40:34, as abstracted by TAL Publications, 1991).
A “division” was a division of common land. Original settlers of – in this case Rochester – would generally receive an original house or farmstead lot from an original township grant. They would have also rights in any undivided common land. People who had such rights were termed “commoners.” Commoners might have a sort of parallel government of only those that had such rights, in which they might decide on issues related to their commonly owned land and its management, including any further divisions of it into separate privately owned parcels.
Those having common rights were allowed use of that common land. (From which practice the economic concept of the “Tragedy of the Commons” arises). If a division of that common land were to be made at any point, only commoners were entitled to a share or lot drawn at random from the land being divided. (There might be successive divisions over a period of years until the common land had all been dispersed). Their division rights were separable. It would be possible for one to sell one’s original house lot, while still retaining one’s division rights. It might be possible to sell one’s share in a first division, while retaining one’s rights in future divisions. In this case, Corson sold Third Division land to Drew (as he had earlier to Horn) that he had acquired from John Trickey, et al., who had original division rights.
David Corson signed the Rochester Division Petition of May 1802.
D. Corson purchased Pew No. 23 in the Milton Town House, for $45.25 in 1804. It was situated on the south or front side of the ground floor, between those of B. Scats, Pew No. 22, and Robert McGeoch, Pew No. 24 (See Milton Town House – 1804).
Father-in-law William McDuffee died in Rochester, NH, July 9, 1804.
David Corson was assessed in the Milton School District No. 1 of Joseph Plummer, in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
Mother-in-law Martha (Allen) McDuffee died in Rochester, NH, January 1, 1808.
Son David M. Corson married in Wakefield, NH, October 15, 1808, Apphia Remick, both of Milton. Rev Asa Piper performed the ceremony. She was born in 1789, daughter of John and Susanna (Cole) Remick.
David Corston [Corson] 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 (McDuffee) Corson], one male aged 16-25 years [David M. Corson], two females aged 16-25 years [Mary M. Corson and Apphia (Remick) Corson], and one female aged under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ephraim Twombly and Jno McDuffee. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
David Corston and his son, David M. Corson, were 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).
Son David M. Courson served as a Sergeant in Capt. William Courson’s Milton militia company when it marched to Portsmouth, NH, in September 1814. (Capt. William Courson must have been a cousin of David M. Courson, rather than a brother. David M. Courson would be said to be the “only child of David Corson,” i.e., the only surviving child, in 1843, while William Courson was yet living in New York) (See Milton in the War of 1812).
Mother Abigail (Roberts) Corson died in Rochester, NH, March 20, 1820.
David Corson and his son, David M. Corson, both signed the April 1820 petition requesting the appointment of James Roberts as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. (See Milton Seeks a Magistrate – 1820).
Neither David Corson nor his son, David M. Corson signed any of the petitions – either pro or con – of the Milton militia dispute of 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Mary (McDuffee) Corson died in Milton Mills, October 29, 1826.
David M. Cosan [Corson] 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 [Apphia (Remick) Corson], one female aged 30-39 years [Mary M. Corson], one female aged 20-29 years, one male aged 10-14 years [William N. Corson], one female aged 5-9 years, and one male aged under-5 years [James W. Corson], and one male aged 60-69 years [David Corson]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Scates and Jona Pollard. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Grandson James Walker Corson died in Milton, September 14, 1831, aged three years, one month, and twenty-one days.
DIED. In Milton, on the 14th inst., James Walker, son of Mr. David M. Corson, aged 3 years, 1 month and 21 days (Dover Enquirer, September 27, 1831).
David Corson applied for a Revolutionary War veteran’s pension in January 1833, at the age of seventy-three years.
In October or November 1778 he [David Corson] enlisted on board the Ranger, Continental Ship of War, Capt. Thomas Simpson Commander, Elijah Hall 1st Lieut., David Callum 2d Lieut., Timothy Mumford Sailing Master. The Ranger sailed from Portsmouth N.H. on a cruise in Company with Ship of War the Warren of 32 Guns bearing the Commodore’s flag, together with the Queen of France. The first prize was a British privateer and soon after fell in with the Georgia Fleet of Eleven Sail and Captured Seven. The Ranger returned to Portsmouth N.H. the last of April 1779, having Served five Months. Then he again Ship’d on board of the Julius Caesar of Newburyport in the first part of June 1780 under Captain Nathaniel Bentley – a Mr. Westcott was first lieutenant – and immediately sailed from Portsmouth N.H. to the eastern. About one Month after sailing the Julius Caesar took a British Ship bound to Halifax and about five days after that Capture took another Vessel bound to Quebeck [Quebec] and then returned to Newburyport the last of September 1780 after having been out three and one half Months on the cruise aforesaid, where we were all discharged. He never had any written discharge to his knowledge or belief. He has in his possession a record of his age kept on a leaf of an old Bible that belonged to his Father’s Family, from that it appears he was born in Rochester N.H. in the year 1761, being 71 years old the 9th day of January last past.
(Jonathan Dore, Amos M. Hayes and Timothy Roberts sailed also on the Ranger with David Corson, and would submit affidavits attesting to that).
David Corson was placed on the pension roll, February 20, 1834, with retroactive payments back to March 4, 1831. He received thereafter semi-annual Revolutionary War pension payments of $11.66½ (adding to $23.33 annually) for his services as a seaman on the ship Ranger.
David M. Corson 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 40-49 years [Apphia (Remick) Corson], one male aged 20-29 years [William Corson], one female aged 15-19 years [Susan Corson], two females aged 5-9 years [Mary A. Corson and Emily N. Corson], one male aged 70-79 years [David Corson], and one female aged 60-69 years [Susan Remick]. One Revolutionary veteran, David Corson, aged seventy-nine years, was recorded in his household. Three members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ebenezer Adams and James Hayes.
Granddaughter Emily Neal Corson died in Milton, November 29, 1842, aged eight years, three months.
Deaths. In Milton, Nov. 29, of the Rash and Throat-distemper, Emily Neal, youngest daughter of Mr. David M. and Mrs. Apphia Corson, aged 8 years and 3 months. By the death of this child the parents, brother and sisters sustain a deep affliction. Nothing of very awakening interest can be expected from a child of this age, yet from the amiable disposition, lovely appearance, and thirst for books and learning, especially singing which she managed with remarkable promptness, a passing tribute seems due to her memory. Nature had so formed and endowed her with so pleasing and agreeable qualities, as rendered her almost a perfect model of innocence and loveliness. But the Sovereign Disposer of events saw fit to remove her from this imperfect to a more perfect state, where her little voice will unite with the Heavenly Choir. Her remains were interred on the 30th instant. A very appropriate and interesting discourse was delivered on the occasion by Rev. Benj. G. Willey, from Job v.-6-7 – Com. (Farmington News, December 6, 1842).
David Corson died in Milton Mills, July 6, 1843, aged eighty-two years, five months, twenty-seven days.
I, Samuel Shapley of Eliot, in the County of York and State of Maine, depose and say that I have long been acquainted with David Corson, late of Milton in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, a Revolutionary Pensioner, deceased, that I have long been in the habit of visiting him several times in a year, that I saw him in June last & he was then so sick that I did not think that he could live a week. I have been several times at his home since his death, which I understood took place on the sixth of July last. Said Corson was more than Eighty years of age. I have also been long acquainted with David M. Corson, the only child of said David Corson & that he left no widow. Samuel Shapleigh.
Sept. 12, 1843. Sworn to before me, W.H.Y. Hackett, jus. peace.
I, David M. Corson of Milton, in the County of Strafford, depose and say that I am the only child of David Corson, a Revolutionary Pensioner, deceased, that he died at said Milton on the Sixth day of July last & that he left no widow. David M. Corson.
Sept. 12, 1843. Sworn to before me, W.H.Y. Hackett, jus. peace.
Probate Court at Portsmouth, Septr 12, 1843. I hereby certify that the within depositions are to me satisfactory of the facts there in set forth. Jno Sullivan, Judge of Probate.
The final marginal notation in his pension file, after that of September 1843, said “Died 6th July 1843 paid 3rd qr 1843.”
Daughter-in-law Apphia (Remick) Corson died in Milton, June 9, 1847, aged fifty-seven years, eight months.
DEATHS. In Milton, June 9th, Mrs. Alpha [Apphia] Corson, wife of Mr. David M. Corson, aged 57 years, 8 months (Farmington News, July 13, 1847).
David M. Corson, a farmer, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Susan Corson, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), Mary A. Corson, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Susan Remick, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), John Remick, aged thirteen years (b. ME). They shared a two-family residence with the household of William Corson, a farmer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH). David M. Corson had real estate valued at $1,500; and William Corson had real estate valued at $1,200. Their households appeared in the enumeration between those of Apphia Hayes, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), and Hanson Hayes, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).
Son David M. Corson died of consumption in Milton, February 14, 1860, aged seventy-two years, twenty-five days. He was a widowed farmer.
References:
Find a Grave. (2011, December 31). David Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/82754715/david-corson
Find a Grave. (2013, July 29). David M. Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114553106/david-m-corson
Find a Grave. (2016, May 26). Ichabod Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/163301301/ichabod-corson
Find a Grave. (2021, March 4). Mary M. Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/223891156/mary-m-corson
Find a Grave. (2019, May 15). Amos Main Hayes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/199143539/amos-main-hayes
Find a Grave. (2009, November 19). Cpt. William McDuffee. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/44559126/william-mcduffee
Wikipedia. (2025, June 19). USS Ranger (1777). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ranger_(1777)
Father Peter Horn was one of sixty-four Rochester, NH, inhabitants that petitioned, in 1770, for an “upper” Cocheco River bridge in Dover, NH, in preference to those situated or planned for locations below the falls. The legislature ordered a public hearing on the matter for December 14, 1770 (NH Legislature, 1884).
Peter Horn, his sons, Moses Horn and 
Richard Horn, his brother, 
Richard Horne, and his in-laws, 
Milton Observer 