By Muriel Bristol | December 7, 2025
Richard Horne was born in Rochester, NH, March 17, 1777, son of Peter and Mercy (Wentworth) Horne. He was a namesake for his maternal grandfather, Richard Wentworth.
(The known children of Peter and Mercy (Wentworth) Horne were: Daniel Wentworth Horne (1761-1846), Moses Horne (1762-1800), Elijah Horne (1764-1839), Rebecca Horne (1766-1800), Peter Horne, Jr. (1768-1815), Edmund Horne (1769-1843), Jacob Horne (1771-1858), Rachel Horne (1773–1852), Abra Horne (1775-186?), and Richard Horne (1777-1854)).
Father Peter Horn 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, John Plumer, and [son Elijah Horn’s future father-in-law] Ichabod Corson were also among those that signed the petition.
Rev. Amos Main baptized Elijah Horn, a son of Peter Horn & his wife Mercy, in Rochester, NH, May 21, 1764. He baptized Rebecca Horn, a daughter of Peter Horn & his wife Mercy, July 13, 1766.
Rev. Avery Hall baptized Edmund Horn, a son of Peter Horn & his wife Mercy, in Rochester, NH, August 6, 1769.
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).
Rev. Avery Hall baptized Jacob Horn, a son of Peter Horn & his wife Mercy, in Rochester, NH, October 6, 1771.
Father Peter Horn was among the one hundred ninety-eight men who signed the revolutionary Association Test in Rochester, NH, June 1, 1776.
WE, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with ARMS, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets, and Armies, against the United American COLONIES (Batchellor, 1910).
Twenty-two Rochester men “refused” to sign. Another twenty-two Rochester Friends, i.e., “Quakers,” did not “choose” to sign, i.e., they were conscientious objectors.
Rev. Joseph Haven baptized Richard Horn, a son of Peter Horn, and Rachel Horn and Abra Horn, daughters of Peter Horn, in Rochester, NH, all on September 20, 1778.
Thomas and Rachel Garland sold their Rochester, NH, land to Peter Horn, October 30, 1781, before departing for Eaton, NH.
He [Thomas Garland] and his wife Rachel, then of Rochester, N.Η., sold Oct. 30, 1781, to Peter Horn, 40 acres of land, where he then lived, Lot No. 3, 1st Div., for £110 (Garland, 1897).
Sister Rebecca Horne married in Rochester, NH, October 20, 1783, John Wentworth. He was born in Milton, April 14, 1762, son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Hodgdon) Wentworth.
Brother Elijah Horn married in Rochester, NH, October 7, 1784, Anna Corson, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony (NEHGS, 1907). She was born circa 1765, daughter of Ichabod and Abigail (Roberts) Corson. (Ichabod Corson had been on Rochester’s Committee of Correspondence in 1775, and its military recruiting committee in 1778-79).
Peter Horn, his sons, Moses Horn and Elijah Horn, and his grandson, Moses Horn, Junr, were 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).
Sister Rachel Horne married in Rochester, i.e., Farmington, NH, September 14, 1786, Richard Randlett. He was born in Rochester, i.e., Farmington, NH, August 16, 1764, son of Jacob and Abigail (Plummer) Randlett.
Peter Horne headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included four males aged 16-plus years [himself], three males aged under-16 years [Richard Horne], and four females [Mercy (Wentworth) Horne]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joshua Merrow and Isaac Wentworth.
Brother Peter Horn, Jr., married in Berwick, ME, February 28, 1793, Eunice Wentworth, he of Rochester, NH, and she of Berwick, ME.
Father Peter Horn died in Farmington, NH, May 26, 1795.
Sister Abra Horn married in Rochester, NH, October 11, 1795, Joseph Corson. He was born in Rochester, NH, December 11, 1772, son of Ichabod [Jr.] and Mary (Allen) Corson.
Richard Horn married in Rochester, NH, May 9, 1799, Lucy Scates, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. She was baptized in Lebanon, ME, September 22, 1782, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Jenness) Scates.
(The known children of Richard and Lucy (Scates) Horn were: Calvin S. Horn (1800-1870), Lydia J. Horn (1802-1857)).
Sister Rebecca (Horne) Wentworth died in Milton, in 1800.
Son Calvin S. Horne was born in Milton, April 8, 1800. Daughter Lydia J. Horn was born in 1802.
Richd Horn headed a Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-25 years [himself], one female aged 16-25 years [Lucy (Scates) Horn], one male aged 10-15 years, and one male aged under-10 years (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Richard Horn, his brother, Elijah Horn, and his in-laws, John Wentworth, Benjamin Scates, John Scates, and Frederick Cate, all signed the Rochester Division Petition of May 28, 1802.
Richd Horn purchased Pew No. 32 in the Milton Town House, for $54.50 in 1804. It was situated on the west side of the main aisle on ground floor, behind that of B. Plumer, Pew No. 31, and in front of that of Ez. Hays, Pew No. 33 (See Milton Town House – 1804).
Richard Horne 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 [Lucy (Scates) Horne], one male aged 10-15 years, and one female aged under-10 years. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Abigail Hanson and Saml Cate. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Brothers Peter Horn and Elijah Horn were among forty-two Milton inhabitants that petitioned for incorporation of a Milton Congregational society, in June 1814.
Richard Horne, and his in-laws, Benjamin Scates, John Scates, Isaac Scates, and Benjamin Scates, Jnr, all signed the Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820. Richard Horn, and his in-laws, Benjamin Scates, John Scates, Isaac Scates, and Alvah Scates, all signed the Milton Militia Division of November 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Son Calvin S. Horne married in Milton, in 1824, Mary “Polly” Hayes, both of Milton, She was born in Milton, March 24, 1788, daughter of Daniel and Eunice (Pinkham) Hayes. Rev. James Walker performed the ceremony.
Daughter Lydia J. Horn married (1st), circa 1826, Beard P. Varney of Milton. He was born in Dover, NH, September 14, 1802, son of Jacob and Dorothy Jenkins) Varney.
Richd Horne headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], and one female aged 40-49 years [Lucy (Scates) Horn]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Lewis Hayes and Steph. Henderson. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Calvin S. Horne headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], and one female aged 40-49 years [Polly (Hayes) Horne]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Foss and Chas Horne.
Beard T. Varney headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Lydia J. (Horn) Varney], one female aged under-5 years [Lucy J. Varney], and one male aged under-5 years [Jonas M. Varney]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Benj. Dore and [his brother,] Richmond H. Varney.
Son-in-law Beard P. Varney died August 25, 1832, aged twenty-nine years.
Daughter Lydia J. (Horn) Varney married (2nd) in Somersworth, NH, January 25, 1838, John Bragdon, he of Milton and she of Somersworth, NH. Rev. Elihu Scott performed the ceremony. Bragdon was born in Milton, in 1801, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Clements) Bragdon.
Richard Horn headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself], and one female aged 50-59 years [Lucy (Scates) Horn]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Wentworth and William Foss.
Calvin S. Horn headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Polly (Hayes) Horne], and one female aged 5-9 years. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Hayes and Ichabod Hayes.
Calvin S. Horn, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“West Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Polly [(Hayes)] Horne, keeping house, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), and Thomas J. Hayes, a shoemaker, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Calvin S. Horne had real estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Seth W. Varney, a shoemaker, aged thirty years (b. NH), and Sally Hayes, aged seventy-two years (b. NH).
John Bragdon, a farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Horn)] Bragdon, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), Betsey A. Bragdon, aged seven years (b. NH), Richard Horn, a farmer, aged seventy years (b. NH), Lucy [(Scates)] Horn, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), Lucy J. Varney, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Jonas M. Varney, a farmer, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). John Bragdon had real estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Wentworth, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years, and Giles Burrows, a farmer, aged twenty-six years (b. ME).
Richard Horn died in Milton, February 16, 1854.
Daughter Lydia J. ((Horn) Varney) Bragdon died in Milton, January 28, 1857.
Calvin S. Horne, a farm laborer, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“West Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Polley [(Hayes)] Horne, keeping house, aged seventy-two years (b. NH). Calvin S. Horne had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George Blake, a farm laborer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Thomas Hayes, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH).
John Bragdon, a farmer, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Clara Varney, aged one year (b. NH). John Bragdon had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jonas M. Varney, a farmer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and Eri Wentworth, a farmer, aged forty-three years (b. NH).
Son-in-law John Bragdon died in Milton, September 16, 1860, aged fifty-nine years.
DEATHS. In Milton, 16th inst., John Bragdon, aged 59 years (Dover Enquirer, September 27, 1860).
Land of son Calvin S. Horne was mentioned in a boundary description of the West Milton house and land of Ephraim Hayes of Milton, deceased, May 7, 1861.
To the Judge of Probate for the County of Strafford. RESPECTFULLY represents Rosemon F. Hayes of Milton, in said county, that she is the widow of Ephraim Hayes, late of said Milton, deceased, intestate: that said Ephraim Hayes died seized and possessed of a certain dwelling house and lot of land situate in said Milton, bounded easterly by land of Joseph Pearl, westerly by land of Calvin Horn, northerly by land of James Hayes, southerly by land of Simon Hayes and others, containing about seventy-five acres, which house and land the said deceased with your petitioner and the minor children of said Ephraim and your petitioner, to wit. William Henry, Mary Peirce and John Peirce Hayes, at the time of his decease, to wit. on the nineteenth day of February, A.D. 1861, and for a long time before occupied as their dwelling and family homestead. Wherefore your petitioner prays that a family homestead of the value of five hundred dollars, (if said estate shall be of that that value) may be set off and assigned to her and said minor children out of said estate, agreeably to the statute in such case provided. Dated the seventh day of May, A.D. 1861. ROSEMON F. HAYES (Dover Enquirer, May 16, 1861).
Calvin S. Horne, a farm laborer, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Polly [(Hayes)] Horne, keeping house, aged eighty-two years (b. NH). Calvin S. Horne had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $300 Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Town, works for shoe factory, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and Ichabod Hayes, a farmer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH).
Son Calvin S. Horne died in Milton, October 12, 1870.
State of New Hampshire. STRAFFORD, SS. – The Judge of Probate for said County, to the Heirs at law, the Creditors, Legatees and to all others interested in the Estate of Calvin S. Horne, late of Milton, in said County, deceased, decreed to be administered as an Insolvent Estate: YOU are hereby notified that the report of the Commissioner appointed to examine and allow the claims of creditors against said estate, will be offered for acceptance at the Court of Probate to be holden at Rochester in said County on the first Tuesday of December next, at which time you may appear and be heard. And it is ordered that the Executor of said estate, give notice by causing this citation and order thereon, to be published three weeks successively in the Dover Enquirer, a newspaper printed at Dover in said County, the last publication thereof to be at least seven days before said Court. Given at the Probate office, in said county, this 2d day of November, A.D. 1871. By Order, JOHN R. VARNEY, Register. 45 (Dover Enquirer, November 9, 1871).
Daughter-in-law Mary “Polly” (Hayes) Horne died April 6, 1873, aged eighty-five years.
References:
Find a Grave. (2013, September 20). Lydia J. Horn [Varney] Bragdon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117394782/lydia-j-bragdon
Find a Grave. (2022, August 20). Abra [Horne] Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/242809254/abra-corson
Find a Grave. (2016, September 13). Calvin S. Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/169872395/calvin_s-horne
Find a Grave. (2020, November 10). Daniel W. Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/218383005/daniel-w-horne
Find a Grave. (2013, January 24). Edmund Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/104095651/edmund-horne
Find a Grave. (2010, April 19). Jacob Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/51357448/jacob-horne
Find a Grave. (2016, September 13). Mary Polly Hayes Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/169872420/mary_polly-horne
Find a Grave. (2010, February 20). Moses Horne. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/48404133/moses-horne
Find a Grave. (2014, December 6). Peter Horne [Jr.]. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/139643614/peter-horne
NH Legislature. (1884). Town Papers. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=-4dQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA338
Wentworth, John. (1878). Wentworth Genealogy. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=8OuxAYECK
Milton Observer 