By Muriel Bristol | December 21, 2025
Nathan Jones was baptized in Lebanon, ME, December 16, 1784, son of Reuben and Mary “Molly” (Nock) Jones.
Father Reuben Jones married in Berwick, January 11, 1768, Mary Nock. Rev. Matthew Merriam of the Second Church in Berwick, ME, performed the ceremony.
Paul Jewett, Amos Witham, Reuben Jones and others were the first settlers of the section near the West Branch river. They came probably about 1785 or 1786.
Among the first who settled at Three Ponds were Samuel Palmer, Levi Burgen, John Fish, Paul Jewett, Pelatiah Hanscom, Robert McGooch, and others (Hurd, 1882).
Rheuben Jones headed a Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus [himself], two males under-16 years [John Jones and Nathan Jones], and three females [Mary (Nock) Jones, Mehitable Jones, and Elizabeth Jones]. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).
Sister Mehitable “Hittie” Jones married in Wakefield, NH, August 5, 1792, Josiah Witham. He was born in Kittery, ME, December 2, 1768, son of Amos and Lucy (Weeks) Witham
Reubin Jones headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus [himself], one female aged 45-plus [Mary (Nock) Jones], one male aged 16-25 years [Joshua Jones], two females aged 16-25 years [Elizabeth Jones and Martha Jones], and one male aged 10-15 years [Nathan Jones]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Father Reuben Jones signed the Rochester Division Petition of 1802. (Nathan Jones would have been still too young to sign).
Capt. N. Jones purchased Pew No. 11 in the Gallery of the Milton Town House, for $17 in 1804. It was situated on the north side of the balcony floor, between those of Stephn Wentworth, Pew No. 10, and Capt. D. Hayes, Pew No. 12. He purchased also Pew No. 17 in the Gallery of the Milton Town House, for $18 in 1804. It was situated in the northeast corner of the balcony floor, between those of J. Door, Pew No. 16, and vacant Pew No. 18 (See Milton Town House – 1804).
Nathan Jones and his father, Reuben Jones, were both assessed in the Milton School District No. 3 of Paul Jewett in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
Nathan Jones married in Barnstead, NH, in 1807, Susannah Davis, he of Milton and she of Barnstead, NH. She was born in Barnstead, NH, October 10, 1783.
(The known children of Nathan and Susanna (Davis) Jones were: John P. Jones (1818-1901), Sarah Jones (c1821-1889), Susan Jones (c1823-), Nathan Jones, Jr. (1825-188?)).
Nathan Jones was one of thirty-seven Strafford County inhabitants that petitioned the NH Governor and Executive Council, January 2, 1810, requesting appointment of Maj. Andrew Wentworth of Somersworth, NH, as replacement Strafford County Sheriff. Maj. Wentworth had been a NH State Representative, from Somersworth, NH, and militia officer as well as militia inspector. (See Strafford County Sheriff Petition – January 2, 1810). A competing petition sought instead reappointment of the incumbent, Sheriff James Carr. (See Strafford County Sheriff Petition – 1810).
Reuben Jones 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 (Nock) Jones], one female aged 26-44 years, and one male aged under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Thomas Remick and Nathan Jones. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Nathan Jones headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-25 years [himself], one female aged 16-25 years [Susanna (Davis) Jones], and two females aged under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Reuben Jones and Peter Copp.
Nathan Jones signed the Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Mother Mary (Nock) Jones died in Milton, December 8, 1822.
Nathan Jones 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 [Susanna (Davis) Jones], one male aged 20-29 years, one female aged 20-29 years, two males aged 10-14 years, one male aged 5-9 years, two female aged 5-9 years, one male aged under-5 years, and one male aged 80-89 years [Reuben Jones]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jas. Merrow and Thos. Remick. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).
Son Nathan Jones and Susan Jones were among the the fifty-two members that were dismissed or released from the Acton Milton Baptist Church, October 28, 1834, in order to found the Milton Baptist Church.
Baptist Church. – Prior to 1834 a church existed, known as the Acton and Milton Baptist Church. This church had a large membership in Milton. On the 28th day of October, in said year, fifty-two members were dismissed from said church, and the 30th day of the same October they organized them into a new church, called the Baptist Church of Milton. The membership was as follows: Charles Swasey, Sarah Swasey, John Shackford, Elizabeth Hart, Ann E. Hart, Hannah Nutter, Ruth Nutter, Samuel S. Hart, Daniel Jones, Nancy Witham, Ira Witham, Nathan Jones, Mehitable Witham, Eunice Swasey, Harriet Fox, Widow Betsey Berry, Susan S. Nutter, Mary Ann Nutter, John Witham, Jr., William S. Nutter, Aaron H. Hadsdan, Nathaniel O. Hart, John Witham, Francis Berry, Josiah Witham, Susan Jones, Martha Witham, Fatima Wallingford, Lydia Jewett, Susan Archabald, Eliza G. Berry, James J. Jewett, Lydia Witham, Nathan Dore, Climena Witham, Alice Hussey, Mary Wentworth, Lydia Fall, Sarah Wentworth, Sally Merrow, Eliza Merrow, Mary Jones, Nancy Jewett, Asa Jewett, Betsey Berry, Mary Witham, Abigail Witham, Deborah Dore, Sarah Berry, Francis Wallingford, Sarah Dore, Elizabeth Nutter. William S. Nutter was chosen clerk, and Charles Swasey and John Witham, Jr., were chosen and ordained as deacons. Of these fifty-two members nine only are now living (Scales, 1914).
Nathan Jones 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 [Susanna (Davis) Jones], one female aged 30-39 years, one female aged 20-29 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, and one male aged 10-14 years. Three members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Reuben J. Witham and Lydia Witham.
Daughter Sarah Jones married, circa 1848, James H. Hanscom. He was born in Milton, March 25, 1822, son of Pelatiah and Betsy (Tibbetts) Hanscom.
Son John P. Jones married in Somersworth, NH, April 16, 1848, Louisa Maria Wentworth, he of Milton and she of Somersworth, NH. Rev. Noah Hooper performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, March 10, 1820, daughter of John and Abigail (Wingate) Wentworth.
MARRIAGES. In Somersworth, – Mr. John P. Jones of Milton, to Miss Louisa M. Wentworth (Dover Enquirer, May 16, 1848).
Nathan Jones, a farmer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Susan [(Davis)] Jones, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), Susan Jones, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Cyrus Jones, aged ten years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Archibald, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), and Thomas Remick, a farmer, aged seventy-nine years (b. ME).
John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Louisa M. [(Wentworth)] Jones, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Susan A. Jones, aged one year, and David P. Jones, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James C. Roberts, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), and James Hanscomb, a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH).
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).
Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Phebe [(Leighton)] Duntley, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Lorenzo D. Duntley, a shoemaker, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Jedidiah L. Duntley, a shoemaker, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Mary J. Duntley, aged twelve years (b. NH), Ira W. Duntley, aged nine years (b. NH), Amos G. Duntley, aged seven years (b. NH), Lorania Duntley, aged four years (b. NH), Bethann Duntley, aged four years (b. NH), Nathan Jones, Jr., a blacksmith, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Hosea Knox, a shoemaker, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Stephen Drew, physician, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and James Pinkham, shoemaker, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH).
Son Nathan Jones [Jr.] married in South Berwick, ME, July 3, 1853, Vashti Boynton Davenport, he of Milton and she of Rollinsford, NH. Rev. B.R. Allen performed the ceremony. She was born in Danville, VT, circa 1828, daughter of Lot and Eliza (Wells) Davenport. (Vashti was the Persian queen who was replaced by the Biblical Esther).
Son-in-law James Hanscom and John Nute of Milton were selected as petit jurors in the Strafford County Court of Common Pleas in August 1857 (Dover Enquirer, August 27, 1857).
John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged forty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census, His household included Louisa M. [(Wentworth)] Jones, aged forty years (b. NH), Susan A. Jones, aged eleven years (b. NH), Mary J. Jones, aged six years (b. NH), J.R. Jones, aged eleven years (b. NH), Nathan Jones, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), Susan [(Davis)] Jones, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), and Israel Hubbard, aged fifteen years (b. NH). John P. Jones had personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Judith Foss, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and James Hanscom, a shoemaker, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH).
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. [Violetta A.] Hanscom, aged eleven years (b. NH), E.C. [Emma 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. [Matthias] 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).
Nathan Jones, a shoemaker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Vashti B. [(Davenport)] Jones, aged thirty-three years (b. VT), Melvin E. Jones, aged five years (b. NH), and Reuben D. Jones, aged one year (b. NH). Nathan Jones had personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Eri G. Downs, a farmer, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and John H. Crane, a shoemaker, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).
Son-in-law James Hanscom and Bray U. Simes were selected for as Strafford County grand jurors in February 1862 (Dover Enquirer, February 13, 1862).
Sister Mehitable (Jones) Witham died of old age in Milton, May 10, 1863, aged ninety-three years.
Sons John P. Jones and Nathan Jones, Jr., and son-in-law, James Hanscom, all of Milton, registered for the Class II military draft in Milton, in June 1863. John P. Jones was a shoemaker, aged forty-three years (b. NH), Nathan Jones, Jr., was a shoemaker, aged forty years (b. NH), and James Hanscom was a shoemaker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).
Susanna (Davis) Jones died of palsy in Milton, October 20, 1864, aged eighty-one years, ten days. Nathan Jones died of a fever in Milton, September 14, 1865, aged eighty-two years, four months.
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. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Hanscom, works for shoe fact., aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and a vacant house, with that of Stephen M. Bragdon, a carpenter, aged thirty-one years (b. NH).
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. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Henry Downs, works for shoe fact., aged fifty years (b. NH), and John P. Jones, works for shoe fact., aged fifty-one years (b. NH).
Nathan Jones, works for shoe factory, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Vashti B. [(Davenport)] Jones, keeping house, aged forty-three years (b. VT), Reuben D. Jones, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH), and Alta S. Jones, at school, aged eight years (b. NH). Nathan Jones had personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Downs, a farm laborer, aged seventy-seven years (b. NH), and John H. Crane, works for shoe factory, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).
John P. Jones, a shoemaker, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Louisa [(Wentworth)] Jones, keeping house, aged sixty years (b. NH), and his daughters, Mary J. Jones, a housekeeper, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and Lydia E. Jones, at school, aged sixteen years (b. NH). They shared a two-family residence with the household of James Hanscom, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). Their two-family residence appeared in the enumeration between those of Albert Mason, a farmer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), and Rufus A. Hoyt, a farmer, aged forty 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). Their two-family residence appeared in the enumeration between those of Albert Mason, a farmer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), and Rufus A. Hoyt, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH).
Nathan Jones, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Vashti B. [(Davenport)] Jones, aged fifty-two years (b. VT), and his son, Reuben D. Jones, works on shoes, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Nathan Jones was reported as “sick” with a spinal abscess. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George Dorr, a farmer, aged eighty-one years (b. NH), and Eri G. Downs, a farmer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH).
Daughter Sarah (Jones) Hanscom died of apoplexy in Milton, September 24, 1889, aged sixty-eight years, eleven month, and twelve days.
Daughter-in-law Louisa M. (Wentworth) Jones died in Milton, November 1, 1889.
Mrs. Vashti B. Jones appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1890, as a widow, with her house at 22 Baker street. Reuben D. Jones appeared also, as a laster, with his house at 22 Baker street.
Son-in-law James H. Hanscom died January 29, 1890, aged sixty-seven years, ten months, and four days.
Vashti B. Jones appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1892, as the widow of Nathan Jones, with her house at 9 Twombly street. Reuben D. Jones appeared also, as a shoe laster, with his house at 9 Twombly street.
Daughter-in-law Vashti B. (Davenport) Jones died of gastritis in Dover, NH, April 8, 1894, aged sixty-seven years, nine months, and fifteen days. She was a [widowed] housewife. M.C. Lathrop, M.D., signed the death certificate.
John P. Jones, a widower, aged eighty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his son-in-law, Jethro Horne, a farm laborer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), his daughter, Lydia Horne, aged thirty-six years, and his grandsons, Paul A. Webber, at school, aged twelve years (b. NH), and Louisa M. Webber, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH). John P. Jones owned their house, free-and-clear. Lydia Horne was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Thomas B. Hamilton, a dealer (ice), aged thirty-five years (b. Canada), and John Laughlin, an ice co. foreman, aged fifty-four years (b. Ireland).
Son John P. Jones died of apoplexia cerebri [cerebral apoplexy] in Milton, January 30, 1901, aged eighty-three years, three months, and twelve days
References:
Find a Grave. (2021, August 14). Sarah Jones Hanscom. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230779142/sarah-hanscom
Find a Grave. (2021, August 13). John P. Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230755609/john-p.-jones
Find a Grave. (2021, August 13). Nathan Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230755892/nathan-jones
Milton Observer 