By Muriel Bristol | January 11, 2026
Robert McGeoch was born in Berwick, ME, December 18, 1777, son of Alexander and Olive (Goodwin) McGeoch. (Robert McGeoch had younger brothers Jno [John] McGeoch, born in Berwick, ME, July 3, 1779, and James McGeoch, born in Berwick, ME, May 21, 1781).
Robert McGeoch was remembered as an early settler at Milton Three Ponds who, together with James Hartford, built an early tavern there in the 1780s. The apparent incongruity in these accounts is that both he and Hartford would have been children, toddlers even, at that time.
Among the first who settled at Three Ponds were Samuel Palmer, Levi Burgen, John Fish, Paul Jewett, Pelatiah Hanscom, Robert McGeoch, and others. … The old tavern-house at Three Ponds, burnt a few years ago, was built by Robert McGeoch in 1786 or 1787, and was perhaps the first tavern in town (Hurd, 1882).
The first tavern was erected probably by James Hartford and Robert McGeoch shortly after 1780, the exact date being placed by various persons from 1783 to 1787 (Dover Enquirer, August 30, 1902).
Alexr McGeoch headed a Berwick, ME, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included two males aged 16-plus years [himself], six males aged under-16 years [Robert McGeoch, John McGeoch, James McGeoch, Alexander McGeoch, and George McGeoch], and three females [Olive (Goodwin) McGeoch and Roxana K. McGeoch]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Clark Gerrish and Nathl Nason.
Alexander McGouch headed a Berwick, ME, 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 [Olive (Goodwin) McGeoch], three males aged 16-25 years [Robert McGeouch, John McGeoch, and James McGeoch], one female aged 16-25 years, one male aged 10-15 years [Alexander McGeoch], one female aged 10-15 years [Roxana K. McGeoch], two males aged under-10 years [George McGeoch and Daniel G. McGeoch], and one female aged under-10 years [Mary McGeoch]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Tilly Wintworth [Wentworth] and Nathaniel Nayson.
Mother Olive (Goodwin) McGeoch died in Berwick, ME, in 1800.
Robert McGeoch married in Berwick, ME, November 9, 1800, Jane “Jenny” Plaisted [both of Berwick, ME]. Rev. John Thompson performed the ceremony. She was born in Berwick, ME, September 30, 1778, daughter of John and Martha “Patty” (Lord) Plaisted.
(The known children of Robert and Jane C. (Plaisted) McGeoch were: Daughter-1, Daughter-2, Martha McGeoch (1806-), Sarah McGeoch (1814-1897), Harriet McGeoch (1822-)).
Robert McGeoch’s remembered association with a Milton Three Ponds tavern, whether it was as a builder or proprietor, probably the latter, would seem to have taken place actually in the eighteen “aughts,” i.e., after his 1800 marriage in Berwick, ME, and before his 1810 enumeration in the Federal Census there.
It [the old tavern-house at Three Ponds] was situated on land about where the present railway station now stands, the ground of the buildings extending a considerable distance along the river bank there. The hotel itself was about 76 feet long and possessed the characteristics in which the host was wont to revel in the olden days. There was the broad generous hall with capacious bar room at the left, boasting the huge fireplace with its yule-tide logs. Benjamin Palmer was the first inn-keeper (Dover Enquirer, August 30, 1902).
Robert McGeoch and James McGeoch signed the Rochester Division Petition of May 1802. Nicholas Hartford, father of the Milton Three Ponds tavern’s putative co-builder, James Hartford, signed just below Robert McGeoch.
Robert McGeoch purchased Pew No. 24 in the Milton Town House, for $55 in 1804. It was situated on the south side of the ground floor, between those of D. Corson, Pew No. 23, and the Front Door (See Milton Town House – 1804).
Brother George McGeoch died in Berwick, ME, September 8, 1805. Brother John McGeoch died in Shapleigh, ME, in 1808.
Robert McGeoch was assessed in the Milton School District No. 5 of John Fish in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
Between 1820 and 1830, this old tavern became one of the stations of the stage lines to the White Mountains, and as the postoffice was situated there, all mail for the North from Dover and beyond was sorted and placed in pouches for the three northern stage roads, Ossipee and Conway, Parsonsfield and Fryeburg, Milton Mills, Acton and Shapleigh (Maine). Thus by a curious coincidence, the site of the station in olden times is yet that of the railroad station for the village today. The coaches arrived there at about twelve o’clock, so that dinner was served to all before the journey was resumed. Thus for a part of the day the village bustled with activity, the excitement continuing for a length of time proportionate to the importance of the news received. The various events of the day were, of course, discussed with dignity and authority by the old Solons and Oracles about the tavern fireplace (Dover Enquirer, August 30, 1902).
Alexr McGeouch headed a Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], two males aged 16-25 years [himself], and two females aged 16-25 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Brock and James McGeouch.
Robert McGeouch headed a Berwick, ME, 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 [Jane (Plaisted) McGeoch], three females aged under-10 years [Martha McGeoch], and one female aged 45-plus years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Tebbets and Joseph Prime, Esqr.
Robert McGeoch appeared in a muster roll of Capt. Densmore’s company, December 31, 1813, as a private on the flotilla, on Lake Champlain, during the War of 1812.
Daughter Sarah McGeoch was born in Berwick, ME, January 27, 1814.
Robert McGeoch enlisted in the 33rd U.S. Infantry Regiment in Berwick, ME, February 28, 1814, for the duration of the war. He was thirty-six years of age, and stood 5′ 10¼” tall, with gray eyes, dark hair, and a light complexion. He appeared in duty rosters of Lt. Stephen Woodman’s company, dated February 16, 1815, February 28, 1815, and April 30, 1815; and muster rolls dated June and July 1815. He was discharged at Plattsburgh, NY, June 27, 1815, his term of enlistment having expired.
South Berwick, ME, was set off or divided from Berwick, ME, in 1814. As subsequent mentions place various McGeoch family members and events in South Berwick, ME, it seems likely that they had always lived in the southern part of Berwick, ME, i.e., in that part which became South Berwick, ME.
Brother Henry McGeoch died in South Berwick, ME, November 9, 1816.
Alexander McGeoch headed a South Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Fourth (1820) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hope Nason and Ebenezer Garland.
Robert McGeoch headed a South Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Fourth (1820) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Jane (Plaisted) McGeoch], two females aged 10-15 years, and two females aged under-10 years [Sarah McGeoch]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Chadwick and William Lord.
Father-in-law John Plaisted died in South Berwick, ME, February 8, 1824. Father Alexander McGeoch died in South Berwick, ME, December 22, 1824.
Laws of the U. States. BY AUTHORITY. AN ACT to establish certain, Post Roads, and to discontinue others. Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the following Post Roads be established: In New Hampshire – From Dover, by Rochester, Milton, Wakefield, Ossipee east of the lake, and Eaton, to Conway (Eastern Argus (Portland, ME), July 7, 1825).
Jane [(Plaisted)] McGeoch headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 50-59 years [herself], one female aged 20-29 years, and one female aged 15-19 years.
Jane [(Plaisted)] McGeoch headed a Canton, MA, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 50-59 years [herself], one female aged 30-39 years, and one female aged under-5 years. One member of her household was engaged in Agriculture.
Daughter Sarah McGooch married in Dedham, MA, November 6, 1842, Amos Macomber, both of Dedham, MA. He was born in Milton, MA, circa 1813, son of Ichabod and Althea D. (Sumner) Macomber.
Daughter Harriet McGooch married in Dedham, MA, October 22, 1844, Harford Barton, both of Dedham, MA. He was a spinner, aged twenty-seven years, and she was a weaver, aged twenty-four years. [Methodist] Rev. Henry P. Hall performed the ceremony. Barton was born in Wrentham, MA, September 9, 1816, son of Nathan B. and Unity “Eunice” (Richardson) Barton.
Daughter Martha McGeoch married in Dorchester, MA, October 12, 1845, Elijah Bird, both of Dorchester, MA. He was a widowed papermaker, aged fifty-four years (b. Dorchester, MA), and she was single, aged thirty-nine years. He was born in Dorchester, MA, circa 1791, son of Samuel and Susanna Bird. J.S.J. Gridley performed the ceremony.
Mother-in-law Martha (Lord) Plaisted died in South Berwick, ME, March 28, 1847.
Elijah Bird, a laborer, aged fifty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Dorchester, MA, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Martha [(McGeoch)] Bird, aged forty-seven years (b. ME), Angeline McGough [McGeoch], aged thirteen years (b. MA), and Jane Scott, aged twenty-three years (b. Nova Scotia). Elijah Bird had real estate valued at $1,200.
Amos Macomber, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Dedham, MA, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(McGeoch)] Macomber, aged thirty-five years (b. ME), Sarah A. Macomber, aged six years (b. ME), and Worthy W. Macomber, aged three years (b. MA). Amos Macomber had real estate valued at $650.
Harford Barton, a papermaker, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), headed a Dorchester, MA, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Harriet [(McGeoch)] Barton, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), Anson Barton, aged three years (b. MA), Alfred Barton, aged two years (b. MA), and Jane C. [(Plaisted)] McGeoch, aged seventy-one years (b. MA).
Harford Barton, a miner, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), appeared in San Joaquin, CA, at the time of the CA State Census of 1852. His last residence was in Massachusetts.
[Granddaughter Angelia Amanda McGeoch married in Dorchester, MA, December 13, 1854, George H. Bird, both of Dorchester, MA. He was a carpenter, aged twenty-six years, born Dorchester, MA, son of Elijah and Priscilla [(Leonard)] Bird, and she was aged eighteen years, born Canton, MA, daughter of Martha McGeoch. Rev. Stephen Cushing, pastor of the Dorchester Methodist Episcopal Church, performed the ceremony].
Elijah Bird, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. MA), headed a Dorchester, MA, household at the time of the First (1855) MA State Census. His household included Martha [(McGeoch)] Bird, aged fifty-three years (b. ME), George H. Bird, a mechanic, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), and Angelia A. [(McGeoch)] Bird, aged eighteen years (b. MA).
Amos Macomber, a cloth finisher, aged forty-two years (b. MA), headed a Dedham, MA, household at the time of the First (1855) MA State Census. His household included Sarah [(McGeoch)] Macomber, aged forty-one years (b. MA), Sarah A. Macomber, aged eleven years (b. MA), Worthy W. Macomber, aged eight years (b. MA), John L. Macomber, aged five years (b. MA), and Harriet J. Macomber, aged nine years [months] (b. MA).
Elijah Bird, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Dorchester, MA, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Martha [(McGeoch)] Bird, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME). Elijah Bird had real estate valued at $1,300 and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration just before that of George Bird, a carpenter, aged thirty-two years (b. MA).
Amos Macomber, a wool dyer, aged forty-six years (b. MA), headed a Dedham [Mill “Village P.O.”], MA, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(McGeoch)] Macomber, aged forty-four years (b. MA [SIC]), Sarah A. Macomber, aged sixteen years (b. MA), Worthy Macomber, aged twelve years (b. MA), and Harriet I. Macomber, aged five years (b. MA). Amos Macomber had real estate valued at $800.
Elijah Bird, a farmer, aged seventy-four years (b. MA), headed a Dorchester, MA, household at the time of the Second (1865) MA State Census. His household included Martha [(McGeoch)] Bird, aged sixty-two years (b. ME). Elijah Bird was both a ratable poll and a legal voter.
Amos Macomber, an operative, aged fifty-two years (b. MA), headed a Dorchester, MA, household at the time of the Second (1865) MA State Census. His household included Sarah [(McGeoch)] Macomber, a housekeeper, aged fifty years (b. ME), Worthy W. Macomber, a laborer, aged seventeen years (b. MA), Hattie Macomber, aged ten years (b. MA), Oliver Lovell, a soldier, aged thirty years (b. MA), and Sarah Abba [(Macomber)] Lovell, a housekeeper, aged twenty-one years (b. MA).
George H. Bird, a wheelwright, aged forty-two years (b. MA), headed a Boston (“Milton P.O.”), MA, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Amanda A. [(McGeoch)] Bird, keeping house, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), Ida A. Bird, at home, aged five years (b. MA), Elijah Bird, a laborer, aged eighty years (b. MA), and Martha [(McGeoch)] Bird, no occupation, aged seventy years (b. ME). George H. Bird had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $300.
Amos Macomber, works in woolen mill, aged fifty-seven years (b. MA), headed a Hyde Park (“Dedham P.O.”), MA, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(McGeoch)] Macomber, keeping house, aged fifty-six years (b. ME), and Worthy W. Macomber, an express driver, aged twenty-three years (b. MA). Amos Macomber had real estate valued at $1,200.
FIRE. About ten o’clock last evening a fire broke out in a building on River street, in the Dorchester District, owned by George H. Bird, and occupied by Wallis H. Gilbert, painter, and Taber & Bennett, as an ale depot. Mr. Gilbert’s loss was estimated at $500, and the total loss $1000. No insurance (Boon Evening Transcript, November 19, 1870).
Son-in-law Amos Macomber died of metastasis of the brain in Hyde Park, MA, May 12, 1880, aged sixty-seven years, seven months, and twenty-two days. He was a farmer.
Geo. H. Bird, a carriage builder, aged fifty-two years (b. MA), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Angelina A. [(McGeoch)] Bird, keeping house, aged forty-three years (b. MA), his son-in-law, Alma Nickerson, works in planing mill, aged nineteen years (b. MA), his daughter, Ida A. [(Bird)] Nickerson, aged fifteen years (b. MA), and his mother-in-law, Martha [(McGeoch)] Bird, aged seventy-seven years (b. ME).
Daughter Martha (McGeoch) Bird died of bronchitis and heart disease on River Street in Mattapan, Boston, MA, February 22, 1891, aged eighty-eight years, five months, and fourteen days. She was a widow, born in Maine.
DEATHS. BIRD. In this city, Feb. 22, Martha, widow of Elijah Bird, 88 yrs. (Boston Globe, February 25, 1891).
Daughter Sarah (McGeoch) Macomber died of paralysis and old age in Dedham, MA, March 3, 1897, aged eighty-two years, seven months, and twenty-eight days. She was the widow of Amos Macomber.
References:
Find a Grave. (2017, February 20). Sarah McGooch Macomber. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/176525951/sarah-macomber
Find a Grave. (2017, June 25). John Plaisted. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/180719761/john-plaisted
Hemenway, Abby M. (1871). Vermont Historical Gazetteer. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=eJUbAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA392
Milton Observer 