Milton Husbandman Lemuel Ricker (1747-1822)

By Muriel Bristol | May 17, 2026

Lemuel Ricker was born in Somersworth, NH, October 18, 1747, son of Ephraim and Sarah (Wentworth) Ricker.

Father Ephraim Ricker was one of the “pressed men” in a militia company headed by Capt. Job Clements of Dover, NH, in 1748 (during King George’s War (1744-48)). Governor Wentworth had instructed Capt. Clements …

… to impress or inlist into His Majesty’s service thirty five effective men – and with them, in the neighborhood of Rochester, which scouting you are to repeat as often as you shall judge it for the safety and protection of the inhabitants (McDuffee, 1892).

Lemuel Ricker married in Dover, NH, December 31, 1771, Dorothy “Dolly” Nock, he of Somersworth, NH, and she of Dover, NH. Rev. Dr. Jeremy Belknap performed the ceremony. She was born in Somersworth, NH, circa 1750, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Ricker) Nock. (Her sister, Sobriety Nock, had married his brother, Moses Ricker in June 1762). [The surname “Nock” was an alternate form of “Knox”].

(The known children of Lemuel and Dorothy (Nock) Ricker were: Jedediah Ricker (1773–1841), Dorothy Ricker (1774–), Joanna Ricker (1776–1855), Ezekiel Ricker (1778–1815), Abra Ricker (1779–), Sarah Wentworth Ricker (1780–), Dorcas Ricker (1780–1860), Hannah Ricker (1782–1829), Samuel Ricker (1783–186?)).

Father Ephraim Ricker of Strafford County, husbandman, made his last will February 17, 1773. He devised the improvement, i.e., the use and improvement, of one-half his homestead – the dwelling house and barn – to his dearly beloved [wife], Sarah Ricker, during her widowhood, and a life-estate in one-third if she were to remarry. (The so-called “widow’s third”). She was also to have a life-estate in all of the household goods. He devised £5 each to his beloved sons, Jonathan Ricker, Nicholas Ricker, Moses Ricker, Lemuel Ricker, and Ezekiel Ricker, the latter receiving also a yoke of steer. He devised all of his real and personal estate, excepting the items mentioned to his beloved son Aaron Ricker. He devised £2 each to his beloved daughters, Tamsin Tibbetts, Eleanor Ricker, Dorcas Clements, Mary Stanton, Sarah Clements, and Miriam Ricker. His six daughters were also to receive all the household goods after the decease of his wife. He appointed his son, Aaron Ricker, as executor. Ephraim Ricker signed with “his mark.” Mary Nock (“her mark”), Deborah Ricker, and Elizabeth Randel signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 1:19).

Son Jedediah Ricker was born in Somersworth, NH, March 2, 1773.

Father Ephraim Ricker died in Somersworth, NH, December 20, 1773, aged seventy-eight years. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Dover, NH, February 9, 1774 (Strafford County Probate, 1:23).

Daughter Joanna Ricker was born August 11, 1776. Son Ezekiel Ricker was born March 22, 1778.

Mother Sarah (Wentworth) Ricker died in Dover, NH, in December 1778.

Daughter Sarah Wentworth “Sally” Ricker was born in 1780. Daughter Dorcas Ricker was born September 23, 1781. Daughter Abra Ricker was born in 1783. Son Samuel Ricker was born in 1783.

Brother Ezekiel Ricker 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).

Lem Ricker headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included two males aged 16-plus years [himself and Jedediah Ricker], three males aged under-16 years [Ezekiel Ricker, Samuel Ricker], and five females [Dorothy (Nock) Ricker, Joanna Ricker, Abra Ricker, Sarah W. Ricker, and Dorcas Ricker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Clement Hayes and Ephm Plummer. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) 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 [himself], one female aged 45-plus years [Dorothy (Nock) Ricker], one male aged 26-44 years [Jedediah Ricker], two males aged 16-25 years [Ezekiel Ricker and Samuel Ricker], two females aged 16-25 years [Joanna Ricker and Abra Ricker], and two females aged 10-15 years [Sarah W. Ricker and Dorcas Ricker]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Daughter “Mrs.” Joanna Robinson married in Rochester, NH, December 31, 1800, John Robinson, she of Rochester, NH, and he of Farmington, NH. William Palmer, J.P., performed the ceremony.

Ricker, Jedediah & Lemuel - Signatures - 1802Limuel Ricker, and his son, Jerediah Ricker, signed the Rochester, NH, division petition of May 28, 1802, seeking the establishment of the town of Milton from Rochester, NH’s Northeast Parish. (See Rochester Division Petition – May 1802).

Son Jedediah Ricker married in Rochester, NH, February 19, 1803, Sarah Lord, both of Milton. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. She was born in Lebanon, ME, in 1784, daughter of William W. and Mary ((Garland) Allen) Lord.

Son Samuel Ricker 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 Abra Ricker married in Milton, July 26, 1806, Israel Daniels, she of Milton and he of Madbury, NH. William Palmer, J.P., performed the ceremony.

Saml [Leml] Ricker 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 [Dorothy (Nock) Ricker], two males aged 26-44 years [Jedediah Ricker and Samuel Ricker], two females aged 16-25 years [Sarah (Lord) Ricker and Dorcas Ricker], and one male aged under-10 years [Ezekiel Ricker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Benj. Foss and Jno Downs. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).

John Roberson headed a Farmington, NH, 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 [Joanna (Ricker) Robinson], one female aged under-10 years [Nancy J. Robinson], and one male aged under-10 years [Lemuel Robinson].

Israel Daniels headed a Brookfield, NH, 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 [Abra (Ricker) Daniels], one male aged under-10 years, and one female aged under-10 years.

Son Samuel Ricker married in Milton, October 13, 1813, Polly Foss.

Lemuel Ricker of Milton, husbandman, made his last will, July 15, 1815. He devised to his well beloved wife, Dolly Ricker …

… as much room in my dwelling house and cellar as will be convenient and necessary to do all her work and keep her warm and comfortable at all seasons. I also giver her twelve bushels of good corn, twelve pounds of flax and twenty bushels of potatoes with all necessary things to make her comfortable both in health and in sickness, to have one cow and two sheep kept for her own use and benefit all which articles are to be provided and kept for her yearly and every year during her natural life.

Lemuel Ricker devised a cow to each of his daughters, Joanna Robinson, Dorcas Ricker, Abra Daniels, Sally Ricker, and Hannah Ricker. Sally Ricker and Hannah Ricker were each to have a convenient room in his dwelling house and his kitchen furniture, for so long as they remained single. He devised to his two sons, Jedediah Ricker and Samuel Ricker, all his freehold estate, including land, buildings, and whatever other property not otherwise devised. He also named them as joint executors. Lemuel Ricker signed with “his mark.” Samuel Twombly, Levi Jones, and Samuel Twombly, 2d, signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 29:19).

Son Jedediah Ricker signed the April 1820 petition requesting the appointment of James Roberts as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. (See Milton Seeks a Magistrate – 1820).

Ricker, Lemuel - Signature - 1820Lemuel Ricker and his sons, Jedediah Ricker, and Saml Ricker, signed the Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820. Lemuel Ricker and his son, Samuel Ricker, signed also a Milton Division Petition of November 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).

Ricker, Jedediah & Samuel - Signatures - 1820Lemuel Ricker died in 1822. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Rochester, NH, April 27, 1822 (Strafford County Probate, 29:20).

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).

Daughter Dorcas Ricker was an initial member of Milton’s First Christian Church, when it was organized in March 1827. Son Samuel Ricker was one of the church’s first deacons. (See Milton’s Christian Church Elders – 1827-1845).

According to Scales’ History of Strafford County:

The “First Christian Church” [in Milton] was organized March 3, 1827, with ten members as follows, viz., Hapley Meserve, Joseph Goodwin, Anna Goodwin, Joanna Meserve, Eliza Rines, Abigail Burnham, Ruth Burnham, Mary Burnham, Dorcas Ricker, Mary Howe.

The first deacons were Hapley Meserve and Samuel Ricker, and the first clerk was Hapley Meserve.

Daughter Hannah Ricker died in Milton, February 17, 1829.

DIED. In Milton, N.H., on the 17th Feb. last, Miss Hannah Ricker, daughter of Mr. Lemuel Ricker, late of Milton (Dover Enquirer, April 7, 1829).

Jedediah 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, a aged 40-49 years [Sarah (Lord) Ricker], and one female aged 80-89 years [Dorothy (Nock) Ricker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Sally Downs and Joshua Hanson. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).

John Robinson headed a Farmington, NH, 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 [Joanna (Ricker)] Robinson], one male aged 20-29 years, and one female aged 20-29 years.

Israel Daniels headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Abra (Ricker) Daniels], one female aged 20-29 years, one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years, one male aged 5-9 years, one male aged under-5 years, and one female aged under-5 years.

Saml 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, a aged 40-49 years [Sarah (Lord) Ricker], and one female aged 80-89 years [Dorothy (Nock) Ricker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Sally Downs and Joshua Hanson. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).

Dorothy (Nock) 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).

Brother Ezekiel Ricker died in Farmington, NH, December 5, 1833, aged sixty-nine years.

Died. In Farmington, Mr. Ezekiel Ricker, aged 69 years (Dover Enquirer, March 4, 1834).

Son 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).

In February or March, 1838, “Sarah W. Ricker, and 97 others, women of Milton, N.H.,” signed a memorandum, i.e., a petition, opposing the U.S. House of Representatives resolution of the 21st of December, 1837 (The Liberator, June 15, 1838). (See Milton and Abolitionism).

John Robinson headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 70-79 years [himself], one female aged 60-69 years [Joanna (Ricker)] Robinson], one male aged 30-39 years, one female aged 20-29 years, one female aged 5-9 years, and two males aged under-5 years. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.

Samuel Ricker headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Their household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years, one male aged 20-29 years, one female aged 20-29 years, one male aged 15-19 years, and one female aged 15-19 years. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel Foss and Thomas Edgerly.

Died. In Biddeford, Mr. Jerediah Ricker, formerly of Milton, aged 69 (Dover Enquirer, September 28, 1841).

DIED. In Biddeford, Mr. Jedediah Ricker, formerly of Milton, N.H., aged 69; Miss Ellen Ayres, formerly of Boothbay, Me., aged 22; an infant daughter of Thomas J. Goodwin, Esq. (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), October 5, 1841).

George W. Foss, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sally W. [(Robinson)] Foss (b. NH), aged thirty-nine years, and Joanna [(Ricker)] Robinson, aged seventy-six years (b. NH). George W. Foss had real estate valued at $200.

James A. Ricker, a farmer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Eleanor [(Chamberlain)] Ricker, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Josiah C. Ricker, aged three years (b. NH), and Dorcus Ricker, aged seventy years (b. NH). James A. Ricker had real estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hanson Hayes, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and Luther Stevens, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH).

Samuel Ricker, a farmer, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Polly [(Foss)] Ricker, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), Asenath A. Ricker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Wentworth R. Ricker, a farmer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Maria V. Ricker, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Alpheus Ricker, aged four months (b. NH). Samuel Ricker had real estate valued at $1,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel Foss, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and James D. Downs, a farmer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH).

Daughter Joanna (Ricker) Robinson died in Farmington, NH, in 1855.

Daughter-in-law Polly (Foss) Ricker died of influenza in Milton, January 27, 1856, aged sixty-nine years. D.E. Palmer, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Daughter Dorcas Ricker died June 9, 1860.

Wentworth R. Ricker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Constable, NY, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Lucy E. [(Stebbins)] Ricker, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), Emerita Ricker, aged three years (b. NH), and Samuel Ricker, aged seventy-seven years (b. ME). Wentworth R. Ricker had personal estate valued at $1,000. Wentworth R. Ricker had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $100.

Son-in-law John Robinson died in Farmington, NH, October 1, 1861.


References:

Find a Grave. (2020, October 21). Mary [(Foss)] Ricker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/217546892/mary-ricker

McDuffee, Franklin. (1892). History of the Town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=RY0-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA31

Wikipedia. (2024, March 22). King George’s War. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George%27s_War

West Milton Farmer Samuel Nute (1745-182?)

By Muriel Bristol | May 10, 2026

Samuel Nute was born in Dover, NH, August 18, 1749, son of Jotham and Mary (Hayes) Nute. He was a namesake for his paternal grandfather, Samuel Nute (1689-1765) of Dover, NH.

Samuel Nute married in Dover, NH, August 21, 1769, Phebe Pinkham. Rev. Jeremy Belkap, D.D., performed the ceremony. She was born in Dover, NH, January 1, 1749, daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Canney) Pinkham (Her mother, Susannah (Canney) Pinkham, had died in Dover, circa 1760)

.… Samuel Nute, who was a native of Dover, and the head of a large family, was an active and influential citizen, living in Milton during his entire married life, and dying at an advanced age (Hurd, Duane H., 1882).

(The known children of Samuel and Phebe (Pinkham) Nute were: Francis Nute (1770–1812), Josiah Nute (c1775–1820), Samuel Nute, Jr. (1776–1836), Jotham Nute (1778–1817), Stephen Nute (1779–1843), Mary T. “Polly” Nute (1779–1861), Nicholas Nute [Sr.] (1781–1862), Susan Nute (c1785–1833), Hayes Nute (c1790–1875), Ezekiel Nute (1794–1859)).

Son Francis Nute was born in Dover, NH, January 21, 1770.

Son Josiah Nute was born in Dover, NH, circa 1775. Son Samuel Nute, Jr., was born in Dover, NH, circa 1776. Son Jotham Nute was born in Dover, NH, in 1778.

Son Stephen Nute was born in Dover, NH, in 1779. Daughter Mary T. “Polly” Nute was born in Dover, NH,  June 23, 1779.

Father-in-law Samuel Pinkham died in Dover, NH, January 28, 1780.

Son Nicholas Nute [Sr.] was born Dover, NH, June 9, 1781.

Strafford County historian Duane H. Hurd noted the settlements at Plummer’s Ridge, after 1772, of Benjamin Scates, Beard Plumer and his brother Joseph Plumer. He noted further that they were followed by James C. Hayes, David Wallingford, William Palmer, Elijah Horn, Moses Chamberlain, and others. 

This was soon followed by quite a rush of settlers to the west side of the town, Daniel Hayes, Caleb Wakeham, Enoch Varney, Samuel Nute, William Wentworth, William Tuttle, Ichabod Hayes, James Hayes, Ebenezer Coursan, and Stephen Merseron [Meserve], being among the first, Jeremiah Cook, Dudley Burnham, Jotham Nute, Otis Pinkham, Ephraim Plumer, John Twombly, James Varney, John Varney, William Mathes, and others coming soon after (Hurd, 1882).

… Samuel Nute, a native of Back River, Dover, who settled in what is now Milton, soon after the close of the Revolution. His ancestors were among the early settlers in Dover (Scales, 1914).

Jotham [Nute] with his half-brother Samuel moved [from Dover, NH] in 1784 to tracts of land in the Northeast parish of Rochester which became Nute’s Ridge in Milton and here they cleared space for their future homes from land provided by their father (Pat and Kathie, 2019).

Daughter Susan Nute was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, circa 1785.

Saml Nute headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included four males aged 16-plus years [himself, Francis Nute], five males aged under-16 years, and three females [Phebe (Pinkham) Nute, Mary Nute, and Susan Nute]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his father] Jotham Nute and Stephen Jinkins [Jenkins]. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).

Son Hayes Nute was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, circa 1790.

Son Josiah Nute married in Rochester, NH, September 5, 1792, Rebecca Wentworth, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. She was born in Rochester, NH, daughter of Josiah and Abiah (Cook) Wentworth.

Son Samuel Nute, Jr., married, circa 1792, Hannah Mitchell. She was born in New Durham, NH, circa 1775.

Son Francis Nute married in Madbury, NH, in October 1794, Mary Clements, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. William Hooper performed the ceremony. She was born in Dover, June 14, 1774, daughter of John and Patience (Bunker) Clements.

Son Ezekiel Nute was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, November 20, 1794.

Saml Nute 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 [Phebe (Pinkham) Nute], three males aged 16-25 years, one female aged 16-25 years, one female aged 10-15 years, and two males aged under-10 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Francis Nute 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 16-25 years [Mary (Clements) Nute], two males aged under-10 years [John C. Nute], and one female aged under-10 years [Polly Nute]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Josiah Nute 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 16-25 years, and one male aged under-10 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Saml Nute, Jr, headed a 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 , and three males aged under-10 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Son Stephen Nute married in Rochester, May 26, 1801, Anna Furbush, both of Rochester, NH.

Samuel Nute, and his sons, Francis Nute, and Samuel Nute, Jr., all signed the Rochester, NH, division petition of May 28, 1802, seeking the establishment of the town of Milton from Rochester, NH’s Northeast Parish. (See Rochester Division Petition – May 1802). (Younger half-brother Jotham Nute signed also).

Samuel Nute, Francis Nute, and Samuel Nute, Jr., were among the greater Rochester inhabitants that signed one of two remonstrance petitions, of June 1804, which opposed incorporating a private company to construct and maintain a turnpike, i.e., a toll road, from Dover, NH, through the Norway Plains [in Rochester, NH], to Sandwich, NH. (Younger half-brother Jotham Nute and future son-in-law, Samuel Bragdon, signed also).

Samuel Nute, and his son, Nicholas Nute, were assessed in the Milton School District No. 2 of [his younger half-brother,] Lieut. J. Nute in 1806. Sons Francis Nute and Saml Nute, Jur, were assessed in the Milton School District No. 4 of Dudley Burnham. (See Milton School Districts – 1806).

Son Nicholas Nute married in Rochester, NH, September 4, 1808, Elizabeth Bickford Hayes. She was  born in Rochester, NH, in 1787, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Bickford) Hayes.

Son Jotham Nute married in Wolfeboro, NH, November 17, 1808, Olive Tuttle.

Samuel Nute 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 [Phebe (Pinkham) Nute], two females aged 26-44 years, and two males aged 16-25 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jonathan Nute and Stephen Jenkins. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).

Francis Nute 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 [Mary (Clement) Nute], two males aged 10-15 years [John C. Nute, and Joseph Nute], one female aged 10-15 years [Polly Nute], one male aged under-10 years [Moses Nute], and two females aged under-10 years [Elizabeth Nute, and Sukey Nute]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Saml Nute, Junr, and Daniel Wentworth. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).

Josiah Nute headed a Falmouth, 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, and one female aged 16-25 years.

Saml Nute, Junr, 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 45-plus years, three males aged 10-15 years, two males aged under-10 years, and four females aged under-10 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Moses Downs, and Francis Nute. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).

Jotham Nute headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], two females aged 16-25 years [Olive (Tuttle) Nute], one male aged under-10 years, and one female aged under-10 years.

Stephen Nute headed a Wolfeboro, NH, 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, two males aged under-10 years, and three females aged under-10 years.

Son Francis Nute died in Milton, July 21, 1812.

Daughter Mary Nute married in Wakefield, NH, December 23, 1813, Thomas Young. He was born in Rochester, NH, October 7, 1784, son of James and Mary (Kimball) Young.

Sons Samuel Nute [Jr.] and Ezekiel Nute marched to Portsmouth, NH, in September 1814, with Capt. William Courson’s Milton militia company. They were responding to Gov. Gilman’s alarm regarding possible attacks by the British navy. (See Milton in the War of 1812).

Sons Jotham Nute, Stephen Nute, and Nicholas Nute, signed a Wolfeboro, NH, remonstrance petition, in June 1815, that opposed allocation of general town religious property and assets to a proposed Congregational Society.

Son Ezekiel Nute married in Rochester, NH, September 19, 1816, Dorcas Worster.

Ezekiel Nute was a good farmer and for many years a deacon in the Congregational Church at Milton. His wife was one of the best of women. They had four sons, the second of whom was named Lewis Worster [Nute] (Scales, 1914).

Daughter-in-law Mary (Clements) Nute died in Milton, November 12, 1816.

Mary (Clements) Nute, was living in Milton, N.H., a widow, in 1812. Administration on the estate of Francis Nute, late of Milton, deceased, was granted 26 April 1816. The real estate was divided to the following heirs, John C. Nute, eldest son, Moses Nute, Francis Nute, Elizabeth Nute, Thomas J. Nute, Polly Nute, Joseph Nute, and Sukey Nute. Since Mary (Clements) Nute receives no land in this division and since the administration was taken out a number of years after her husband’s death, it was probably her death that made an administration necessary. Samuel Nute, Jr., was made guardian, 21 January 1817, of Polly Nute, Elizabeth Nute, Joseph Nute, and Moses Nute, over 14, and Sukey Nute, Thomas-Jefferson Nute, and Francis Nute, under 14, children of Francis Nute, late of Milton, deceased (Strafford County Probate, 19:105, 21:75, :193) (Clement, 1927).

Son Jotham Nute died in Wolfeboro, NH, in 1817, aged thirty-nine years.

Son Hayes Nute married, in 1819, Mehitable Goodwin. She was born in Lebanon, ME, circa 1791, daughter of Thomas and Annie Goodwin.

Samuel Nute of Milton, husbandman, made his last will, January 28, 1820. He devised a one-third share in all his real estate to his beloved wife, Phebe Nute, as long as she remained his widow, changing to a life-estate (with reversion to the executor) should she remarry. He devised forty acres of land in Milton to his son, Hayes Nute. That forty acres had been drawn to the original right of Samuel Hayes and others, and was part of the lot which the testator was then improving, and adjoined the farm where Ezekiel Nute then resided. He devised to his daughter, Susan Nute, the use of a back room in his dwelling house, firewood, and provisions, while she remained single, and $50 if and when she should marry. He devised to his son, Samuel Nute, $1, together with what he had already received. He devised $1 to his daughter, Mary Young. He devised $1 each to his sons, Josiah Nute, Stephen Nute, and Nicholas Nute, together with what they had already received.

He devised $1 each to his grandchildren who were the children of his son, Francis Nute, late of Milton, deceased. They were identified as John C. Nute, Moses Nute, Elizabeth Pinkham, Mary Nute, Joseph Nute, Susan Nute, Thomas Jefferson Nute, and Francis Nute. He devised $1 each to his grandchildren who were the children of his son, Jotham Nute, late of Wolfeborough, deceased. They were identified as Ezekiel Nute, Susan Nute, Josiah Nute and Jotham Nute.

He devised all the residue and remainder of his estate, both real and personal, including lands buildings, stock, farming utensils, money, notes, goods and chattels of every kind, to his son, Ezekiel Nute, whom he named also as executor. He was to pay the debts, charges, and legacies, as well as the maintenance of his sister, Susan Nute. Levi Jones, B.U. Jenkins, and Dorcas Bragdon signed as witnesses. (Strafford County Probate, 34:22).

Son Josiah Nute died in Falmouth, ME, between January and August 1820 (Pat and Kathie, 2019).

[Grandson] Samuel Nute headed a Poland, 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 [Betsy (Fickett) Nute], one male aged under-10 years [Orsamus Nute], one female aged under-10 years, and one female aged 45-plus years [Rebecca (Wentworth) Nute]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture.

Samuel Nute, Samuel Nute, Jr, Hayes Nute, and Ezekiel Nute, signed the Milton anti-division remonstrance of June 1820 requesting that Milton not be divided in two parts. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).

(The identities of the several Samuel Nutes are a little indistinct. Our subject made his last will in January 1820, which would not be proved until March 1826. He might have been alive to sign this militia petition. However, he may have died already and the petitioning Samuel Nute might have been his son, Samuel Nute, Jr. (1776-1836), who had become the eldest Samuel Nute through the death of our subject. And the petitioning Samuel Nute, Jr., might have been one of the local grandsons of our subject, who had risen likewise in seniority to become the Junior. Is the Milton Anti-Division petition signature above similar to that of either the elder or junior Samuel Nute on the Rochester Division petition of 1802?)

Samuel Nute, Jr, and Ezekiel Nute signed also the Milton militia division petition of November 1820.

Samuel Nute died in Milton, between the time when he wrote his last will, in January 1820, and the time that will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Sanbornton, NH, March 2, 1826 (Strafford County Probate, 34:24).

(Samuel Nute of Milton should not be confused with Captain Samuel Nute of Dover, who died in March 1828, was buried in Dover, NH, and who left a widow, Sarah (Miller) Nute. DEATHS. In this [Dover] town, Capt. Samuel Nute, an officer of the revolution (Dover Enquirer, April 1, 1828)).

Daughter Susan Nute married in Rochester, NH, November 23, 1826, Samuel Bragdon, both of Milton. (She was his third wife). Charles Baker performed the ceremony. He was born in Berwick, ME, in April 1771, son of John and Sarah (Abbott) Bragdon.

Daughter-in-law Rebecca (Wentworth) Nute died in Woodstock, ME, circa 1828.

Saml Nute [Jr.] headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years, one male aged 15-19 years, and one female aged 10-14 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Timo Brewster and John C. Nute. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).

Stephn Nute headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years, one male aged 20-29 years, two females aged 20-29 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years, and one female aged 10-14 years.

Thos Young headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years [Mary (Nute) Young], two females aged 10-14 years, and one female aged 5-9 years.

Nicholas Nute headed a Wolfeboro, NH, 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 [Elizabeth B. (Hayes) Nute], one female aged 20-29 years, one female aged 15-19 years, one female aged 10-14 years, one male aged 5-9 years, and one male aged under-5 years.

Saml Bragdon 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 40-49 years [Susan (Nute) Bragdon], one male aged 20-29 years, one female aged 20-29 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years, and two females aged 10-14 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Silas Tuttle and Isaac Wentworth. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).

Hayes Nute 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 30-39 years [Mehitable (Goodwin) Nute], and one male aged 5-9 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jas Downs and Hopley Varney. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).

Ezekl Nute headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Dorcas (Worster) Nute], one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, two males aged 10-14 years, one male aged 5-9 years, and one male aged under-5 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jotham Nute and John Jenkins. (See Milton in the Fifth (1830) Federal Census).

Daughter Susan (Nute) Bragdon died in Milton, January 18, 1833.

Son Samuel Nute, Jr., died May 7, 1836.

Stephen Nute headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 60-69 years, one female aged 40-49 years, one male aged 20-29 years, one female aged 20-29 years. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.

Thomas Young headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 60-69 years [Mary (Nute) Young], and three females aged 20-29 years. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture.

Nicholas Nute headed a Wolfeboro, NH, 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 [Elizabeth B. (Hayes) Nute], one male aged 15-19 years, and one male aged 10-14 years. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture.

Samuel Bragdon headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 70-79 years [himself], one female aged 60-69 years [Lydia (Clements) Bragdon], one male aged 30-39 years, one female aged 30-39 years, one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years, and one female aged 10-14 years. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Silas Tuttle and Joseph Watkins.

Hayes Nute 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 [Mehitable (Goodwin) Nute], one female aged 15-19 years, and one male aged 10-14 years. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Huntress and Wentworth Dore.

Ezekiel Nute headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Dorcas (Worster) Nute], one male 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 David Nute and John Jenkins.

Son-in-law Samuel Bragdon died in Milton, December 11, 1840, aged sixty-nine years, ten months.

Died. In Milton, 10th inst., Mr. Samuel Bragdon, aged about 71 years (Dover Enquirer, December 22, 1840).

Son Nicholas Nute “emancipated” his minor son, Nicholas Nute, Jr., in Wolfeboro, NH, February 10, 1842.

Notice. NOTICE is hereby given that I, the undersigned, have this day given to my son, NICHOLAS NUTE, the remainder of his minority, to act and trade for himself; that I shall claim none of his earnings nor pay any debts of his contracting after this date. NICHOLAS NUTE. Witness, Samuel Nute, Wolfborough, Feb. 10, 1842 (Dover Enquirer, February 15, 1842).

Son Stephen Nute died in Wolfeboro, NH, October 28, 1843.

Daughter-in-law Anna [(Furbush)] Nute of Wolfeborough, NH, made her last will, September 15, 1845. She devised $1 each to her sons, Moses Nute, Stephen Nute, and Francis Nute; and she devised $1 each to her daughters, Anne Avery, Dorcas Avery, and Sophia Scegel. She devised all the residue and remainder to her two daughters, Sally Nute and Hannah Nute. Aaron Roberts, James Thurston, and Livermore Moulton signed as witnesses (Carroll County Probate, 7:466).

Daughter-in-law Anna (Furbush) Nute died in Wolfeboro, NH, December 2, 1847, aged seventy-three years. Her last will was proven in a Carroll County Probate Court held in Ossipee, NH, December 14, 1847 (Carroll County Probate, 7:466).

Phebe (Pinkham) Nute died in Wakefield, NH, April 8, 1848.

Thomas Young, a farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary [(Nute)] Young, aged seventy-five years (b. NH). Mary You ng was “blind.” They shared a two-family residence with the household of Thomas Danforth, a famer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH).

Nicholas Nute, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Elizabeth [(Hayes)] Nute, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), Elizabeth Nute, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Samuel Nute, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Olive [(Watson)] Nute, aged thirty-eight years, Mary Nute, aged eleven years (b. NH), and Charles G. Nute, aged one year (b. NH). Nicholas Nute had real estate valued at $600.

Hayes Nute, a farmer, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mehitable [(Goodwin)] Nute, aged fifty-five years (b. ME), Richard R. Cotton, a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Abigail A. [(Nute)] Cotton, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and James Dean, a shoemaker, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Hayes Nute had real estate valued at $150. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James B. Downs, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and Mary Drew, aged sixty-five years (b. NH).

Ezekiel Nute, a farmer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Dorcas [(Worster)] Nute, aged fifty-three years (b. ME), Samuel F. Nute, a farmer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Warren W. Bodge, a farmer, aged twenty years (b. NH). Ezekiel Nute had real estate valued at $4,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John C. Wentworth, a laborer, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME),  and Ira Varney, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).

Son Ezekiel Nute of Milton made his last will, February 28, 1859. He devised to his beloved wife, Dorcas Nute, all of his household furniture, and suitable maintenance for so long as she remained his widow. He devised $150 to his son, Cyrus W. Nute. He devised $300 to his son, Samuel F. Nute, which was to be paid three months after the death of his current wife, Josephine Nute, but that said money was to be paid instead to the executor should said son predecease his wife. He devised $25 to Thomas Jefferson Nute. He devised $100 to the Milton Congregation Society, for a fund to be loaned by them and the interest directed to preaching of the Gospel in Milton. He devised all the rest and residue to his son, Lewis W. Nute, whom he named as executor. Joseph Pearl, John C. Varney, and Ira Varney signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, :237).

Son Ezekiel Nute died in Milton, April 14, 1859, aged sixty-four years, four months, and fourteen days. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Dover, NH, May 3, 1859 (Strafford County Probate, :239).

State of New Hampshire. STRAFFORD, SS. – The Judge of Probate for said county to the heirs of law of the estate of Ezekiel Nute, late of Milton, in said County, deceased, testate, and to all interested therein; you are hereby notified that Lewis W. Nute, Executor of the will of said deceased, will exhibit his account of the administration thereof at a Court of Probate to be holden at Somersworth, in said County, on the first Tuesday of June next, when and where you may appear and shew cause, if any you have, against the allowance of said account. And it is ordered that the said administrator give notice, by causing the foregoing citation and this order thereon, to be published three weeks successively in the Dover Enquirer, printed at Dover, in said County, the last publication whereof to be at least thirty days before said Court. Given at Dover, in said County, this third day of April, A.D. 1860. ASA FREEMAN, Register. 46 (Dover Enquirer, April 5, 1860).

William Powell, a trader, aged fifty-eight years (b. England), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Susan N. [(Young)] Powell, aged forty-two years (b. NH), Thomas Young, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), and Mary [(Nute)] Young, aged eighty-five years (b. NH). William Powell had real estate valued at $700 and personal estate valued at $500. Thomas and Mary Young were both “blind.”

Nicholas Nute, a farmer, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), headed a Wolfeboro (“North Wolfeborough P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Elizabeth [(Hayes)] Nute, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), Samuel Nute, a farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), Olive [(Watson)] Nute, housework, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), Mary M. Nute, a tailoress, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and Charles G. Nute, aged eleven years (b. NH). Samuel Nute had real estate valued at $800 and personal estate valued at $325.

Russel F. Cotton, a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Abigail [(Nute)] Cotton, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), E.F. Cotton, aged nine years (b. NH), David P. Cotton, aged three years (b. NH), Hayes Nute, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), and Mehitable [(Goodwin)] Nute, aged seventy years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Simon T. Downs, a farmer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Daniel Hill, a farmer, aged sixty-three years (b. NH).

Paul Reynolds, a farmer, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“West Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Salley [(Raulett)] Reynolds, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), Ida Herrick, aged five years (b. NH), Ada Herrick, aged two years (b. NH), and Dorcas [(Worster)] Nute, aged sixty-two years (b. NH). Paul Reynolds had real estate valued at $1,500 and personal estate valued at $300. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ira Varney, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and William Chamberlin, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH).

Daughter Mary T. “Polly” (Nute) Young died in Wakefield, NH, January 9, 1861, aged seventy-seven years, seventeen days. She was married.

DEATHS. In Wakefield, Mrs. Young, wife of Thomas Young, aged 85 years (Dover Enquirer, January 24, 1861).

Son Nicholas Nute [Sr.] died in Wolfeboro, NH, February 9, 1862.

Letter from Milton. MILTON (3 Ponds), Jan. 24, 1862. Mr. Editor – Having been detained in this village throughout the day, owing to business relations, I concluded to step in with the mass on the occasion of the dedication of the new Church edifice (Mr. Doldt’s) erected by his Church and Society, who gratefully acknowledge liberal donations from Amos M. Roberts, James Jones, Beard Plummer, T.C. Lyman, Lewis Nute, Esq.’s, and the late Dea. Ezekiel Nute, all of whom are residents of this town; also from Thomas M. Wentworth, Esq. of Maine, Richard Shapleigh of Boston, Mass., and from sources in Concord and Portsmouth, the names of whom I did not learn. I am unable to give you the order of exercises. There was quite a large delegation of clergymen present, among whom was Rev. Mr. Richardson of your city, who delivered one of the finest discourses, it has ever been my opportunity to listen to. Mr. Richardson is a stranger to me, and apparently a young man, yet I should judge would now occupy a high position in the clerical profession. The other exercises of the pulpit were exceedingly well performed by the several clergymen present, especially the dedicatory prayer by Rev. Mr. Holmes of Eliot, Me., which was of rare excellence. The music was an exceptionable, and I believe under the direction of Mr. Nutter. The building is decidedly one of the finest that I see generally in a country village, and reflects much credit on those interested in its erection, especially on Col. E.W. Plummer as chairman of the building committee, whose untiring zeal and energy, is highly commendable, and last but not least, are the inside fixtures, furnished by the ladies, and which are seldom surpassed in a country village, and it rarely has fallen to my privilege to have passed a couple of hours more pleasantly than on this occasion. That abundant success may always attend the First Congregational Church and Society of old Milton, in not only the evident desire of its donors, but is the sincere wish of A TRAVELLING AGENT (Dover Enquirer, February 6, 1862).

Son-in-law Thomas Young died in Wakefield, NH, October 10, 1864, aged eighty years.

Daughter-in-law Elizabeth B. (Hayes) Nute died in Wolfeboro, NH, November 29, 1868.

Daughter-in-law Dorcas (Worster) Nute died in Milton, December 11, 1869.

Richard R. Cotton, works for shoe factory, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Abbie A. [(Nute)] Cotton, keeping house, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), Emma M. Cotton, aged nineteen years (b. NH), David P. Cotton, works for shoe factory, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Benjamin D. Cotton, works for shoe factory, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Hayes Nute, aged eighty years (b. NH), and Mahitable [(Goodwin)] Nute, aged seventy-seven years (b. ME). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of x and James B. Downs, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH). Richard R. Cotton had real estate valued at $300 and personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jeremiah O. Drew, a farm laborer, aged sixty-six years (b.  NH), and James B. Downs, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH).

Son Hayes Nute died of old age in Milton, March 3, 1875, aged eighty-five years, seven months. He was married. (The original record has a question mark after the 1875).

Abby C. [(Nute)] Cotton, keeping house, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her son, Benj. D. Cotton, works on shoes, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and her mother, Mehitable [(Goodwin)] Nute, at home, aged eighty-eight years (b. ME). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Thomas Tuttle, a carpenter, aged seventy years (b. NH), and James B. Downs, a farmer, aged seventy-five years (b. NH).

Daughter-in-law Mehitable (Goodwin) Nute died of heart disease in Milton, May 2, 1881, aged ninety years. She was a widowed housekeeper. Herbert F. Pitcher, M.D., signed the death certificate.

DEATHS. In Milton, May 2, Mrs. Hayes Nute, aged 88 years and 3 months (Farmington News, May 6, 1881).


References:

Clement, Percival Wood. (1927). Ancestors and Descendants of Robert Clements. Philadelphia, PA: Patterson & White Co.

Find a Grave. (2021, August 12). Susan Nute Bragdon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230650732/susan-bragdon

Find a Grave. (2016, September 14). Ezekiel Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/169916392/ezekiel-nute

Find a Grave. (2011, May 24). Jotham Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/70322451/jotham-nute

Find a Grave. (2011, June 4). Nicholas Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/70856313/nicholas-nute

Find a Grave. (2024, April 7). Rebecca Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/269187768/rebecca-nute

Find a Grave. (2011, May 24). Stephen Nute. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/70323299/stephen-nute

Find a Grave. (2008, July 17). Mary Young. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/39569524/mary-young

Hurd, Duane H. (1882). History of Rockingham and Strafford Counties, New Hampshire. Retrieved from www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Rockingham_and_Strafford_Coun/juuVEQAAQBAJ?pg=PA657

Pat and Kathie. (2019, July 21). The Mystery of 4th GGF Josiah Nute (1775-1820). Retrieved from patandkathie.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-mystery-of-josiah-nute.html

The Meaderboro Murder of 1843

By Muriel Bristol | May 3, 2026

This is really a Rochester story. It concerns Andrew Howard’s robbery murder of Miss Phebe Hanson, at her home in the Meaderboro part of Rochester, i.e., out on the Meaderboro Road.

Milton residents appear here only peripherally, as members of an “indignant” crowd of 10,000 onlookers, who were present in Dover for the originally-scheduled 1845 execution of the murderer.

Phebe and Jacob Hanson were children of the late Jacob and Phebe (Jenkins) Hanson of Rochester. By the terms of their father’s 1815 will, the son Jacob, Jr., inherited the family farm, while the daughter Phebe inherited a life-estate in a bed-room of the house, most of the furniture, an annual food and flax allowance, a cow, and some sheep.

… I give and bequeath to my Daughter Phebe one Cow and two sheep, to be kept on the farm so long as she shall remain single, and if she marries to be her property. And six bushels of Corn & six pounds of Flax, yearly, with a sufficient Quantity of Sauce and vegetables (such as the farm produces) for one person. Likewise, the middle back room in the house, with a reasonable privilege in the kitchen, cellar, well, &c. And that row of Apple Trees by the cross road from the bars Northeasterly – So long as she shall remain in a single state of life – to be done and performed by her brother Jacob. I also give my above named daughter Phebe all my household goods & furniture of every kind & to her heirs forever – Except one good feather bed, with suitable bedding and furniture for the same, which I give to my said son Jacob (Strafford County Probate, 12:53).

Jacob Hanson headed a Rochester household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years (himself), one female aged 60-69 years (his sister, Phebe Hanson), and one male aged 20-29 years. One member of the household, presumably Jacob Hanson, was engaged in Agriculture. (Ten years later, Jacob Hanson was a farmer, with real estate valued at $1,600).

MURDER IN ROCHESTER, N.H. A little past 12 o’clock, [P.]M. of Tuesday last, a Miss Phebe Hanson, a maiden lady of between sixty and seventy years of age who resided with a brother, an old bachelor, in a part of Rochester called Mederborough, was discovered lying in the front entry of the house dead from gun shot wound in the neck. A trunk was found a few rods from the house broken open and rifled of its contents. This circumstance, added to the current opinion of the neighborhood that Miss Hanson and her brother were in the possession of a considerable sum of money, led to the opinion that she had been murdered and the house robbed. Suspicions pointed to a family of Howards, of rather disreputable fame, who lived at Dry Hill, a short distance from the Hansons. A warrant was accordingly procured and put into the hands of an officer to search the house, of the Howards, the male members of which family, discovering the; approach of the party accompanying the officer escaped from the house and fled. Two of the brothers Howard on the following morning were arrested in this town and taken to Rochester for examination; one of them, Andrew Howard, by name, made a full and free confession of his guilt; entirely exculpating his brother and all other persons from any participation therein. Andrew, who is a single man of some three or four and twenty years of age, it seems that he did not live at home at Dry Hill, but resided with another brother in the lower part of Rochester towards Great Falls; where he left on Tuesday morning, with a gun, as he says, for the purpose of procuring Hanson’s money; that finding Phebe at home and her brother absent, he asked for a drink of water and after remain[ing] a few minutes, left the house – soon returned – met Phebe in the entry – shot her down – took the trunk from the house – broke it open and took from it twenty-seven dollars in bills, two dollars in silver, thirty-six cents in cents, a pocket knife, and a piece of tobacco. The money he said he had hidden – the cents and the knife in Rochester, near his brother’s, and the twenty-nine dollars in bills and silver in the stable of the Eagle Hotel in this village. He was fully committed for trial, and on his way to the jail showed the officer and his keeper the places where he had hidden the money and knife which were found precisely as described by him. The money, we are told corresponds with the money which Jacob Hanson, the brother of the murdered woman, says that the trunk was found, broken open near his house. Another of the Howards, whom Andrew had informed of the murder previous to his arrest, was ordered to recognize in the sum of $200, for his appearance at the next common Pleas Court as a witness, in default whereof he also has been committed (Middlebury People’s Press (Middlebury, VT), October 4, 1843).

Attempted Suicide. The Dover Gazette says: We learn that Andrew Howard, the unfortunate young man who is confined in the jail in this town, for the murder of Miss Phebe Hanson, a few weeks ago at Rochester, has made several unsuccessful attempts to commit suicide since his confinement. On Tuesday last, however, he came very near being successful in hanging himself, as when found life was nearly extinct (NY Tribune, October 31, 1843).

Howard’s first trial ended in a hung jury. The hold-out juror may have hoped that capital punishment would have been abolished before Howard could be retried. (If so, he was wrong).

Disagreement of a Jury. In the case of Andrew Howard, tried for murder last week at Dover, N.H., the jury could not agree. He will be tried again in January (Buffalo Daily Gazette, August 27, 1844).

Correspondence of the Boston Post. Dover, N.H., Aug. 17, 1844. The jury in the case of Andrew Howard did not agree. They stood, I understand, eleven to one – eleven for conviction of murder in the first degree, and one for murder in the second degree. The prisoner will be tried again in January next. The conscientious scruples of one juror probably saved the prisoner’s life, as capital punishment will probably be abolished in November next (Liberator, August 31, 1844).

Howard was found guilty at his second trial, in February 1845. His lawyer filed a motion that delayed sentencing for four months until August 1845.

FOUND GUILTY. We learn from the Dover Gazette that the trial of Andrew Howard, which had been in progress for more than a week, closed on Friday evening, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. Howard’s counsel made a motion in arrest of judgment, which defers sentence until August, if it has no other effect. – Manchester N.H. Argus (NY Evening Post, February 14, 1845).

Sentence of Death. Andrew Howard, convicted of the murder of Phebe Hanson, has been sentenced by the Court of Common Pleas at Dover, N. Hampshire, to be hanged the 12th of November. The prisoner is said to have received his sentence with apparent indifference (NY Evening Post, August 15, 1845).

A large crowd of at least 10,000 people gathered outside the Dover jail for Howard’s execution.

Respited. The execution of Andrew Howard, which was to have taken place at Dover, N.H., on Wednesday, has been respited till the 8th of July (NY Evening Post, November 14, 1845).

The Exeter News-Letter says that the gallows had been erected and preparations all made for the execution of Andrew Howard, at Dover, (N.H.) before the Governor arrived with a reprieve. The people who had come from Barrington and Bowpond, Squannemagonic and the Dock, the Three Ponds and Crown Point, Barnstead and the Bear country, to see the sight, were very indignant at the interference of the Governor. The Dover Gazette estimates that there were 10,000 strangers in that town on that day (Weekly National Intelligencer (Washington, DC), November 29, 1845).

MISCELLANEOUS. The Manchester American says that a number of Democrats in Deerfield, N.H., on Tuesday, made an effigy of Governor Steele, and hung it upon a tree, with a cowskin about the neck. the cause of this outbreak of indecent spleen was that the Governor did not hang Andrew Howard in Dover last week (Liberator, December 5, 1845).

EXECUTION OF ANDREW HOWARD AT DOVER. We learn from a correspondent in Dover N.H., that the execution of Andrew Howard, for the murder of Phebe Hanson of Rochester, in September 1843, took place in the jail yard, in Dover, yesterday. He was resigned to his fate as far as he comprehended the responsibility for his own action, blaming those who had care of his education and earlier years more particularly. Elder Elias Hutchins attended him on the scaffold & every attention was paid him by Mr. Hanson, the jailor. After taking leave of the sheriff, (Colonel Hoyt) and several friends, the prisoner stepped upon the drop with considerable firmness. Every thing being in readiness he gave the usual signal, and he was launched into eternity at 20 minutes before 2 o’clock. After hanging 35 minutes, his body was taken down and delivered to his friends who conveyed it to Rochester, the place of his nativity, for interment. Daily Mail. July 9 (Vermont Union Whig (Rutland, VT), July 16, 1846).

Savage Curiosity. The Dover, (N.H.) Gazette, extra, in giving an account of the execution at Andrew Howard, says that crowds of people, of both sexes, poured into the town during the forenoon of Wednesday, and surrounded the precincts of the jail in almost solid and compact masses, vociferously demanding to be indulged with the sight of the spectacle of a fellow creature suffering the awful death of the gallows! Among this mob were hundreds of individuals whose standing in society was deeply disgraced by their conduct on that day. Men from whom the public have a right to expect better examples were there urging the more reckless and irresponsible to demolish the fences of the jail yard that all might see the dying struggles of the criminal; and even ladies, or beings clad in the dress of ladies, were offering to assist to pull down the fence (NY Evening Post, July 16, 1846).


References:

Find a Grave. (2022, October 27). Jacob Hanson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/245083966/jacob-hanson

Find a Grave. (2015 March 8). Andrew Howard. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/143525017/andrew-howard