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.
Limuel 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).
Lemuel 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).
Lemuel 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
Milton Observer 