By Muriel Bristol | June 14, 2026
Samuel Bragdon was born in Wells, ME, in 1771.
Samuel Bragdon bought a farm, in or about 1800, from a son of the original Milton settler, Jonathan Twombly. (It would be owned later by Bragdon’s son-in-law, Luther Hayes).
The writer [John Scales] is of opinion that Jonathan Twombly is entitled to the honor of making the first settlement near the Twombly Brook, and upon the farm now owned by Hon. Luther Hayes, and sometimes called the Bragdon farm, Samuel Bragdon having purchased the farm from a son of Mr. Twombly in about 1800 (Scales, 1914).
Samuel Bragdon married (1st), circa 1800, Elizabeth Clements. She was born in Somersworth, NH, June 7, 1771, daughter of James and Sarah (Ricker) Clements.
(The known children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Clements) Bragdon were: John Bragdon (1801–1860), Moses Bragdon (c1803-), Samuel Bragdon (1805–1820), Sarah Bragdon (1806-1893), and James Clements Bragdon (1810-1834)).
Son John Bragdon was born in the Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, in 1801.
Samuel Bragdon did not sign the Rochester Division Petition of May 1802.
Son Moses Bragdon was born in Milton, circa 1803.
Samuel Bragdon was among “a number of respectable inhabitants & freeholders” that sought a special Town Meeting to reconsider the proposed Meeting House site. They thought that the site should be instead ninety or a hundred rods lower down, on the south side of the brook at the head of the Northwest Pond. The special Town Meeting was held at the home of Lieut. Elijah Horn, September 1, 1803, and that meeting decided not to change the proposed Meeting House site.
Samuel Bragdon was 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.
Son Samuel Bragdon [Jr.] was born in Milton, in January 1805.
Samuel Bragdon was assessed in the Milton School District No. 2 of Lieut. J. Nute in 1806.
Daughter Sarah Bragdon was born in Milton, November 30, 1806. She was a namesake for her maternal grandmother, Sarah (Ricker) Clements, who died in Somersworth, NH, December 12, 1806.
Saml Bragdon 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 [Elizabeth (Clements) Bragdon], one female aged 16-25 years, two males aged under-10 years [John Bragdon, and Samuel Bragdon, Jr.], and two females aged under-10 years [Sarah Bragdon]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Ricker and Richard Waker [Walker]. (See Milton in the Third (1810) Federal Census).
Son James Clements Bragdon was born in Milton, circa 1810. He was a namesake for his maternal grandfather, James Clements.
Elizabeth (Clements) Bragdon died in Milton, September 12, 1812, aged forty-one years, three months.
Samuel Bragdon married (2nd) in Alton, NH, September 5, 1813, Lydia Walker, both of Milton. Rev. John Page performed the ceremony. She was born in Rochester, NH, in 1779, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Wentworth) Walker.
(The known children of Samuel and Lydia (Walker) Bragdon were: Betsey Bragdon (1818–1864), Louisa Adeline Bragdon (1820–1859)).
James Clements of Somersworth, NH, made his last will, October 30, 1816. In it he included bequests for his Bragdon grandchildren, i.e., the children of his deceased daughter, Elizabeth (Clements) Bragdon.
Item. I give to my grandson [and namesake] James Bragdon one good bed and beding [bedding] and all that belongs to it, to him his heirs and assigns. ~ also twenty dollars.
Item. I give and bequeath to my grandchildren John Bragdon Moses Bragdon Samuel Bragdon and Sarah Bragdon four dollars each to be paid within seven years after my decease, or when they are twenty one years of age, …
James Clements appointed his son, Abner Clements, as executor. He died in Somersworth, NH, May 22, 1821, and his will was proved in Strafford County Probate Court, June 15, 1821 (Strafford County Probate, 28:25).
Daughter Betsy Bragdon was born in Milton, in 1818. Daughter Louisa Adeline Bragdon was born in Milton, April 20, 1820.
Samuel Bragdon signed the April 1820 petition requesting the appointment of James Roberts as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. (See Milton Seeks a Magistrate – 1820).
Samuel Bragdon signed the Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Son Samuel Bragdon, Jr., died in Milton, July 22, 1820, aged fifteen years, six months.
Lydia (Walker) Bragdon died in Milton, July 10, 1826, aged forty-seven years.
Samuel Bragdon married (3rd) in Rochester, NH, November 23, 1826, Susan Nute, both of Milton. Charles Baker performed the ceremony. She was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, circa 1785, daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Pinkham) Nute.
Son John Bragdon married in Somersworth, NH, January 25, 1828, Lydia J. (Horne) Varney, he of Milton, and she of Somersworth, NH. Rev. Elihu Scott performed the ceremony. She was the daughter of Richard and Lucy (Scates) Horne, and widow of Beard Varney.
Daughter Sarah Bragdon married in Lebanon, ME, September 20, 1828, Richard Shapleigh, she of Milton, and he of Lebanon, ME, He was born in Lebanon, ME, July 31, 1795, son of Nicholas and Dorcas (Stacey) Shapleigh.
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).
Richard Shapleigh headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Sarah (Bragdon) Shapleigh], one male aged 5-9 years, one female aged 5-9 years, and one female aged 60-69 years.
Susan (Nute) Bragdon died in Milton, January 18, 1833.
Samuel Bragdon married (4th) in Somersworth, NH, in December 1833, Lydia Clements, he of Milton, and she of Somersworth, NH. She was born in 1780, daughter of James and Sarah (Ricker) Clements (and a younger sister of his first wife, Elizabeth (Clements) Bragdon).
Married. In Somersworth, Mr. Samuel Bragdon, of Milton, to Miss Lydia Clements, of Somersworth (Dover Enquirer, December 24, 1833).
Son James Clements Bragdon died May 28, 1834, æ. 24 years.
(“In memory of JAMES C., son of Samuel & Elizabeth Bragdon, died May 28, 1834, Ae 24 yrs.” “Gravestones in the old Somersworth graveyard, now in Rollinsford, N.H.” (Holman, 1927)).
Daughter Betsy Bragdon married, probably in Milton, circa 1837-38, Theodore Lyman. He was born in Milton, August 23, 1812, son of Theodore C. and Dorothy (Allen) Lyman.
Saml Bragdon of Milton made his last will, May 5, 1838. He devised to his beloved wife, Lydia Bragdon, and his youngest daughter, Louisa Bragdon, one-half the present homestead farm and buildings; also one-half the Wakeham lot, adjoining land of Jacob Varney and lately owned by John C. Freeman; and also one-half of the lot purchased from Hiram Varney. The said several parcels were to be held in common and undivided with his son, John Bragdon.
His said wife, Lydia Bragdon, and daughter, Louisa Bragdon, were to have also a forty-seven-acre tract in Milton that adjoined land of John Jenkins, Isaac Copp, and Beard Wentworth.
He devised also to his eldest son, John Bragdon, $200, to be paid from the stock then on hand. His son, Moses Bragdon, was to have $200. His daughter, Sarah Shapleigh, wife of Richard Shapleigh, was to have $400. His daughter, Betsey Lyman, wife of Theodore Lyman, was to have $400. His youngest daughter, Louisa Bragdon, was to have $400, but also two good feather beds and bedding.
It was his will and order that the farming utensils be kept on the farm, to be used by his son, John Bragdon, and his wife, Lydia Bragdon, for the purpose of carrying on the same. He left all the rest and residue to his beloved wife, and he appointed Stephen M. Mathes as executor. Joseph Walker, Isaac Wentworth, and Joshua A. Hanson signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 59:338).
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. Three members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Silas Tuttle and Joseph Walker.
Richard Shapleigh headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Sarah (Bragdon) Shapleigh], one male aged 15-19 years [Edwin Shapleigh], one female aged 15-19 years [Lavina Shaplleigh], one male aged 5-9 years [Samuel B. Shapleigh], and one female aged under-5 years [Shuah E. Shapleigh]. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.
Theodore Lyman headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Betsy (Bragdon) Lyman], one male aged 15-19 years, and one male aged under-5 years [Andrew R. Lyman]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Theodore C. Lyman and William B. Lyman.
Samuel Bragdon died in Milton, December 10, 1840, aged “about” seventy-one years.
Died. In Milton, 10th inst., Mr. Samuel Bragdon, aged about 71 years (Dover Enquirer, December 22, 1840).
Samuel Bragdon’s last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Somersworth, NH, December 22, 1840 (Strafford County Probate, 59:338).
Louise Adeline Bragdon married in Milton, February 4, 1841, Luther Hayes, she of Milton, and he of Rochester, NH. Rev. E. Nason performed the ceremony. Hayes was born in Lebanon, ME, January 12, 1820, son of George and Lydia (Jones) Hayes.
Married. In Milton, Mr. Luther Hayes, of Rochester, to Miss Louisa A. Bragdon, of Milton (Dover Enquirer, March 9, 1841).
He [Luther Hayes] married Louisa Bragdon, a daughter of Samuel Bragdon, of Milton, and removed to that town, where he has since resided, being extensively engaged in farming and in lumber business (Granite Monthly, 1879).
Theodore Lyman and Betsy (Bragdon) Lyman were charter members of a Freewill Baptist Church that held its inaugural meeting in their South Milton home, May 5, 1843. He became its deacon.
John Bragdon, a farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [((Horn) Varney)] Bragdon, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), Betsey A. Bragdon, aged seven years (b. NH), Richard Horn, a farmer, aged seventy years (b. NH), Lucy [(Scates)] Horn, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), Lucy J. Varney, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Jonas M. Varney, a farmer, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). John Bragdon had real estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Isaac Wentworth, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years, and Giles Burrows, a farmer, aged twenty-six years (b. NH).
Richard Shapleigh, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. ME), headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Bragdon)] Shapleigh, aged forty-four years (b. ME), Samuel Shapleigh, aged fourteen years (b. ME), Elizabeth Shapleigh, aged twelve years (b. ME), Ellen J. Shapleigh, aged eight years (b. ME), and Lydia [(Clements)] Bragdon, aged seventy years (b. ME). Richard Shapleigh had real estate valued at $1,800.
Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Bragdon)] Lyman, aged thirty-two years, Andrew R. Lyman, aged eleven years (b. NH), and Samuel Lyman, aged nine years (b. NH). Theodore Lyman had real estate valued at $3,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Luther Hayes, a lumber dealer, aged thirty years (b. NH), and Thomas Leighton, a machinist, aged sixty-four years (b. NH).
Luther Hayes, a lumber dealer, aged thirty years (b. NH [SIC]), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Louisa A. [(Bragdon)] Hayes, aged thirty years (b. NH), Lydia E. Hayes, aged eight years (b. NH), Clara A. Hayes, aged six years (b. NH), Louisa Hayes, aged four years (b. NH), and Charles H. Hayes, aged one year (b. NH). Luther Hayes had real estate valued at $3,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Abigail Tuttle, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), and Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged thirty-two years (b. NH).
Lydia (Clements) Bragdon died in Milton, October 23, 1855.
Granddaughter Betsey A. Bragdon died of measles in Milton, March 27, 1856, aged twelve years. D.E. Palmer, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Daughter-in-law Lydia J. ((Horne) Varney) Bragdon died in Milton, January 28, 1857, aged fifty-five years.
Daughter Louise A. (Bragdon) Hayes died of inflammation in Milton, December 21, 1859, aged thirty-nine years, seven months, and twenty-four days. She was married. (Per the Mortality Schedule of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census (“consumption”)).
DEATHS. In Milton, Mrs. Louisa, wife of Luther Hayes, Esq, aged about 39 years (Dover Enquirer, January 5, 1860).
John Bragdon, a farmer, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Clara Varney, aged one year (b. NH). John Bragdon had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jonas M. Varney, a farmer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and Eri Wentworth, a farmer, aged forty-three years (b. NH).
Richard Shapleigh, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. ME), headed a Lebanon (“Lebanon Centre P.O.”), ME, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Bragdon)] Shapleigh, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), Samuel B. Shapleigh, a law student, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), Sherah E. Shapleigh, aged twenty years (b. ME), Alice J. Shapleigh, aged eighteen years (b. ME), and Henry Lock, a farm laborer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH). Richard Shapleigh had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $500.
Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Bragdon)] Lyman, aged forty-two years (b. NH), Andrew R. Lyman, a farmer, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and Ann F. Emerson, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Theodore Lyman had real estate valued at $6,000 and personal estate valued at $1,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Luther Hayes and Henry B. Scates.
Son John Bragdon died in Milton, September 16, 1860, aged fifty-nine years.
DEATHS. In Milton, 16th inst., John Bragdon, aged 59 years (Dover Enquirer, September 27, 1860).
Daughter Betsy (Bragdon) Lyman died of dropsy in Milton, September 22, 1864, aged forty-six years, three months, and nine days. She was married.
DEATHS. In South Milton, 21st ult., Mrs. Betsy Lyman, wife of Theodore Lyman, Esq., aged 46 years (Dover Enquirer, October 6, 1864).
Son-in-law Richard Shapleigh died of hypertrophy of the heart in Lebanon, ME, December 8, 1869, aged seventy-four years. He was a married farmer. (Per the Mortality Schedule of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census).
Probate Notices. RICHARD SHAPLEIGH, late of Lebanon, deceased. Petition for probate of will presented by Sarah Shapleigh, the executrix therein named (Union and Journal (Biddeford, ME), January 14, 1870).
Sarah [(Bragdon)] Shapleigh, keeping house, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. Her household included Sherah E. Shapleigh, at home, aged thirty-three years (b. ME), and John Roberts, a farm laborer, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH). Sarah Shapleigh had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $1,300.
Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Susan Jenness, a housekeeper, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH). Theodore Lyman had real estate valued at $4,000 and personal estate valued at $7,655. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Henry B. Scates, a dealer in wood & lumber, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and a vacant building. (Hiram V. Wentworth, a shoe manufacturer, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), resided just beyond the vacant building).
Son-in-law Theodore Lyman attended the Republican County Convention, as the Milton Delegate.
MILTON DELEGATES. The following is a list of Delegates chosen to the various Republican Conventions, from Milton: State – Ira Miller, Charles H. Looney. Congressional – Bard B. Plummer, Charles W. Tasker. Councillor – Luther Hayes, Henry B. Scates. Senatorial – George Lyman, Joseph H. Avery. County – Theodore Lyman, Joseph Plummer (Dover Enquirer, September 2, 1880).
Sarah [(Bragdon)] Shapeleigh [Shapleigh], aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her son, Samuel B Shapeleigh, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. ME). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Mary J. Duntley, keeping house, aged forty years (b. NH), and Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged seventy-five years (b. NH).
Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH) headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his housekeeper, Susan A. Jenness, a housekeeper, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James O. Reynolds, a shoe manufacturer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), and George Lyman, a farmer, aged fifty-two years (b. NH).
Son-in-law Theodore Lyman died of heart disease & dropsy in Milton, August 1, 1891, aged seventy-eight years, eleven months, and nine days. He was a widowed farmer. J.W. Lougee, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Daughter Sarah (Bragdon) Shapleigh died of erysipelas in Milton, December 26, 1893, aged eighty-seven years, one month, and twenty-six days. She was a widow. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Son-in-law Luther Hayes died of chronic cystitis in Milton, March 28, 1895, aged seventy-five years, two months, and sixteen days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
LOCALS. Luther Hayes of Milton died at his home Thursday morning, of last week, aged 75 years. He has been a very prominent political character, having held the offices of state senator, representative to the general court, high sheriff, deputy sheriff and county commissioner. His funeral occurred Sunday, under the auspices of Paternal Lodge of this place, a large delegation being present (Farmington News, April 5, 1895).
References:
Find a Grave. (2013, September 20). John Bragdon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117394442/john-bragdon
Find a Grave. (2013, September 20). Samuel Bragdon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117393846/samuel-bragdon
Find a Grave. (2021, August 12). Samuel Bragdon [Jr.]. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230653433/samuel-bragdon
Find a Grave. (2011, September 29). James Clements. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/77343433/james-clements
Find a Grave. (2011, March 26). Louisa Adeline Bragdon Hayes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/67475807/louisa-adeline-hayes
Find a Grave. (2013, August 15). Betsy Bragdon Lyman. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115540264/betsey-lyman
Find a Grave. (2011, February 26). Sarah Bragdon Shapleigh. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/66176250/sarah-shapleigh
Milton Observer 