By Muriel Bristol | September 27, 2026
Ebenezer Corson was born in Rochester, NH, February 11, 1756, son of Ichabod and Abigail (Roberts) Corson. (David Corson was a younger brother).
[Father] Ichabod Corson, who settled at Rochester, New Hampshire, was a soldier from that town in the French and Indian war in 1759; was an assessor in 1767 and on the committee to recruit volunteers for the continental army in 1779, though in 1775 he had refused to sign the association test. Joshua Corson of the same family was a sergeant and Ebenezer Corson was a private from Rochester in revolution (Cutter, 1912).
Father Ichabod Corson was one of the one hundred and one Rochester, NH, inhabitants that petitioned, February 8, 1762, for Rochester to be represented in the NH Provincial Legislature. Barnabas Palmer, and John Plumer were also among those that signed the petition. (See Rochester Representation Petition – 1762).
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).
Father Ichabod Corson served on Rochester’s Committee of Correspondence in 1775, and its military recruiting committee in 1778-79.
Ebenezer Corson appeared in a return of the officers and men that enlisted in Capt. John Waldron’s Company, July 3, 1775.
Ebenezer Corson appeared in a pay roll of Capt. James Libbey’s Company, in Col. Stephen Evans’ Regiment, in 1777. Col. Stephen Evans’ Regiment “… marched and joined the Northern Continental Army at Saratoga, September 1777.” British General Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777; Corson was one of several dozen men that left early or “deserted” on or after October 20, 1777, as opposed to those that stayed until December 15, 1777.
Ebenezer Corson married, circa 1782, Elizabeth Ricker. She was born in Somersworth, NH, circa 1753, daughter of Paul and Abigail (Hodgdon) Ricker.
(The known children of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Ricker) Corson were: Ichabod Corson, Jr. (1781-1869), Joseph Corson (1783–1835), Robert Corson (1787–1836), Hannah Corson, Ebenezer Corson (1797–1835), James Corson (1800–1883), and Elizabeth E. Corson (1809–1896)).
Son Ichabod Corson was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, in 1781. Son Joseph Corson was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, in 1783.
Younger sister Anna Corson married in Rochester, NH, October 7, 1784, Elijah Horn, both of Rochester, NH. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony (NEHGS, 1907). Horn was born in Rochester, NH, May 4, 1764, son of Peter and Mercy (Wentworth) Horn.
Father Ichabod Cossen and Ichabod Corson, Junr, were 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).
Son Robert Corson was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, in 1787.
Ichabod Courson headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included two males aged 16-plus years [himself], two males aged under-16 years, and two females [Abigail (Roberts) Corson]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Tebbets and Wentworth Twombly. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).
Ebenzr Coarson headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], three males aged under-16 years [Ichabod Corson, Joseph Corson, and Robert Corson], and three females [Elizabeth (Ricker) Corson]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Benja Foss and Ebenzr Varney. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).
Son Ebenezer Corson was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, in 1797.
Father Ichabod Courson of Rochester, NH, gentleman, made his last will, February 22, 1799. He devised a life estate to his beloved wife, Abigail Courson. Also, two cows and four sheep were to be kept for her summer and winter, one riding horse, suitable for her, and the household furniture. He devised the home farm to his beloved son, Timothy Courson, it being the whole of First Division Lot #34 in Rochester, with buildings. He was to have also all cattle not otherwise disposed, the instruments of husbandry, i.e., the farm tools and equipment, any due debts, and any rest and residue remaining. He devised all the household furniture to his beloved daughters, Keziah Ellis, Elizabeth Richards, Mehitable McDuffee, Anna Horn, and Sarah Wallingford. It was to be equally divided when their mother was done with it. This, together with what he had already given them, would be their full share.
He had vested by deed his sons, Ichabod Courson, Joshua Courson, Ebenezer Courson and Benjamin Courson, with their shares of his estate. He devised his wearing apparel to his sons, Ebenezer Courson and Benjamin Courson, to be equally divided. He devised $1 to his son, David Courson, he having already received his full share. He appointed his son, Timothy Courson, as executor. James How, Jacob Hanson, and Richd Dame witnessed his signature or, rather, witnessed “his mark” (Strafford County Probate, 6: 455).
Ens Ichd [Ensign Ichabod] Corson 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 [Abigail (Roberts) Corson], one male aged 26-44 years, one female aged 26-44 years, two males aged 10-15 years, three females aged 10-15 years, one male aged under-10 years, and two females aged under-10 years. [Ichd Corson, Jr, headed a separate Rochester, NH, household].
Ebener Coarson headed a Northeast Parish, 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 26-44 years [Elizabeth (Ricker) Corson], two males aged 16-25 years, one male aged 10-15 years, one female aged 10-15 years, three males aged under-10 years, and two females aged under-10 years. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Son James Corson was born in [New Durham,] NH, October 23, 1800.
Father Ichabod Corson died in Rochester, NH, in July 1801. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court, November 2, 1801 (Strafford County Probate, 6:455).
Ebenezer Corson and his son, Ichabod Corson, [Jr.,] were among the fifty-two Milton petitioners that sought to have Jotham Nute appointed as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, in August 1805.
Son Robert Corson married, circa 1806, Susannah Cook. She was born in Somersworth, NH, circa 1791, daughter of William Cook.
Ebenr Corson and his son, Robert Corson, were assessed in the Milton School District No. 4 of Dudley Burnham in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
Daughter Elizabeth E. Corson was born in Brookfield, NH, March 10, 1809.
Ebenezer Corson died, probably in New Durham, NH, in 1810.
Ichabod Corson 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 26-44 years, two females aged 10-15 years, and two males aged under-10 years.
Ebener Corson headed a New Durham, NH, 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 [Elizabeth (Ricker) Corson], one female aged 16-25 years, one male aged 10-15 years, one female aged 10-15 years, two males aged under-10 years, and one female aged under-10 years.
Joseph Corson headed a Rochester, 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 [Lydia (Ricker) Corson], one male aged 10-15 years, one female aged 10-15 years, two males aged under-10 years, three females aged under-10 years, and one female aged 45-plus years [Abigail (Roberts) Corson]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jacob Ellis and Ichobard [Ichabod] Corson.
Robert Corson headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-25 years [himself], one female aged 16-25 years [Susannah [(Cook)] Corson], one male aged under-10 years, and one female aged under-10 years.
Mother Abigail (Roberts) Corson died in Rochester, NH, March 20, 1820.
Son Ichabod Corson married in Middleton, NH, May 18, 1828, Sarah “Sally” Ford, both of New Durham, NH. Rev. William Buzzell performed the ceremony.
Postmaster John McDuffee, Jr., published a list of those – including James Corson – that had letters awaiting pickup by them at the Rochester, NH, post office, in January 1829. (Dover Enquirer, January 29, 1829).
Ichabod Corson headed a New Durham, NH, 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 [Sally (Ford) Corson], one male aged 5-9 years, one male aged under-5 years, and one female aged under-5 years.
Lydia [(Ricker)] Corson headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. Her household included one female 40-49 years [herself], one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged under-5 years, and two females aged under-5 years.
Robert Corson headed a New Durham, NH, 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 [Susannah [(Cook)] Corson], one male aged 20-29 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, three males aged 10-14 years, one female aged 5-9 years, and two males aged under-5 years.
James Corson headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years, one female aged 10-14 years, and three males aged under-5 years.
The Hon. Nathaniel Upham had died in Rochester, July 10, 1829. His children and grandchildren, petitioned for a division of his land into their respective one-ninth shares, in March 1832. One of the Rochester, NH, properties was
… twenty acres of land formerly owned by the late Ichabod Corson or by Joseph Corson (Dover Enquirer, March 13, 1832).
Son Robert Corson died in New Durham, NH, circa 1835-36.
Ichabod Corson headed a Dover, NH, 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 [Sally (Ford) Corson], one male aged 10-14 years, and one female aged 5-9 years. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture.
Susannah [(Cook)] Corson headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 40-49 years [herself], one male aged 30-39 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, two males aged 10-14 years, two males aged 5-9 years. Four members of her household were engaged in Agriculture.
James Corson headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years, two males aged 10-14 years, one male aged under-5 years, two females aged 5-9 years, and one female aged under-5 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration just before that of Nathaniel Horn (aged 60-69 years).
THIS is to notify the public, especially that part which has practiced coming into the Whortleberry Swamp in Dover and committing depredations, insulting our wives and children, carrying off our tools, destroying our vegetables, throwing down our fences, letting cattle into our fields, and doing many other wrongs, that we shall consider them as trespassers hereafter, unless they first obtain liberty from the owners of the premises. THOMAS CARD, BENJA. A. FORD, DANIEL PINKHAM, ICHABOD CORSON, ENOCH PINKHAM. Dover, Aug. 17, 1841. 10 (Dover Enquirer, August 24, 1841).
Son Ichabod Corson appeared in the Dover, NH Directory of 1843, as a laborer, boarding at Jesse Cook’s. Jesse Cook appeared as a laborer, and proprietor of a boarding house on Main street.
Time Given. I hereby give notice that I have given my son, John Corson, his time to act and trade for himself, and shall claim none of his wages or pay any of his debts from this date. ICHABOD his X mark CORSON. Witness – John Clements. Dover, March 14, 1848. 43 (Dover Enquirer, March 28, 1848).
Ichabod Corson, a farmer, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sally [(Ford)] Corson, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and Mary Corson, aged fifteen years. Ichabod Corson had real estate valued at $700.
Susannah [(Cook)] Couson [Courson], aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Eli Couson [Courson], a farmer, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and Horace Couson [Courson], a farmer, aged sixteen years (b. NH). Susannah Couson had real estate valued at $700.
James Courson, a farmer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Abigail [(Horne)] Courson, aged forty-six years (b. NH), Wm Courson, a shoemaker, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), Margarett Courson, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), Nathl Courson, a shoemaker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), James Courson, a shoemaker, aged twenty years (b. NH), Sarah J. Courson, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Hannah Courson, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Mary Courson, aged nine years (b. NH), Maria Courson, aged seven years (b. NH), and Saphronia Courson, aged four years (b. NH). James Courson had real estate valued at $500.
Ichabod Corson, a farmer, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sally [(Ford)] Corson, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). Ichabod Corson had real estate valued ay $1,200 and personal estate valued at $500.
Ebenezer Corson, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Susan [(Cook)] Corson, aged sixty-six years (b. NH). Ebenezer Corson had real estate valued at $600 and personal estate valued at $200.
James Corson, a farmer, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Abigail [(Horne)] Corson, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), Mary Corson, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Sophronia Corson, aged fourteen years (b. NH). James Corson had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $300.
Son Ichabod Corson died in Dover, NH, August 29, 1861, aged seventy-nine years.
DEATHS. In this city, – 29th ult., Mr. Ichabod Corson, aged 80 years, formerly of New Durham (Dover Enquirer, September 12, 1861).
Daughter-in-law Susanna (Cooke) Corson died of palsy in New Durham, NH, January 2, 1864, aged seventy-two years. She was a widowed housekeeper.
Joseph H. Knowles, works for shoe factory, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Middleton, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Martha J. [(Whitehouse)] Knowles, keeping house, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Emma Knowles, aged eight months (b. NH), Susan [(Corson))] Knowles, a house keeper, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and Lydia [(Ricker)] Corson, aged eighty-nine years (b. NH). Joseph H. Knowles had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $300.
James Corson, a farmer, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Abagail [(Horne)] Corson, keeping house, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), Mary Corson, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and Eri Corson, aged nine years (b. NH). James Corson had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $615.
Daughter-in-law Abigail B. (Horne) Corson died in New Durham, NH, September 16, 1870, aged sixty-six years.
Daughter-in-law Lydia (Ricker) Corson died in Middleton, NH, February 11, 1872, aged ninety-two years.
DEATHS. In Middleton, Feb. 11, Mrs. Lydia Courson, aged 92 years (Foster’s Democrat (Dover, NH), February 24, 1872)
Son James Corson married (2nd) in Wolfeboro, NH, May 6, 1874, Eliza Willey, both of New Durham, NH. Rev. William K. Lucas performed the ceremony. Corson was a farmer, aged seventy-one years (b. Milton), and she was a housekeeper, aged sixty-two years (b. Alton). She was born in Alton, NH, circa 1812, daughter of Abigail Bickford.
Ebenezer Corson, a laborer, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), headed a Wolfeboro, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elizabath Corson, keeping house, aged seventy-one years (b. NH), his daughters, Abby Corson, at home, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), and Susan A. Corson, at home, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and his grandson, Frank E. Corson, at school, aged nine years (b. NH).
James Corson, a farmer, aged eighty years (b. NH), headed a New Durham, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza [(Willey)] Corson, keeping house, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH).
Daughter-in-law Eliza (Willey) Corson died in New Durham, NH, June 8, 1882, aged seventy-two years.
Son James Corson died of paralysis in New Durham, NH, February 23, 1883, aged eighty-two years, four months. He was a widowed farmer. Dr. P. Avans Haley signed the death certificate.
Son Ebenezer Corson died in Wolfeboro, NH, September 1, 1886, aged eighty-six years, one month, and twenty-five years.
Betsy E. Corson died of exhaustion from a fracture of the hip in Wolfeboro, NH, January 22, 1896, aged eighty-six years. She was a [widowed?] houseworker. P.B. Stevens, M.D., signed the death certificate.
References:
Cutter, William R., A.M. (1912). Genealogical and Family History of Central New York. Retrieved from www.google.com/books/edition/Genealogical_and_Family_History_of_Centr/Ru0pAQAAMAAJ?pg=PA652
Find a Grave. (2024, March 14). Ebenezer Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/267233245/ebenezer-corson
Find a Grave. (2018, August 30). Ichabod Corson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/192689781/ichabod-corson
Find a Grave. (2013, May 26). James Corson, Sr. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/111205230/james-corson
Wikipedia. (2026, August 3). Battles of Saratoga. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga
