By Muriel Bristol | November 8, 2026
William Mathes was born in Lee, NH, circa 1776, son of Samuel and Ruth (Lord) Mathes.
Father Samuel Mathes of Lee, NH, husbandman, made his last will, May 25, 1785. (He was then aged sixty-three years). He bequeathed to his loving wife, Ruth Mathes, one-half of his house, barn, and the new barn (which he was then building), one-half of the stock, and one-half of the produce, for a period of five years. After the five years had elapsed she was to have on an ongoing basis, one-quarter of the stock and produce, and one-half of the moveables. He bequeathed to his son, Benjamin Mathes, his land and buildings in Durham, NH, and £30 law money, when he should reach the age of twenty-one years. He bequeathed his son, Valentine Mathes, his land in Rochester’s Third Division, with one yoke of oxen, one cow and calf, six sheep, and one featherbed and bedding. He bequeathed to his sons, Robert Mathes and William Mathes, his lands in Rochester’s Second Division, to be equally divided between them. Each was to have also one yoke of oxen, one cow and calf, six sheep, and one featherbed and bedding, when they should reach the age of twenty-one years.
He bequeathed to his daughter, Abigail Mathes, £60 lawful money (£30 to be paid when she either reached the age of eighteen years or married, and the remainder to be paid one year later). She was to have also one yoke of oxen, one cow and calf, six sheep, and one featherbed and bedding. He bequeathed the same amounts of money, stock, and goods to his other daughters, Ruth Mathes, and Hannah Mathes (to be paid when they either reached the age of eighteen years or married). He bequeathed to his sons, Samuel Mathes and Abraham Mathes, all his real and personal estate situated in Lee, NH, and not otherwise disposed. Samuel Mathes and Abraham Mathes were also named a joint executors.
If any of the aforementioned sons should die, then his estate should be divided among the remaining sons. Likewise, if any of the aforementioned daughters should die, then her dowry should be divided among the remaining daughters. John Jenkins, James Jenkins, and James Brackett signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 8:315).
William Mathes would seem to have settled in Rochester’s Northeast Parish, before 1790. (Yet he was not enumerated by name there in the First (1790) Federal Census).
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 Meseron [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.
Wm Mathes headed a Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-25 years [himself]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Will Mathews [Mathes] and his brother, Robert Mathews, were assessed in the Milton School District No. 4 of Dudley Burnham in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
William Mathes married, circa 1809, Sarah Varney. She was born in Milton, circa 1792.
(The known children of William and Sarah (Varney) Mathes were: Abigail Mathes (1810–1817), Mary V. Mathes (1813-1889), Samuel H. Mathes (c1817-1888), Sarah Jane Mathes (1824–1903), and Clara A. Mathes (1827–1903)).
Wm Mathews [Mathes] 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 16-25 years [Sarah (Varney) Mathes], and one female aged under-10 years [Abigail Mathes]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ichabod Hayes and Caleb Wakeham.
Daughter Abigail Mathes was born in Milton, December 10, 1810. Daughter Mary V. Mathes was born in Milton, November 15, 1813.
Daughter Abigail Mathes died in Milton, January 22, 1817.
Son Samuel H. Mathes was born in Milton, January 27, 1817.
Daughter Sarah Janes Mathes was born in Milton, in 1824. Daughter Clara A. Miles was born in Milton, October 8, 1827.
Wm Mathes 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 30-39 years [Sarah (Varney) Mathes], one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years [Samuel H. Mathes], one male aged 5-9 years, one female aged 5-9 years [Sarah J. Mathes], and one female aged under-5 years [Clara A. Mathes]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Mary Wingate and Israel Nute.
William Mathes died in Milton, July 26, 1839.
To the Judge of Probate for the County of Strafford. RESPECTULLY shows and represents Stephen M. Mathes, administrator of the estate of William Mathes, late of Milton in said County, deceased, that the personal estate of said deceased is not sufficient to pay the demands against the same, by the sum of five hundred dollars; wherefore he prays that he may be licensed to sell at public auction so much of the real estate of said deceased, including the reversion of the widow dower therein, as may be sufficient for the payment of said demands. STEPHEN M. MATHES. Dated the 12th day of February, A.D. 1840.
STRAFFORD, SS. The foregoing petition being presented, it is ordered by the Judge, that the same be taken into consideration at a Court of Probate to be holden at Rochester, in said County, on the Saturday following the second Monday of May next, and that the said petitioner notify all persons interested therein, by publishing a copy of the same, with this order thereon, three weeks successively in the Dover Enquirer, a newspaper printed at Dover, the last publication whereof to be fifteen days previous to said day of hearing, or by serving each of said persons with the same, by reading it to them or leaving a copy thereof at their last and usual place of abode at least fourteen days previous to said day. W.A. MARSTON, Reg’r. A true copy of the original. – Attest, W.A. MARSTON, Reg’r (Dover Enquirer, March 3, 1840).
Sarah [(Varney)] Mathes headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 40-49 years [herself], one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years, and one female aged 10-14 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hopley Meserve and Daniel Goodwin.
Daughter Clara A. Mathes married (1st) in Barrington, NH, April 1, 1850, Charles W. Miles, both of Madbury, NH. He was born in Madbury, NH, aged twenty-three years, and she was born in Milton, aged twenty-two years. Elder Saml Sherburne performed the ceremony. Miles was born in Madbury, NH, April 10, 1827, son of Abraham and Eliza (Hicks) Miles.
Samuel H. Mathes, a carpenter, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary T. [(Perkins)] Mathes, aged thirty years (b. NH), Mary E. Mathes, aged five years (b. NH), and John H. Mathes, aged three years (b. NH).
James C. Young, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary T. Young, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and Sarah J. Mathes, aged twenty-six years (b. NH).
Charles W. Miles, a shoemaker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Clara A. [(Mathes)] Miles, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Sarah [(Varney)] Mathes, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH).
Daughter Sarah Jane Mathes married in Dover, NH, March 16, 1851, Nathaniel C. Nutter, both of Madbury, NH. She was born in Milton, aged twenty-six years, and he was born in Portsmouth, NH, aged twenty-seven years. Rev. H. Barrows performed the ceremony.
MARRIAGES. In this town, by Rev. Mr. Barrows, Mr. Nathaniel C. Nutter to Miss Sarah Jane Mathes, both of Madbury (Dover Enquirer, March 25, 1851).
Son-in-law Charles W. Miles died of consumption in Madbury, NH, September 14, 1852, aged twenty-five years. He was a married farmer.
DEATHS. In Madbury, 15th inst., of consumption, Mr. Charles W. Miles, aged 25 years. He has left a wife, two small children, and numerous other relatives and friends to mourn on account of his death —Com (Dover Enquirer, September 21, 1852).
Daughter Mary V. Mathes married, circa 1859, Isaac G. Felker. He was born in Barrington, NH, in 1825, son of John and Mehitable (Winkley) Felker.
Saml H. Mathews, a carpenter, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Dover (Ward 3), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary [(Perkins)] Mathews, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Mary E. Mathews, aged fifteen years (b. NH), John H. Mathews, aged thirteen years (b. NH), and Sarah J. Mathews, aged nine years (b. NH). Saml H. Mathews had personal estate valued at $100.
Isaac G. Felker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary V. [(Mathes)] Felker, aged forty years (b. NH), Charles French, aged ten years (b. NH), and Rebecca Hayes, aged fifty-two years (b. NH). Isaac G. Felker had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,000.
Nathl S. Nutter, a farmer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Dover (Ward 4), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Nutter, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), and Sarah [(Varney)] Mathews, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH). Nathl S. Nutter had real estate valued at $650 and personal estate valued at $150.
Clara A. [(Mathes)] Miles, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included Charles C. Miles, aged ten years (b. NH), Sarah F. Miles, aged eight years (b. NH), George W. Russell, a shoemaker, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Eben Meserve, Jr., aged twenty-six years (b. NH).
Daughter Clara A. ((Mathes) Miles married (2nd) in Madbury, NH, October 15, 1863, Jacob W. Miles, both of Madbury, NH. He was a widowed carpenter, aged thirty-five years, and she was a widowed tailoress, aged thirty-four years. Rev. B.F. Eaton performed the ceremony. Jacob W. Miles was born in Sheffield, VT, circa 1827, son of Sewell and Susan Miles.
Samuel H. Mathes, a carpenter, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Dover (Ward 3), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary T. [(Perkins)] Mathes, keeping house, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), Josiah Moulton, works in shoe factory, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), Ellen [(Mathes)] Moulton, without occupation, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), John N. Crosby, a printer, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and Ida [(Mathes)] Crosby, without occupation, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Samuel H. Mathes had personal estate valued at $700. Josiah Moulton had personal estate valued at $200. John N. Crosby had personal estate valued at $250.
Isaac G. Felker, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary V. [(Mathes)] Felker, keeping house, aged fifty years (b. NH), Eliza Richardson, without occupation, aged thirty years (b. NH), and Nathaniel Church, a farm laborer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH). Isaac G. Felker had real estate valued at $2,700 and personal estate valued at $700.
Nathaniel Nutter, works in cotton mill, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Nutter, keeping house, aged forty-six years (b. NH), Samuel Mathews, without occupation, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH), and Sarah [(Varney)] Mathews, without occupation, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH). Nathaniel Nutter had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $400.
Jacob W. Miles, a house carpenter, aged forty-two years (b. VT), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Clara A. [((Mathes) Miles)] Miles, keeping house, aged forty-two years (b. NH), Charles A. Miles, a bookkeeper, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Charles P. Jenkins, a shoemaker, aged twenty-two years, Sarah F. Jenkins, without occupation, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Sewell Miles, without occupation, aged seventy-three years (b. VT). Jacob W. Miles had real estate valued at $100.
Sarah (Varney) Mathes died in Dover, NH, February 27, 1875, aged eighty-two years.
Administrator’s Notice. THE subscriber hereby gives notice to tall concerned that he was, on the 6th day of April, A.D. 1875, duly appointed and allowed to be administrator of the estate of Sarah Mathes, late of Dover, in the County of Strafford, deceased, and has taken upon himself that trust, and given bond as the law directs. Dated this seventh day of April, A.D. 1875. CHARLES H. HORTON (Dover Enquirer, April 8, 1875).
Samuel H. Mathes, a carpenter, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Dover (Ward 3), NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary T. [(Perkins)] Mathes, aged sixty years (b. NH), and his son, John H. Mathes, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), his boarder, Josiah S. Moulton, a shoe cutter, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), [his boarder’s] wife, Mary E. [(Mathes)] Moulton, at home, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), his boarder, John M. Crosby, a printer, aged thirty-seven years (b. Canada), [his boarder’s] wife, Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Crosby, at home, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and his boarder, James E. Moulton, a clerk in store, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). They shared a three-family residence on Folsom Street with the households of Andrew Smith, a carriage maker, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), and Margaret Hall, at home, aged seventy-three years.
Isaac G. Felker, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary V. [(Mathes)] Felker, keeping house, aged sixty years (b. NH), and his servant, Nathaniel Church, a servant, aged thirty-four years (b. NH).
Nathaniel C. Nutter, a farmer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Nutter, keeping school, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and his niece, Lizzie J. Jenkins, aged nine years (b. NH). They resided on Littleworth Road.
Sewell Miles, a farmer, aged eighty-two years (b. VT), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his son, Jacob W. Miles, a carpenter, aged fifty-one years (b. VT), his daughter-in-law, Clarissa A. [((Mathes) Miles)] Miles, keeping house, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), his grandson, Charles W. Miles, a laborer, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and his great grandson, Charles W. Miles, at school, aged ten years (b. NH).
Son-in-law Nathaniel C. Nutter died in Dover, NH, December 20, 1887, aged sixty-two years.
Son Samuel H. Mathes died of chronic hepatitis in Dover, NH, February 21, 1888, aged seventy-one years, twenty-four days. He was a married carpenter.
Daughter Mary V. (Mathes) Felker died of general debility in Madbury, NH, January 26, 1889, aged seventy-four years. She was a married housewife. D.T.P. Chamberlain, M.D., signed the death certificate.
IN THE LAKE REGION. Many Cottages Opened at Alton Bay and Other Resorts in the New Hampshire Hills. ALTON BAY. July 2 – All signs here Indicate a prosperous season. Already many of the cottages are open for the season, and there are additional arrivals daily. Numerous improvements have been made in and about the camp ground season. Extensive repairs and alterations are in progress in connection with the association building, containing the secretary’s office, which include the provision of a larger room to accommodate the annual meeting of the association. … Among the new cottages being completed on the grounds is one owned by John Thompson of Dexter, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac G. Felker of Strafford, and Mrs. Lizzie Thompson and mother of Danbury, are also among the cottagers (Boston Globe, July 3, 1898).
Daughter-in-law Mary T. (Perkins) Mathes died old age in Dover, NH, August 10, 1899, aged seventy-nine years, six months, and sixteen days.
Charles A. Miles, a farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Dover (Ward 4), NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fourteen years), Mary F. Miles, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), his aunt, Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Nutter, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), his boarder, Frank Woodman, a day laborer, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and his son-in-law, Nelson Averill, a day laborer, aged twenty-four years (b. MA). Charles A. Miles owned their farm, with a mortgage. Sarah J. Nutter was the mother of one child, of whom none were still living.
Jacob W. Miles, a farmer, aged seventy-one years (b. VT), headed a Madbury, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Clara A. [((Mathes) Miles)] Miles, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), his grandson, Charles W. Jenkins, a telephone operator, aged thirty years (b. NH), his granddaughter, Margaret M. [(Hill)] Jenkins, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and his great grandchildren, Clara M. Jenkins, at school, aged six years (b. NH), Charles W. Jenkins, at school, aged five years (b. NH), and Joseph Jenkins, aged two years (b. NH). Jacob W. Miles owned their farm, free-and-clear.
Daughter Clara A. ((Mathes) Miles) Miles died of heart disease in Madbury, NH, May 30, 1903, aged seventy-five years, seven months, and twenty-two days. She was a married housewife. J.R. Pattee, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Death of an Aged Woman. Clara A., wife of Jacob W. Miles, died at her home at Madbury, Saturday, May 30, aged 75 years, 7 months and 22 days. Mrs. Miles was an old resident of the town having lived there for 50 years and was respected by all who knew her. She is survived by a husband and a son, Charles A. Miles of Dover and one daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Williams of Brookline, Mass. The funeral will be held at her home at Madbury corner Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Interment will be at Pine Hill cemetery (Dover Enquirer, June 1, 1903).
Daughter Sarah J. (Mathes) Nutter died in Dover, NH, December 27, 1903, aged seventy-eight years.
Death of Mrs. Nathaniel C. Nutter. Mrs. Sarah Jane, widow of Nathaniel C. Nutter, died at her home on Silver street near the Littleworth bridge, yesterday afternoon at about 3:15 o’clock, aged 79 years, 6 months, and 19 days. The deceased was born in Milton but had been a resident of this city for a great many years. She was a lady who was highly respected and esteemed and leaves a large number of friends to mourn her death. She was a sister of the late Samuel H. Mathes. The funeral will be at her late home on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock (Dover Enquirer, December 28, 1903).
Son-in-law Jacob W. Miles died of tuberculosis on the Strafford County Farm in Dover, NH, February 13, 1908, aged eighty-one years. Forrest L. Keay, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Son-in-law Isaac G. Felker died of valvular heart disease in Strafford, NH, December 10, 1908, aged eighty-three years, twenty-eight days. He was a married retiree.
References:
Find a Grave. (2010, June 19). Mary V. Felker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/53865983/mary-v.-felker
Find a Grave. (2015, December 21). Abigail Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/156241214/abigail-mathes
Find a Grave. (2015, December 21). William Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/156240820/william-mathes
Find a Grave. (2015, December 21). William A. Mathes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/156241276/william_a-mathes
Find a Grave. (2015, December 21). Clara A. Mathes Miles. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/156240693/clara_a-miles
Find a Grave. (2015, December 21). Sarah Jane Mathes Nutter. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/156241378/sarah_jane-nutter
