Category: History

By Muriel Bristol | January 21, 2024

Asa Jewett was born in Milton, in 1815, son of Gilman and Sally (Mead) Jewett. Mother Sally (Mead) Jewett died circa 1815.

Father Gilman Jewett married (2nd) in Milton, circa 1820, Ann S. Nutter. She was born in Newington, NH, in December 1790, daughter of Hatevil and Susanna (Shackford) Nutter. (Note her father’s male Puritan “virtue” name: “Hate-Evil.” It is of a kind with more familiar female ones, such as Constance, Faith, Hope, Charity, Chastity, Prudence, etc.).

Grandfather Paul Jewett owned a Milton Mills sawmill, operated by sons, Gilman Jewett and Nathaniel Jewett, and grandson, Asa Jewett.

Paul Jewett (1744-1835) owned an early sawmill known as the Jewett Mill, which was operated by Asa, his father, Gilman Jewett, and uncle, Nathaniel Jewett. They incorporated the Milton Mills Manufacturing Company in 1837, transforming the mill into a lathe and turning mill where they produced wood products (NHHS, 2022).

Asa Jewett married in Wakefield, NH, October 31, 1837, Mary Ann Richards, he of Milton and she of Wakefield, NH. Rev. Nathaniel Barker performed the ceremony. She was born in Wakefield, NH, April 20, 1813, daughter of Col. Ichabod and Annie (Hurd) Richards. (Ichabod Richards signed the Wakefield Anti-Division Remonstrance of June 1820).

(The kn0wn children of Asa and Mary A. (Richards) Jewett were: Nancy R. Jewett (1839–1904), and Lydia M. Jewett (1842–1922)).

Asa Jewett succeeded John S. Nutter as parish clerk of the Acton & Milton Mills Baptist Church, in 1837; and he would be succeeded in his turn by David Farnham, in 1850 (Scales, 1914).

Daughter Nancy R. Jewett was born in Milton, January 13, 1839.

Asa Jewett headed a Milton [Milton Mills] 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 [Mary A. (Richards) Jewett], and one female aged under-5 years [Nancy R. Jewett]. One member of his household was engaged in agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ezekiel Merrow and Thomas Butter. (The household of father Gilman Jewett appeared further up the same page).

Daughter Lydia M. Jewett was born in Milton Mills, September 22, 1842.

Fire at Milton Mills, N.H. About one o’clock on the morning of the 19th ult. the shingle and clapboard mill of Mr. Asa H. Jewett, was discovered to be in flames, and before aid could be had, the fire had progressed so far that all effort was useless, and the mill, with its contents, were burned to ashes. The loss is estimated at about $1200, insurance $550, in the Strafford Mutual Insurance Fire Insurance Co. Credit is due to the fire company who with their engine succeeded in saving other buildings and property. – Dover Gazette (North Star (Danville, VT), August 4, 1845).

FIRES. From the Boston Post. Asa H. Jewett’s shingle mill at Milton, N.H., was burnt 0n the 19th; loss $1200; insured $550 (Greenfield Democrat (Greenfield, MA), August 12, 1845).

Sawmill partner (and uncle) Nathaniel Jewett died June 2, 1847, aged sixty-six years, ten months, and nine days.

Gilman Jewett, Nathaniel Jewett, Asa Jewett and a Mr. Wedgewood transformed the old woolen mill into a lathe and turning mill about sixty-five or seventy years ago [1837-42], after which it was operated more or less irregularly up to the year 1847, when it was purchased by John Townsend, who used the machinery for the manufacture of fine flannels, until 1861, when the mill was burned (Mitchell-Cony, 1907).

The Milton Selectmen of 1848 were Asa Jewett, Jos. Cook and Jos. Mathes.

Son Asa Jewett had his portrait painted by Sturtevant J. Hamblin (1816-1884) in August 1848. Note the “attributes” over Jewett’s left shoulder: woods verging on a body of water, not unlike Milton’s Town Seal. This sitting may have taken place at Hamblin’s studio in East Boston, MA (MutualArt, 2020; National Gallery of Art, 2022; NH Historical Society, 2022).

Asa Jewett appeared in the New England Mercantile Union directory of 1849, as a Milton lumber manufacturer and dealer (Pratt & Co., 1849).

Asa Jewett, a lumber dealer, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Rogers)] Jewett, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Nancy R. Jewett, aged eleven years (b. NH), and Lydia M. Jewett, aged nine years (b. NH). He had real estate valued at $11,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and Charles Swasey, a baker, aged fifty-one years (b. NH).

Father Gilman Jewett died in Milton, May 24, 1856, aged seventy-nine years.

Cousin John R. Jewett died in 1858. Clara Alberta Jewett was born in Milton Mills, November 27, 1858, daughter of John R. and Clara H. (Page) Jewett. (Haven R. Jewett was one of her siblings). She was adopted by Asa and Mary A. (Richards) Jewett.

Asa Jewett, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, aged forty-five years (b. NH), Nancy R. Jewett, aged twenty years (b. NH), L.M. [Lydia M.] Jewett, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and C.A. [Clara A.] Jewett, aged one year (b. NH). Asa Jewett had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $6,000. His household appeared between those of S.S. Hart, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Amos Witham, a sawyer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH).

Asa Jewett received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, December 8, 1860.

Asa Jewett of Milton paid a $10 tax on his retail dealer’s license, in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1862.

Daughter Lydia M. Jewett married in Milton, September 23, 1863, Thomas Jefferson Cutts. He was a farmer, aged twenty-one years, and she was aged twenty-three years. Rev. James Doldt performed the ceremony. He was born in North Berwick, ME, July 6, 1839, son of Thomas J. and Huldah (Chadbourne) Cutts.

Daughter Nancy R. Jewett married in Dover, NH, October 1, 1863, John U. Simes, both of Milton. He was a trader, aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged twenty-four years. Rev. B.F. Eaton performed the ceremony. Simes was born in Milton, June 7, 1836, son of Bray U. and Martha (Spinney) Simes.

Adopted daughter [Clara] “Alberta” Jewett died of diphtheria in Milton Mills, December 1, 1863, aged five years and three days. (Her death certificate listed her parents as having been John R. and Clara H. [(Page)] Jewett. However, the name and dates on her gravestone are the same as the birth and death certificates, but with identified her as having been the adopted daughter of Asa and Mary A. Jewett).

Asa Jewett was mentioned in the Vulpes Letter of 1864, as having one of the four regular stores at Milton Mills.

Asa Jewett received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, October 31, 1865.

MILTON. Justices – Charles Jones, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plummer, Luther Hayes, Ebenezer Wentworth, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Elias S. Cook, Lewis Berry, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes (McFarland & Jenks, 1866).

Clara H. (Page) Jewett’s aunt, Mary A. Page (1819-1902), sued Asa Jewett over his lien in his own suit against his late cousin, John R. Jewett, or his estate. The issue had to do with conflicts arising from claims by different plaintiffs against a single defendant. Asa Jewett had filed a lien to satisfy his claim. The case proceeded to the NH Supreme Court, in June 1866, which dismissed her case (NH Supreme Judicial Court, 1867).

Asa Jewett of Milton Mills paid a $10 tax on his retail dealer’s license, and a $10 tax on his stallion (for a total tax of $20), in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1866.

Justices. Milton. Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Ezra H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Elias S. Cook, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, Eli Fernald, Asa Jewett, Daniel S. Burley, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George W. Peavey (Briggs & Co., 1868).

MILTON. Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; Elbridge W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, Charles A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, Ira C. Varney, George Lyman, George W. Peavey, Martin V.B. Cook, John T. Hersey, George W. Tasker, Edward W. Fox, Ezra H. Twombly, Thomas H. Roberts, John U. Şimes, Larkin A. Craig [Lang] (McFarland & Jenks, 1869).

Asa Jewett, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, aged fifty-six years (b. NH). Asa Jewett had real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate valued at $585. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ira Miller, a hotel keeper, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and Asenath Marsh, keeping house, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME).

John U. Simes, a retail grocer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, keeping house, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Ida Simes, aged six years (b. NH), and Walter Simes, aged eleven months (b. NH (July)). John U. Simes had personal estate valued at $1,200. They shared a two-family residence with the household of Hiram Wentworth, a carpenter, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Olney, agent for the woolen mill, aged twenty-nine years (b. KY), and Ann S. Jewett, keeping house, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH).

Thomas J. Cutts, works in woolen mill, aged thirty-one years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Lydia M. [(Jewett)] Cutts, keeping house, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Alberta J. Cutts, at school, aged seven years (b. NH). Thomas J. Cutts and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Elizabeth Hubbard, keeping house, aged fifty-four years (b. ME), and George W. Merrill, works in shoe factory, aged forty-seven years (b. ME).

Stepmother Ann S. (Nutter) Jewett died in Milton, November 28, 1870, aged seventy-nine years, eleven months.

MILTON. Justices – Charles Jones, Luther Hayes, State; E.W. Fox, Joseph Plumer, Ebenezer Wentworth, E.H. Twombly, Joseph Mathes, C.A. Cloutman, Asa Jewett, Joseph Cook, Robert Mathes, I.C. Varney, George Lyman, G.W. Peavey, J.S. Hersey, G.W. Tasker, E.W. Foss, M.V.B. Cook, T.H. Roberts, H.H. Wentworth, J.N. Simes, L.A. Lang (Claremont Manufacturing Co., 1871).

New Hampshire. The house known as the Nathan Jewett House at Milton Mills was destroyed by fire on the 11th inst. Loss not reported. Insured (Boston Globe, October 23, 1873).

Son-in-law Thomas J. Cutts was Treasurer of the I.O.O.F.’s Miltonia Lodge, No. 52, under Noble Grands Moses Rankin (1874) and John G. Titcomb (1875).

MILTONIA LODGE, No. 52, Milton Mills: (Tuesday). Moses Rankin, N.G.; John E. Leach, V.G.; ; Joseph Sheard, R. Sec.; Thomas J. Cutts, Treas.; O.C. Titcomb, P. Sec. (R.W. Grand Lodge, 1872). 

MILTONIA LODGE, No. 52, Milton Mills: (Tuesday). John F. Titcomb, N.G.; William B. Townsend, V.G.; Joseph Sheard, R. Sec.; Thomas J. Cutts, Treas.; J.L. Pike, P. Sec. 71. (R.W. Grand Lodge, 1872).

Asa Jewett, a trader & farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, keeping house, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). His household was enumerated between those of Jeremiah C. Buck, a physician, aged fifty-eight years (b. ME), and George Hoyt, works in felt mill, aged forty-two years (b. ME).

John U. Simes, a trader, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, a housekeeper, aged forty-one years (b. NH), Edee Simes, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH), Walter Simes, at school, aged ten years (b. NH), Florence Simes, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), Harvey Simes, at school, aged six months (b. NH), and Raymond U. Simes, at house, aged three months (b. NH (February)). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brothers,] George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Edward S. Simes, a carpenter, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). (John U. Simes was also the census enumerator).

Thomas J. Cutts, works in felt mill, aged forty years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included Lydia M. [(Jewett)] Cutts, keeping house, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and Alberta J. Cutts, at home, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Surrell Flint, a woolen mill carder, aged forty-seven years (b. MA), and John E. Marsh, a stone mason, aged forty-one years (b. NH).

Asa Jewett appeared in the Milton business directory of 1882, as a manufacturer of clothing.

MILTON MILLS. … Manufacturers – carriages and wheelwrights, John Brackett, A.O. Prescott; clothing, Asa Jewett; flannels, Waumbeck Manuf’g Co.; cloth piano and table covers, D.H. Buffum & Co.; picture frames, E.A. Hargraves; plows, W.F. Cutts; saddle housings, L.B. Roberts, S.G. Chamberlain; rubber linings, table and piano covers, Townsend & Co.; washing powder, E.J. Brierley (F.L. Towers Co., 1882). 

Asa Jewett died in Dover, NH, April 17, 1883, aged sixty-seven years.

Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, a widowed home-keeper, aged eighty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. She owned her house free-and-clear. She was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Mary A. Merron, a home keeper, aged eight-four years (b. NH), and Arthur Hurd, a woolen mill carder, aged twenty-nine years (b. ME).

John U. Simes, a dealer in wood, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and his children, Hervey Simes, runs McKay stitcher, aged thirty-six [twenty-six] years (b. NH), Florence Simes, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Chester Simes, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brothers,] Edward S. Simes, a carpenter, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH). (John U. Simes was also the census enumerator).

Thomas J Cutts, a woolen mill rigger, aged sixty-years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-eight years), Lydia M. [(Jewett)] Cutts, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). Thomas J. Cutts owned their farm, free-and-clear. Lydia M. Cutts was the mother of one child, of one was still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Arthur Hurd, a woolen mill carder, aged twenty-nine years (b. ME), and William S. Curry, a puller-over, aged twenty-three (b. NH).

Thomas J. Cutts appeared in the Milton directories of 1900, 1902, and 1905, as an employee of the W. [Woolen] Mills, with his house at 49 Main Street in Milton Mills.

Daughter Nancy R. (Jewett) Simes died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Milton Mills, April 4, 1904, aged sixty-five years, two months, and four days. She was a housewife and lifelong resident of Milton Mills. Charles W. Gross, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Thomas J. Cutts appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as a farmer, with his house at 49 Main Street in Milton Mills.

John U. Sims, a farmer (home farm), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his daughter, Florence Sims, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH). John U. Sims owned their farm, with a mortgage. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles Langley, a general store clerk, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), and Elizabeth Simes, aged eighty years (b. NH).

Thomas Cutts, a farmer (general farm), aged seventy years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-eight years), Lydia [(Jewett)] Cutts, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Mary A. [(Richards)] Jewett, aged ninety-seven years (b. NH), his son-in-law, William L. Hargraves, a retired barber, aged fifty-one years (b. ME), and his daughter, Alberta [(Cutts)] Hargraves, aged forty-seven years (b. NH). Thomas Cutts owned their farm free-and-clear. Lydia Cutts was the mother of one child of whom one was still living. Mary A. Jewett was the mother of two children of whom one was still living. Alberta Hargraves was the mother of one child of whom one was still living.

Mary A. (Richards) Jewett died of nephritis in Milton Mills, August 7, 1910, aged ninety-seven years, three months, and seventeen days. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Thomas J. Cutts appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, and 1917, as a farmer, with his house at 49 Main Street in Milton Mills.

Elizabeth E. Simes, aged ninety-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her brother, John U. Simes, aged eighty-three years (b. NH). Elizabeth E. Simes owned their house on Main Street, in Milton Mills Village, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between the two-family residence of Calvin S. Haines, an assistant to undertaker, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox, a widow, aged sixty years (b. NH), and Charles A. Langley, a retail grocery manager, aged forty-three years (b. ME).

Thomas J. Cutts, aged eighty-one years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Lydia M. [(Jewett)] Cutts, aged seventy-seven years (b. NH), and his son-in-law, William F. Hargraves, a barber, aged sixty-one years (b. ME). Thomas J. Cutts owned their farm on Main Street, Milton Mills, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Everett J. Witham, a teamster laborer, aged sixty-seven years (b. ME), and Charles H. Rines, a home shoemaker, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH).

Daughter Lydia M. (Jewett) Cutts died of chronic interstitial nephritis on Main Street in Milton Mills, May 19, 1922, aged seventy-nine years, seven months, and twenty-seven days. She was a lifelong resident. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Son-in-law John U. Simes died in Milton, September 28, 1927.

Albert Hale, a box shop machinist, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Mamie Hale, aged forty years (b. ME), his daughter, Margaret R. Hale, aged three years, eight months (b. NH), and his boarder, Thomas Cutts, aged ninety years (b. ME). Albert Hale owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $2,000. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Sumner Merrill, aged eighty-three years (b. NH), and George Buzzell, aged fifty-three years (b. ME).

Son-in-law Thomas J. Cutts died of senile pneumonia on Main Street in Milton Mills, March 15, 1933, aged ninety-three years, eight months, and nine days. He was a retired mill operative, resident in Milton for seventy years, i.e., since circa 1863 (the time of his marriage), with his prior residence in Berwick, ME. Walter J. Roberts, M.D., signed the death certificate.

MILTON MILLS. Odd Fellows services were held for Thomas J. Cutts here Saturday with Rev. E.H. Young of Rochester officiating. Mr. Cutts was born in North Berwick, Me., July 6, 1839, the son of Thomas J. and Hulda (Chadman) Cutts. He was a twin and the next youngest of twelve children. In 1862 he married Minnie M. Jewett, and there was one child Alberta who died about 15 years ago. He had lived in this town 7[5?] years. When he first came to Milton Mills from Berwick, Me., he began work in the woolen mills as a blanket napper. He owned a large farm and when out of work at the mill worked on his farm which afterwards was the home of the late Henry Townsend. He will be greatly missed, not only in the I.O.O.F. lodge of which he was the only remaining charter member, but in the town where many enjoyed dropping in to visit with him or when the weather was good to sit with him on the piazza at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hale, his home of late years. He was of a cheerful disposition and his motto was “Don’t Worry.” He is survived by great great grandchildren, a [great] granddaughter, Miss Juanita Hargreaves of Boston, who took the best care of him in his last illness, and a niece, Mrs. J. Frank Farnham of Milton. He was laid to rest in Milton Mills (Farmington News, March 24, 1933).

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Lydia M. Jewett Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114673349/lydia-m-cutts

Find a Grave. (2013, July 29). Thomas Jefferson Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114553563/thomas-jefferson-cutts

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Asa Jewett. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115418840/asa-jewett

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Clara Alberta Jewett. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115418898/clara-alberta-jewett

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Nathaniel Jewett. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115419072/nathaniel-jewett

Find a Grave. (2013, August 17). Nancy R. Jewett Simes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115612594/nancy-r-simes

Mitchell-Cony. (1908). Town Register Farmington, Milton, Wakefield, Middleton, Brookfield, 1907-8. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=qXwUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA108

MutualArt. (2020). Portrait of Asa Jewett. Retrieved from www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Portrait-of-Asa-Jewett/CA91E0388921E0A7

National Gallery of Art. (2022). Sturtevant J. Hamblin. Retrieved from www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.5518.html

NH Historical Society. (2022). Portrait of Asa Jewett. Retrieved from www.nhhistory.org/object/1295227/painting

NH Supreme Judicial Court. (1867). Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Judicial Court of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=TdYaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA448

Pratt & Co. (1849). New England Mercantile Union Directory. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=H2woAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA87

R.W. Grand Lodge. (1872). Journal of Proceedings of the R.W. Grand Lodge of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=GcuVn6tKSTAC&pg=PA581

By Muriel Bristol | January 14, 2024

Continued from Milton Automobiles in 1909-10.

New Hampshire had 5,697 automobiles registered to NH residents in 1912; 32 of those 5,697 automobiles were registered to Milton residents. (An additional 935 automobiles were registered to non-residents of New Hampshire).

Milton’s 16 automobile owners of 1912 were Hugh A. Beaton, Samuel G. Blaisdell, Edward M. Bodwell, James J. Buckley, Fred M. Carter, Herbert D. Corson, William A. Dickson, M.A.H. Hart, John E. Horne, George E. Jordan, Wilbur C. Knight, James G. O’Laughlin, Carl E. Pinkham, Hazen Plummer, John F. Quinlan, and J. Eugene Willey.

The 16 automobile owners of Milton Mills were Eugene W. Emerson, Asa A. Fox, Edward C. Heath, Forrest L. Marsh, Joseph Laporte, Charles S. Philbrick, Robert S. Pike, Willis L. Reynolds, H. Powers Robbins, Fred Rowe, Frederick H. Simes, Charles L. Stevens, John C. Townsend, John E. Townsend, Harry H. Trufant, and Allie F. Walker.

Automobile Registrations, January 1 to August 31, 1912

526. James J. Buckley, Milton, 22.5 h.p. Overland.
637. William A. Dickson, Milton 32.4 Oakland.
680. Eugene W. Emerson, Milton, 25.6 Oakland.
1145. Herbert D. Corson, Milton, 22.5 h.p. Courier.
1186. Wilbur C. Knight, Milton, 28.9 h.p. Overland.
1235. John E. Horne, Milton, 16.2 h.p. Buick.
1278. Samuel G. Blaisdell, Milton, 22.5 h.p. Ford.
1289. Edward C. Heath, Milton Mills, 16.2 h.p. Ford.
1464. Asa A. Fox, Milton Mills, 24.3 h.p. Elmore.
1654. Herbert H. Trufant, Milton Mills, 10 h.p. Cadillac.
1778. M.A.H. Hart, Milton, 25.6 h.p. Maxwell.
1892. Edward M. Bodwell, Milton, 22.5 h.p. Locomobile.
1940. Carl E. Pinkham, Milton, 27.2 Nyburg.
1945. Frederick H. Simes, Milton Mills, 27.2 h.p. Pope-Hartford.
2141. Robert S. Pike, Milton Mills, 22.5 h.p. Buick.
2182. Hugh A. Beaton, Milton, 22.5 h.p. Ford.
2398. Charles S. Philbrick, Milton Mills, 25.6 h.p. Reo.
2593. Charles L. Stevens, Milton Mills, 9 h.p. Reo.
3045. Forrest L. Marsh, Milton Mills, 16.2 h.p. Buick.
3100. John E. Townsend, Milton Mills, 46 h.p. Marmon.
3142. Fred Rowe, Milton Mills, 27.2 h.p. Overland.
3352. Joseph Laporte, Milton Mills, 22.5 h.p. Buick.
3381. J. Eugene Willey, Milton, 28.9 h.p. Overland.
3526. George E. Jordan, Milton, 18 h.p. Reo.
3758. Hazen Plummer, Milton, 6 h.p. Stanley.
3848. John F. Quinlan, Milton, 22.5 Ford.
3974. Fred M. Carter, Milton, 28.9 h.p. Overland.
4027. John C. Townsend, Milton Mills, 38 h.p., Prentiss.
4470. James G. O’Laughlin, Milton, 22.5 h.p. Ford.
4802. H. Powers Robbins, Milton Mills, 22.5 h.p. Buick.
5108. Willis L. Reynolds, Milton Mills, 22.5 h.p. Ford.
5670. Allie F. Walker, Milton Mills, 25.6 h.p. Hudson.

[Automobile] Dealers

Moses B. Plummer, Milton.

---

AUTOMOBILES FOR SALE. 1911, 1910 Cadillac touring cars, $1200 and $1100; neither car has been run 5000 miles. 1909 Maxwell touring car, $450, in excellent order. 1909 Overland, 4 passenger, run about 5000 miles, $400. 1910 touring car, $800. If you like Overlands, here are good trades. Single cylinder Cadillac runabout, $175, touring cars, $350, $375 and $400. These are in good order and guarantied same as on a new car. One ton truck used about 200 miles, $1250, Buick, $150. I have delivered 8 1912 Cadillacs, making 2 trades. I have 6 more orders and two trades. I have over 20 more chances to trade. Can you use a good second hand car? Let us know what you want. CHAS. E. WOODS, Bow street. hlw (Portsmouth Herald, January 9, 1912).

LOCALS. Harry E. Thayer has recently purchased the gasoline tank and pump, together with the automobile accessories and supplies, from the garage formerly conducted by the late John R. Hayes. Mr. Thayer is fitting up his father’s stable on South Main street, where he will run a garage and do a general repair and supply business the coming season (Farmington News, April 26, 1912).

---

For a rather brief description of the main route through Milton in this period (1917-18), see also Milton, Straight Thru (North), in 1918.

---

References:

NH General Court. (1913). Reports to the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=lqk0AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA141

By Muriel Bristol | January 7, 2024

Continued from Milton Selectmen, 1802-1907

This list of Milton Selectmen for this period has been compiled from Milton annual Town Reports. (The bolded ones were identified as being the Chairman of that particular year).

1908 – Edgar A. Wentworth, Hazen Plummer, Charles A. Jones – Kidnapping
1909 – Charles A. Jones, Samuel E. Drew, Haven R. Jewett
1910 – Charles A. Jones, Samuel E. Drew, Haven R. Jewett 
1911 – S.E. Drew, B.B. Plummer, C.S. Philbrick
1912 – S.E. Drew, B.B. Plummer, C.S. Philbrick
1912 – B.B. Plummer, C.S. Philbrick, R.M. Kimball
1913 – C.S. Philbrick, R.M. Kimball, B.B. Plummer
1914 – C.S. Philbrick, R.M. Kimball, G.E. Nute – Grammar School burned
1915 – R.M. Kimball, Forrest L. Marsh, Fred B. Roberts – Hotel Milton burned
1916 – Forrest L. Marsh, Fred B. Roberts, George E. Jordan
1917 – Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, James F. Reynolds – WW I
1918 – Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, James F. Reynolds – “Spanish” Flu
1919 – Forrest L. Marsh, B.B. Plummer, Fred M. Chamberlin
1920 – Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick, Joseph H. Avery
1921 – Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick, Joseph H. Avery
1922 – Charles S. Philbrick, Fred M. Chamberlin, Joseph H. Avery
1923 – Charles S. Philbrick, Joseph H. Avery, Fred M. Chamberlin
1924 – Joseph H. Avery, Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick
1925 – Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick, Hervey W. Dorr
1926 – Charles S. Philbrick, Hervey W. Dorr, Fred M. Chamberlin
1927 – Hervey W. Dorr, Charles S. Philbrick, Fred M. Chamberlin
1928 – Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick, Hervey W. Dorr
1929 – Charles S. Philbrick, Hervey W. Dorr, Fred M. Chamberlin – Depression
1930 – Hervey W. Dorr, Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick
1931 – Fred M. Chamberlin, Charles S. Philbrick, Louis E. Tibbetts
1932 – Charles S. Philbrick, Louis E. Tibbetts, Leroy J. Ford – Firemen strike
1933 – Louis E. Tibbetts, Leroy J. Ford, Charles S. Philbrick* (“*Deceased December 2, 1933”) – Prohibition repealed
1934 – Leroy J. Ford, Frank F. Spencer, Louis E. Tibbetts
1935 – Frank F. Spencer, Louis E. Tibbetts, Leroy J. Ford
1936 – Louis E. Tibbetts, Leroy J. Ford, Phillip G. Hayes – Town Clerk died
1937 – Leroy J. Ford, Phillip G. Hayes, Frank F. Spencer
1938 – Phillip G. Hayes, Frank F. Spencer, Stanley C. Tanner – Great Hurricane
1939 – Frank F. Spencer, Stanley C. Tanner, Leroy J. Ford – Horne murder
1940 – Stanley C. Tanner, Leroy J. Ford, Edward R. Stone
1941 – Leroy J. Ford, Edward R. Stone, Porter J. Durkee – WW II
1942 – Report not yet found
1943 – George E. Jordan, Leroy J. Ford, Arthur M. Flye
1944 – Leroy J. Ford, Arthur M. Flye, John G. Gilman
1945 – John G. Gilman, Ralph W. Pugh, Halton R. Hayes
1946 – John G. Gilman, Ralph W. Pugh, Halton R. Hayes
1947 – Ralph W. Pugh, Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman
1948 – Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman, Ralph W. Pugh
1949 – John G. Gilman, Ralph W. Pugh, Robert P. Laskey
1950 – Ralph W. Pugh, Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman – Korean War
1951 – Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman, Leroy J. Ford
1952 – John G. Gilman, Leroy J. Ford, Robert P. Laskey – Sesquicentennial
1953 – Leroy J. Ford, Robert P. Laskey, John G. Gilman

LINE PERAMBULATED. Middleton and Milton selectmen spent three days last week walking the town line – a chore performed every 7 years. John Gilman and Stanley Tanner were the Milton selectmen and Donald Francoeur represented Middleton (Farmington News, January 9, 1958).

References:

By Muriel Bristol | January 6, 2024

Samuel Shackford Wentworth was born in Somersworth, NH, August 12, 1756, son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Hodgdon) Wentworth.

Beginning at nineteen years of age, Samuel S. Wentworth served several enlistment terms as a private soldier in the Revolutionary War. He served first in defending Portsmouth harbor from positions in Kittery (Seavey’s Island), ME, and New Castle (Great Island), NH; then as a part of the Continental forces besieging the British at Boston, MA, from Somerville (Winter Hill), MA; then defending Portsmouth harbor again; and finally at Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in upstate New York. (Barker’s Location was an early name for what is now a part of Lancaster, NH).

… I, Samuel Wentworth, late of Somersworth in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire, now [1818] a resident of Barker’s Location in the County of Coos & State aforesaid, on oath do testify & declare that sometime in the month of October, A.D. 1775, I enlisted as a volunteer soldier in the militia, as I believe of New Hampshire, for the term of fifteen days, under Capt. John Waldron, stationed at the harbour, Portsmouth, N.H., which said term of fifteen days I served out faithfully, & then immediately after enlisted again for the term of one month under Capt. David Copp, and was stationed on Seavey Island (so called) near said Portsmouth harbour, which term of one month I also served out (as I believe) faithfully, under said Copp. And at the expiration of said month I then enlisted for the term of three months under Capt. John Brewster. I was stationed on the great Island near new Castle, near Portsmouth Harbour, at which place & under said Brewster, I served out about one half of said term of three months, when I was honourably discharged from any further service at that time by said Brewster, as commanding Officer of said company. That some time in the month of January, A.D. 1776, I enlisted again as a private Soldier on the Continental Establishment in the Company Commanded by Capt. John Drew, attached to Col. John Waldron’s regiment of the N.H. Continental line, for the term of two months, & was marched from New Hampshire to Winter Hill (so called) near Boston & soon after the expiration of which, I enlisted again under Capt. Caleb Hodgdon, attached to Lieut. Col. Pierce Long’s Regiment, for the term of nine months, and as stationed again at New Castle, on Great Island (so called) near Portsmouth harbour. When I served out five or six months of said term faithfully, and then enlisted anew under Capt. Abraham Perkins attached to Colonel Pierce Long’s Regiment, for another term of one year. I was marched to Ticonderoga, in which said company, commanded by said Abraham Perkins I continued & served out my term of enlistment faithfully. And the morning after my said term of One Year’s enlistment expired, the Company to which I belonged was paraded. Our discharge was read by the Adjutant, Michael McClure. Making in the whole term which I served my Country in the War of the Revolution, about one year & ten months…

Samuel S. Wentworth married in Rochester, NH, August 16, 1781, Mary Berry. She was born in Rochester, NH, April 10, 1755, daughter of Stephen Jr. and Mary (Allen) Berry.

(The children of Samuel S. and Mary (Berry) Wentworth were: Rebecca Wentworth (1782–1857), Stephen Wentworth (1784–1854), Olive Wentworth (1786–1875), Benjamin Wentworth (1789–1854), Rosamond Wentworth (1792–1814), Shackford Wentworth (1794–1872), Joseph Wentworth (1798–1877), and Mary E.A. Wentworth (1802–186?)).

Daughter Rebecca Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, February 3, 1782. She was a namesake for her paternal grandmother, Rebecca (Hodgdon) Wentworth.

Son Stephen Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, June 28, 1784. He was a namesake for his maternal grandfather, Stephen Berry [Jr.].

Daughter Olive Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, October 24, 1786. Son Benjamin Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, September 13, 1789. He was a namesake for his paternal grandfather, Benjamin Wentworth.

Saml S. Wentworth headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 16-plus years [himself], two males aged under-16 years [Stephen Wentworth and Benjamin Wentworth], and three females [Mary (Berry) Wentworth, Rebecca Wentworth and Olive Wentworth]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Timothy Ricker and John Wentworth. (See also Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).

Daughter Rosamond Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, June 20, 1792. Son Shackford Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, July 24, 1794. Son Joseph Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, May 17, 1798.

Samuel S. Wentworth 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 26-44 years (Mary (Berry) Wentworth), one female aged 10-15 years [Olive Wentworth], one male aged 10-15 years [Benjamin Wentworth], one female aged under-10 years [Rosamond Wentworth], two males aged under-10 years [Shackford Wentworth and Joseph Wentworth]. (There was another Saml S. Shackford household in Rochester, NH, in this same enumeration]. (See also Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Daughter Mary E.A. Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, May 22, 1802.

Samuel S. Wentworth signed the Rochester Division petition of May 28, 1802. (See Rochester Division Petition – May 1802).

Milton assessed the property of Samuel S. Wentworth for its first tax in 1803. He had one poll, two oxen, three cows, one 2-year-old, one 1-year-old, three acres of mowing land, four acres of pasturage land, eighty-four acres of unimproved land, for a total value of $30½. He was to pay $3.50 in county & town tax, $0.91 in parish tax, and $3.81 in road tax, for a total tax of $8.22. (Note that, regardless of modern notions regarding church and state, compulsory parish taxation for the support of the established Congregational church was still operative at this time).

Daughter Rebecca Wentworth married in Rochester, NH, February 19, 1806, Benaiah Colby [Jr.], both of Milton. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. Colby was born in Chester, NH, September 21, 1783, son of Benaiah and Abigail (Emerson) Colby.

The Milton Selectmen of 1806 were Levi Jones, S.S. Wentworth, and Lt. Jotham Nute. (They were all Revolutionary War veterans).

Mother Rebecca (Hodgson) Wentworth died Somersworth, NH, in April 1806.

Daughter Olive Wentworth married in Rochester, NH, May 21, 1807, Thomas Wentworth, both of Milton. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. Thomas Wentworth was born in Milton, September 14, 1780, son of Elihu and Lois (Pinkham) Wentworth.

Saml S. Wentworth 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 [Mary (Berry) Wentworth], one male aged 26-44 years [Stephen Wentworth], one male aged 16-25 years [Benjamin Wentworth], one female aged 16-25 years [Rosamond Wentworth], one male aged 10-15 years [Joseph Wentworth], and one female aged under-10 years [Mary E.A. Wentworth]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Stephen Hendersn and Timo Roberts.

Benair Colby headed a Milton 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 [Rebecca (Wentworth) Colby], and one male aged under-10 years [Benaiah Colby, Jr.]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Wm Palmer and Thos Nutter.

Thomas Wentworth 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 [Olive (Wentworth) Wentworth], and two females aged under-10 years [Lavina B. Wentworth and Eliza Wentworth]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Gilman Jewett and Pelatiah Hanson.

Father Benjamin Wentworth died in Somersworth, NH, November 4, 1813.

Samuel S. Wentworth and most of his family left Milton and moved to Lancaster, NH, around 1813, although they retained some connections with their former residences, family members and neighbors. (Milton would be described later, in June 1823, as being on “the great main road leading from Portsmouth to Lancaster”).

Daughter Rosamond Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, in January 1814.

Son Benjamin Wentworth married in Lancaster, NH, August 23, 1815, Lucinda Hayes, he of Barker’s Location and she of Lancaster, NH. William Lovejoy, J.P., performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, September 10, 1796, daughter of Clement and Joanna (Wentworth) Hayes. She was a sister of Joanna Hayes and Hiram W. Hayes.

Mother-in-law Mary (Allen) Berry died in New Durham, NH, July 22, 1816.

Samuel Wentworth of “Barker’s Location” in Lancaster, NH, was entered on the Revolutionary War pension roll at the rate of $8 per month, to commence on April 1, 1818. His pension certificate was sent to the postmaster of Lancaster, NH, April 29, 1819. He had served as a private in the regiment commanded by Col. Long of the N.H. line, for the term of one year. He served in Capt. Perkins’ company. In his declaration (quoted above) he stated that he and his wife were aged sixty-four years of age. His wife was “all the time sickly and a great Bill of expense to me,” son Stephen, aged thirty-six years, is “has had fits & much out of health,” son Shackford, aged twenty-five years, is “not very healthy,” son Joseph, aged twenty-two years, is healthy but has no property, and another, aged eighteen years, was healthy.

Samuel S. Wentworth, Stephen Wentworth, Benjamin Wentworth, Shackford Wentworth, Benaiah Colby, and Clement Hayes, were among the thirty-five inhabitants of Barker’s Location that petitioned the NH legislature for a five percent land tax on non-resident owners for making and maintaining roads in June 1818.

Saml S. Wentworth, Benjn Wentworth, Shackford Wentworth, Joseph Wentworth, and Benaiah Colby were among the nine inhabitants of Barker’s Location that petitioned the NH legislature, April 7, 1819, for annexation of their unincorporated “Gore” of Barker’s Location by the neighboring Town of Lancaster, NH.

AN ACT to annex Barker’s Location, in the county of Coos, to Lancaster, in the same county. SECTION 1. BE it enacted by the senate and house of representatives in general court convened, That the tract of territory in the county of Coos and state aforesaid, known by the name of Barker’s Location, and the inhabitants residing within said territory, be and the same hereby are, annexed to the town of Lancaster, in said county of Coos; and the inhabitants of the said annexed territory shall be henceforth entitled to the same privileges and immunities, and subject to the same liabilities which the present inhabitants of said Lancaster are liable to or enjoy. SECTION 2. And be it further enacted, That the present amount of valuation. in the proportion of state taxes, at which the said territory called Barker’s Location now stands shall be added to the present valuation of the said town of Lancaster; and the state and county treasurers shall govern themselves accordingly in making out their precepts against the town of Lancaster. Approved June 22, 1819.

Father-in-law Stephen Berry, Jr., died in Nottingham, NH, April 4, 1820.

TAKE NOTICE. DELIVERED to me at Lancaster, N.H., a bundle of mens’ Clothes, some time the fore part of last winter, to carry to the west. The owner is requested to prove property, pay charges, and take them away. June 16, 1820. ORANGE SMITH, Mail Carrier (North Star (Danville, VT), July 6, 1820).

Samuel S. Wentworth was one of fifty-one Coös County inhabitants that petitioned the NH Governor and Council, June 7, 1820, seeking appointment of Maj. John W. Weeks of Lancaster, NH, to replace Samuel Adams as Coös County Sheriff. Weeks had served as County Treasurer for three or four years and had risen to the rank of Major before the “last war,” i.e., the War of 1812, had closed. Former Milton residents John Begin, and Jonathan Twombly, also signed the petition.

Samuel S. Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Fourth (1820) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years [Mary (Berry) Wentworth], one male aged 26-44 years [Stephen Wentworth], two males aged 16-25 years [Shackford Wentworth and Joseph Wentworth], and one female aged 16-25 years [Mary E.A. Wentworth]. Four members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Clement Hayes and Benaiah Colby. (Son Benjamin Wentworth was enumerated on the same page).

Benaiah Colby headed a Lancaster, NH, 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 [Rebecca (Wentworth) Colby], one male aged 10-16 years [Benaiah Colby, Jr.], one male aged under-10 years [Jonathan Colby], and two females aged under-10 years [Mary Colby and Rebecca Colby]. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.

Benjamin Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, 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 [Lucinda (Hayes) Wentworth], and one male aged under-10 years. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture (Father Samuel S. Wentworth was enumerated on the same page).

Son Joseph Wentworth married in New Durham, NH, September 14, 1820, Joanna Hayes. She was born in Milton, November 15, 1796, daughter of Clement and Joanna (Wentworth) Hayes. She was a sister of Lucinda (Hayes) Wentworth and Hiram W. Hayes.

Son Shackford Wentworth married in Lancaster, NH, March 18, 1821, Hannah Smith.

Benjn Wentworth, Stephen Wentworth, Joseph Wentworth, and [their cousin] Alexander Wentworth were among the twenty-five Lancaster, NH, residents that petitioned, June 7, 1825, that John W. Weeks, Esq., should be appointed as Coös County Sheriff, for the term of five years.

There was a mountain avalanche in Crawford Notch (valley) of the White Mountains on the evening of August 28, 1826. The Willey family, hearing the noise, sought shelter away from their house. Seven family members and two others were killed by the avalanche, which, ironically, spared their house. It can still be seen today.

SUMMARY. A letter from Lancaster, N.H., in giving an account of the late calamity at the White Hills, mentions, that Mr. Willey’s dog, after leaving the house with the unfortunate family, returned to it and saved his life. He was much bruised, but assisted in finding the bodies of the family which were discovered (Vermont Watchman & State Journal (Montpelier, VT), October 3, 1826).

Daughter Mary E.A. Wentworth married in Milton, circa 1827, Hiram Ward Hayes. He was born in Milton, August 7, 1803, son of Clement and Joanna (Wentworth) Hayes. He was a brother of Lucinda (Hayes) Wentworth and Joanna (Hayes) Wentworth.

Mary (Berry) Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, in 1827.

Samuel S. Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 70-79 years [himself], and one male aged 50-59 years [Stephen Wentworth].

Benaiah Colby headed a Lancaster, 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 (Rebecca (Wentworth) Colby], one male aged 20-29 years [Benaiah Colby, Jr.], one female aged 15-19 years [Mary Colby], one male aged 15-19 years [Jonathan E. Colby], one female aged 10-14 years [Rebecca Colby], one male aged 10-14 years [Joseph Colby], one female aged under-5 years [Abigail Colby], and one male aged under-5 years [John W. Colby].

Thos Wentworth 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 40-49 years [Olive (Wentworth) Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years [Eliza Wentworth], one female aged 5-9 years [Mary A. Wentworth], one male aged 5-9 years [Samuel S. Wentworth], one male aged under-5 years [Thomas M. Wentworth], and one female aged under-5 years [Rebecca R. Wentworth]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Elizabeth Gerrish and Jose. Rinds.

Benjamin Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, 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 [Lucinda (Hayes) Wentworth], and one male aged 5-9 years [Orlando H. Wentworth], and one female aged 5-9 years [Lucette B. Wentworth].

Shackford Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Hannah (Smith) Wentworth], and two males aged 5-9 years [Othniel Wentworth and Royal J. Wentworth].

Joseph Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, 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 [Joanna (Hayes) Wentworth], and two males aged 5-9 years [Ira Wentworth and Samuel S. Wentworth], two females aged under-5 years [Olive Wentworth and Evelyn Wentworth], and one male aged under-5 years [Joseph Wentworth].

Hiram W. Hayes headed a Lancaster, 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 [Mary E.A. (Wentworth) Hayes], one female aged under-5 years [Mary R. Hayes], and one male aged under-5 years.

The First Methodist Episcopal Society of Lancaster, N.H., was organized in July 1831. The following names are attached to the constitution in the record book in the hand writing of the subscribers: Wm W. Chapman, Harvey Adams, Abel Leavens, Jr., Joseph Howe, Allen Smith, John Aspenwall, David Stockwell, Samuel F. Spaulding, William Peck, Ezra Kenison, Samuel McIntire, S.P. Williams, G.C. Philbrook, Alvah Twombly, Isaac N. Cotton, Benjamin Adams, John Stockwell, James Mardin, John Smith, Benj. Wentworth, Benaiah Colby, Joseph Wentworth, Shackford Wentworth, Frederick Fisk, Daniel Field, George Howe, William Pearson, Shepard Knights, John H. Meserve (Somers, 1899). 

Daughter-in-law Hannah (Smith) Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, May 13, 1835, aged forty-four years.

Son Shackford Wentworth married (2nd) in Lancaster, NH, June 3, 1838, Almira Moulton, he of Lancaster, NH, and she of Jefferson, NH. James Stephenson, J.P., performed the ceremony. She was born in Jefferson, NH, May 9, 1805.

Benaiah Colby headed a Lancaster, 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 [Rebecca (Wentworth) Colby)], one male aged 30-39 years [Benaiah Colby, Jr.], one male aged 20-29 years [Jonathan E. Colby], one female aged 20-29 years [Rebecca Colby], one male aged 15-19 years [John W. Colby], and one female aged 10-14 years [Abigail Colby]. Seven members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.

Olive [(Wentworth)] Wentworth headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 50-59 years [herself], one female aged 20-29 years [Eliza Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years [Mary A. Wentworth], one male aged 15-19 years [Samuel S. Wentworth], and one female aged 10-14 years [Rebecca R. Wentworth]. Three members of her household were engaged in Manufacture and Trade.

Benjamin Wentworth headed a Lancaster, 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 [Lucinda (Hayes) Wentworth], and one male aged under-5 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration just after that of Joseph Wentworth. Three [two] members of their household were engaged in Agriculture.

Shackford Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Almira (Moulton) Wentworth], one male aged 15-19 years [Othniel Wentworth], and one male aged 10-14 years [Royal J. Wentworth]. Three members of their household were engaged in Manufacture and the Trades.

Joseph Wentworth headed a Lancaster, NH, 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 [Joanna (Hayes) Wentworth], one male aged 15-19 years [Samuel S. Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years [Olive Wentworth], one female aged 10-14 years [Evelyn Wentworth], two females aged 5-9 years [Lucinda Wentworth and Mary B. Wentworth], one female aged under-5 years [Amanda Wentworth], one male aged under-5 years [Amiel Wentworth], one male aged 80-90 years [Samuel S. Wentworth], and one male aged 50-59 years [Stephen Wentworth]. Eleven members of their household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration just before that of Benjamin Wentworth. Samuel S. Wentworth, aged eighty-three years, appeared as a “Pensioner for Revolutionary or Military Services, Included in the Foregoing.”

Hiram W. Hayes headed a Lancaster, 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 [Mary E.A. (Wentworth) Hayes], one female aged 10-15 years [Mary R. Hayes], two females aged 5-9 years [Isabelle Hayes and Melissa Hayes], two males aged under-5 years [Eldred Hayes and Edwin Hayes], and one female aged 70-79 years. Eight members of their household were engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared on the same page as those of Joseph Wentworth and Benjamin Wentworth.

Son-in-law Thomas Wentworth died of lung fever in Somersworth, NH, March 25, 1850, aged sixty-nine years. He was a laborer.

Benaiah Colby, a cooper, aged sixty-six years, headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Rebecca [(Wentworth)] Colby, aged sixty-eight years, Mary Colby, aged forty years, Jonathan E. Colby, aged thirty-five years, Rebeccah Colby, aged thirty-four years, Joseph Colby, aged thirty-three years, John W. Colby, aged twenty-eight years, and Abigail Colby, aged twenty years.

Olive [(Wentworth)] Wentworth, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Eliza Wentworth, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Betsey Gerrish, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), Mary Gerrish, aged twenty years (b. ME), Hannah Brown, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), Mary A. Allen, aged nineteen years, Harriet Allen, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Sarah Gerrish, aged twenty years (b. NH), Laurian Gerrish, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Nancy Pugsley, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), and Katharine Hulin, aged seventeen years (b. RI). Olive Wentworth had real estate valued at $1,500.

Benj. Wentworth, a cooper, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Lucinda [(Hayes)] Wentworth, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), Eliza E. Hays, aged thirteen years, and Elizabeth M. Lindsey, aged twenty years. The entry for Elizabeth M. Lindsay bears the additional notation that she “belongs to Family 162,” which was the household of Isaac and Mary [(Bailey)] Lindsay, both aged fifty-two years.

Shackford Wentworth, a laborer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Almira [(Moulton)] Wentworth, aged forty-five years (b. NH), George Wentworth, aged seven years, and Julia A. Wentworth, aged four years.

Joseph Wentworth, a carpenter, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Joanna [(Hayes)] Wentworth, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), Mary B. Wentworth, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Lucinda Wentworth, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Amanda Wentworth, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Amial Wentworth, aged eleven years (b. NH), Samuel S. Wentworth, a farmer, aged ninety-three years (b. NH), and Stephen Wentworth, a farmer, aged sixty-six years (b. NH). Joseph Wentworth had real estate valued at $600.

Hiram W. Hayes, a laborer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary R. Hayes, aged twenty years (b. NH), Isabella Hayes, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Melissa Hayes, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Edwin L. Hayes, aged eleven years (b. NH), Clement Hayes, aged four years (b. NH), Lois Cook, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Sarah R. Keaton, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), Harriet N. Day, aged twenty years (b. ME), Louisa Kendall, aged twenty years (b. ME), Ellen Chapman, aged eighteen years (b. ME), Paulina Hawes, aged nineteen years (b. ME), Eliza J. Patch, aged sixteen years (b. ME), Augusta Russell, aged fifteen years (b. ME), Mary Dinsmore, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), John Whitehouse, a manufacturer, aged nineteen years (b. ME), and George Goodwin, a manufacturer, aged eighteen years (b. ME).

Samuel S. Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, in 1850.

NEWS ITEMS. The White Mountains were covered with snow, Wednesday, and the ground at Lancaster, N.H., was also wrapped in a frozen fleece (Brattleboro Eagle (Brattleboro, VT), September 29, 1851).

Daughter-in-law Lucinda (Hayes) Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, May 2, 1854.

Son Stephen Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, May 13, 1854. Son Benjamin Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, December 25, 1854.

Daughter Rebecca (Wentworth) Colby died in Lancaster, NH, November 12, 1857.

The weather is rather cold at the North. Teams are crossing the ice over the St. Lawrence at Ogdensberg. At Lancaster, N.H., on Wednesday morning, at 7 o’clock, in different exposures, ranged from 33 deg. to 38 deg. below zero! (Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, MA), January 2, 1860).

Benaiah Colby, a gent., i.e., gentleman, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household appeared in the enumeration just before that of [his son,] Benaiah Colby, Jr., a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH).

Olive [(Wentworth)] Wentworth, boarding house, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth (“Great Falls”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Her household included Eliza Wentworth, aged forty-three years (b. NH), Hatty Vancouver, a dresser, aged forty years (b. ME), Jane Shattuck, a weaver, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), Julia Bryant, a weaver, aged sixteen years (b. ME), Martha Bryant, a weaver (b. ME), aged eighteen years (b. ME), Alice Lord, a weaver, aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), Eunice Cowell, a weaver, aged eighteen years (b. ME), Martha Carroll, a weaver, aged eighteen years (b. ME), and Sarah Small, a weaver, aged twenty-five years (b. ME). Olive Wentworth had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $500.

Shackford Wentworth, a hostler, aged sixty-six years (b. [NH]), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [Moulton)] Wentworth, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), Geo. T. Wentworth, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Julia B. Wentworth, aged fourteen years (b. NH). Shackford Wentworth had real estate valued at $300 and personal estate valued at $100.

Joseph Wentworth, a farmer, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Joanna [(Hayes)] Wentworth, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), Mary B. Wentworth, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Amial Wentworth, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Joseph Wentworth had real estate valued at $700 and personal estate valued at $300.

Hiram W. Hayes, a stone mason, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth (“Great Falls”), NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary E.A. [(Wentworth)] Hayes, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), Isabella Hayes, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Melissa Hayes, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Edwin L. Hayes, a shoemaker, aged twenty years (b. NH), Clement Hayes, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and Loring Wentworth, a shoemaker, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Hiram W. Hayes had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $200. Isabella Hayes had real estate valued at $1,000.

Daughter Mrs. Olive Wentworth appeared in the Great Falls [Somersworth], NH, directory of 1867, as a widow, with her house on Fourth street.

Daughter Mary E.A. (Wentworth) Hayes died at Great Falls, Somersworth, NH, between 1860 and 1867.

Son-in-law Hiram W. Hayes appeared in the Lynn, MA, directories of 1867 and 1869, as a farmer, with his house at 43 Pearl street. E. Lyman Hayes appeared also, as a heller, with his house at 43 Pearl street. Clement Hayes appeared in the Lynn directory of 1869, as a shoemaker, boarding at 43 Pearl street.

Son-in-law Hiram W. Hayes died of kidney disease in Lynn, MA, August 9, 1869. He was a widowed shoemaker.

Beniah Colby, a cooper, aged eighty-six years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary Colby, keeping house, aged sixty years (b. NH), Joseph Colby, a farmer, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), Jonathan E. Colby, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), John W. Colby, a carpenter, aged forty-five years (b. NH), Abbie Colby, a milliner, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and Cummings Winchester, a cooper, aged thirty years (b. NH). Mary Colby had personal estate valued at $100. Joseph Colby had personal estate valued at $300. Jonathan E. Colby had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $800. Cumming Winchester had real estate valued at $800 and personal estate valued at $200.

Eliza Wentworth, keeping house, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. Her household included Joseph H. Corlis, works on R.R., aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), Helen M. [(Allen)] Corlis, keeping house, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Olive [(Wentworth)] Wentworth, no occupation, aged eighty-three years (b. NH). Eliza Wentworth had real estate valued at $1,000.

Shakford Wentworth, without occupation, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Nineth (1870) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elmira Wentworth, keeping house, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). [There was a tick mark next to Shakford Wentworth in the column headed “Male Citizens of U.S. of 21 years of age, and upwards, whose right to vote is denied or abridged on other grounds than rebellion or other crime].

Joseph Wentworth, a cooper, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), headed a Lancaster, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Joanna [(Hayes)] Wentworth, keeping house, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), Amiel Wentworth, a farmer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Martha [(Cook)] Wentworth, keeping house, aged thirty-six years (b. VT), Lillian Wentworth, aged one year (b. NH), and Wheatley Cook, a farm laborer, aged sixteen years (b. NH). Amiel Wentworth had real estate valued at $1,500 and personal estate valued at $500. Martha Wentworth had personal estate valued at $1,600.

R.R. Celebration at Lancaster, N.H. Twelve well-filled passenger cars left Wells River, on Tuesday last, to attend the opening of the extension of the White Mountain R.R. at Lancaster, N.H. (St. Johnsbury Weekly Times (St. Johnsbury, VT), December 6, 1870).

Daughter-in-law Almira [(Moulton)] Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, January 28, 1871, aged sixty-five years.

DEATHS. Marriages and Deaths inserted FREE. Obituary Notices FIVE CENTS per line, in either of our papers, or TEN CENTS per line if inserted in all of them. COOS COUNTY. In Lancaster, 28th ult., Almira, wife of Shackford Wentworth, aged sixty-five years (Vermont Journal, February 11, 1871).

Son Shackford Wentworth died in Lancaster, NH, March 18, 1872.

Son-in-law Benaiah Colby died August 18, 1872.

Daughter Olive Wentworth died of paralysis in Great Falls, Somersworth, NH, February 2, 1875, aged eighty-eight years, three months. She was a married [?] housekeeper. Alvin Jenkins, M.D. signed the death certificate.

Son Joseph Wentworth died in Whitefield, NH, October 11, 1877, aged seventy-nine years.

Daughter-in-law Joanna (Hayes) Wentworth died of old age in Lancaster, NH, November 9, 1883, aged eighty-seven years. She was a widow.

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2012, November 20). Rebecca Wentworth Colby. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/101042040/rebecca-colby

Find a Grave. (2009, March 16). Hiram W. Hayes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/34884906/hiram-w-hayes

Find a Grave. (2016, November 2). Joseph Wentworth. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/172120321/joseph-wentworth

Find a Grave. (2004, October 3). Olive Wentworth. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/9548949/olive-wentworth

Find a Grave. (2022, August 24). Shackford Wentworth. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/242946052/shackford-wentworth

Somers, Amos N. (1899). History of Lancaster, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nnQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA436

Wikipedia. (2023, December 14). Lancaster, New Hampshire. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancaster,_New_Hampshire

Wikipedia. (2023, July 6). Willey House (New Hampshire). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willey_House_(New_Hampshire)

By John S. Frum | December 31, 2023

With today’s biographical sketch of Milton Mills Chauffeur Frank D. Stevens (1872-1939), Ms. Bristol has produced a sketch at least of everyone Milton has ever sent to be their NH State Representative over its first 150 years: Milton’s NH State Representatives – 1803-1902 and Milton’s NH State Representatives – 1903-1954.

She began at some point to provide a sampling of their State House roll call votes over the years but feels she should go back and do so also for those for whom that was not done yet. It should be possible, if somewhat difficult, to also determine the party affiliations of those in the earlier part of the sequence. There are also a few questions regarding the varying numbers of those State Representatives over time, and other issues. All to be done over time.

Meanwhile, she intends to continue producing similar biographical sketches for everyone who was ever one of Milton’s three Selectmen over its first 150 years: Milton Selectmen, 1802-1907 and Milton Selectmen, 1908-1953.

And her sequence of city directories and other things.

---

References:

Milton Observer. (2020, October 27). Index of Ms. Bristol’s Historical Articles. Retrieved from miltonobserver.com/2020/10/27/index-of-ms-bristols-historical-articles/

By Muriel Bristol | December 31, 2024

Frank D. Stevens was born in Milton, October 23, 1872, son of Daniel D. “Durrell” and Hannah J. (Cook) Stevens.

Frank D. Stevens married in Milton Mills, June 1, 1895, Marguerite A. “Amy” Meikle, both of Milton. He was a shoe laster, aged twenty-two years, and she was a housekeeper, aged eighteen years. Rev. R.K. Sheaff, M.D., performed the ceremony. She was born in Wakefield, NH, in August 1876, daughter of Willaim and Margaret A. Meikle.

Father Daniel D. Stevens died of pulmonary consumption in Milton, December 8, 1895, aged seventy-three years, and sixteen days. He was a married farmer. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Son Donald Vernette Stevens was born in Milton, January 20, 1898.

Frank D. Stephens, a hostler, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Mary M. [(Meikle)] Stephens, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Donald V. Stephens, aged two years (b. NH). Frank D. Stephens rented their house. Mary M. Stephens was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their household was enumerated between those of John F. Archibald, a wool carder, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Daniel Philbrick, a farmer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH).

Mother Hannah J. (Cook) Stevens died of uremia in Milton Mills, May 11, 1907, aged seventy-five years, eight months, and four days. She was a widowed houseworker. J.A. Stevens, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Frank D. Stevens had a NH State chauffeur’s license in 1906-07 and 1909-10.

Frank D. Stevens, a laborer (general farm), aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifteen years), Margrate [(Meikle)] Stevens, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and his son, Donald B. Stevens, aged twelve years (b. NH). Frank D. Stevens rented their house. Margrate Stevens was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their household was enumerated between those of Asa Merrill, own income, aged eighty years (b. ME), and John W. Page, own income, aged sixty-seven years (b. GA).

Father-in-law William A. Meikle died of Bright’s Disease in Milton Mills, September 6, 1911, aged sixty-nine years, four months, and twenty-one days. Charles W. Gross, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Son Donald Vernet Stevens of Milton Mills registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 18, 1918. He was a student at Boston University, aged twenty years (b. January 20, 1898). His nearest relation was Frank D. Stevens of Milton Mills. He was of a medium height, slender build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Frank D. Stevens, a chauffeur (private family), aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Marguerite M. [(Meikle)] Stevens, aged forty-two years (b. NH), and his son, Donald V. Stevens, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Frank D. Stevens rented their house on Church Street. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Grace C. [(Townsend)] Townsend, a widow, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and James C. Hawksworth, a woolen mill washer, aged sixty years (b. Nova Scotia).

In Other Places. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Glidden, of West Medford, Mass., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Louise Eulalia Glidden, to Mr. Donald V. Stevens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Stevens, of Milton Mills, N.H. (New York Herald (New York, NY), April 14, 1920).

Son Donald V. Stevens married in Medford, MA, in 1920, Louise E. Glidden, he of Milton Mills and she of Medford, MA. She was born in Medford, MA, daughter of Frederick A. Glidden.

Milton sent Frank D. Stevens to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative for the 1923-24 biennium.

Frank D. (Marguerite) Stevens appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as having a garage in Milton Mills.

Frank D. Stevens, a mechanic (garage), aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Marguerite [(Meikle)] Stevens, aged fifty-two years (b. NH). Frank D. Stevens owned their house on Church Street, which was valued at $1,500, They had a radio set. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Richard Ayer, aged forty-five years (b. ME), and Grace [(Townsend)] Townsend, aged fifty-six years (b. NH).

Donald V. Stevens, a salesman (hosiery store), aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Medford, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Louise E. [(Glidden)] Stevens, aged thirty-one years (b. MA), and his children, Donald V. Stevens, aged eight years (b. MA), Gloria Stevens, aged six years (b. MA), and Fred G. Stevens, aged five years (b. MA). Donald V. Stevens rented their house at 21 Wolcott Park, for $65 per month. They had a radio set.

Mother-in-law, Catherine (Steele) Meikle died in Milton Mills, October 19, 1932.

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Frank D. Stevens spent the week-end with her son and family at their home in West Medford, Mass. (Farmington News, October 19, 1934).

MILTON MILLS. Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Stevens are feeling badly over the death of their little dog, “Buttons” (Farmington News, December 21, 1934).

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Frank D. Stevens, who has been in West Medford, Mass., several weeks, has returned home (Farmington News, February 8, 1935).

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Frank D. Stevens, who has been ill for some time, has returned to hospital in Wolfeboro for treatment (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME0, July 7, 1938).

Frank D. Stevens died in Milton, December 25, 1939.

May M. [(Meikle)] Stevens, a widow, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her maid, Jessie Buttler, a maid (private family), aged twenty-one years (b. ME). May M. Stevens owned their house on Church Street, which was valued at $1,500. May M. Stevens had resided in the “same house” in 1935, while Jessie Buttler had resided in the “same place,” i.e., Milton, in 1935. Ther household appeared in the enumeration between those of Timothy Conway, aged eighty-three (b. NH), and Grace M. [(Townsend)] Townsend, a widow, aged sixty-five years (b. NH).

Donald Stevens, a buyer (wholesale hosiery), aged forty-two years (b. NH), headed a Medford, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Louise E. [(Glidden)] Stevens, aged forty-one years (b. MA), and his children, Donald Stevens, a shipping clerk (wholesale hosiery), aged eighteen years (b. MA), Gloria Stevens, aged sixteen years (b. MA), and Fred Stevens, aged fifteen years (b. MA). Donald Stevens rented their house at 37 Judkins Road, for $50 per month. They had all resided in the “same place,” i.e., Medford, MA, in 1935.

MILTON MILLS. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Stevens and family of Medford, Mass., spent Memorial Day with his mother, Mrs. Frank D. Stevens (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 5, 1941).

Son Donald Vernet Stevens of 37 Judkins Road, Medford, MA, registered for the WW II military draft in Medford, MA, February 15, 1942. He was employed by the Tripletoe Hosiery Co., 68 Essex Street, Boston, MA. He was aged forty-four years (b. Milton Mills, NH, January 20, 1898). His nearest relation was Mrs. Louise E. Stevens of 37 Judkins Road, Medford, MA. He was 5′ 11″ tall, weighed 170 pounds, with blue eyes, bald hair, and a ruddy complexion.

Mary M. Stevens, a widow, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of John E. Horne, a carpenter (building contractor), aged seventy-two years (b. ME), and Fred E. Carswell, Jr., a sales clerk (grocery store), aged twenty-four years (b. NH).

Donald V. Stevens, a buyer (wholesale hosiery), aged fifty-two years (b. NH), headed a Cambridge, MA, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Louise E. [(Glidden)] Stevens, aged fifty-one years (b. MA), his daughter, Gloria M. [(Stevens)] Cassidy, a private secretary (arthritis foundation), aged twenty-six years (b. MA), and his granddaughter, Diane Cassidy, aged five years (b. MA). Their apartment was at 3 Linnehan Street.

Marguerite A. (Meikle) Stevens died in Milton, October 23, 1959.

Son Donald V. Stevens died in Cambridge, MA, October 1, 1976, aged seventy-eight years.

Donald Stevens, Hosiery Executive. Funeral services for Donald V. Stevens, 78, of 7 Arlington st., Cambridge, will be at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow in the A.E. Long Memorial Chapel in Cambridge. Mr. Stevens, retired vice president of the Triple Toe Hosiery Co. of Boston, died Friday at his home. A Cambridge resident for 34 years, Mr. Stevens was born in Milton Mills, N.H. He was a 1916 graduate of Rochester High School in N.H., and was a 1920 graduate of the Boston University School of Business Administration. Mr. Stevens, a World War I Navy veteran, lived in Medford before moving to Cambridge. He was with Triple Toe Hosiery Co. for 30 years. He leaves his wife, Louise (Glidden); two sons, Donald V. Jr. of Rumford, R.I., and Fred G. of Wilton, N.H.; one daughter, Mrs. Gloria Abbott of Saxonville; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren (Boston Globe, October 3, 1976).

Daughter-in-law Louise (Glidden) Stevens died in Rumford, RI, July 30, 1984.

DEATHS. STEVENS – Louise E. (Glidden), on July 30, 1984, widow of Donald V. Stevens, a former resident of Medford and Cambridge. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 4 at 12 o’clock in the Newman Congregational Church, Newman Ave., Rumford, R.I. Calling hours are omitted. Arrangements by J.H. Williams & Co., 210 Taunton Ave., EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Boston Globe, July 31, 1984).

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 15). William Alexander Meikle. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115503109/william-alexander-meikle

Find a Grave. (2013, July 31). Daniel Durrell Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114696234/daniel-d-stevens

Find a Grave. (2021, May 13). Donald Vernet Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226850196/donald-vernet-stevens

Find a Grave. (2021, May 13). Frank D. Stevens. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226850692/frank-d-stevens

By Muriel Bristol | December 24, 2023

George Winfield Cooley was born in Brighton, ME, March 9, 1882, son of Leander and Annastazzia M. (Gilman) Cooley.

Parents Leander and Annastazzia M. (Gilman) Cooley divorced in Somerset, ME, in March 1887.

Father Leander Cooley married (2nd) in Bingham, ME, October 18, 1892, Mary M. Brown, he of Bingham, ME, and she of Solon, ME. He was a divorced farmer, aged forty-four years, and she was a housekeeper, aged sixteen years. Rev. George Main performed the ceremony. She was born in Solon, ME, March 15, 1877, daughter of Elihu A. and Nancy (Wentworth) Brown.

MARRIED. Bingham – Oct. 19, Mr. Leander Cooley of Bingham and Miss Mary M. Brown of Solon (Lewiston Sun-Journal (Lewiston, ME), October 28, 1892). 

Jonah S. Longley, a lumberman, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), headed a Solon, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of four years), Annastazzia M. [((Gilman) Cooley)] Longley, aged forty-one years (b. ME), his daughter-in-law, Myrtie B. Cooley, a teacher, aged twenty years (b. ME), his son-in-law, George W.H. Cooley, at school, aged eighteen years (b. ME), and his servants, Nettie S. Rowell, a housekeeper, aged sixteen years (b. ME), and Frank F. Burton, a farm laborer, aged twenty-one years (b. ME).

Mother Annastazzia M. [((Gilman) Cooley)] Longley married (2nd) in Solon, ME, October 12, 1902, Jonah S. Longley, both of Solon, ME. She was a divorced housekeeper, aged forty-three years, and he was a divorced lumberman, aged seventy-seven years. (She was his third wife). Rev. E.T. Adams performed the ceremony. She was born in Bingham, ME, circa 1858, daughter of Leonard H. and Mary (Eames) Gilman.

Father Leander Cooley died of heart disease in Bingham, ME, May 2, 1906, aged fifty-seven years. He was a farmer.

SOLON. Mr. Leander Cooley passed away very suddenly, May 2nd, at his home in Bingham. Mr. Cooley leaves a wife and five children beside an aged mother (Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, ME), May 10, 1906).

George W. Longley married (1st) in Solon, ME, April 30, 1908, Asenath Hargraves, he of Solon, ME, and she of Milton Mills. He was a clerk, aged twenty-five years, and she was a milliner, aged twenty-five years. Rev. A.A. Callaghan performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton Mills, December 10, 1882, daughter of Edward and Myra A. (Page) Hargraves.

Stepfather Jonah S. Longley died in Solon, ME, February 18, 1912, aged eighty-nine years.

SOLON. Mr. Jonah Longley, one of Solon’s oldest citizens, passed away, Sunday afternoon, at the advanced age of 89 years. The services will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock (Independent-Reporter (Skowhegan, ME),[Thursday,] February 22, 1912).

G.W. Longley of Solon, ME, and Milton Mills, was an agent for Royal Stock and Poultry Remedies in 1913.

$24 WEEKLY for man with rig to introduce Royal Stock and Poultry Remedies. Year’s Contract. We mean business and furnish best of references. Dept. B-6, ROYAL CO. OP. MFG. CO., Indianapolis, Ind. (Green’s Fruit Gower & Home Companion, February 1905). 

WANTED – General Agent in your County to introduce Royal Stock and Poultry Remedies, under Government stamp tax. Big inducements to right party. Address G.W. Longley, State Agent, Solon, Maine, or Milton Mills, N.H. 4w16* (Independent Reporter (Skowhegan, ME), April 17, 1913).

George Winfield Longley registered for the WW I military draft in Milton, September 12, 1918. His address was Milton Mills. He was aged thirty-five years (b. March 9, 1883) and employed as a blanket folder by the John E. Townsend estate of Milton Mills. George Winfield Longley was of medium height and a slender build. He had brown hair, and gray eyes. His wife was Mrs. Asenath H. Longley of Milton Mills.

George W. Longley, a woolen mill folder, aged thirty-six years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Asenath H. Longley, a woolen mill binder, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). George W. Longley owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles S. Wentworth, a woods laborer, aged sixty years (b. NH), and H. Powers Robbins, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).

George W. (Asenath H.) Longley appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as employed at Townsend’s, with his house at Milton Mills. Brother-in-law Perley Rowell had his house at Milton Mills.

Perley A. Rowell, a milk dealer (own business), aged fifty-two years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-nine years), Myrtie C. (Cooley) Rowell, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), and his mother-in-law, A.M. [((Gilman) Cooley)] Longley, aged seventy-one years (b. ME). Perley A. Rowell owned their house on School Street, which was valued at $1,000. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Eugene H. Ayer, a telephone co. agent, aged seventy-six years (b. ME), and Hattie M. Rines, aged seventy-one years (b. NH).

George Longley, a farmer (general farming), aged forty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Asenath [(Hargraves)] Longley, aged twenty-five years (b. NH). George Longley owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $2,500. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of A.T. Dean, a retired musician, aged seventy-three years (b. NJ), and R.D. Cloutman, a dry goods salesman, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).

Mother A. [Annastazzia] Mae ((Gilman) Cooley) Longley died of a stomach ulcer and marked gastritis on Heaton Street in Rochester, NH, May 25, 1932, aged seventy-two years, nine months, and seventeen days. Louis L. Gilman, M.D. signed the death certificate.

Funeral of Mrs. May Longley. SKOWHEGAN, June 1. Funeral services for Mrs. May Longley, whose death occurred at Milton Mills, N.H., Wednesday, were held Saturday afternoon in that town. Mrs. Longley was the sister of Edmund Gilman of the Lakewood road. She was born in Brighton about 75 years ago, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gilman She was twice married. Her first husband was a Mr. Cooley. By that marriage she had two children. Her second husband was John Longley of Solon who died many years ago. She is survived by two children: Mrs. Perley Rowell and George Longley of Milton Mills, N.H., and the brother Edmund Gilman (June 1, 1932).

MILTON MILLS. George Longley has been having steel put on a roof recently (Farmington News, November 16, 1934).

Asenath H. (Hargraves) Longley died in Milton, June 15, 1935, aged fifty-two years, six months, and five days.

MILTON MILLS. Everybody in town was deeply touched and saddened last Saturday when word was received of the passing of one whom we all had loved and liked. Asenath (Hargraves) Longley, wife of George W. Longley, passed away Saturday evening, June 15, at the hospital in Rochester, after a brief illness. Mrs. Longley was born in Milton Mills, December 10, 1882. Her parents were Edwin A. and Amanda (Page) Hargraves. She was united in marriage with Mr. Longley on April 29, 1908, at Solon, Me. For several years she had been employed as a blanket binder at the Miltonia mills and her services were greatly valued. She was a member of the Sunrise Rebekah lodge of this town. Mrs. Longley was a good woman, kind hearted and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in trouble. She will be missed in the home, lodge, place of business and by hosts of friends. Besides her husband, she is survived by an aunt, Clara Lowd, several cousins and other relatives. Funeral was held at the home Wednesday afternoon, June 19, with Rev. Frank H. Snell officiating, and interment was in the local cemetery (Farmington News, June 21, 1935).

Milton sent George W. Longley to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative for the 1937-38 biennium.

George W. Longley married (2nd) in Milton, May 21, 1938, Thyra Elizabeth (Swenson) Benson, both of Milton Mills. He was a widowed hotel clerk, aged fifty-five years (b. Bingham, ME), and she was a divorced housewife, aged fifty-four years (b. Sweden). Rev. Leland L. Maxwell performed the ceremony. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, July 15, 1879, daughter of Svante and Hilda C. (Lundgren) Swenson. (Her first husband had been Gustaf E. Benson of Belmont, MA).

MILTON MILLS. By Alfred Lewis. Benson-Longley. A wedding of considerable interest took place here Saturday, May 21, when Mrs. Thyra E. Benson, formerly of Watertown, Mass., became the wife of George W. Longley of this place, present representative to the New Hampshire State Legislature from Milton. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Maxfield, pastor of the Community Church of Milton at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Henry A. Townsend. Only close relatives attended (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 26, 1938).

SKOWHEGAN. Mr. and Mrs. Perley Rowell and Mr. and Mrs. George W. Longley of Milton Mills were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Gilman the last of the week. Accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Gilman they attended the Gilman-Spofford reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Adams in Solon on Sunday (Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME), August 30, 1939).

George Longley, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Thyra E. [((Swenson) Benson)] Longley, aged sixty years (b. Sweden). George Longley owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $1,500. They had resided in the same place, i.e., Milton, in 1935. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Robert Page, a barber (barber shop), aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and I.V. Townsend, aged seventy-two years (b. NH).

George Winfield Longley registered for the WW II military draft in Milton, April 27, 1942. His address was Post Office Box #62, Milton Mills. He was aged fifty-nine years (b. Bingham, ME, March 9, 1883) and employed by [his sister-in-law,] Mrs. Ingeborg V. Townsend of Milton Mills. George Winfield Longley was 5′ 6″ tall and weighed 115 pounds. He had brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. His wife was Mrs. Thyra E. Longley of Milton Mills.

Milton sent George W. Longley to Concord, NH, again as its NH State Representative for the 1941-42 and 1943-44 biennia.

Brother-in-law Perley A. Rowell died in Milton, July 20, 1948, aged seventy-one years.

Perley A. Rowell. Milton Mills, N.H., July 25. Funeral services for Perley A. Rowell, 71, a native of Solon, Me., and widely known local resident who was mail carrier here for many years were held Saturday afternoon in the Methodist Church. The Rev. Roland L. Thornton officiated and the Miltonia Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member, attended in a body and there was a large delegation from the Sunrise Rebekah Lodge. Burial was in the Milton Mills Cemetery with the committal service in charge of the Rev. Mr. Thornton. Bearers were: Jacob Stevens, George Marsh, Daniel Jenness, and Fred Carswell, Jr. (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), July 26, 1948).

Ingeborg V. Townsend, a widow, aged fifty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. Her household included her brother-in-law, George W. Longley, a grammar school janitor, aged sixty-seven years (b. ME), and her sister, Thyra E. [((Swenson) Benson)] Longley, aged sixty-eight years (b. Sweden).

WRITE-INS NAMED. Milton – At last week’s primary Charles Piper was given 22 votes by Republicans as 3rd nominee for checklist supervisor. George W. Longley received 102 votes and Bard Plummer 118. Democrats named Emma T. Ramsay with 22. For state representative, 22 Democrats named F. Everett McIntire, and he will oppose Ruth H. Dawson, who polled 94. In all 146 Republicans voted and 98 Democrats (Farmington News, September 20, 1956).

Thyra E. ((Swenson) Benson) Longley died of an acute myocardial infarction at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH, December 22, 1956, aged seventy-seven years, five months, and seven days. Percy C. Grigg, M.D., signed the death certificate.

MILTON MILLS. By Alfred Lewis. Mrs. Thyra Longly. Mrs. Thyra Longly, wife of George Longly, died Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, July 15, 1879. Funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, Dec. 26, with James Batten, pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. James Cursy. Arrangements were in charge of Clarence Peaslee of Union. She is survived by her husband, three sisters, Mrs. Edith Serberg of Quincy, Mass., Mrs. Ruth Dawson of Milton, N.H., and Mrs. Ingborg Townsend of this place; a brother, Harold Swenson, California; three nieces and one nephew. Interment was in Milton Mills cemetery. Damon Pike, Warren Reid, Henry Currier, and Charles Willey were pall bearers (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 3, 1957).

Sister Myrtle C. (Cooley) Rowell died in Milton, March 8, 1959, aged seventy-eight years.

MRS. MYRTIE C. ROWELL. ACTON – Mrs. Myrtie C. Rowell, 78, widow of Perley A. Rowell and a resident of Milton Mills, N.H., the last 31 years, died Sunday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Doris Lowd. She had resided with her since becoming ill six months ago. She was born at Brighton, April 8, 1880. Prior to moving to Milton Mills she had resided at Solon where she was a member of the Methodist Church. A member of the Rebekahs for 60 years, she was a member of Sunrise Lodge. Mrs. Rowell was a past noble grand of the lodge and was also a member of the WSCS and the Dorcas Society both of Milton Mills. Besides her daughter, she is survived by a brother, George Longley, Milton Mills, N.H.; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Milton Methodist Church. The Rev. Thomas Stewart, minister, will officiate. Entombment will be at Sanbornville, N.H., with burial in Milton Mills Cemetery (Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), March 9, 1959).

The Milton Supervisors of the Check Lists for 1961 were George W. Longley, Charles R. Piper. and Madeline E. Galarneau. George W. Longley ran again for Milton Supervisor of the Checklist in 1962.

MILTON CANDIDATES. Milton local candidates in the primary next month include: For representative, Mrs. Mildred Galarneau, former correspondent for the news; Mrs. Ruth Dawson of the Mills, who served in 1958-59; both Republican. For checklist supervisors, all Republican, George Longley, Charles Piper, Morton Roberts, Fred Eldridge. For Moderator, Lewis Piper, Republican; Everett McIntire, Democrat (August 2, 1962).

MRS. DAWSON VICTOR IN MILTON RACE. Milton – Mrs. Ruth H. Dawson will be the Republican nominee for the General Court. She out polled Madeline Galarneau, a newcomer to politics, 104 to 84. There were 204 Republican and 39 Democrat votes cast Tuesday. The 3 winners for the checklist Job were George W. Longley 143, Charles E. Piper 142, Fred R. Eldridge 118. Loser Merton L. Roberts was backed by 83 (Farmington News, September 13, 1962).

George W. Longley died at Milton Mills, May 21, 1975.

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2021, May 1). Mae A. Cooley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226333536/mae-a-cooley

Find a Grave. (2016, May 10). Mary Cooley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/162422310/mary-cooley

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). George W. Longley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115431500/george-w-longley

Find a Grave. (2013, June 17). Jonah S. Longley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/112455523/jonah-s-longley

Find a Grave. (2021, May 1). Myrtle C. Cooley Rowell. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226333569/myrtle-c-rowell

By Muriel Bristol | December 23, 2023

Here may be found mentions of some Milton Christmas activities from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries:

Acton. The F.W. Baptist church joined with the churches of Milton Mills in a Christmas tree at Fox’s Hall (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 26, 1895).

ACTON. There is to be a Christmas cantata at Milton Mills Christmas eve. … Walter Wentworth and Henry Paris belong to B.J. Grant’s singing class at Milton Mills (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 9, 1897).

CHRISTMAS GREENS. A Beautiful Custom Which Comes to Us From the Romans. The fashion of decking the house with greens as we do at Christmas dates back into old Roman times when a feast in honor of Saturn was celebrated and the temples of the dwellings were dressed with green boughs – possibly a remnant of that tree worship which “in itself’ says Ruskin, “I believe was always healthy” when “the flowers and trees are themselves beheld and beloved with a half worshiping delight which is always noble and healthful.” The plants most in demand for church decoration at Christmas time in England as well as in this country are holly, bay and laurel. English holly is sometimes imported, but the American holly, which come from Virginia and other sections of the south, is a very good substitute for it. The bay is the rarest plant of the three in this country, but ground laurel is commonly sold and is one of the most effective of the Christmas greens. In decorating a room with Christmas greens it should be remembered that a very slight touch of color should be used with green and that the most objectionable of all things is too profuse decoration. Christmas greens are usually kept till after Twelfth Night which occurs on Jan 6, and they should certainly be cleared away by the 2d of February, or Candlemas day, or otherwise, as tradition says a goblin will appear for every green leaf left behind. It certainly must have been a slovenly housewife who would leave her Christmas greens up for so many weeks and goblins of discontent and uncleanliness would be sure to invade such a house. – Philadelphia Times (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 18, 1898).

MILTON, N.H. The churches are getting ready for their Christmas concerts (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 19, 1902).

WEST MILTON. The Inasmuch society entertained the children Thursday afternoon and evening at the chapel. Games were played until 5.30, when the children marched to the dining room where tables laden with many dainties met the eager eyes of the children. A Christmas cake with the words “Merry Christmas” was on a table in the centre of the room, surrounded by burning candles of all colors. As the children left the dining room they were given a piece of the Christmas cake. In the evening a short program and Christmas tree were very much enjoyed by all (Farmington News, January 1, 1904).

MILTON, N.H. – The senior class of the Nute High School held a Christmas sale of Candy, fancy goods, etc., at the high school hall last Friday evening (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 20, 1907).

MILTON MILLS. MERRY CHRISTMAS. The young people of the Free Baptist society presented the comedy drama “The Country Minister,’’ to a large and appreciative audience Monday evening, Dec. 14, in Central hall. The parts were all well taken. There were also specialties between the acts: Solos by Mrs. Eula Buckley, of Milton, and W.E. King, of Deerfield; piano duets by Misses Mary Wentworth and Bessie M. Lewis, and Miss Wentworth and Arthur Berry; reading by George G. Leatherbarrow and a dialogue of local hits by Dr. Grant and Chellis V. Grant (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 24, 1904).

West Milton. At the close of the West Milton school for the Xmas holidays, the annual Christmas tree and exercises were held in the presence of a large number of parents and friends. The decorations were extremely tasty and appropriate and the tree presented a very beautiful spectacle with its trimmings and loads of presents that made many happy little hearts. At the close of the program and distribution of presents, hot chocolate and fancy cakes were served. Mrs. C.B. Canney, the teacher, is spending the holidays with her parents in Dover (Farmington News, December 29, 1911).

West Milton. Mrs. Alice Canney, teacher of the West Milton school, had a Christmas tree at the schoolhouse for the children, inviting the neighbors and friends. The children did themselves great credit in the program, the exercises being excellent. Coffee, cocoa and assorted cake were served to guests and pupils by the teacher. The decorations were very handsome and evidenced a great deal of thought and work on the part of the teacher (Farmington News, December 25, 1914).

West Milton. The West Milton school will close this Friday for the annual two weeks’ Christmas recess. A Christmas tree and appropriate exercises will be held at the schoolhouse on Friday evening (Farmington News, December 17, 1915).

West Milton. The Christmas tree and exercises given at the chapel Monday evening were well attended. A fine literary and musical program was furnished by pupils of Nute Ridge school under direction of the teacher, Miss Ferne McGregor. Presents were distributed among the children of the Sunday school (Farmington News, [Friday,] December 29, 1916).

A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

---

See also A West Milton Christmas – 1915

By Muriel Bristol | December 17, 2023

Stanley Cleveland Tanner was born in Farmington, NH, October 30, 1892, son of Hervey E. and Mary “Molly” (O’Hare) Tanner.

Stanley Tanner advertised to hire a sober barber in May 1914 (See Milton in the News – 1914).

Stanley Cleaveland Tanner of Milton, NH, aged twenty-four years, registered in Milton, Strafford County, NH, June 5, 1917, for the WW I draft. He was then employed as a fireman for the Y.W.C.A. in Boston, MA. He was tall and slender, with brown eyes and brown hair.

Private 1st Class Stanley C. Tanner left Boston, MA, on the troopship Lancashire, July 19, 1918, with Battery A of the Sixty-Sixth Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps. He left Pauillac, France, February 19, 1919, on the troopship Powhattan, bound for Hoboken, NJ, again with Battery A of the Sixty-Sixth Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps.

Mary A. [(O’Hara)] Tanner, aged fifty-four years (b. Ireland), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her children, Eva M. Tanner, a shoe shop stitcher, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), George L. Tanner, an ice company laborer, aged thirty years (b. NH), Marion L. Tanner, a shoe shop stitcher, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Stanley C. Tanner, an ice company fireman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Charles Edwin Tanner, a leather-board laborer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Consuelo Tanner, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), Patrick J. Tanner, a tire repair shop owner, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Eleanor T. Tanner, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Audrey Y. Tanner, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and Herbey C. Tanner, aged fifteen years (b. NH); her daughter-in-law, Vila L. [(Kimball)] Turner, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and her grandson, Lloyd C. Turner, aged eight months (b. NH). Mary A. Turner was a naturalized citizen, having immigrated in 1892. They resided on Charles Street in Milton Village.

Stanley Tanner appeared in a list of Sixth Degree Initiates, from the NH State Grange proceedings held in Rochester, NH, December 9, 1925. Other Milton initiates were Samuel Blaisdell, Mrs. Margaret Butler, Mrs. Addie Chase, Arthur Columbus, Cordelia Davidson, Mrs. Addie M. Dixon, Ernest Dickson, Franklin Dickson, Amy Dixon, Paul Dixon, Wayne Dixon, George A. Downing, Josephine Downing, Mrs. Annette Downs, Catherine Ham, Mrs. Hattie M. Innes, Margaret Lover, Bernard Paey, Mrs. Elizabeth Perry, Fred A. Perry, Mrs. Addie Place, George M. Place, Mrs. Marion Roberts, Enaise St. John, Frank S. Tuttle, and Mrs. Susie Williams (NH State Grange, 1925). There was no indication as to which of Milton’s two Granges the various initiates came.

Father Hervey E. Tanner died of arthritis deformans at the Strafford County Farm in Dover, NH, December 25, 1929, aged sixty-six years, four months, and twenty-five days. He was a carpenter. D.L. Stokes signed the death certificate.

Mary [(O’Hare)] Tanner, aged sixty-three years (b. N. Ireland), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her children, George L. Tanner, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Stanley C. Tanner, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Charles E. Tanner, a house carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Hervey C. Tanner, a barber (barber shop), aged twenty-five years (b. NH). Mary Tanner rented their house on Charles Street, for $11 per month. They had a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ernest Carpenter, aged seventy years (b. NH), and Gustave W. Dorhn, a summer hotel chef, aged sixty-seven years (b. Germany).

Stanley C. Tanner married in Milton, November 15, 1931, Cordelia Frances Davidson, both of Milton. He was a garage man, aged thirty-nine years, and she was a public health nurse, aged thirty-five years. Rev. Fred Bannister performed the ceremony. She was born in Bethel, Quebec, Canada, March 29, 1895, daughter of Frank and Maude (Waterson) Davidson.

Milton sent Stanley C. Tanner to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative, for the 1935-36 biennium.

MILTON. A local rehabilitation committee was formed this week, comprised of the board of selectmen, Representative Stanley C. Tanner, Red Cross Nurse Miss Northwood, Mrs. Charles Piper, and Samuel Blaisdell. The first work contemplated by the committee will be the cutting of fifty cords of wood (Farmington News, December 7, 1934).

Bay State Shoe Firm Reverses Decision. Stanley Tanner, chairman of the citizens’ committee of Milton, N.H., a town eight miles outside of Rochester, late last week announced that negotiations had been called off in regard to the Salem Shoe Mfg. Co. of Salem, Mass., moving to Milton (American Shoemaking, 1935).

The Milton Selectmen of 1938 were Phillip G. Hayes, Frank F. Spencer, and Stanley C. Tanner. The Milton Selectmen of 1939 were Frank F. Spencer, Stanley C. Tanner, and Leroy J. Ford.

The Milton Selectmen of 1940 were Stanley C. Tanner, Leroy J. Ford, and Edward R. Stone.

Stanley C. Tanner, a real estate broker, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Cordelia D. [(Davidson)] Tanner, aged forty-four years (b. Canada). Stanley C. Tanner owned their house in the Milton Community, which was valued at $900. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Carrie B. Leighton, a widow, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and James V. Regan, a leatherboard laborer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH). They had both resided in the same house in 1935.

ROCHESTER, N.H. County Solicitor John F. Beamis, Monday night, gave the outgoing sheriff and deputies a banquet at the London Room of the Fernald-Hackett restaurant. Present were Sheriff Clyde R. Cotton and Deputies Robert E. Drew, Farmington; Lyman Plummer, Milton; Ralph W. Dunlap, Rochester, and Ernest Valley of Somersworth. The sheriff and his deputies will conclude their duties tonight and Wednesday will be succeeded by Democratic Sheriff Stephen W. Scruton and staff. Sheriff Scruton has named as deputies Frank D. Callaghan of Rochester, John Lepene of Farmington and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton. All had served previously with Mr. Scruton (Evening Express (Portland, ME), December 31, 1940).

Mother-in-law Marie Amanda (LaRiviere) Davidson died in Upper Melbourne, Richmond, Quebec, April 6, 1942.

Stanley Cleveland Tanner of Main Steet, Milton [Mills], registered for the WW II draft, April 30, 1942. He was aged forty-nine years, having been born in Farmington, NH, October 30, 1892. He was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, in Kittery, ME. He was 5′ 10″ tall, weighed 180 lbs., with brown hair, gray eyes, and a dark complexion. His next of kin was Cordelia D. Tanner, of Main Steet, MIlton [Mills].

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year appointment as a Milton Notary Public, April 7, 1943.

Stanley C. Tanner, a realtor for Country Property, Inc., advertised several large Milton properties for sale in Spring 1945, and a poultry farm for sale in February 1947. (See Milton in the News – 1945 and Milton in the News – 1947).

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton Notary Public, March 26, 1948.

Stanley C. Tanner, a Strafford County Commissioner, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Cordelia D. [(Davidson)] Tanner, an insurance agent, aged fifty-four years (b. Canada), and his lodgers, Charlotte B. Carpenter, aged ten years (b. NH), and Patrick McCartin, a fibreboard mill fireman, aged fifty-one years (b. Ireland). They resided in the “1st house on the left” when “Proceeding north on State Highway No. 16 from the intersection of Farmington Rd. on left and Mill St. on right.”

Mother Mary A. (O’Hare) Tanner died of cardio-circulatory collapse in Milton, May 26, 1952, aged eighty-seven years. She was a housewife, native of Ireland, and a forty-five year resident of Milton, i.e., she had arrived there from Farmington, NH, circa 1906-07. Robert E. Lord, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Eight Ask Three Seats. Strafford county has four Republicans and four Democrats bidding for the three commissioner seats now held by Democrats. They are Democrats Lucien G. Paradis of Rochester and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton asking reelection, and Carroll E. Hall of Dover and Alden J. Doherty of Rollinsford. The Republicans are George A. Young of Rochester, John M. Brant of Barrington, and ex-Rep. Paul G. Kardavelas and H. Howard Hartford of Dover (Concord Monitor (Concord, NH), July 25, 1952).

COUNTY COMMISSIONER TANNER ASKS FOR RECOUNT OF ELECTION BALLOTS. County Commissioner Stanley C. Tanner, democrat, of Milton has petitioned lor a recount of Strafford county ballots, following the outcome of the November 4 election, it was learned late last week Tanner was defeated in his quest for reelection by George A. Young of Rochester by a relatively close margin. Farmington ballots were collected last Friday night by the county sheriff Moses Pare of Somersworth, but no date was given for the recount. It was also learned that several other defeated office seekers had asked for a recount (Farmington News, November 14, 1952).

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton Notary Public, March 13, 1953.

There were two Democratic filings for the [NH State] Senate: Paul E. Provost of Manchester in the 18th district and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton in the 20th district (Concord Monitor, July 18, 1956).

Half of 24 State Senators Seek Reelection This Fall. … The Democrats have hot primary contests for their two other areas. In Manchester’s District 18, there are five battling it out to succeed Sen. Thomas B. O’Malley, who is running for the Executive Council. These contestants are Reps. William W. Corey and George L. Lavoie, Paul E. Provost, Joseph B. DesRochers and Harold T. Laughlin. In the other normally Democratic center, District 20, ex-Mayor Sumner W. Watson of Rochester is contesting with Lucien E. Bergeron of Rochester and Stanley C. Tanner of Milton to succeed Sen. J. Paul LaRoche of Rochester (Nashua Telegraph (Nashua, NH), August 14, 1956).

REAL ESTATE. Stanley C. Tanner and Cordelia D. Tanner to Francis H. Fifield and Marjorie V. Fifield, land and building on the state highway in Milton (Farmington News, December 6, 1956).

Stanley C. Tanner and John G. Gilman were the Milton Selectmen that walked along the Milton-Middleton border when the septennial town line perambulation took place in January 1958.

LINE PERAMBULATED. Middleton and Milton selectmen spent three days last week walking the town line – a chore performed every 7 years. John Gilman and Stanley Tanner were the Milton selectmen and Donald Francoeur represented Middleton (Farmington News, January 9, 1958).

(Had these septennial perambulations, or “beating the bounds” walks, continued on schedule, they would have taken place in 1965, 1972, 1979, 1986, 1993, 2000, 2007, 2014, and 2021 and would take place next in 2028. (I have seen town boundary markers on the Farmington-Rochester (pictured above) and Barnstead-New Durham boundary lines)).

Stanley C. Tanner received a five-year renewal appointment as a Milton Notary Public, April 30, 1958.

Cordelia F. (Davidson) Tanner served on the decorations committee for the Democrat state convention held at the state armory building in Manchester, NH, September 27-28, 1958.

Mrs. Alice Davis of Manchester is chairman of the decorations committee. Serving on the committee will be Helen Desjardins of Rollinsford, Ann Moher of Dover, Mary Campbell of Rochester, Mrs. Cordelia Tanner of Milton, Eileen Foley of Portsmouth, Mrs. Frances Adams of Exeter, Ruth Dunfey of Hampton and Mrs. Walter Kretowiac of Keene (Concord Monitor, September 28, 1958).

Daughter Charlotte Lee Tanner married at the Church of the Redeemer in Rochester, NH, July 2, 1960, Harris Edward “Harry” Twitchell, she of South Main Street on Milton and he of Whitehall Road in Rochester, NH. She was a student, aged twenty-one years, and he was a painter, aged twenty-three years. Rev. Donald H. Marsh performed the ceremony. Twitchell was born in Rochester, NH, circa 1937, son of Franklin W. and Doris M. (Ramsdell) Twitchell.

Stanley C. Tanner was installed as service officer of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post of the American Legion and its Auxiliary in 1961. (Oscar G. Morehouse was a former schoolteacher at the Nute Ridge district schoolhouse, who had died during WW I).

Legion, Auxiliary To Install Slates. Milton – The Milton Grammar school will be the site Saturday night for the installation of the officers of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post, No. 61, American Legion and Auxiliary. Commander Frank E. McIntire will be flanked by these aides, Raymond E. Wilkinson, first vice commander, Arthur L. Chase, second vice commander, Charles E. Tanner, adjutant, Bard Plummer, finance officer, Wilfred Gobert, chaplain, Charles E. Tanner, historian, Stanley C. Tanner, service officer, William A. Fabian sergeant at arms (Farmington News, April 20, 1961).

Stanley C. Tanner lost to Charles H. Logan in the Milton town election of March 1963.

Milton Elects Logan Selectman. Milton Republican Charles H. Logan defeated democratic incumbent Stanley C. Tanner, 318 to 108, in Tuesday’s election in Milton. In other contested offices, George W. Meyers lost to republican Charles R. Whitehouse, by a vote of 319 to 95; Milton Mills police, Edwin Hutchins, R., 148, Frederick Meyers, 43, Fred Morrill, 98, Norman Place, 70; 2nd engineer in the fire department, Donald Cheney, 244, Robert McIntire, 132. Pauline Clough was elected trustee of trust funds on a write-in. The other offices were uncontested. Town meeting was held and most of the articles were passed without much controversy. Article 25, which had to do with a preliminary report and plan preparation for sewerage and sewage treatment facilities was passed with a provision that the jobs be put up for bid (Farmington News, March 14, 1963).

Stanley C. Tanner was again installed as service officer of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post of the American Legion and its Auxiliary in 1963.

AMERICAN LEGION. Both the American Legion and the Auxiliary of the Oscar G. Morehouse Post #61 held an installation of officers at the monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 5, at the Legion Hall. Refreshments were served under the direction of Mrs. Dana Armstrong following the ceremonies. Friends who were invited attended this public meeting. Officers elected were Commander of the Legion Merton Roberts, Senior Vice Commander Edwin K. Boggs, Junior Vice Commander Arthur Chase, Adjutant Robert Taatjes, Sergeant-at-Arms William Fabian, Historian Charles E. Tanner, Chaplain William Gilman, Finance Officer Bard Plummer, Service Officer Stanley C. Tanner, Charles Logan Child Welfare Officer. Auxiliary President Mrs. Eva Perry, Senior Vice President, Mrs. Thelma Ellis, Sergeant at Arms Mrs. Rita Tanner, Historian Mrs. Ruth Dawson, Secretary Treasurer Mrs. Madeline Burroughs (Farmington News, May 6, 1965).

Stanley C. Tanner died in Manchester, NH, November 24, 1971, aged seventy-nine years.

OBITUARIES. Stanley C. Tanner. Stanley C. Tanner, 79, of Main Street, died at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Manchester, Nov. 24, after a long illness. A native of Farmington, he had lived here most of his life. He had owned and operated Tanner Brothers Garage for many years. He was a 50-year member of Oscar Moorehouse American Legion Post and a member of the World War I Barracks of Somersworth. He had been a Strafford County Commissioner, a member of the General Court, a deputy sheriff, a selectman, a precinct commissioner, a real estate operator, a blueberry grower, and a town service officer. The family includes his wife, Cordelia (Davidson) Tanner, a daughter, Mrs. Harry Twitchell of Rochester, two brothers, Charles E. Tanner and Hervey C. Tanner, both of Milton, four sisters, Miss Marion Tanner of Derry, Miss Connie Tanner of Boston, and Mrs. Audrey Lawson and Miss Mildred Tanner, both of Milton; a grandchild, and nieces and nephews. Services were conducted at the C.E. Peaslee and Son Funeral Home, 32 Central St., Farmington, by the Rev. Donald H. Marsh, rector of the Church of the Redeemer (Farmington News, December 2, 1971).

Cordelia F. (Davidson) Tanner died in Rochester, NH, August 13, 1985.

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2021, June 20). Hervey E. Tanner. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/228712155/hervey-edwin-tanner

Find a Grave. (2021, May 14). Stanley C. Tanner. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226905953/stanley-c-tanner

NH State Grange (1925). Journal of Proceedings of the New Hampshire State Grange. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=YGAkAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA75

By Muriel Bristol | December 10, 2023

Fred S. Hartford was born in Rochester, NH, in 1872, son of William F. “Frank” and Mary Esther “Esta” (Randall) Hartford.

(Note the dropping of the letter “r” in “Esther” by someone spelling his mother’s nickname as a non-rhotic “Yankee” speaker might pronounce it).

Annie [(Willand)] Randall, keeping house, aged seventy-years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her son-in-law, Frank W. Hartford, works on farm, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), her daughter, Esther [(Randall)] Hartford, keeping house, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and her grandchildren, Eva G. Hartford, aged ten years (b. NH), and Fred Hartford, aged eight years (b. NH). They resided on Wakefield Street. (Grandparents Albert F. and Annie (Willand) Randall were divorced).

Parents William F. and Mary E. (Randall) Hartford divorced in Strafford County court, September 4, 1883. She alleged drunkenness (one had to allege something).

Mother Mary E. [(Randall)] Hartford married (2nd) in Great Falls, Somersworth, NH, June 18, 1884, Charles A. McDuffie, both of Strafford, NH. He was a shoemaker, aged thirty-eight years, and she was a general worker, aged thirty-seven years. Rev. Thomas Tyrie performed the ceremony.

Fred S. Hartford married in Milton, July 25, 1891, Hattie E. Downs, both of Milton. He was a shoe cutter, aged twenty years, and she was a shoe stitcher, aged twenty-one years. Rev. John Manter performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, in 1871, daughter of Albert F. and Dorothy M. “Dora” (Tuttle) Downs. (Her father had been a private in the 1st NH Heavy Artillery during the Civil War).

Anack’s Diary. September came in with greatly needed rain. On the 14th, Thursday, fire was discovered in G.B. Wentworth’s shoe shop opposite the railway station, and the building was burned rapidly up (or down) to ruins. The house of Albert Downs was on fire several times, by reason of nearness to the shop (Farmington News, May 19, 1899).

Dora [(Tuttle)] Downs, a homekeeper, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), her son-in-law (of nine years), Fred S. Hartford, a shoe cutter, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), her son-in-law, George W. Paey, a shoe finisher, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), her daughter, Josie M. [(Downs)] Paey, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and her son, Fred Downs, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Dora Downs rented their house. She was the mother of six children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Howland, a clothing dealer, aged thirty-two years (b. VT), and William Randall, a shoe edge cutter, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME).

Fred S. Hartford was one of seven assistant marshals at the Milton Centennial celebration, August 30, 1902.

Fred S. Hartford was elected as one of three Trustees for three years at a meeting of Madokawanda Tribe, No. 21, I.O.R.M., i.e., the Red Men fraternal society, in January 1904.

Fred S. Hartford was the chief marshal at the Milton Dramatic Club’s 2nd annual masque ball, at the A.O.U.W. Hall at Milton Three Ponds, January 8, 1904. He and Mrs. Hartford led ninety-two couples in a dance march at the event.

Fred S. Hartford and George E. Jordan were elevated to the degree of Master Mason at a special meeting of Fraternal Lodge, A.F. and A.M., in February 1905 (Farmington News, March 3, 1905).

Fred S. Hartford appeared in the Milton business directory of 1909, as a hairdresser, i.e., barber, and laundry agent.

Father-in-law Albert F. Downs died of acute cardiac dilation in Milton, June 28, 1909, aged sixty years, eleven months, and one day. (He had been back in Milton from Togus, ME, for one week). James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Fred Hartford, a barber (own shop), aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3 Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eighteen years), Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Dora M. [(Tuttle)] Downs, aged sixty-two years, and his brother-in-law, Fred Downs, leather (shoe factory), aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Dora M. Downs was the mother of six children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Florenta Berry, a widow, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and James D. Pinkham, a news dealer, aged forty-three years (b. NH).

Fred S. Hartford appeared in the Milton business directory of 1912, as a hairdresser, i.e., barber, pool room proprietor, laundry agent, and local deputy sheriff.

Stepmother Anna L. (Haremore) Hartford died a sudden death at 2 Park Street in Dover, NH, December 4, 1912, aged fifty-nine years, five months, and seventeen days. She was a married shoe operator. H.O. Chesley, M.D., signed the death certificate. (“Probably Heart, did not see here before death”).

Father William F. Hartford died of gastric carcinoma in Milton, November 19, 1913, aged sixty-five years, seven months, and fifteen days. He was a widowed shoemaker. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

The NH State Board of Health reported that Fred S. Hartford was the local Milton Executive Health Officer in 1916. The NH State Laboratory had undertaken twenty-six bacterial examinations of Milton Mills samples in the years 1914-16, of which three were positive and twenty-three were negative. Five tests were made for suspected tuberculosis, of which one was positive and four were negative. Two tests were made in Milton Mills for suspected diphtheria, of which both were negative (NH State Board of Health, 1916).

Fred S. Hartford appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as foreman of cutting, at the M. [Milton] Shoe Co., boarding at Dora M. Downs’ house at 58 Main street. (His late father, William F. Hartford, appeared also, as a shoe operative, who had died November 19, 1913, aged sixty-five years).

Fred S. Hartford, a cutter (shoe shop), aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, a box maker (leatherboard), aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and his mother-in-law, Dora M. [(Tuttle)] Downs, a widow, aged seventy-one years (b. NH). Fred S. Hartford rented their house in “Upper Main St.” in Milton Village. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Frank M. Tibbetts, a sawyer (sawmill), aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and Wilbur F. Abbott, a laborer (leatherboard), aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).

Milton sent Fred S. Hartford to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative, for the 1921-22 biennium.

Mother Mary E. [((Randall) Hartford)] McDuffee of Rochester, NH, made her last will, August 10, 1921. She devised her home and its five acres of land in Rochester, NH, to her daughter, Gertude E. [(Randall)] Duclow; and her fifteen-acre woodlot (on the opposite side of the street from her home place) to her son, Fred S. Hartford. She appointed her daughter and son as joint executors, without need of bond. Adeline A. Wright, Edgar F. Foss, and William Wright signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 155:520).

Mother Mary E. ((Randall) Hartford) McDuffee died of bronchitis in Rochester, NH, December 17, 1923, aged seventy-seven years, three months, and thirteen days. John H. Bates signed the death certificate. Her last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, April 1, 1924 (Strafford County Probate, 155:520).

Mother-in-law Dorothy M. “Dora” (Tuttle) Downs died of exhaustion following pneumonia in Milton, January 11, 1924, aged seventy-five years, four months, and thirty days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Fred S. Hartford, a shoe cutter, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH). Fred S. Hartford rented their house on North Main Street, for $18 per month. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Wilbur Abbott, a laborer (fibre mill), aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and Chas. O. Skillings, a machinist (fibre mill), aged fifty-two years (b. NH).

Fred S. (Hattie S.) Hartford appeared in the Rochester, NH, directories of 1933, 1935, and 1936, as city marshal, with his house at 1 McDuffee avenue.

FIND MISSING BOY AS RESULT OF ACCIDENT. Rochester, July 26. An automobile accident near Danvers, Mass., revealed the whereabouts of David Young, 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Atwood Young of the Strafford section, who has been missing since Friday, July 13, with the result the boy was back home last night, recovering: from his injuries. Nearly two weeks ago Young, who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds, stopped hoeing the garden, took his bicycle and started on a trip. His mother reported to City Marshal Fred S. Hartford’ he was last seen: riding his wheel on the Strafford and Gonic road, and no trace of him was found until early yesterday, when he was taken to Danvers hospital as the result of being struck by an automobile. The hospital authorities notified his parents and he was brought home. Dislike of a neighbor caused him to leave home, he said (Portsmouth Herald, July 26, 1934).

VALUABLES IN SAFE STOLEN IN ROCHESTER, N.H. BREAK. ROCHESTER, N.H., Oct 9. – When Lawrence Ballou went to his laundry on Portland st. this morning, he found the safe door opened, the door to the strong box broken and money and valuables stolen. From the safe were taken two watches, $22 in money, a box of old coins, a $50 Liberty bond and other articles. City Marshal Fred S. Hartford sent for Ivan Hayes, fingerprint expert at Concord, to help him investigate the case (Boston Globe, October 10, 1934.

POLICE CHIEF FINDS WOMAN DEAD IN HOME. Rochester, April 15. Etta L. Morrill, aged about 80, widow of John G. Merrill, former business man, was found dead in her home on Academy street yesterday afternoon by City Marshal Fred S. Hartford. She had evidently risen and was stricken with a heart attack (Portsmouth Herald, April 16, 1935).

NEW HAMPSHIRE FORGER MAKES ONE BIG ERROR. DIDN’T KNOW WOMAN NEVER USES “MRS.” WHEN SIGNING CHECKS. Rochester, N.H., May 4. – (AP) – Charles Harrington, 30, learned to his distress today that Mrs. Lillian Sanborn never uses “Mrs.” when she signs checks. An official of the Public National bank here also knew that Mrs. Sanborn omitted the “Mrs.” and notified her when he found five checks for $23 each signed by “Mrs.” Sanborn. City Marshal Fred S. Hartford arrested Harrington who pleaded guilty to forgery in Municipal court. He was held in $2,000 bail for the September term of Superior court. Harrington said he lived in Rochester (Lewiston Daily Sun (Lewiston, ME), May 5, 1936).

G-MEN CLAIM KIDNAP HOAX. Rochester, Oct. 1. – City Marshal Fred S. Hartford last night told newspapermen that G-Men who had been investigating the alleged kidnaping of Miss Marie H. Newbury, 24, local sales girl, beauty contest winner and amateur actress, had called by telephone and said the case was closed. At the time the young woman was supposed to be enroute to New York last Saturday afternoon with two armed men she was in a Boston theatre, they concluded. Miss Newbury returned home Sunday, saying she had been kidnapped last Saturday, taken by force to Greenwich, and escaped from her captors there by a ruse. Monday night two men from the Boston office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation came here and questioned Miss Newbury for several hours in the office of City Marshal Hartford, but were unable to shake her story. Questioned at her home on Charles street by newspapermen regarding the accusation of the G-Men, Miss Newbury said she had no statement to make (Portsmouth Hearld, October 1, 1937).

Fred S. (Hattie S.) Hartford appeared in the Rochester, NH, directories of 1938, as city marshal, with his house at Wakefield, NH.

Fred S. Hartford died in New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA, June 24, 1939, aged sixty-seven years.

Rochester City Marshal Dies. Rochester, June 26 – City Marshal Fred S. Hartford, 67, head of Rochester police department for the past six years, died Saturday at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, where he underwent a surgical operation about a month ago. Soon afterward he started a decline and failed steadily to the end despite the efforts of a number of officers of the department who made numerous trips to Boston and gave blood for transfusions. Marshal Hartford, a native of Massachusetts, came to Rochester [??] years ago from Milton. When the City council elected him as successor to City Marshal Harvey D. [Smith], he had previously been a [member] of the staff of the late sheriff Fred E. Goodwin. He was a shoe cutter by trade and had worked in shoe factories in Stoneham, Mass., Milton and East Rochester. He was a great lover of horses and years ago had served as starter at the Rochester Fair races and was a member of the old Rochester Driving Club. He was president of the Rochester Police Association and was a Mason. He is survived by his widow, Hattie S. Hartford (Portsmouth Herald, June 26, 1939).

George W. Paey, a finishing room foreman (shoe shop), aged sixty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Josie M. [(Downs)] Paey, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), his sister-in-law, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and his daughter, Evelyn Paey, a houseworker (private houses), aged thirty years (b. NH). George W. Paey owned their house, which was valued at $800. They had all resided in the same house in 1935. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hazel Simmonds, housework (private family), aged fifty-two years (b. Nova Scotia), and Herbert O. Perkins, stitching room foreman (shoe shop), aged forty-three years (b. NH).

Ina A. [(Come)] Downs, a tea room proprietor (tea room & food store), aged fifty-four years (b. VT), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. Her household included her sister-in-law, Hattie E. [(Downs)] Hartford, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and her lodger, Charles Brown, aged nineteen years (b. NY).

Hattie E. (Downs) Hartford died in 1952.

---

References:

Find a Grave. (2020, August 18). Albert Frederick Downs. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/214561013/albert-frederick-downs

Find a Grave. (2021, August 8). Fred S. Hartford. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230496885/fred-s-hartford

NH State Board of Health. (1916). Report of the State Board of Health of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=C9BKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA327