Houghton Surname Project

Samuel Carter^1,2

M, #1711, b. 7 January 1736/37, d. 22 August 1738

Family 1: Charity Van Nostrand

Marriage*: Samuel Carter married Charity Van Nostrand w/1.⁵

Family 2: Mary Briggs

Marriage*: Samuel Carter married Mary Briggs w/2.⁷

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Jan 7, 1736/37

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^3,4,1,5

Death

Aug 22, 1738

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA⁶

Marriage

w/1⁵

Marriage

w/2⁷

Milit-Beg

Private, MA (DAR, 1966, Index)⁷

Problem

Lancaster MA VRs give death at age 2; MLM gives 2 marriages and children

Pedigree

Citations

[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20 #325, 45.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 64.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:52.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20, 45.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 158.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 45.

Stanton Carter^1,2,3

M, #1712, b. 15 February 1738/39, d. 1823

Family: Peninah Albert

Marriage Bann: Stanton Carter and Peninah Albert declared their intentions of marriage on Feb 5, 1762 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.⁹
Marriage*: Stanton Carter married Peninah Albert, daughter of Daniel Albert and Abigail Houghton, on May 27, 1762 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^1,6

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Feb 15, 1738/39

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^4,5,2,6

Marriage

May 27, 1762

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^1,6

Residence

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, in that part called "Six Nations", now a part of Clinton, Berlin, and Boyleston⁷

Death

1823

Berlin, Worcester Co., MA, USA^8,6

Contributn

Pedigree

Citations

[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 99.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20 #326, 45.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 67.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:52.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20, 45.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 45.
[S96] NEHGR, 87 [1933]: 201.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 36.

Silas Carter¹

M, #1713, b. 16 January 1739/40

Family 1: Lucy Sawyer

Marriage*: Silas Carter married Lucy Sawyer, daughter of Josiah Sawyer and Abigail Sawyer, on Jan 12, 1768 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^5,6

Family 2: Mary Ray

Marriage*: Silas Carter married Mary Ray on Jun 11, 1816.⁴

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Jan 16, 1739/40

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^2,3,4

Marriage

Jan 12, 1768

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^5,6

Marriage

Jun 11, 1816

⁴

Residence

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, and Sterling⁴

Pedigree

Citations

[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 27.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 67.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 27, 100.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20, 27.

Prudence Carter^1,2

F, #1714, b. 15 April 1743, d. 8 July 1828

Family: Ebenezer Carpenter

Marriage*: Prudence Carter married Ebenezer Carpenter on circa 1765.⁶

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Apr 15, 1743

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, NEGHR: Apr 18^3,4,1,5

Marriage

circa 1765

⁶

Death

Jul 8, 1828

Keene, NH, USA, MLM: Aug. 28, 1833^1,5

Children+

had descendants

Pedigree

Citations

[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20 #328, 45.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 69.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:52.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20, 45.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20.

Jonas Carter^1,2

M, #1715, b. 4 July 1745

Family: Rachel Wadsworth

Marriage*: Jonas Carter married Rachel Wadsworth and had two children.⁴

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Jul 4, 1745

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^3,1,4

Milit-Beg

in the Revol. War⁴

Marriage

and had two children⁴

Residence

Wallingford, Rutland Co., VT, USA⁴

Pedigree

Citations

[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20 #329.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 71.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20.

Jemima Carter^1,2,3

F, #1716, b. 15 September 1747

Family: David Nims Jr

Marriage Bann: Jemima Carter and David Nims Jr declared their intentions of marriage on Oct 1, 1767 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.⁸
Marriage*: Jemima Carter married David Nims Jr on Jan 12, 1768 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Nourse: p. 100 Mar;p. 40 Int.^1,2,7

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Sep 15, 1747

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^4,5,2,6

Marriage

Jan 12, 1768

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Nourse: p. 100 Mar;p. 40 Int^1,2,7

Residence

Roxbury, NH, USA⁷

Pedigree

Citations

[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 40, 100.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20 #330, 45.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 72.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:52.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20, 45.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 45.

Rebecca Whitcomb^1,2,3,4,5

F, #1717, b. 12 November 1671, d. 22 October 1752

Family: Jacob Houghton

Marriage*: Rebecca Whitcomb married Jacob Houghton, son of Justice John Houghton Jr & Sr and Mary Farrar, on Feb 16, 1694 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, No source appears to give correct md; internet date used.
Lancaster VR , Keizer, JWH: Dec 16, 1704; C.A. Torrey:"b 1696 (m 1704 is wrong); Lancaster"; BT:"Probably, however, the year of their marriage 1704, in Miss Charlotte Whitcomb's "Whitcomb Family in America" is too late. It apparently rests on the data furnished the Lancaster town clerk in 1825 by Henry Houghton of Putney, Vt., which is erroneous."; CJV: Houghton lineage document by Josiah Flagg, Lancaster MA town clerk, dated Jan. 20, 1826, gives date Dec.1 6, 1704; but it also gives Jacob as born in July 24 1680 based on Henry Houghton data which was erroneous.
Lineage: 1695.^{6,11,3,5,9,4,12,13,14,15}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Nov 12, 1671

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, VR: 12.9.71; Nourse, Early Rec.: 12 9m 1671; MLM: Dec. 19, 1671^{6,7,8,3,9,5,4,10}

Marriage

Feb 16, 1694

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, No source appears to give correct md; internet date used.
Lancaster VR , Keizer, JWH: Dec 16, 1704; C.A. Torrey:"b 1696 (m 1704 is wrong); Lancaster"; BT:"Probably, however, the year of their marriage 1704, in Miss Charlotte Whitcomb's "Whitcomb Family in America" is too late. It apparently rests on the data furnished the Lancaster town clerk in 1825 by Henry Houghton of Putney, Vt., which is erroneous."; CJV: Houghton lineage document by Josiah Flagg, Lancaster MA town clerk, dated Jan. 20, 1826, gives date Dec.1 6, 1704; but it also gives Jacob as born in July 24 1680 based on Henry Houghton data which was erroneous.
Lineage: 1695^{6,11,3,5,9,4,12,13,14,15}

Church

May 18, 1717

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, First Church¹⁶

Administr

May 25, 1752

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Jacob's widow Rebecca granted dower.¹⁷

Administr

Aug 22, 1752

the widow Rebecca stated that at her death her son John should receive 1 tract of 6 acres, another tract of 6 acres, and a third tract of 40 acres.¹⁷

Death

Oct 22, 1752

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VRs, Burr & Gage: "aged 80 years, 10 months, 29 days (gravestone at Lancaster).";Torrey: 1750; 1752^{6,18,3,4,10,19}

Burial

Old Common Burying Ground Cemetery, Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Age 80 Yers 10 M & 29 D^18,19

Biography

Burr & Gage: Died at age 80 years, 10 months 29 days; daughter of Josiah Whitcomb and Rebecca Waters

Boston Transcript, 10/16/1907: Rebecca Whitcomb. (Josiah 2, John, 1). born in Lancaster, Nov. 12, 1671. Probably, however the year of their marriage, 1704, in Miss Charlotte Whitcomb's "Whitcomb Family in America" is too late. It apparently rests on the data furnished the Lancaster town clerk in 1825 by Henry Houghton of Putney, Vt, which is erroneous."

Boston Transcript, 11/17/1924: Houghton Genealogy says of this same family that Jacob Houghton, brother of Jonas, married Rebecca Whitcomb, daughter of John (2) when as a matter of fact she was daughter of Josiah (2), son of John (1).^4,5,20

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 302 #10s.
[S80] Chandler, Houghton Genealogy, #11116.
[S42] Torrey, New England Marriages, p. 391.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S46] Boston Transcript, Sep. 31, 1934 - 9617.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 302.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 13.
[S12] Nourse, Early Records of Lancaster, p. 317.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 10/16/1907 #9422, JCLC.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 10.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 125.
[S199] D. A. Keizer, Houghton Hx & Gen - Keizer, p. 6, 7.
[S523] Pilgrims Lineages, p. 476.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 7, 10.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289.
[S36] Letter, to Charles J. Vella from Clifford C. Fifield, Jr., Aug. 1998: Rev. F. L. Weis Chart.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA, Case 31006.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 412.
[S595] Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Lancaster Hx - Marvin, p. 668.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 11/17/1924, #2311 GAGL.

David Nims Jr^1,2

M, #1718

Family: Jemima Carter

Marriage Bann: David Nims Jr and Jemima Carter declared their intentions of marriage on Oct 1, 1767 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.⁴
Marriage*: David Nims Jr married Jemima Carter, daughter of Samuel Carter Jr. and Jemimah Houghton, on Jan 12, 1768 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Nourse: p. 100 Mar;p. 40 Int.^2,1,3

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Origin

1768

Keene, NH, USA³

Marriage

Jan 12, 1768

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Nourse: p. 100 Mar;p. 40 Int^2,1,3

Residence

Roxbury, NH, USA³

Pedigree

Citations

[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 40, 100.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 20.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 45.

Ensign Jacob Houghton Jr^1,2,3,4

M, #1719, b. 1 April 1696, d. 26 January 1780

Family: Mary Willard

Marriage*: Ensign Jacob Houghton Jr married Mary Willard on Feb 3, 1724/25 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VRs: p. 125, (erroneous Henry Houghton data): Apr 6, 1730; JWH: 4,6,1730
Willard: Feb. 23, 1724-5, "in 1825 at the request of Henry Houghton of Putney VT, the Lancaster town clerk made another entry, stating marriage on Apr 30, 1730. The original was correct; date of 1730 would place legitimacy of son Abraham in question as he was born Nov. 27, 1725."^{13,2,11,14,15,8,16,17}

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Apr 1, 1696

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Burr & Gage, Weis, MLM: 4 Nov. 1696; Lancaster VRs [Henry Houghton's erroneous data]]: Jan 2, 1708; MLM: Worcester and Lancaster, MA, and Apr. 1, 1696; Weis: Nov. 4, 1696^5,3,6,7,8,9

Taxation

1723

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹⁰

Origin

circa 1725

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^11,12

Marriage

Feb 3, 1724/25

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VRs: p. 125, (erroneous Henry Houghton data): Apr 6, 1730; JWH: 4,6,1730
Willard: Feb. 23, 1724-5, "in 1825 at the request of Henry Houghton of Putney VT, the Lancaster town clerk made another entry, stating marriage on Apr 30, 1730. The original was correct; date of 1730 would place legitimacy of son Abraham in question as he was born Nov. 27, 1725"^{13,2,11,14,15,8,16,17}

Covenant

Oct 23, 1726

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^18,19

Note

1737

He was moderator of the proprietors of the additional grant.¹⁷

Church

1740

move to the Church at Bolton, MA²⁰

Mil. Serv.

VT Hx: served in militia; Col. Wars: "Lancaster, Mass. Soldier, Foot Co., under Thomas Wilder."^21,22,19,23

Research

Death

Jan 26, 1780

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA^13,19

Duplicate

diff dds

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307 #53.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19, 125.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11 #102, 22.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 125.
[S199] D. A. Keizer, Houghton Hx & Gen - Keizer, p. 6.
[S595] Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Lancaster Hx - Marvin, p. 740.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 22.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289, 302.
[S418] Henry S. Nourse, Lancastriana, p. 32.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]: 73.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307.
[S199] D. A. Keizer, Houghton Hx & Gen - Keizer, p. 6, 7.
[S460] Marshall L. McClanahan, Ralph & Jane (Stow) Houghton - MLM, p. 8.
[S1086] Joseph Willard, Simon Willard Memory, p. 407.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 302.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 278, 279.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 290.
[S570] Hon. Hiram Carleton, Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont, p. 97.
[S726] Society of Colonial Wars, Society of Colonial Wars, p. 487.
[S178] Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, p. 61.

Benjamin Houghton Jr^1,2,3,4,5,6

M, #1720, b. 1700, d. 1774

Family: Ruth Wheelock

Marriage*: Benjamin Houghton Jr married Ruth Wheelock on Jul 20, 1720 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Justice John Houghton; Burr & Gage: Worc. Deeds, lib. 43, p. 200.^{12,13,14,3,4,5,8,10}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

1700

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, MLM: "second son," also called junior."^7,3,4,8,9,10

Covenant

Jul 13, 1718

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹¹

Marriage

Jul 20, 1720

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Justice John Houghton; Burr & Gage: Worc. Deeds, lib. 43, p. 200^{12,13,14,3,4,5,8,10}

Research

Dec, 1723

Milit-Beg

Dec 2, 1723

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, enlisted as a soldier under Jabez Fairbanks in Lovewell's War¹⁵

Note

Jun 18, 1724

in muster roll of Capt. Jabez Fairbanks for 31 weeks (15 pounds, 10 schillings)¹⁶

Communion

Jan 16, 1736/37

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, admitted¹⁷

Deed

Mar, 1750

Andrew Belcher in March 1750 sold 500 acres of land to Benjamin Houghton of Lancaster. He conveyed it to his son, Ezra, by whom it was divided into lots and disposed of it to Lemuel and Nathaniel Houghton, Jonathan Sawin, Andrew Darby, Jr., and Reubin Mills (who purchased 340 acres).¹⁸

Death

1774

Sterling, MA, USA, Cutter, DAR correction: 1774; BT, MLM: Feb. 28, 1764; Wikitree: Athol, MA^4,19,20,21

Biography

Burr & Gage: "second son", "called Jr." Lancaster records

J.W.Houghton, Houghton Genealogy, p. 307 does not list Benjamin as son of Jacob, but lists all syblings.

CVJ: J.W. Houghton & Cutter give children listed as his as belonging to Benjamin, son of Benjamin, son of John. But this latter Benjamin appears not to have had children.

Nourse, Early Records of Lancaster, 1884, p. 216: lists a "Benjamin Houghton jun" as a soldier in Lancaster in 1723 in Lovewell's War of 1722-1726; p. 221, 31 weeks service, 15 lb, 10s payment.

Nourse, Birth, Mar Death Reg, Lanc,1890: p. 285: full communion in Feb 16, 1737

Unclear: Nourse, Birth, Mar Death Reg, Lanc,1890: p. 374: Southern part of Lancaster was known by its Indian name, Woonksechocksett (abb. Chocksett). There a second church was gathered and Rev. John Mellen was ordained. He was overthrown in 1774 for revolutionary political reasons and Rev. Holcomb took over in 1779. Benj. Houghton Jr. was one of original covenant.^4,3

Research

FWH: erroneously gives this Benjamin as son of Benjamin, son of John the emigrant²²

Problem

Problem of the Benjamin's: multiple Benjamin Houghtons in Lancaster MA; also see W. G. Snow's discussion

Research

Westminster, MA, USA, Heywood confuses these two Benjamins: Benjamin [CJV: Benjamin2, John1] , b. ab. 1700, the father of three or four sons, who, which himself, figured somewhat in the early history of this town. He was a land surveyor, and with his s. Joel, assisted in the laying out of the 3d Div. lots, receiving payment for the same from the Propriety treasury. He was also a real estate owner here, having purchased of Andrew Belcher the entire Gov.'s Farm of 500 acres, March 6, 1750. Two other sons, Benjamin and Ezra were here in 1758 as workmen on the highways. Two other sons Benjamin and Ezra, were here in 1758 as workmen on the highways. The former of these m. Priscilla Wilder, Aug. 11, 1757, had 1 chd., and d. very soon. His wid. m. as a 2d husband Seth Herrington.²³

Research

not given in VRs as child of Benjamin

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 306 #50.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 18, 285.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S177] Baily, Early Massachusetts Marriages, p. 61.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11 #103, 22.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 453.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 22.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 276.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 18.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1907; x 2.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:71.
[S12] Nourse, Early Records of Lancaster, p. 216.
[S12] Nourse, Early Records of Lancaster, p. 221.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 285.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 471.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 9/16/1907.
[S1481] Mrs. M. E. Woodward, DAR Library version of 1912 Houghton Gen. by JWH, p. 306.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 712.

Deacon Israel Houghton^1,2,3,4,5,6

M, #1721, b. circa 1700, d. 29 June 1777

Family 1: Martha Wheelock

Marriage*: Deacon Israel Houghton married Martha Wheelock on Jul 31, 1723 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Houghton; JWH, MLM: 7,21,1723.^{13,14,15,3,16,17,18,19}

Family 2: Elizabeth Wilder

Marriage Bann: Deacon Israel Houghton and Elizabeth Wilder declared their intentions of marriage on Feb 18, 1766 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA; Den. Israel Houghton & Widw. Elizabeth Wilder, both of Lancaster; 1766 date is given in list of 1769 intentions [typo? for 1769].^33,18
Marriage*: Deacon Israel Houghton married Elizabeth Wilder on Mar 14, 1769 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, JWH: gives marriage of Israel, son of Israel and Martha Houghton, to Elizabeth Wilder, 2,18, 1766.^27,28,29,19

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

circa 1700

Lancaster, Middlesex Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VR: age 77 in 1777; "third son" in father's estate division^{7,8,3,9,10,11}

Covenant

Jul 13, 1718

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹²

Marriage

Jul 31, 1723

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Houghton; JWH, MLM: 7,21,1723^{13,14,15,3,16,17,18,19}

Communion

Jul 8, 1739

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, First Church²⁰

Church

Oct 1, 1742

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, "The Same Day, (being Sacrament Day) Hooker Osgood Junr. & Israel Houghton who were chosen Deacons on ye 1st of sd month, at a church meeting at ye Pastor's house, and yn desired some time to consider of it, signified that having considered the matter they lookt upon ymselves as called of God to yt service, and Desired prayers that God would Instruct ym, in yr Duty and enable ym. faithfully to attend it, which was made known by ye pastor to ye Church and accordingly performed, and they took yr Places, or served as Deacons at ye Table of ye Lord."; He accepted the position on Oct. 17, 1742. He resigned Sept. 9 1761, and desired that "another person might be elected to the office of deacon in consideration of his distance from the meeting-house."^21,8,19

Taxation

1751

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA²²

Research

Apr 11, 1753

Keene, NH, USA, An Israel Houghton is listed as a grantee of Keen NH²³

Note

Sep, 1761

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, desired another to be elected deacon because of "his distance from the meeting-house." This ended 19 years as deacon.²⁴

Note

Putney, Windham Co., VT, USA, Taylor: According to a deed of Putney VT, Israel had lands in Putney and assigned them to son Joseph, who died there 1771, though deed says of Leominster. Deed is from daug. of Joseph, Martha (wife of John Law) in 1784.²⁵

Will

Jan 30, 1769

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, son Benjamin, executor; filed Jul. 7, 1777; allowed Aug. 4, 1777; vol. 14, p. 51, 53: Listed: Martha Gun, Mary Bowers, Prudence Manning, Lois Sawyer, Eunice Jewett, eldest son Phinehas Houghton, Israel Houghton, Benjamin Houghton, Jonathan Houghton, John Houghton, and four grandchildren (Martha, Elijah, Marcy, and Thankful, children of deceased son Joseph). Gives Israel Jr 5 shillings "which with what I have already done for him is his full part of my estate".²⁶

Marriage

Mar 14, 1769

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, JWH: gives marriage of Israel, son of Israel and Martha Houghton, to Elizabeth Wilder, 2,18, 1766^27,28,29,19

Death

Jun 29, 1777

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, age 77^7,18,19

Probate1

Aug 4, 1777

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, W.P. Case # 31001³⁰

Biography

Nourse p. 19, 292: Deacon Israel Houghton

Nourse p. 318: Deacon, First Church, 1748; p. 327, epitath. Shows date of Selection as Deacon Oct.1, 1742. He resigned in 1761 Sept 9.

Descendants of Elijah Houghton, p. 4, states he was deacon of the church from 1742 to 1761.

Burr & Gage, p. 400: "third son"

J.W. Houghton & Boston Transcript: had 17 children

Weis: They owned a pew in the Fourth Meeting House.^20,3,27,19

Research

FWH attributes children of Deacon Israel to other Israel³¹

Research

JWH gives Deacon Israel Houghton and Martha Wheelock as parents. Baptism before their marriage by 5 years. Lists only 4 children of Simeon and Jerusha. Lancaster VRs give Daniel Houghton as father.^32,12

Problem

There are problems with JWH's listing of children for this Israel Houghton. JWH gives 17 children, the first 3 are clearly not his. Lancaster VRs gives Deacon Israel as marrying Elizabeth Wilder in 1769; JWH gives Israel's son Israel as marrying her.

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307 #54.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 18, 276, 285.
[S46] Boston Transcript, Sep. 31, 1934 - 9617.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 12/4/1907.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11 #104, 22.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 327.
[S36] Letter, from Clifford C. Fifield, Jr., Aug. 1998: Rev. Weis Chart.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 22.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA, Case 31006.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 276.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 18.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 12/4/1907 #9334, THG., Jr.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:72.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 304.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 285.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 290, 319, 373.
[S595] Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Lancaster Hx - Marvin, p. 235.
[S1410] M. A. S. G. Griffin, History of Keene NH, p. 107.
[S595] Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Lancaster Hx - Marvin, p. 380.
[S415] E-mail from Robert J. Taylor, Dec. 1996.
[S681] Will: of Israel Houghton, Case # 31011.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 316.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 104.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 23.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 34 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 316, 336.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 42.

Jonathan Houghton Jr^1,2,3,4

M, #1722, b. 1703, d. circa 1 January 1740/41

Family: Mary Houghton

Marriage*: Jonathan Houghton Jr married Mary Houghton on Jan 20, 1725 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, "Jonathan Houghton and Mary Houghton, both of Lancaster"by John Houghton, Just. Peace; both of Lancaster.^5,9,10,8

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

1703

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Burr & Gage, p. 400: "fourth son"; MLM: c. 1702^5,3,6,7

Church

Mar 22, 1723/24

Lancaster, MA, USA, First Church⁸

Marriage

Jan 20, 1725

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, "Jonathan Houghton and Mary Houghton, both of Lancaster"by John Houghton, Just. Peace; both of Lancaster^5,9,10,8

Mil. Enls

1740

under Capt. John Prescott in the expedition of British Vice Admiral Edward Vernon against Cartagena, Columbia

Administr

Feb 5, 1739

"The account of Jonathan Houghton attorney to his father Jacob Houghton, administrator, on the estate of John Houghton late of Lancaster ... 605 pounds, 5 schillings, 7 pence (with 184 pounds owed to others), Jonathan Houghton, attorney to account."¹¹

Milit-Beg

circa 1740

JWH: "He was lieut. in Captain John Prescott's Company, which was sent out to aid Admiral Vernon's disastrous expedition against the Spanish West Indies, whence not more than fifty out of the five hundred from Massachusetts returned."^12,13

Deed

1740

Harvard, Worcester Co., MA, USA, John Nichols sold his Harvard estate to Jonathan Houghton of Bolton¹⁴

Research

1740

Death

circa Jan 1, 1740/41

Jamaica, British West Indies, son Ebenezer was given a guardian in 1741; JWH: 1740; MLM: 1740, Bolton MA^12,13

Administr

Apr 2, 1744

Worcester Co., MA, USA, JWH: 'His wife was appointed administratrix of her husband's estate 4,2, 1744. The estate was divided in 9,6,1749. The final settlement was made by her son Jonathan. Residence was Bolton, Mass., till 1760, when they moved to Narrangansett, Mass.^5,15

Research

FWH, Clark: erroneously gives Jonathan as son of Benjamin Houghton, son of John and Beatrix Houghton^16,17

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307 #55.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19, 276, 280.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11 #105, 23.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 23.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289, 305.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 305.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 23.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA, Case 31019.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307.
[S626] Unknown compiler, Boston Obituaries Index, Vol. II, p. 540.
[S224] Henry S. Nourse, Harvard Hx - Nourse, p. 98.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA, Case 31036.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 33 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S415] E-mail from Hayward S. Houghton, Mar 26, 2004: Notes of Dr. Arthur Wellington Clark, critiques of JWH's Houghton Genealogy of 1912.

John Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

M, #1723, b. 1712, d. 23 October 1769

Family: Hepzibah Priest

Marriage*: John Houghton married Hepzibah Priest, daughter of John Priest and Anna Houghton, on Nov 13, 1735 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Wilder; JWH: 1,13,1735.^6,11,7,12

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

1712

MA, USA, Burr: 1712, youngest son; JWH: John, 1705; MLM: both 1705 and 1712^6,3,7,8

Milit-Beg

circa 1725

MLM: He was in Capt. Lovewell's third and last expedition to Pigwacket?; CJV: unclear if this John is the correct John⁹

Land Grant

Jun 20, 1733

Suncook, NH, USA, a John Houghton Jr. was admitted to shares in Suncook¹⁰

Marriage

Nov 13, 1735

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Wilder; JWH: 1,13,1735^6,11,7,12

Research

Jul 12, 1741

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, MLM alone gives a child named Mary, born¹³

Death

Oct 23, 1769

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, John Houghton, Jr., a. 57, GS3; intestate; B.T., 1926: "John...known as John Houghton, Jr., died in 1769, aged 57."^{14,15,16,9,12}

Burial

Old Bolton Cemetery, Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, a. 57; Old South Burial Ground¹⁵

Administr

Nov 6, 1769

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Administration Bond of 300 pounds by Hepzibah Houghton, widow and administrator, Simon Houghton and Jonathan Hougthon, yeoman, all of Bolton (W.P. Case # 31024)¹⁷

Administr

May 17, 1801

Worcester Co., MA, USA, Jacob Houghton was appointed administrator (de bonis non) of the estate.¹⁸

Administr

Dec 19, 1801

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, The agreement to this division was signed Dec. 9, 1801, by the following heirs: John Houghton, Jonathan Priest Houghton, Samuel Houghton, Hepzibah Houghton, John Priest, Anna Priest, and David Nurse, guardian to Ephraim Butler and attorney to William Butler and Damaris Whittemore (Worcester Probate Registry, series A, case 31024)^19,18

Problem

The above John Houghton is consistently referred to as John Houghton Jr. in most of the vital records and all of the probate records. His son, who married Keziah Ross, is referred to as John Houghton 3^rd.

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307 #56.
[S67] Vital Records of Bolton, p. 41-43, 207.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11 #106, 23.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 288.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 23.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289, 306.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 23.
[S96] NEHGR, 7 [1853]: 69.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 26.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 306.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 23 #421.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1926.
[S67] Vital Records of Bolton, p. 207.
[S75] Whitcomb, Nashaway Burial Grounds, p. 87.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester Co., MA.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA, Case 31024.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1926, #2248.

Ruth Wheelock^1,2,3,4

F, #1724, b. circa 1701, d. 2 March 1762

Family: Benjamin Houghton Jr

Marriage*: Ruth Wheelock married Benjamin Houghton Jr, son of Jacob Houghton and Rebecca Whitcomb, on Jul 20, 1720 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Justice John Houghton; Burr & Gage: Worc. Deeds, lib. 43, p. 200.^{9,10,11,1,12,4,13,5}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

circa 1701

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, dd calc: age 61 in 1702⁵

Research

Jul 20, 1720

JWH erroneously gives this marriage.^6,7,8

Marriage

Jul 20, 1720

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Justice John Houghton; Burr & Gage: Worc. Deeds, lib. 43, p. 200^{9,10,11,1,12,4,13,5}

Communion

Jan 16, 1736/37

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, admitted¹⁴

Death

Mar 2, 1762

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, aged 61^15,8,1,16,5

Gravestone

"Ruth Houghton wife
of Benjemin Houghton Departed this life Mar ye 2nd 1762 in the 61 year of her age."

ParentsD

Joseph and Elizabeth Wheelock, of Lancaster MA. A descendant of Gershom2, Ralph1, of Medfield^17,18

Research

not given in VRs as child of Ruth

Biography

Burr & Gage, p. 400: Dau. of Joseph and Elizabeth Wheelock of Lancaster.

Lancaster VRs, p. 18: marriage to Benjamin Houghton Junr July 20, 1720 by Justice John Houghton

Lancaster VRs: 61 years old

Lancaster VRs: p. 285: admitted into communion, Jan 16 1737

Boston Transcript, 12/4/1907: Ruth Wheelock, who married Benjamin Houghton, Jr., in 1720, was the daughter of Joseph Wheelock of Lancaster and his wife
Elizabeth. Joseph Wheelock's will probated in Worcester in 1752 gives his "daughter Ruth Houghton, three pounds". His other children were Joseph,
Jonathan, John, Elizabeth, married -- Sawyer, Mary married Hooker Osgood, Abigail married Gethro Eames and Martha, who married Israel Houghton.^1,19

Pedigree

Citations

[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 18, 285.
[S46] Boston Transcript, p.9/3/1907;9/16/1907.
[S177] Baily, Early Massachusetts Marriages, p. 61.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 306.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 5/5/1924 #1754, ALCS.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 9/16/1907.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 18.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1907; x 2.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:71.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 22.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 285.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 160.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S46] Boston Transcript, Sep. 31, 1934 - 9617.
[S1398] Jr Roderick B. Sullivan, Descendants of Rev. Ralph Wheelock of Medfield, MA, p. 45.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 12/4/1907 #9334, THG., Jr.

Deacon Oliver Moor^1,2,3,4,5

M, #1725, b. 1707, d. 23 December 1774

Family: Abigail Houghton

Marriage*: Deacon Oliver Moor married Abigail Houghton, daughter of Jacob Houghton and Rebecca Whitcomb, on Dec 18, 1729 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Joseph Wilder.^{9,4,6,10,1,11,8}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

1707

NEHGR, MLM: 1708; dd calc: 1707; Weis: 1706^6,7,8

Marriage

Dec 18, 1729

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Joseph Wilder^{9,4,6,10,1,11,8}

Residence

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹²

Covenant

Jan 3, 1730/31

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA; MLM: 10 years later discharged to the Church, West. Pct. of Lancaster^13,7

Communion

Jan 14, 1732/33

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹⁴

Death

Dec 23, 1774

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, age 67^15,7

Burial

Chocksett Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, "Death is a Debt to Nature due, | Which I have paid & so must you."¹⁶

ParentsS

Jonathan Moore and Elizabeth Richardson¹⁷

Research

This marriage is not in Lancaster VRs; JWH, Burr: m. -- Moore; JWH: Rebecca m. Mr. Moore; sister Abigail, "She was 2nd wife to the Moore who m. Rebecca"^1,9

Pedigree

Citations

[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307 #57s/58s.
[S77] White, Genealogy of John White, I, p. 30.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 25.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1931 - 2210.
[S96] NEHGR, 20 [1866]:271.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 24.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 288.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:74.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 24.
[S96] NEHGR, Vol. 20, 1866, p. 271.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 281.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 272.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 160.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 418.
[S96] NEHGR, 20: 27, 209.

Abigail Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

F, #1726, b. circa 1710, d. 1800

Family: Deacon Oliver Moor

Marriage*: Abigail Houghton married Deacon Oliver Moor on Dec 18, 1729 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Joseph Wilder.^{6,9,10,11,4,12,13}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

circa 1710

MA, USA, Burr: "second daughter"; JWH: 9,7,1726; MLM: c. 1716; Weis: 1710^6,4,7,8

Marriage

Dec 18, 1729

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by Joseph Wilder^{6,9,10,11,4,12,13}

Covenant

Jan 3, 1730/31

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA; MLM: 10 years later discharged to the Church, West. Pct. of Lancaster^14,7

Communion

Jan 14, 1732/33

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹⁵

Death

1800

only in Weis¹³

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307 #58.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 25, 276.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1931 - 2210.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11 #108, 24.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 307.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 24.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 289.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 25.
[S96] NEHGR, 20 [1866]:271.
[S96] NEHGR, 17 [1863]:74.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 11, 24.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 288.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 281.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 272.

Elizabeth Rand^1,2

F, #1727, b. circa 1697, d. 26 October 1779

Family: Henry Houghton Jr

Marriage*: Elizabeth Rand married Henry Houghton Jr, son of Henry Houghton and Abigail Barron, on Nov 24, 1725 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Houghton.^{4,7,8,9,10,11}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

circa 1697

Stow, Middlesex Co., MA, USA, Harvard VR: ddcalc, age 82 at death in 1779; JWH, Lancaster VRs: of Stowe, MA^3,4,5,6

Marriage

Nov 24, 1725

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Houghton^{4,7,8,9,10,11}

Covenant

Dec 10, 1727

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^12,10

Death

Oct 26, 1779

Harvard, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Houghton & Harvard VR: a. 82, Oct. 26, 1779;^{3,5,7,13,10,11}

Burial

Nov 10, 1779

Harvard Center Burial Ground Cemetery, Harvard, Worcester Co., MA, USA, ae 82 Congreg. Church: Nov 10, 1779, a. 82 y; VR Harvard: 'Elizabeth, wid. of Henry, Nov. 10, 1779, a. 82y. G.R.I.[gravestone] (Oct. 26, 1779, a. 84y.)^13,5

ParentsD

Henry Rand and Mary Crane per B. Edward and Sisson Ancestry; Stephen Randall per MLM; Stephen Randall and Mehitabel Crane^10,14,15

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307 #59s.
[S96] NEHGR, 103 [1949]: 314.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, 307.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19.
[S43] Thomas W. Baldwin, Harvard MA VRs, p. 280.
[S713] Ezra S. Stearns NH State Gen. & Family Hx III, p. 1073.
[S46] Boston Transcript, Dec 6, 1934 - 9539 CWR.
[S46] Boston Transcript, Dec. 27, 1934 - 9539 GRTB.
[S457] Stow MA VRs, p. 164.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 25.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 307.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 279.
[S75] Whitcomb, Nashaway Burial Grounds, p. 55.
[S415] E-mail from B. Edward, Jan. 8, 2000.
[S1136] Ph.D., Brian J. L. Berry, Sission Ancestry, p. 327.

Ezra Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

M, #1728, b. 2 July 1722, d. 18 July 1789

Family: Dinah Houghton

Marriage Bann: Ezra Houghton and Dinah Houghton declared their intentions of marriage on Mar 6, 1747/48 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^35,20
Marriage*: Ezra Houghton married Dinah Houghton, daughter of Benjamin Houghton Sr and Zeruiah Moore, on Jun 23, 1748 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, JWH: 7, 29, 1748.^{13,14,15,4,16,17,18}

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Notable

Ezra Houghton (1722-1789) was a Tory loyalist in the American Revolutionary War. There were only 4 Houghtons (John Houghton 3d, Solomon Houghton, Nahum Houghton, and Ezra) to stay loyal to England. All had lands confiscated.

Birth

Jul 2, 1722

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^{6,7,8,4,9,10,11}

Church

Feb 3, 1744/45

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Weis: Sterling, MA¹²

Marriage

Jun 23, 1748

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, JWH: 7, 29, 1748^{13,14,15,4,16,17,18}

Deed

Mar, 1750

Milit-Beg

1757

MLM: a Lieutenant in the muster roll of Capt. Asa Whitcomb's Comp. in thee Crown Point expedition of 1757²⁰

Research

1757

Document

Sep 20, 1757

Lancaster, MA, USA, The first one is letter-size, land plat, 7 3/4" x 11", dated September 20, 1757, where Ezra has purchased land from his father Benjamin in a Lancaster [Massachusetts]

"... Laid out for Ezra Houghton, Eleven Acres and Seventy Rods of Land in Lancaster...

Note

1758

Westminster, MA, USA, JWH, Cutter: 'He, with his younger brother, Benjamin, assisted in laying out the highways in 1758.^6,4,21'

Land Recrd

1768

Signed by Ezra Houghton for a well and good land deed delivered to Solomon Harvey

Office

Feb 3, 1774

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Justice of the Peace, Middlesex Co., MA; officiated at several marriages^22,23,24

Note

1777

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Worcester Co. Hx, Nourse: The year 1777 was marked in Lancaster for a persecution of suspected loyalists by the extremists of the patriot party. A resolve of the Legislature concerning 'the danger from internal enemies' gave reason for the creation of a committee to search for and obtain evidence against such suspects, and Col. Asa Willard was selected. A black-list was presented by him in Sept., including Ezra Houghton, Solomon Houghton, Rev. Timothy Harrington, and 5 others. Ezra was imprisioned. Solomon escaped from the Country. Harrington confronted his accusers and won.

Nourse, Annals: "Ezra Houghton, Solomon Houghton, were voted "as Dangerous Persons and Internal Enemies to this State" on 6/30/1777; a Tory, Loyalist; p. 204: "Ezra Houghton, a prosperous farmer ad recently appointed justice of peace. Affixed his name to the address of General Gage in 1775 and to the recantation. In May 1777 he was imprisoned under charge of counterfeiting the bills of public credit and aiding the enemy. In November following he petitioned for bail (Mass. Arch. CCXVI, 129) and bail bond set at 2000 pounds.";

Willard: June 1777, request to collect evidence against such persons as shall be deemed internal enemies to the state. Names placed on a list in town meetings, most latter struck off, including Ezra and Solomon Houghton, and Rev. Timothy Harrington.

Calhoun: "The most thoroughgoing attempt to confound the doctrines of the Revolution came in Ezra Houghton's trial, in Worcester, Mass. on a charge of counterfeiting. He was accused of boasting:'It would be a capital stroke if we could destroy the currency.' The judge asked him if he thought counterfeiting was morally justifiable. 'No, when it is done on a selfish principle to build a man up, but when it is done on a more noble principle with a view to bring the war to an end and to prevent the effusion of human blood, he did not', the court clerk recorded, 'view it so bad. We are all, as it were, a wheel', he concluded ominously. "Your spoke-----is up now, but it will soon be down'."

Divided Hearts: Lancaster, remained in the state after British departed, disloyal speech; guilty inimical trial 1780^{25,10,26,27,28,29,30}

Death

Jul 18, 1789

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA^6,31,20

Burial

Chocksett Burial Ground Cemetery, Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, ae 67 section S

Administr

1789

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, W.P. #30977^20,32

AFN

FQJ3-01³³

Research

Children born in Sterling, MA; Weis: Children born in Lancaster MA

Contributn

2018

Bill contributed copies of 4 documents of Ezra Houghton: I recently purchased four, original documents concerning Lt. Era Houghton (b. 1722--1789) and his father, Benjamin Houghton (1700—1774) and I thought you might be interested in seeing copies of them.

Notable

a Tory Loyalist in Rev. War

Biography

Weis: He served as selectman of Lancaster, 1762-1763; 1768-1770; and 1774-1775.

Heywood: He bought most of his father's landed property in Westminster MA "and prob. res. on it awhile, but became afterward a prominent man in L., was a loyalist at the breaking out of the Revolution, his large estate being confiscated therefor and he himself compelled to flee the country."

also see "Toryism in Worcester Co." from the Massachusetts Historical Society, Book 48: He had to pay fines several times due to his counterfeiting activities.

Bill Houghton: Ezra Houghton, a prosperous farmer, and recently appointed justice of the peace, affixed his name to the address to General Gage in 1775, and to the recantation. In May 1777 he was imprisoned under charge of counterfeiting the bills of public credit and aiding the enemy. In November 1777, he petitioned to be admitted to bail (see Massachusetts Archives (ccxvi, 129), and his request was favorably received, his bail bond being set at two thousand pounds. It appears that Loyalist Ezra Houghton was not well like by his Revolutionary contemporaries, who named him as a "Dangerous Persons and Internal Enemies of this State!”
Bill Houghton: He apparently became a very wealthy farmer and during the War became a Loyalist. He reportedly counterfeited colonial money and “aided the Enemy” and was shunned and thrown in jail for several months. He finally made bail, which was set at the exorbitant amount of 2,000 Pounds! He apparently did not flee to Britain, but remained in MA and moved to Worchester, Mass., where he died on July 18, 1789.^21,34,18

Research

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 308 #65s, 312 #128.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 32.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 399, 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 18, 22 #383, 47.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31, 35 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 47.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303, 317.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 375.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 308.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 391.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 399.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 18, 22, 48.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 299.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 317.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 471.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 47.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 712.
[S657] William Henry Whitmore, MA Civil List, p. 151.
[S657] William Henry Whitmore, MA Civil List, p. 105.
[S12] Nourse, Early Records of Lancaster, p. 338.
[S12] Nourse, Early Records of Lancaster, p. 338.
[S178] Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, p. 103, 203.
[S1085] Joseph Willard, Lancaster MA Hx - Willard, p. 54.
[S489] D. Hamilton Hurd, Worcester Co. MA Hx I, p. 29 (Lancaster section by Henry S. Nourse).
[S1198] Robert M. Calhoun, Lyalists in America, p. 323.
[S1211] David E. Maas, Divided Hearts, Massachusetts Loyalists, 1765-1790.
[S75] Whitcomb, Nashaway Burial Grounds, p. 153.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA.
[S13] "Ancestral File of LDS, Version 4.13", Ancestral File.
[S36] Letter, from Harriett Houghton Guldahl, Jan 24, 2003.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 32.

Trumpeter Abijah Houghton Sr^1,2,3,4,5,6

M, #1729, b. 23 September 1723, d. 23 January 1802

Family: Alice Joslin

Marriage Bann*: Trumpeter Abijah Houghton Sr and Alice Joslin declared their intentions of marriage on Mar, 1746 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA; DAR: Bolton.^{14,8,15,5,16,12}

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Sep 23, 1723

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, JWH: 1723; MLM: 1726^{7,8,3,4,9,5,10,11,12,13}

Marriage Bann

Mar, 1746

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, DAR: Bolton^{14,8,15,5,16,12}

Research

1770

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, death of "Abijah Houghton's child"¹⁷

Research

1775

1790 Census

1790

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, 1 male 16+, 1 female¹⁸

1800 Census

1800

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, 00001-00002; 1 male 45+; 2 female 45+¹⁹

Death

Jan 23, 1802

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VRs, p. 182: died aged 78 years; p. 353: Mr. Abigail Houghton, age 79, bilious fever^20,8,5,12

PensionInx

Keene, NH, USA, #20799²¹

Research

MLM gives two twin children Elizabeth and Samuel, bp 1762, Leominster. He states Samuel md. Sally Cook. Neither given in Lancaster VRs²²

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #129.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 32, 177, 183.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S213] National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial Admin., DAR Patriot Cent. 2, p. 1494.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #384, 48.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S35] DAR Patriot Index I, p. 345.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31, 35 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 46.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 318.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 32.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 48.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 326.
[S1220] 1790 U.S. Federal Census , Lancaster, Worcester, MA, p. 224.
[S1221] 1800 U.S. Federal Census , Lancaster, Worcester Co, MA, p. 349.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 182, 353.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 48.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 48, 91.

Relief Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

F, #1730, b. 23 October 1726, d. 29 October 1795

Family: John Fairbank

Marriage Bann: Relief Houghton and John Fairbank declared their intentions of marriage on May 8, 1751 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^15,14
Marriage*: Relief Houghton married John Fairbank on Jul 10, 1751 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^10,11,8

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Oct 23, 1726

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^6,3,4,7,8,9

Marriage

Jul 10, 1751

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^10,11,8

Death

Oct 29, 1795

Athol, Worcester Co., MA, USA, ae. 69¹²

Research

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, MLM gives this Relief Houghton who died 4 Jul 1762^13,14

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #131.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 33, 279, 391.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #386, 48.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47, 54.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 48.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 391.
[S537] Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633-1897, p. 113.
[S449] Esther K. Whitcomb and Dorothy O. Mayo, Bolton Soldiers and Sailors in the American Revolution, p. 21.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 129.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 48.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 33.

Capt. Elijah Houghton^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

M, #1731, b. 16 June 1728, d. 7 July 1810

Family 1: Katharine Sparhawk

Marriage Bann: Capt. Elijah Houghton and Katharine Sparhawk declared their intentions of marriage on May 31, 1760 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^27,6,15,18
Marriage*: Capt. Elijah Houghton married Katharine Sparhawk on Nov 27, 1760 at Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA, USA.^13,14,15

Family 2: Mary Allen

Marriage Bann: Marriage banns for Capt. Elijah Houghton and Mary Allen were published on Sep 14, 1764 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.²⁸
Marriage*: Capt. Elijah Houghton married Mary Allen on Oct 3, 1764 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^{16,17,6,15,18}

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Jun 16, 1728

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VRs:, p. 47: 16 Jun 1728; p. 56, 18 Jun 1728; DAR: 6-18-1728;^{8,4,5,9,6,10,11}

Church

Aug 30, 1758

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, an Elijah Houghton was chosen "ye Chorister or Psalm setter for ye present"¹²

Marriage

Nov 27, 1760

Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA, USA^13,14,15

Marriage

Oct 3, 1764

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^{16,17,6,15,18}

Research

Milit-Beg

Info only given in Marvin's History of Lancaster [almost certainly incorrect and actually refers to Elisha Houghton]; Rev. War: Pvt MA; Marvin: an Elisha Houghton in Capt. Benjamin minute men company;Marvin: "The company of minute men, underCapt. Benjamin Houghton, marched without delay, to Lexington...regiment of Col. John Whitcomb...including Elisha Houghton and Abijah Houghton."^19,6

1790 Census

1790

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, 2 males 16+; 3 females²⁰

Church

Apr 3, 1796

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, First Church from the Church in Sterling^15,21

Death

Jul 7, 1810

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VRs: p. 182, age 82; p. 356, Captain Elisha Houghton, 83. Dropsy; DAR: Fitchburg^{22,6,15,23,18}

Burial

Old Settler's Burial Ground (Middle Cemetery), Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Lancaster VR: Gravestone: 'Erected In Memory of Capt. Elijah Houghton, who died July 7, 1810; Aet. 82. Around this monumental stone, Let friendship drop a scared tear; The husband kind, the parent fond, The upright man lies buried here.^24,25'

Research

JWH gives 3 children before 1st md of Capt. Elijah Houghton and Katherine Sparhawk (Mary, 1754-1842,#325; Seth, 1757-1815, #326; Rebecca, 1758-1813, #327) and one after md (Fenno, 1766-1768, #329) who are not listed in Lancaster VR with rest of children and are clearly confused by JWH with the 4 same named children of Elijah Houghton and Mary Andrews; MLM gives latter Fenno as son of Capt. Elijah^26,15

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #132.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 35, 98, 107, 279.
[S36] Letter, Esther MacDonald, town clerk, Lancaster MA, 11/1952 to V. Uran.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S213] National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Centennial Admin., DAR Patriot Cent. 2, p. 1495.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #387, 49.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47, 56.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31, 35 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 49.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303, 319.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 376.
[S295] Cambridge MA VRs II, p. 206.
[S296] Mary Isabella Gozzaldi, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, p. 402.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 49.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 98.
[S46] Boston Transcript, 1907.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 319.
[S595] Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Lancaster Hx - Marvin, p. 290.
[S235] U.S. Census, Lancaster, Worcester, MA, p. 225.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 333.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 182, 356, 430.
[S1085] Joseph Willard, Lancaster MA Hx - Willard, p. 18.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 430.
[S10] Gravestone, Old Settler's Burial Ground (Middle Cemetery), Lancaster, MA.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 333.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 35.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 38.

Parnee Houghton^1,2,3,4,5,6

F, #1732, b. 14 April 1730, d. 25 January 1816

Family: John Brooks

Marriage Bann: Parnee Houghton and John Brooks declared their intentions of marriage on Sep 9, 1748 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^15,14
Marriage*: Parnee Houghton married John Brooks on Oct 20, 1748 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Mellen.^11,12,10

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Apr 14, 1730

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^7,4,5,8,9,10

Marriage

Oct 20, 1748

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, by J. Mellen^11,12,10

Death

Jan 25, 1816

Jefferson, NY, USA^13,14

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #134.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 22, 32, 47, 280.
[S78] White, Genealogy of John White, II, p. 192.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #388, 49.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47, 59.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 49.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 22.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S415] E-mail from NMClara, 11/1998.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 49.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 32.

Philemon Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

M, #1733, b. 3 June 1731, d. 15 February 1788

Family: Rebecca Gates

Marriage Bann: Philemon Houghton and Rebecca Gates declared their intentions of marriage on Dec 4, 1757 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^15,16
Marriage*: Philemon Houghton married Rebecca Gates on Feb 23, 1758 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^11,12,13,10

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Jun 3, 1731

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^6,3,4,7,8,9

Mil. Serv.

1755

Weis: clerk of Captain Asa Whitcomb's company in the Crown Point Expedition¹⁰

Research

1755

Marriage

Feb 23, 1758

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^11,12,13,10

Death

Feb 15, 1788

Note

MLM: Prob. left for VT or NH after wife's death¹⁴

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #133.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 84, 87, 304.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #389, 50.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 49.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303, 319.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 319.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 87.
[S96] NEHGR, 31 [1877]: 402.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 50.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 49.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 84.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 50.

Nahum Houghton^1,2,3,4,5,6

M, #1734, b. 1 October 1732, d. 29 August 1802

Family: Sarah Hazleton

Marriage*: Nahum Houghton married Sarah Hazleton on Jan 20, 1777 at Concord, Merrimack Co., NH, USA.^21,22,6

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Notable

Corresponded with author

Birth

Oct 1, 1732

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^7,3,4,8,9,10

Research

1754

Milit-Beg

Sep 11, 1754

MA, USA, In command of Ensign John May under Col. Oliver Wilder for the defense of the western part of the province.¹¹

Immigration

Worcester Co., MA, USA, VT Gazetteer Index:i. 94¹²

Census

1766

Shoreham, Addison Co., VT, USA¹³

Marriage Bann

Jan, 1770

Oxford, MA, USA, An intention to marry had been filed with Deborah Campbell of Rutland, Vermont in January, 1770 in Oxford, Massachusetts, but there is no record of the actual marriage or children¹⁴

Note

Jul 17, 1775

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Accused of being a Tory: Nourse: "The following advertisement by the Lancaster Committee of Correspondence appeared in the Massachusetts Spy for Wednesday, August 16, 1775, and proves that though the word boycott may be modern, the principle thus designated is revolutionary: (Lancaster, Jul 17, 1775 in Massachusetts Sp)y:
Whereas Nahum Houghton being complained of as being an enemy to his Country, by officiating as an unwearied Pedlar of that baneful herb TEA, and otherwise rendering himself odious to the inhabitants of this town, and notwithstanding being warned, he did not appear before the committee that his political principles might be Known. This therfore agreeable to a vote of said Town) is to caution all friends to the Community, to entirely shun his Company, and have no manner of dealings or connections with him, except acts of common humanity.
John Prescott, Chairman.

To this, reply was made in the Spy for September 6, which is given at length as illustrating well the methods of the patriot committees, and some curious customs of the times:
Mr. Thomas, A PIECE having appeared in your paper under the signature of John Prescot, in which I am complained of as an enemy to my country, by officiating as an unwearied pedlar in that baneful herb tea, and otherwise rendering myself odius to the inhabitants of this town; and also for not appearing before the committee to make known my political principles when requested so to do; I beg leave by a plain account of the matter, to let the public see how well their complaints are founded.--I sold tea about a twelve month ago; the people assembled and told me they were dissatisfied with me for selling it, notwithstanding nearly a quarter part of that assembly had bought tea of me. I settled the affair with them that time by agreeing not to seell any more untill there should be an alteration in the towns; nor have I counteracted the resolve of the Continental Congress in buying and selling tea at any time. How I have rendered myself in any other way odious to the inhabitants of this town I know not, and till an instance of that kind is pointed out it cannot be expected that I should make any reply to that complaint. With regard to my not appearing before the committee agreable to their warning, I would observe, that I was warned to appear the verry day on which I had engaged to set out on a journey to take the small pox; when I returned I threw myself in the way of the committee and went before them; they demanded of me satisfaction for my past conduct. I asked them in what particular; they said on account of my not appearing before the committee when ordered. I told them the reason of my not appearing before them was on account of my going to take the small pox &c. Then one of the committee asked the chairman whether I should hear what the others had consented to, meaning those whom they had examined for supposed tories;they put it to vote, and it passed in the negative. Then they gave me leave to make my own declaration, and I wrote what follows:
Gentleman of the Committe, I am called before you this day to make known my political principles, to answer for my past conduct; what you have against me I am not able to say, but as you insist upon something from me I make this declaration viz: I am willing to stand by charter rights and privileges granted us by King William and Queen Mary, and to take up arms in the defence of my country when thought proper, and as for treating the committee ill when I went to have the small pox I had no such design.
Now I appeal to the public whether in justice I ought to be deemed as an enemy to my country, and thus held up to public odium, for conducting as above.
Nahum Houghton
Lancaster, August 28th, 1775."

Sabine: "The committee of Lancaster published him July 17, 1775, as being 'an unwearied pedlar of that baneful herb Tea', and as otherwise odious, and they cautioned 'all friends to the community to entirely shun his company, and have no manner of dealings or connections with him, except acts of common humanity'."

Divided Hearts: Lancaster, remained in the state after the British departed,cited by the town or committee of correspondence as a tory, 1775^{15,16,17,18,19,20}

Marriage

Jan 20, 1777

Concord, Merrimack Co., NH, USA^21,22,6

1790 Census

1790

Crown Point, Clinton Co., NY, USA, MLM, Meritt: Nahum Houghton: 1 male, 16 or over, head of family, 1 male under 16, 5 females (discrepancy in number of children)^23,24,14,25

Death

Aug 29, 1802

Bridport, Addison Co., VT, USA, also Aug 25^26,27

Biography

Nahum Houghton (1732-1802) Frontiersman-Loyalist-American by James A. Baker (gggggreatgrandson through daughter Polly who married David Vantine) Compiled from Census, Court and early records

The story of Nahum Houghton’s life is that of a man who pursued what we call the “American Dream.” He fought to defend his country from the French and Indians while exploring and settling in a new land which later became Vermont. However, he was loyal to the Crown and fought the rebels. Nahum was forced to flee to Canada after the
British defeat but returned with his family to his American land.

EARLY YEARS

Nahum Houghton was born in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts on October 1, 1732. He was one of 13 children of Benjamin Houghton and Ruth Wheelock. The progenitor, John Houghton, had emigrated from England and settled in Lancaster about 1650. For at least 100 years the Indians raided the Lancaster area, destroying the city in 1675 and massacring many. The Houghton family had left, but returned to help rebuild Lancaster which continued to suffer Indian raids. The culmination was the French and Indian War in the mid-1700s.

The Houghton family was prominent in defending the country from the French and their Indian allies. It was feared that the French would advance from Canada, down Lake Champlain, and from the fort at Crown Point in New York invade Massachusetts. Nahum Houghton is listed as responding in 1756 in an 8-month expedition against the French at Crown Point. Also included were many men from Lancaster along with his brothers Ezra, a Lieutenant, Elijah an Ensign, and Philemon, a private like himself. Although the particular expedition in which Nahum participated was not successful, the men of Lancaster along with others from the surrounding areas continued to form companies and fight the French. The result was the eventual victory of the British and Colonists.

Crown Point is situated on an abutment of land into Lake Champlain, controlling the entrance to the southern reaches of the Lake and thus into New York. Across from Crown Point was a country of green rolling hills that was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire. In the early 1760s New Hampshire began granting rights to settle in this land. In 1766 Colonel Doolittle, a veteran of the French and Indian War, along with Nahum Houghton and others from Worcester County came in a company of about 14 men to what is now Shoreham, Vermont. These men built a log cabin and began clearing land. The plan was that all the men would work and live together developing the land and later sharing in the profits. It is known that most stayed for one year, that several got sick and left and that for several years only one remained. A few did acquire property interests including Nahum Houghton.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Nahum was single and living in Lancaster, Massachusetts at the beginning of the Revolution in 1775. An intention to marry had been filed with Deborah Campbell of Rutland, Vermont in January, 1770 in Oxford, Massachusetts, but there is no record of the actual marriage or children. Apparently Nahum was a tea merchant, which was the politically incorrect business at the time. Lancaster was a hot bed of revolutionary spirit against the British. A “Committee of Correspondence” had been formed in that city to raise arms, organize minutemen, and stop the purchase of English goods. The following advertisement appeared in the local newspaper, the Massachusetts Spy, on July 17th, 1775:
     “Whereas Nahum Houghton being complained of as being an enemy to his country, by officiating as an unwearied Pedlar of the baneful herb TEA, and otherwise rendering himself odious to the inhabitants of this Town, and notwithstanding being warned, he did not appear before this Committee that his political principles might be Known, This therefore (agreeable to a vote of said Town) is to caution all friends to the Community, to entirely shun his Company, to have no manner of dealings or connections with him, except acts of common humanity. John Prescott, Chairman.”

The Houghtons, as with other families, were split between those who remained loyal to the Crown and those who joined the Revolution. Cousin Solomon Houghton was a loyalist, fled Lancaster and had his home and estate seized by the rebels. Brother Abijah fought for the Patriots at Lexington and was wounded. Nahum remained loyal to the Crown.

Not being welcome in Lancaster, Nahum Houghton must have gone to the Crown Point-Shoreham area that he knew so well. He had owned property in Bridport, next to Shoreham, where he had first settled in 1766. By deed dated February 13, 1775, Nahum Houghton of Lancaster acquired “all Right Title & Interest” in the original Proprietary grant of property in Bridport to Archibald Campbell. It is believed that this property was then sold to Tarrant Putnam who had never paid the balance owed. In 1776 or 1777 Nahum was with the British troops as they chased the Colonials from Crown Point. He retook possession of his property from Putnam along with the home and deed found in it, displacing Putnam’s family.

The British advanced from Crown Point through Bridport into New Hampshire and New York, General Arnold and the Colonial army having been defeated on Lake Champlain in October, 1776. About this time Nahum must have been near Concord, New Hampshire. For, in July to October 1776 he met and presumably got 20 year old Sarah Hazeltine pregnant. She was the oldest daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Abbot) Hazeltine. Both the Hazeltine and Abbot families were longtime residents of Concord and strong supporters of the Revolution. It must have been a shock to them to find out that Sarah was pregnant by the loyalist Nahum Houghton who was the same age (43) as Sarah’s father. Sarah married Nahum on January 20, 1777 after she had turned 21 on December 24, 1776. Three months later on April 14, 1777 their first child, Sally, was born.

The safest place for a Loyalist was New York, which was under British control during
the Revolution. There, Nahum joined Loyalist volunteers from New Hampshire who were fighting with the British. On October 16, 1777 he is listed on the Muster Roll of a Company of Governor Wentworth’s Volunteers from New Hampshire, commanded by Captain Daniel Murray, at Flushing on Long Island, New York.

After the British defeat, many Loyalists fled to Nova Scotia, Canada. Nahum Houghton is recorded as arriving in Annapolis, Nova Scotia on October 19, 1782 from New York aboard the HMS Amphitrite. He is listed as arriving with one adult female (wife Sarah), and one child under 8 years, which must be Sally. Many Loyalists were given land grants in Canada. No record can be found of Nahum receiving one. He did stay a year or two, as a presumed son, William H., lists his place of birth in 1784 as Canada.

RETURN TO VERMONT

Many loyalists had a hard time making it in Canada, and began returning to the United States. Nahum Houghton is listed in the 1790 Census of Clinton County, New York in Crown Point Town. Other than himself and his wife, Sarah, there is listed 1 male under the age of 16 and 3 additional females. There is an unexplained discrepancy as he is believed to have had 3 sons along with the 3 daughters at the time.

The Shoreham-Bridport area of Vermont across the lake from Crown Point had been pretty much abandoned from 1777 until the residents began returning around 1783, finally organizing the town of Shoreham in 1786. Nahum must have returned because he knew the area and wanted to reclaim his property. However, the property of Tories had been seized, and perhaps realizing that he would have a hard time regaining clear title, “Nahum Houghton of the State of New York” sold his Bridport property to Miller Turner of Connecticut for 40 pounds money on April 24th, 1783.

Some of the Putnam family from whom Nahum had retaken his land was also living in Crown Point. Tarrant Putnam had been petitioning the Vermont legislature for compensation for and return of the property that Nahum had taken. The Vermont Assembly or Council granted him possession of the land as long as he paid the money he owed Houghton for the land to the State instead. Putnam most likely was never able to regain possession of the property, for in 1794 the Council paid him 4 pounds, 12 shillings. It appears that Nahum was able to defeat Putnam’s claim of title by recording on September 6th, 1793 both the 1775 deed from Campbell to himself and then the 1783 deed of sale to Turner.

Nahum did settle once more in Vermont before he passed away on August 29, 1802. He is recorded on the 1796 Shoreham town tax list. Daughter, Polly, who was born on July, 18, 1795, lists her place of birth as Vermont. The youngest daughter, Amela is recorded as being born in Bridport in 1799 and dying there in 1802, two weeks after her father.

In 1798 Sarah Houghton’s father, Joseph Hazeltine, was ill in Concord, New Hampshire. In a will written in April, 1798, Sarah Houghton is named as one of his legatees, along with her mother Elizabeth, brother Ballard and four sisters, Anne Green, Susannah Moore, Betty Noyes and Hannah Stickney. Joseph died within several months and his estate was valued at $2,641 on August 11, 1798. Prior to her father’s death, Sarah must have returned with her girls to New Hampshire and was accepted by her father and family. It was probable that Nahum was having a hard time supporting his family and she sought assistance from the Hazeltines.

That Sarah Houghton spent a great deal of time in Concord and lived out her life in New Hampshire after Nahum’s death is supported by at least two of her daughters being married in Concord. A marriage is recorded between Sally Houghton and Samuel Walker in Concord on March 22, 1798. It is most likely that this marriage is with Nahum’s oldest daughter, Sally, who would have been almost 21. She appears to have followed in her mother’s footsteps by first getting pregnant and later married, as New Hampshire archives record two births from this marriage in July, 1798 in the town of Bow, near Concord. Elizabeth Walker is born on July 22 and Joseph Hazeltine Walker is born on July 24. There were most likely other intervening children because from this marriage, another daughter, Sarah Houghton Walker is born on December 14, 1810 in Concord. There is also a record of Lucinda Houghton marrying Levi Clough on January 24, 1811 in Concord. Lucinda, daughter of Nahum and Sarah, was born on August 28, 1789 and would have been 20. In addition there is a marriage recorded between a Sarah Houghton and Edmund Carleton in Concord, New Hampshire in 1812. It is possible that Sarah, widow of Nahum remarried.


CHILDREN OF NAHUM AND SARAH

It was a practice in early Vermont for each of the residents to record the births of all their children with the Town Clerk. Presumably this record would serve as proof for citizenship purposes. On May 10, 1797 the Town Clerk of Shoreham, Addison County, Vermont received “of Record” a listing of all the children of Naham (misspelled from Nahum) and his wife Sarah, without listing their place of birth or stating whether or not they were then alive. Note that there were two sets of twins listed. The birth of the youngest child, Amela, is recorded later by the town clerk of neighboring Bridport in 1799.

Census and marriage records combined with the above town records support the following as being the family of Nahum and Sarah:

1. Sally, b. 14 Apr. 1777, Mass., N.H. or N.Y., m. 22 Mar. 1798, Concord, New Hampshire to Samuel Walker. There is no doubt that she is the daughter of Nahum Houghton and Sarah Hazelton because her twins born in 1798 are named after her grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth Hazelton.

2. Nahum, b. Apr. 10, 1783, (note there is a Nahum Houghton who marries a Dinah Rogers in Maine in 1812, whose line cannot be connected to any other Houghton, but is about the right age: 78 in the 1860 Census. But, his place of birth is listed as Mass. when it should be New York or Canada to be the correct Nahum.

3. Sophia, b. 10 Apr. 1783, listed as a twin to Nahum above. No subsequent record of her has yet been found.

4. William H. Houghton, b. 12 Nov. 1784, Canada, m. circa 1815 to Anne Pike Luther (widow of an unknown Luther).

In the Census’s of 1820 through 1850 a William Houghton is enumerated in Chazy, Clinton Co., New York. His age in 1850 is 65 and place of birth      is Canada which is consistent with his being the son of Nahum. Even more circumstantially consistent is the mention in his will, written in 1827, of the pew he shares in Church with David Vantine, who had married his sister Polly Houghton in 1817. In the Will he names one minor child, William H. Most of his estate, however, is left to his wife, Anne and to her son, Zebulon Pike Montgomery Luther. Of interest is that at the time of the will he was being tried for murder and so perhaps feared he may be executed. However, he had a renowned defense team and it is recorded that he was acquitted in what at the time was a famous trial.

5. Elizabeth Houghton, b. 23 Feb. 1786 (no other record yet found, although the 1790 Census would support a female her age alive).

6. Peter Hazleton Houghton, b. 9 Jan. 1788, New York, m. 24 Mar. 1818 in Bridport, Vermont to Electa Smith.
He was named after his mother’s brother, Peter Hazleton, who drowned at age 17 in 1779. Peter Houghton is found in the 1820 through 1850 Census in Bridport, Addison Co, Vermont. His age in 1850 is listed as 62 and place of birth as New York. No other Peters can be found with the same date and place of birth that is consistent with Nahum’s son. He was probably born in Crown Point while Nahum was waiting to return to Vermont.

7. Lucinda Houghton, b. 28 Aug. 1789, New York, m. 24 Jan. 1811, Concord, New Hampshire to Levi Clough.

8. Susanna Houghton, b 7 Jun. 1793, New York, m. 30 Dec. 1818 to John Burwell (b. 1792) as recorded in the town records of Bridport, Vermont. In 1820, John Burwell and family are recorded in the Census as living near Peter Houghton in Bridport, Vermont. She died 25 Mar. 1872 and is buried in Crown Point, New York. Known children are Ira Doty Burwell (b. 21 Nov. 1820) and Betsy Hayward Burwell (b. 9 Nov. 1822).

9. Rosanna Houghton, b. 7 Jun. 1793, as a twin to Susannah. No subsequent record of her marriage or death has been found.

10. Polly Houghton, b. 18 Jul. 1795 , m. 31 Dec. 1817 to David Vantine of Chazy, Clinton Co., New York.

Cobb and Vantine family records do not name her parents, but do list her date of birth, which identifies her as the daughter of Nahum and Sarah. Polly and David Vantine’s daughter, Charlotte Adelia Vantine (b. 22 Sep. 1827), married (7 Jan. 1850) Samuel Otis Weeks of Wisconsin. Their daughter, Irene Keziah Weeks (b. 3 Jan 1850), married (25 Nov. 1880) Leonard Cobb. Leonard Cobb’s son, Milo (b. 1890 was the grandfather to the researcher of this report, James Baker. Milo used to say that when he was a baby his “toes were tickled by royalty.” There may actually be some truth to this, as Lady Amy Eliza Parker (b. 1864, m. 1895), wife of Sir Gilbert Parker a famous Canadian and English novelist, was the daughter of Ashley Vantine (b1822). Ashley Vantine was the brother of Milo’s grandmother, Charlotte Vantine Weeks. Lady Parker would thus be a first cousin once removed to Milo.

Another story of interest was that there was the “Secret of the Vantines” which was related to Aunt Harriett Cobb Phillips by her grandmother Irene Keziah Weeks Cobb. The secret was that Charlotte Vantine and her brother Lester both committed suicide. Lester was found hanged in a barn.

11. Amela Houghton, b. 9 Mar. 1799, Bridport, Vermont, deceased 15 Sep. 1802. She is recorded in the Town Records of Bridport for her birth and death as the daughter of Nahum and Sarah.¹⁴

Research

2nd cousins; both Loyalists

Duplicate

Notable

a Revol. War Loyalist

Research

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #135.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 282.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #390, 50.
[S245] Susan Holt MacIntire and Sanford Stowell Witherell, Shoreham VT Early Families, p. 120.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 50.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S178] Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, p. 60, 77.
[S579] Abbie M. Hemenway, VT Historical Gazetter Index, p. 467.
[S725] VT 1771 Census, p. 45.
[S415] E-mail from David Baker, Oct 25, 2020.
[S178] Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, p. 201.
[S224] Henry S. Nourse, Harvard Hx - Nourse, p. 201-202.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 50, 52.
[S929] Lorenzo Sabine, Loyalists Biog. Sketches, p. 532.
[S1199] Sabine, Loyalists of the American Revolution II, p. 532.
[S1211] David E. Maas, Divided Hearts, Massachusetts Loyalists, 1765-1790.
[S601] Family Group Sheet, from Eleanor R. Wesson, 10/1998.
[S795] "New Hampshire Genealogical Record", 6 [1909]: 51.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 50.
[S1195] Lemuel Houghton, Jan 20, 1949 unknown repository, p. 3.
[S1220] 1790 U.S. Federal Census , Crown Point Town, Clinton Co., NY, p. 56.
[S1271] Unknown compiler, Bridport VT VRs, p. 60.
[S1074] Town Records: Bridport, VT, Vol. 2, p. 257; VT Division of Records, Middlesex, VT, F-30270, VT VRs 1770-1870.

Ruth Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

F, #1735, b. 3 April 1734

Family: Jonathan Fairbank Jr

Marriage Bann: Ruth Houghton and Jonathan Fairbank Jr declared their intentions of marriage on Jan 11, 1755 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA; both of Lancaster.^5,7
Marriage*: Ruth Houghton married Jonathan Fairbank Jr on Feb 3, 1755 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^10,8,11,7,9

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Apr 3, 1734

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^6,2,3,7,8,9

Origin

circa 1755

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA⁵

Marriage

Feb 3, 1755

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^10,8,11,7,9

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #136.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #391.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 23.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S28] DAR Lineage Book, Vol. 80.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 303.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 85.
[S537] Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633-1897, p. 113.

Lemuel Houghton^1,2,3,4,5,6

M, #1736, b. 25 September 1735, d. between 1810 and 1811

Family: Dinah Osgood

Marriage Bann: Lemuel Houghton and Dinah Osgood declared their intentions of marriage on Apr 20, 1758 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^33,11
Marriage*: Lemuel Houghton married Dinah Osgood on May 1, 1758 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^13,14,6,15

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Sep 25, 1735

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^7,3,4,8,9,10

Occupation

a farmer

Milit-Beg

1757

a muster of a company of foot commanded by Nathaniel Sawyer "that marched on late alarm of Ft. William Henry, as far as Springfield...as did brother Benjamin."^11,12

Research

1757

Marriage

May 1, 1758

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^13,14,6,15

Immigration

1760

Westminster, MA, USA, Heywood, MLM: In 1766, they located in that part of the Governor's farm now comprising the present village of South Westminster, which he purchased from his brother Ezra.^11,6

Church

Dec 4, 1768

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, "Chh. voted to Dismiss & recommend to the Chh of Christ in Westminster,^16,6 "

Note

Mar 1, 1773

Westminster, MA, USA, Heywood: is noted as one of the "modelators of the tune on Lords Days in times of Divine Service", a member of the choir.

Benjamin D. Merritt: "Lemuel Houghton was active in the affairs of the church in Westminster, and he figures in the first action taken by the town on the subject of sacred music, on March 1, 1773, when the town
Voted and chose Thomas Brigden esq. and messirs Lemuel Houghton...as moderators of the Tune on Lords days in times of Divine Services.

The article in the warrant under which these men were appointed provided for the appointment of "a place for them to set in," and the Selectman were instructed "to make an alteration in the Front gallery on the wimmen's side," in order to meet the implied necessity. Again, on Mar 2, 1778, the town

Voted that thanks be returned to Mr. Houghton for his Service in Tuning the psalm on Lords Days...^17,18

Mil. Enls

Apr 19, 1775

Lemuel Houghton, Westminster, Private in Capt. Noah Miles's Co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775 to Cambridge, and Joined Co. John Whitcomb's regiment; service, 9 and 1/2 days.¹⁹

Research

Benjamin D. Meritt: His research disputes the statement in J. W. Houghton that Lemuel "seems to have gone from Westminster to Ludlow, VT, where he was living in l817, beyond which date nothing has been learned of him or of his family, etc.". "Lemuel with some at least of his children moved to Worcester in Otsego County, New York; he died there before June 7, 1812 -- probably after 1810-- and did not, so far as we know, ever go to Vermont. The facts must be set forth here, in order to show the connection between the Houghton and Tayntor families."^20,21,22

1790 Census

1790

Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., NY, USA, Lemuel Hoten: 2 males 16+; 2 males under 16; 3 females.
B. Meritt: "But this was before the formation of Otsego County and Worcester Township, and the association of names before and after lemuel Hoten in the census of 1790 shows that in fact he was living in Worcester in that year, whither, as we believe, he had come directly from Westminister in Massachusetts during the preceding year. His family consisted of himself, a son of 16 years or older, two sons under 16, his wife, and two daughters. As the family reveals itself in successive census records it appears that the older boy was born probably more than a scant 16 years before 1790 and that he cannot have been Elijah5, because Elijah5 was already married and had children before 1790."..." We tentatively suggest that the older boy in Lemuel's family in Worcester in 1790 was born about 1771. The two girls were Dinah5 and Olive5 (bis); one of the younger sons was Lemuel5, and the other younger boy was probably Luke5 Houghton, who appears separately in the census of 1800..."²³

1800 Census

1800

Worcester, Otsego, NY, USA, 00101-00001: 1 male 16-26; 1 male 45+; 1 female 45+^24,25

1810 Census

1810

Worcester, Otsego Co., NY, USA, 9 Total: 11011-12011; 1 male <10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 1 male 45+//1 female <10, 2 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 45+²⁶

Death

between 1810 and 1811

Worcester, Otsego Co., NY, USA, Wife a widow in 1812.^27,28

Biography

JWH: "m. 5,1,1758, Dinah Osgood, and lived a few years in the 2d precinct of Lancaster, now Sterling. They were admitted to the church there April 13, 1760, and dismissed to the church in Westminster, whence they had previously removed Jan. 8, 1766. They came here probably in 1760 and located on that part of the Governor's farm comprising the present village of South Westminster, which he had purchased of his brother Ezra. In March, 1761, a road was laid out beginning at Miles Corners and running past 'the westerly corner of Lemuel Houghton's house and by Reuben's house to the road that goeth from Reuben Miles' house to the meeting house.' Mr. Houghton remained in town nearly thirty years, selling his farm, Feb. 26, 1789, to Rev. Mr. Rice, who in turn sold it to Elias Holden, Nov. 9, 1802. He seems to have gone from Westminster to Ludlow, Vt., where he was living in 1817, beyond which date nothing has been learned of him or his family. Of his personal qualities little is known. He was not prominent in public affairs, though chosen collector in 1780, but had some musical ability, having been appointed to 'tune the psalm,' for which service he received in due form a 'vote of thanks,' and possibly at times some more substantial consideration. There is no record of the birth of any children in Westminster, though it is reasonable to suppose there were such. The names of only two have been disclosed and they were found in the diary of the first minister of the second precinct of Lancaster, Rev. John Mellen, as follows: Olive, baptized April 13, 1760; Elijah, baptized June 8, 1760." (CJV: JWH may have used Heywood's Westminster MA Hx for information about Lemuel moving to VT).

MLM: suspected of being a Royalist (CJV: error)^29,30

Research

This parentage is only in MLM

Error

Benjamin Meritt gives Houghton Osgood as son of Lemuel Houghton, son of Benjamin Houghton, Jr, stating that Heywood, in his History of Westminster is in error when he calls him Houghton Osgood, instead of Osgood Houghton.^31,32

Descendant

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #137.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 85, 88, 284, 376.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #392, 50.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 712.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 304, 320.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 50.
[S178] Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, p. 60.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 88.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 50.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 320.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 378.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 282.
[S1195] Lemuel Houghton, Jan 20, 1949 unknown repository, p. 4.
[S39] Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, V. 8, p. 305.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312.
[S415] E-mail from Harriett Houghton Guldahl, Jan. 20, 2000.
[S1195] Lemuel Houghton, Jan 20, 1949 unknown repository, p. 5-6.
[S1220] 1790 U.S. Federal Census , Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., NY, p. 2.
[S1221] 1800 U.S. Federal Census , Worcester, Otsego Co, NY, p. 44/41/664.
[S867] Phillip McMullin, NY in 1800, p. 118.
[S1222] 1810 U.S. Federal Census , Worcester, Otsego, New York; Roll: 34; Page: 249.
[S1195] Lemuel Houghton, Jan 20, 1949 unknown repository, p. 5.
[S36] Letter, from Harriett Houghton Guldahl, Jan 24, 2003.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312-313.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 52.
[S1195] Lemuel Houghton, Jan 20, 1949 unknown repository, p. 6.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 640.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 85.

Deacon Benjamin Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

M, #1737, b. 10 May 1740, d. 31 July 1802

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

May 10, 1740

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^6,2,3,7,8,9

Research

Aug 1, 1757

JWH alone gives this marriage;^10,11

Note

1758

Westminster, MA, USA, JWH, Cutter: 'He, with his younger brother, Benjamin, assisted in laying out the highways in 1758.^12,3,13'

Note

Aug 6, 1795

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, was on a committee to survey the town in order to make an accurate plan of the town⁵

1800 Census

1800

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, a Benjamin Houghton: 31011-11011; (10 total) 3 male 1-9, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 1 male 45+; 1 female 1-9, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 45+¹⁴

Death

Jul 31, 1802

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, age 63; JWH: circa 1757^10,15

Biography

JWH: "m. 8, 1, 1757, Priscilla Wilder. He died very soon. His widow m. 2nd Seth Remington, who bought most of his father's landed property in Westminister and probably resided on it awhile, but became afterward a prominent man in Lancaster. He was a loyalist at the breaking out of the Revolution and his large estate was confiscated therefore and he himself compelled to flee the country." [CJV: only JWH gives this opinion about his being a loyalist]

Nourse: p. 182, 354: Died at 63, of dropsy in the head

Nourse: p. 373 Capt. Benjamin Houghton, Deacon of First Church

Note: above paragraph indicates he was alternate benjamin, not deacon

Nourse, Annals, p. 155: Capt. Benjamin H. in 3/21/1778; p. 173, 186, 206, 221, Deacon Benjamin H; p. 247, 8/12/1786, Deacon Benjamin^10,16

Administr

1803

Bolton, Worcester Co., MA, USA, W.P. Case # 30914¹⁷

Research

MLM erroneously gives this marriage⁸

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #138.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #393.
[S595] Rev. Abijah P. Marvin, Lancaster Hx - Marvin, p. 366.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 47.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31, 35 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 304.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 313.
[S1195] Lemuel Houghton, Jan 20, 1949 unknown repository, p. 3.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312.
[S917] William Sweetzer Heywood, Westminster MA History, p. 712.
[S1221] 1800 U.S. Federal Census , Lancaster, Worcester Co, MA, p. 349 and 353.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 182, 354.
[S178] Nourse, Military Annals of Lancaster, p. 155, etc.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester Co., MA.

Elisabeth Houghton^1,2,3,4,5

F, #1738, b. 24 October 1743

Family: William Brown

Marriage Bann: Elisabeth Houghton and William Brown declared their intentions of marriage on Aug 14, 1763 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.¹⁴
Marriage*: Elisabeth Houghton married William Brown on Oct 20, 1763 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.¹²

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

Oct 24, 1743

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^{6,7,3,4,8,9,10}

Origin

circa 1763

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹¹

Marriage

Oct 20, 1763

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA¹²

Research

MLM gives marriage to Thomas Tucker, but this Elizabeth's age (18 years older) seems improbable.⁹

Biography

Lancaster VRs:'Elisabeth, Daughter of Benjamin Houghton Junr. being the first Child that was baptized in the new meeting House.¹³'

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 314 #140.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19, 37, 98, 292.
[S117] Burr & Gage, "John Houghton of Lancaster, Mass." , pp. 392-400, p. 400.
[S166] Cutter, New England Families II, p. 963.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22 #395.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 314.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 69.
[S200] Smith, Report to Houghton Association, p. 31 (Francis Walter Houghton's Genealogy).
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 304.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 37.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 98.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 19, 292.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 37.

John Fairbank^1,2

M, #1739, b. 4 May 1731

Family: Relief Houghton

Marriage Bann: John Fairbank and Relief Houghton declared their intentions of marriage on May 8, 1751 Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^2,12
Marriage*: John Fairbank married Relief Houghton, daughter of Benjamin Houghton Jr and Ruth Wheelock, on Jul 10, 1751 at Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA.^6,7,8

Biography

Corresponded with author

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Birth

May 4, 1731

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, Athol also^3,4,5

Marriage

Jul 10, 1751

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^6,7,8

Immigration

after 1757

Athol, Worcester Co., MA, USA⁷

Communion

Aug 15, 1759

Athol, Worcester Co., MA, USA, dismissed and recommended to the church in Pequog (Athol)³

Milit-Beg

1776

^9,10,3,11

Biography

son of Thomas and Dorothy; m2 Mrs. Tabitha White, Dec. 15, 1796⁵

Research

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 312 #131s.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 33.
[S449] Esther K. Whitcomb and Dorothy O. Mayo, Bolton Soldiers and Sailors in the American Revolution, p. 21.
[S537] Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633-1897, p. 113.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 51.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 391.
[S537] Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633-1897, p. 113.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 22, 48.
[S35] DAR Patriot Index I, III, p. 362.
[S35] DAR Patriot Index I, I, p. 227.
[S39] Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, Vol. 5, p. 464.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 48.

Elijah Houghton Jr^1,2,3,4

M, #1740, b. 11 January 1767, d. 18 August 1833

Family: Ruth Walker

Marriage Bann: Elijah Houghton Jr and Ruth Walker declared their intentions of marriage on Sep 21, 1792 Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, USA.²³
Marriage*: Elijah Houghton Jr married Ruth Walker on Nov 29, 1792 at Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, USA, Watertown & Lancaster VR: Elijah Houghton and Ruthy.^10,3,9,11

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project

Corresponded with author

Birth

Jan 11, 1767

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA^5,6,7,8

Origin

circa 1792

Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, USA⁹

Marriage

Nov 29, 1792

Watertown, Middlesex Co., MA, USA, Watertown & Lancaster VR: Elijah Houghton and Ruthy^10,3,9,11

Church

1796

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, certificate from Sterling¹²

1800 Census

1800

Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, USA, 20011-10011 (7 Total); 2 male 1-9, 1 male 26-44, 1 male 45+; 1 female 1-9, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 45+¹³

1810 Census

1810

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, 8 Total: 1 male 16-25, 1 male 26-44//3 female <10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 45+¹⁴

Communion

Mar 25, 1810

Sterling, MA, USA¹⁵

1830 Census

1830

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, 4 Total: 1 male 60 to 70 (1761-1770)// 2 female 20 to 30 (1801-1810), 1 female 50 to 60 (1771-1780)^16,17

Will

1833

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, W.P. Case # 30959^18,15

Death

Aug 18, 1833

Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, J.W. Houghton: 1837 only; Whitcomb: 1833; burial in same plot as son Elijah; in C. C., Aug 24, 1833, age 66, Capt. Elijah Houghton^5,19,20,21

Burial

Chocksett Burial Ground Cemetery, Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, USA, ae 60 Section W¹⁹

Research

JWH confuses these two Elijahs: he gives the children of Elijah Houghton and Sarah Ballard (Lucy, Sally, Richard W., Lewis G) as children of Capt. Elijah Houghton and Mary Allen. These children are not listed in Lancaster VR for latter, and are obviously (given JWH dates) the same as the latter's children²²

Pedigree

Citations

[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 333 #328.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 122, 387.
[S46] Boston Transcript, Jan 20, 1940 - 9711.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 49 #1126, 91.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 333.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 107.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 49, 91.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 319, 326.
[S884] Watertown MA Records III, fourth book, p. 182.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 123.
[S747] Rev. Frederick Lewis Weis Lancaster MA Early Families II- Weis, p. 326.
[S11] Lancaster MA VRs, p. 333.
[S1221] 1800 U.S. Federal Census , Lancaster, Worcester Co, MA, p. 349.
[S1222] 1810 U.S. Federal Census , Sterling, Worcester, Massachusetts; Roll: 22; Page: 697.
[S814] Marshall L. McClanahan, Houghton, John & Beatrix - MLM;, M, p. 91.
[S235] U.S. Census, 1830 US Census, Sterling, Worcester Co., MA, Box 68, p. 55.
[S1224] 1830 U.S. Federal Census , Sterling, Worcester, Massachusetts; Roll: 68; Page: 55.
[S409] Probate Records , Worcester, MA.
[S75] Whitcomb, Nashaway Burial Grounds, p. 154.
[S451] Sterling MA VRs, p. 120.
[S1494] American Antiquarian Society, ndex of Deaths in Mass. Centinel & Columbian Cent.
[S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 360.
[S884] Watertown MA Records III, p. 225.