The Houghton Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

The family of Houghton is of very ancient origin in England, and the name, which was originally De Hocton, is supposed to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word, Hocton or Hoctune, signifying “Hightown,” or “High place,” and was taken from one of the manors of the family in Lancashire, England, which was remarkable for its lofty situation. The first to assume the name of this manor was Willus De Hocton, or as sometimes written, Willus Dominus De Hocton. This was in the year 1140, very shortly after surnames were first introduced. A son or grandson changed the spelling to De Hoghton and about the middle of the seventeenth century we find the “u” introduced.

Among the Norman barons who came over to England with William the Conqueror was one named Herverus, and after the battle of Hastings, lands were apportioned him in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lancashire. In the time of Hamo, the grandson of this Herverus the Manor of Hocton came into the possession of the family, and it was Hamo’s son, Willus or William, who first assumed the name of De Hocton. The family continued to be a distinguished one, taking an active part in many stirring historical episodes and holding offices and titles of conspicuous distinction. In the eighteenth generation from Herverus, the Norman progenitor, Thomas Hoghton built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth Hoghton Tower from the stone of a quarry in the hill on which the tower stands. This is one of the most splendid specimens of the Tudor architecture that is extant, and it was here that James I. was entertained by Sir Richard Houghton in 1617 with a lavishness that impoverished the house for many years. Sir Richard had, upon the institution of the order six years earlier, been made a baronet, ranking second in sequence of creation. A long list of Houghtons after his time sat in parliament for county Lancaster.

(I) Ralph Houghton

Ralph Houghton, the American progenitor of the family, was born in Lancaster, England, in 1623, died in Milton, Massachusetts, April 15, 1705. He was a man of much larger property than was common among the colonists of the time, and the tradition is that he was the younger son of Sir Richard Houghton, who in the parliamentary wars was a zealous adherent of the King. According to the story, Ralph became a Puritan and took a prominent part in Cromwell’s forces, actually leading on one occasion the assault of the Roundheads upon his ancestral home. For this treason his name was dropped from the rolls of the family. He, thereupon, came to this country, probably about the year 1647, and with several others bought of the Indians a tract of land and organized the town of Lancaster. This place was repeatedly the scene of savage Indian attacks until the death of King Philip. Ralph Houghton took a leading part in all the activities of the newly organized town, and was a man of unusual ability and force. He married Jane Stowe, born in England, in 1626, died in Milton, January 10, 1700.

Children of Ralph and Jane (Stowe) Houghton

1. Ralph Houghton. Born probably in 1648.
2. James Houghton. Of whom further.
3. Mary Houghton. Born April 11, 1653, died in Charlestown, October 8, 1679; married, January 20, 1675, William Bently, of Harvard, Massachusetts. Children, triplets:
   1. William Bently.
   2. Henry Bently.
   3. Hannah Bently.
4. John Houghton. Born February 28, 1655, died October 1, 1679, at Charlestown, Massachusetts.
5. Joseph Houghton. Born May 1, 1657, died March 22, 1737; married (first) 1693, Jane Vose, (second) Margaret Redding.
6. Experience Houghton. Born August 1, 1659, in Lancaster; married, as second wife, May 12, 1684, Ezra Clapp, of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
7. Sarah Houghton. Born December 17, 1661; married, December 28, 1687, Caleb Sawyer. Child:
   1. Beulah Sawyer. Born in 1699.
8. Abigail Houghton. Born May 15, 1664; married, May 14, 1688, John Hudson. Child:
   1. John Hudson. Born in 1690.
9. Hannah Houghton. Born October 16, 1667, died October 8, 1679.

(II) James Houghton

James, son of Ralph and Jane (Stowe) Houghton, was born in 1651, probably in Charlestown, or Woburn, Massachusetts, died in 1711. In 1697 he moved to that part of Lancaster now called Harvard, and with his brother-in-law, Caleb Sawyer, built a homestead or garrison house on the land given him by his father near Still River, which house is still in the possession of his descendants. This is for many reasons one of the most interesting historical houses in that part of the state. He married Mary, born in Lancaster, February 14, 1653, presumably the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Prescott) Sawyer.

Children of James and Mary (Sawyer) Houghton

1. James Houghton. Born in 1690; married Sarah Sawyer.
2. Ralph Houghton. Date of birth not known.
3. John Houghton. Born in 1697-98; married, November 18, 1718, Mehitabel Wilson.
4. Ephraim Houghton. Of whom further.
5. Edward Houghton. Born in 1705, died March 17, 1777; married, November 16, 1727, Abigail Coye.
6. Hannah Houghton. Married T. Sabin.
7. Experience Houghton. Married William Houghton.

(III) Ephraim Houghton

Ephraim, son of James and Mary (Sawyer) Houghton, married, December 10, 1725, Hannah Sawyer.

Children of Ephraim and Hannah (Sawyer) Houghton

1. Ephraim Houghton. Born December 1, 1727.
2. Joseph Houghton. Born October 12, 1731.
3. Elisha Houghton. Of whom further.

(IV) Elisha Houghton

Elisha, son of Ephraim and Hannah (Sawyer) Houghton, was born July 20, 1746. He resided at Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Children of Elisha Houghton

1. Maria Houghton. Born 1777.
2. Moses Houghton. Of whom further.
3. Aaron Houghton. Twin of Moses, born March 22, 1781, died November 24, 1842; married, September 13, 1804, Martha Eaton.

(V) Moses Houghton

Moses, son of Elisha Houghton, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, March 22, 1781, died at Lock’s Mills, in the town of Greenwood, Maine, sometimes called Woodstock, October 31, 1847. He married, in 1802, Martha Haskell or Gaskell, born February 15, 1780, died April 14, 1823.

Children of Moses and Martha (Haskell or Gaskell) Houghton

1. Richard Houghton. Born in Acton, Massachusetts, June 9, 1804; married Lucinda Barrows, of Hebron, Maine; occupation, cooper and gunsmith; died at Mechanic’s Falls, Maine.
2. Martha Houghton. Born September 4, 1805; married Nathaniel Knight, of Paris, Maine.
3. Samuel Houghton. Born September 5, 1807, died April 9, 1809.
4. Samuel H. Houghton. Born July 20, 1809; married Betsey Tuell.
5. Elijah Houghton. Born May 15, 1811, died July 30, 1830.
6. Maria Houghton. Born in Norway, Maine, April 6, 1813; married Gillman Tuell, of South Paris, Maine.
7. Sally Houghton. Born in Norway, Maine, March 1, 1815; married James Dunham.
8. Ruth Houghton. Born February 22, 1817; married Horatio Russ.
9. Susan Houghton. Born February 22, 1819; married (first) Henry Russ, (second) a Mr. Tuell.
10. Moses Houghton. Of whom further.
11. Aaron Houghton. Born March 25, 1823; married Martha Farris, of Paris, Maine; died in Augusta, Maine.

(VI) Moses (2) Houghton

Moses (2), son of Moses (1) and Martha (Haskell or Gaskell) Houghton, was born in Waterford, Maine, October 21, 1820. He lived for many years in Greenwood, Maine. He moved from there to West Paris, Maine, and then to Norway, where he died in 1877. He married, in 1840, Lucy Ann Smith.

Children of Moses (2) and Lucy Ann (Smith) Houghton

1. Charles Remington Houghton. Born October 17, 1841, died November 7, 1907; married (first) March 15, 1868, Mary H. Bolster, died November 27, 1881. Children:
   1. Jennie Mary Houghton. Born November 11, 1869, married Harry Cole.
   2. Bessie Anna Houghton. Born November 14, 1874, died April 21, 1883.
   3. Charles Frederick Houghton. Born 1878, died November 25, 1881.

   He married (second) Sylvia Fogg, of Hartford, Maine. Child:

   1. Alice Bessie Houghton. Born February 2, 1886.
2. Mary Ellen Houghton. Born January 27, 1844; married, in 1866, George W. Bryant.
3. Rev. Moses Henry Houghton. Of whom further.
4. Hannibal Hamlin Houghton. Born February 16, 1848; married Laura A. Willis. Children:
   1. Winifred Laura Houghton. Born January 11, 1881, died in December, 1888.
   2. Izah Lucinda Houghton. Born April 29, 1872.
   3. Nellie Agnes Houghton. Born September 14, 1874.
   4. Frederick Mason Houghton. Died 1896.
   5. Nina Hortense Houghton.
5. Etta J. Houghton. Born January 17, 1854; married George A. Brooks, died in Norway, Maine.
6. Rev. Frederick Mason Houghton. Born October 20, 1855, at Bethel, Maine, died at Deering, Maine, December 30, 1898; he graduated at Tufts College and Divinity School; he married Alice Josephine Buckman, born February 9, 1855. Children:
   1. Louise Etta Houghton. Born May 6, 1888.
   2. Charles Frederick Houghton.
7. Lucy Emma Houghton. Born May 28, 1858, in Bethel, Maine; married, June 20, 1889, J. Clinton Harris, born March 25, 1862. Children:
   1. Ersel Dawn Harris. Born December 19, 1890, graduate of Brookline high school, June 1910.
   2. Carmen Harris. Born August 16, 1895, and now (1912) a senior in the Brookline high school.
8. Nina Hortense Houghton. Born September 14, 1861, at Lock’s Mills, Maine, died November 12, 1904; married, May 12, 1904, Hudson Knight.

(VII) Rev. Moses Henry Houghton

Rev. Moses Henry Houghton, son of Moses (2) and Lucy Ann (Smith) Houghton, was born at Locks Mills, Oxford county, Maine, March 17, 1846, died in May, 1910. His early education was acquired at the Academy at Norway, Maine, going from there to the Harvard Divinity School, from which he was graduated in 1873. He entered the ministry at Bath, Maine, taking the pastorate of the First Universalist Church. His charge, which lasted for three years, marked a period of great prosperity for the church, a handsome parsonage being erected during the time at a cost of $3,000. He then organized the Universalist church of Grand Haven, Michigan, and was its pastor two years. He was also pastor of the Universalist church of Hyannis, Massachusetts, for three years, and of that of New Haven, Connecticut, for six years. His health becoming impaired he went west and served as pastor at Storm Lake, Iowa, for three years, and at Dubuque, Iowa, for two years. He was pastor of the church at Titusville, Pennsylvania, for two years. For eight years he was pastor of the Universalist church in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and during this time a beautiful church was erected and equipped with a pipe organ at a cost of $25,000. Owing to failing health he retired from the ministry, and was for eight years collector in the United States internal revenue department. He then returned to the ministry and was pastor of the Springville, New York, congregation, his last ministerial work. He was an eloquent pulpit orator, and a man whose blameless life attracted many to the cause he championed. “Possessing a sunny disposition, a sympathetic heart and a strong intellect, he made a marked impression wherever he labored, and was one of the most popular pulpit orators of the day”.

He married (first) January 1, 1865, Agnes Abbott. He married (second) Ida, daughter of Woodbury Langdon and Julia (Estes) Martin (see Martin IX), now a resident of Bradford, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the church whose service claimed the best years of her husband’s life, also belonging to the Ladies’ Literary Club, of Bradford, of which she was president, and for five years was one of the vice-presidents of the State Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Child of Rev. Moses Henry Houghton and Agnes Abbott

1. Clifton Elwell Houghton. Born October 12, 1868, now living in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The Martin Line

The name Martin is not only of frequent occurrence in the old world, but became common in America from an early period, being found in the early lists of settlers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Virginia and other colonies. The name is variously spelled even in the records of the same family as: Martin, Marten, Marttin, Marteen, Martain, Martine and Martyn. As it is common to all countries there is nothing in the name to determine the nationality of the family bearing it. It is found in England as early as the Conquest and was the surname of the Lords of Cemmes for seven generations. In America the name is a respected one and has been borne by men and women who have been good and useful members of society, acting well their part in the sphere in which they were placed.

(I) Richard Martin

Richard Martin, the progenitor of the family in this country, married (first) February 1, 1654, Sarah Tuttle (see Tuttle), born 1633, died 1666.

Children of Richard and Sarah (Tuttle) Martin

1. Mary Martin. Born June 7, 1655.
2. Sarah Martin. Born July 2, 1657, married John Cutt.
3. Richard Martin. Of whom further.
4. Elizabeth Martin. Born 1662.
5. Hannah Martin. Born 1664, married Richard Jose, a sheriff; they had six children, names not given.
6. Michael Martin. Born in 1666.

Richard Martin married (second) Martha, widow of John Dunnison; (third) Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Sherbourne; and (fourth) Mary Denning, widow of Samuel Wentworth.

(II) Richard (2) Martin

Richard (2), son of Richard (1) Martin, was born in 1659, and graduated from Harvard College in 1680. He was a school teacher and preacher, but was never ordained. He preached at Wells, Maine.

The records of the three succeeding generations (III), (IV), and (V) are lost so that the names cannot be given. The dates are 1684, 1709, 1734.

(VI) Richard (3) Martin

Richard (3), the great-great-grandson of Richard (2) Martin, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1756, died at Guilford, New Hampshire, October 17, 1824. During his early years he had some opportunities for obtaining an academic education, serving later an apprenticeship to the rope-making trade. When he arrived at the age of twenty-one the revolutionary war was in progress and Burgoyne had landed in the north, and, relying on the skill and valor of his well-trained troops, had boasted that they would sweep through the whole land, vanquishing everything that opposed. Young Martin, with others in Portsmouth and the vicinity, enlisted in the service of his country. He was at Saratoga on that day, October 17, 1777, when the haughty British general, Burgoyne, surrendered his whole army of 5,752 men as prisoners of war to the American commander, General Gates. Richard Martin after serving his term of enlistment returned to Portsmouth. November 29, 1778, he married Hannah Faxon. He died at the age of sixty-eight years, his widow living until November 11, 1834. He was buried in Guilford and the following is the inscription on the marble at the head of his grave:

Eld. Richard Martin
died Oct. 17, 1824.
aged 68.

That death might be easy and quick
In life was my fervent request;
I died, and without being sick
Escaped to and welcomed this rest.

Children of Richard and Hannah (Faxon) Martin

1. Hannah Martin. Married a Mr. Langley.
2. Christopher Martin.
3. Betsy Martin. Married a Mr. Blaisdell.
4. Thankful Martin. Married a Mr. Jackson.
5. Richard Martin Jr. Died May 15, 1869.
6. John Langdon Martin. Of whom further.

(VII) John Langdon Martin

John Langdon, son of Richard (3) Martin, was born in New Hampshire, 1782, died September 16, 1856. He was well educated, read medicine and became a well-known and popular practicing physician of Jefferson, New Hampshire. He died in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and is buried in Guilford, New Hampshire. He married (first) Sarah Marston, born in 1790, died in 1866, in Jefferson, New Hampshire.

Children of John Langdon and Sarah (Marston) Martin

1. Serena Martin. Born January 17, 1812, married, in 1831, Aaron Potter, a farmer of Jefferson. They had nine children:
   1. Elizabeth Potter.
   2. Mary Potter.
   3. George Potter.
   4. John Henry Potter.
   5. Serena (2) Potter.
   6. Annette Potter.
   7. John Langdon Potter.
   8. Two children. Died in infancy; names not given.
2. Sylvester Martin. Born in Jefferson, New Hampshire, August 20, 1817, married, January 9, 1842, Euphemia Stillings. Their only son:
   1. Albert Martin. Succeeded his father as a farmer of Jefferson.
3. Woodbury Langdon Martin. Of whom further.
4. Willis B. Martin. Born June 3, 1828, in Hartford, Massachusetts, married Ledora Smith, and both are buried in the same cemetery in East Hampton, Massachusetts. Children:
   1. Adella Martin. Born 1853, died 1854.
   2. Fred Pierce Martin. Born in 1855, living in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
   3. Lizzie Jane Martin. Born in 1857, deceased.
   4. Mary Ella Martin. Born in 1863, living in Hartford, Connecticut, unmarried.
   5. Frank Irvine Martin. Born 1867, living in Northampton, Massachusetts, married Jessie Rush. Children:
      1. Glen Martin. Deceased.
      2. Prudence Martin.
      3. Priscilla Martin.
   6. Alice Belle Martin. Born 1871, married Edward Putnam, a manufacturer, residing in Hartford, Connecticut. Children:
      1. Dorothy Putnam.
      2. Elizabeth Putnam.

(VIII) Woodbury Langdon Martin

Woodbury Langdon, son of John Langdon and Sarah (Marston) Martin, was born in Guilford, New Hampshire, February 4, 1822. He was educated in the public schools of Jefferson, New Hampshire, and in early life was a farmer. He followed several occupations in early life, finally settling in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he established a retail coal and wood yard. He was very successful in business, continuing there until 1869, when he retired with a competence. He was a Republican in politics, and a Universalist in religious faith. He was a capable and energetic man of business and a citizen of high standing. He married (first) Julia, daughter of Timothy Estes (see Estes II). She was born in Jefferson, New Hampshire, August 22, 1824, died at New Haven, Connecticut, September 4, 1875.

Children of Woodbury Langdon and Julia (Estes) Martin

1. Elnora Martin. Born in South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, December 18, 1846, died March 12, 1851, in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
2. Isadore Martin. Born July 12, 1852, died in Chicopee, August 17, 1852.
3. Clarence Martin. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, June 8, 1855, died there August 28, 1855.
4. Ida Martin. Of whom further.
5. Irvin Martin. Born in Holyoke, December 7, 1862, died there December 8, 1864.
6. Mabel Martin. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, May 8, 1867, died May 18, 1867.

Woodbury Langdon Martin married (second) Mrs. Mary (Fuller) Latham, who survives him, now residing in Bristol, Connecticut, without issue.

(IX) Ida Martin

Ida, only child of Woodbury Langdon and Julia (Estes) Martin to survive infancy, was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, February 1, 1861. When she was four years old her parents moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and in 1870 moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where she attended private and boarding schools until she was fourteen years of age. She then entered Dean Academy, at Franklin, Massachusetts, continuing until her graduation in 1879. She married, June 19, 1883, Rev. Moses Henry Houghton (see Houghton VII).

The Tuttle Line

John Tuttle came from Wiltshire, England, and joined the settlement at Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1633, the same year that he arrived in the ship “Planter” as appears by the town record. His wife was Joanna, who before she married John Tuttle was a Widow Lawrence. John Tuttle was made a freeman, March 13, 1639, and a representative in 1644. In 1651 he was called “Mr.” He went to Ireland about the time the disheartened colonists at New Haven were negotiating for the purchase of the city of Galloway in Ireland for a future home. He established himself advantageously there and never returned. He died at Carrickfergus, December 30, 1656. His wife Joanna followed him to Ireland in 1654.

Children of John and Joanna Tuttle

1. Abigail Tuttle. Born 1629.
2. Simon Tuttle. Born 1631.
3. Sarah Tuttle. Born 1633, married Richard Martin (see Martin I).
4. John Tuttle. Born 1634, married Mary. One child:
   1. Mary Tuttle. Born April 23, 1663.
5. Simon Tuttle. Born 1637, married (first) in 1659, Joan Burnham; (second) in 1663, Sarah Cogswell.

The Estes Line

(I) Benjamin Estes

Benjamin Estes married Sarah Littlefield, of a family distinguished in Maine from revolutionary days down to the present.

Children of Benjamin and Sarah (Littlefield) Estes

1. Tabitha Estes.
2. Sarah Estes.
3. Annie Estes.
4. Mary Estes.
5. Katurah Estes.
6. Lydia Estes.
7. Benjamin Estes.
8. Timothy Estes. Of whom further.
9. Davis Estes.

(II) Timothy Estes

Timothy, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Littlefield) Estes, was born in Jefferson, New Hampshire, 1797, died at South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, 1879. He was a well known contractor and builder. Among his operations was the erection of the hotel on the summit of Mount Washington. He married (first) Mary Low, born in 1806, died in 1858, and is buried in the cemetery at South Hadley Falls.

Children of Timothy and Mary (Low) Estes

1. Julia Estes. Married (first) Charles Latham. They had one daughter:
   1. Lucy Ann Latham. Died in 1876, married George W. D. Upton, who survives her and resides at Springfield.

   Julia (Estes) Latham married (second) Woodbury Langdon Martin (see Martin VIII).

2. Lydia Jane Estes. Died in Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1899; married Noah D. Folsom, a lock and gunsmith, who died in Bradford, January 30, 1900. Child:
   1. Estes A. Folsom. Deceased.

Timothy Estes married (second) Ruby Reynolds. Their only daughter:

1. Mary Estes. Deceased, married Clifford Tilly, a furniture dealer, now living in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Mary (Low) Estes, the first wife of Timothy Estes, was a daughter of Levi and Mary (Soper) Low, of Westerville, Maine, and a granddaughter of Salter Soper.

Children of Levi and Mary (Soper) Low

1. Levi Low. A sea captain, died at sea, married and left two children:
   1. Eugene Low. Now living in Maine.
   2. Florence Low. Now living in Maine.
2. Justis Low. Married Lois Watkins, both deceased. Children:
   1. Levi Low. Died at Randolph, New York.
   2. Pearl Low. Died at Randolph.
   3. Amos Low. Died at Randolph.
   4. John Low. Died at Randolph.
   5. Mary Low. Died at Randolph.
   6. Anna Low. The only survivor; married Dwight Phelps, of West Winsted, Connecticut.
3. Clovis Low. Married Apple Green, both deceased. Children:
   1. Electra Low.
   2. Percival Low.
   3. Oscar Low.
   4. Thaddeus Low. Constructed the railroad up Mount Low in California.
   5. Pembroke Low.
4. Amos Low. Deceased, married and left a son:
   1. Eugene Low.
5. Almond Low. Married Olive Starboard. Children:
   1. Charles Low.
   2. George Timothy Low.
   3. Nathaniel Low.
   4. Sylvania Low.
   5. Elvira Low.
   6. Emmeline Low.
6. Mary Low. Married Timothy Estes, of previous mention.
7. Diana Low. Married Anson Stillings and left children:
   1. Lyman Stillings.
   2. Paris Stillings.
   3. Caroline Stillings.
   4. Alden Stillings.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content