James Yeaton
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James Yeaton (1832-1906)

James Yeaton , a well-known farmer of Epsom, Merrimack County , was born in this town, January 11, 1832 , son of John and Sarah (Bickford) Yeaton . His ancestors for several generations were prosperous farmers in this State; and his great-grandfather, John Yeaton (first) , was a pioneer settler in Epsom . John Yeaton, second , grandfather of James , was a native of this town, and resided here his entire life. A successful farmer, he accumulated considerable property. He was a Democrat in politics and a Congregationalist in his religious views. At his death he was about eighty-one years old. He was three times married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Bickford , died at the age of twenty-five. Of her two sons who attained maturity, John was the elder. The father married for his second wife a Miss Towle , who had three children, none of whom are living. His third marriage, which was made with the widow of William Yeaton , resulted in no children.
John Yeaton, third , was born in Epsom , March 29, 1804 . He was reared to farming, which he followed successfully during his active period; and he died at the age of seventy-six years, leaving a good estate. He was one of the prominent men of his day. While not an office-seeker for himself, he took an active part in securing the election of capable officials. In politics he acted with the Free Soil party, but later became a Republican. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. His first wife, Sarah Bickford Yeaton , whom he married December 25, 1828 , was a daughter of Samuel Bickford , of Epsom . She died at the age of forty-nine years, leaving five of her six children; namely, James , Sarah E. , Daniel , Vianna R. , and Betsy A. Daniel Yeaton married Annie B. Rowell , of Chichester, N.H. , and has three children—Alfred D. , Minot R. , and Alice B. Vianna R. is now the widow of Elbridge Batchelder , late of Epsom , and has two children—George E. and Edith G. Betsy A. married for her first husband Thomas B. Robinson , of Epsom , by whom she had two sons—Bert and Elmer . She is now the wife of John Brown , of Northwood, N.H. John Yeaton, third , married for his second wife Mrs. Caroline Cilly , the widow of Samuel Cilly , late of Lowell, Mass. , and a sister of his first wife. By this union there were two children: Stella R. , who is no longer living; and Fred W.
James Yeaton was educated in the schools of his native town and at Pembroke Academy. After leaving school, he learned the shoemaker’s trade in Deerfield, N.H. , and followed it for three winters. He then engaged in agriculture. In 1878 he purchased his present farm of sixty acres. On March 3, 1858 , he contracted his first marriage with Martha A. Randall , daughter of Francis D. Randall , of Deerfield, N.H. Of her three children Edwin Randall Yeaton is living. June 25, 1860 , he married Ella M. Eastman , of this town, and now has one child—Albert James , who was born May 26, 1896 . Mrs. Martha Yeaton died at the age of thirty-six. On April 9, 1874 , Mr. Yeaton entered his second marriage with Annie R. Crockett , whose mother was a sister of his first wife. She was born in Concord , March 30, 1853 , daughter of John K. and Sally Rebecca (Randall) Crockett . The children of this union are: John C. , who was born May 19, 1875 ; Helen E. P. , born July 22, 1878 ; and George Hill , born December 21, 1883 .
Mr. Yeaton is a member of the Free Will Baptist church. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as Town Clerk for two years in succession, and has been several times elected a member of the Board of Selectmen. As a public official he was able and efficient. He is much respected by his townsmen. From the Merrimack & Sullivan Counties Biographical Review.

James Yeaton, Annie his wife and son George Hill Yeaton