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 childrenAlfred
D. , Minot R. , and Alice B. Vianna R. is now the widow of Elbridge Batchelder
, late of Epsom , and has two childrenGeorge E. and Edith G. Betsy A. married
for her first husband Thomas B. Robinson , of Epsom , by whom she had two sonsBert
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 shoemakers 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 childAlbert 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