Meachams of New Hampshire

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on February 21, 2014 at 7:19pm

The Samuel Meacham you mention I believe might have been my 3rd great grandfather, married to Phebe Haskall. Born in Canaan, NH 1766 and died in Dickinson, NY 1843.

Permalink Reply by Jared Handspicker on February 22, 2014 at 7:14am

Jennifer,

Actually, believe it or not, the Samuel b. 1766 who married Phoebe Haskill, was a brother to Maria/Meriam. Both children of Samuel Meacham and Phoebe Maine. Though I agree, if based on dates of birth, your Samuel that died in NY seems a much more likely possibility. Maria, however, is listed as the 12th of 12 children, born 10 years after the 11th child. In the Canaan records, it only lists her father, but in other records, based on her siblings and mentions of her mother, most historical researchers have listed her as daughter of Samuel Meacham and Phoebe Maine. Interesting to consider, though, as both Samuels married Phoebes....

Permalink Reply by Jared Handspicker on February 22, 2014 at 7:28am

From what I could find, your 1766 Samuel married Phoebe Haskill/Haskall around 1790, probably in NH, but their children were born in NY/VT or "further west" than Canaan, NH.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on February 23, 2014 at 3:57pm

Ok, starts to get a bit confusing when trying to figure out who's who. There were a lot of Samuel's; my father was one. There were also several Jeremiah's, one of which was a murderer, and several Leon's including my grandfather and an uncle. Where have you gathered your information?

Permalink Reply by Jared Handspicker on February 23, 2014 at 5:25pm

Jennifer,

Various sources. NH Archives and Library, a "Meacham History" that's not as helpful as I'd hoped. Also, the history of Canaan, NH which helped sort out a few issues.  There were also some burial records, but those were more on the Kimball side.  The oldest son of Meriam/Maria Meacham (youngest daughter of Samuel from what I HAVE found) was named Samuel, and even Samuel M., which makes me wonder if he was, in fact, Samuel Meacham Kimball.  The Meacham family was well-known and respected in Canaan, NH.  Samuel was one of the original grantees at Canaan, NH in 1761. And one of only a dozen of the original 62 grantees who ever actually RESIDED in Canaan!

And the following which is a mixture of a family historian and the Canaan History, where they both seem to agree:

According to Polly Derby Mecham,

"Samuel's joining with the soldiers of the Revolution was very sudden. He left his family home for the purpose of gathering up some firewood in the adjoining forest, telling his family that he would be right back. While in the forest a group of men came dashing towards him, telling him that they were in urgent need of his services, and to join them immediately. This he did, not having time to tell his family of his whereabouts. At the finish of his service in the army (months or years later), he came by the forest, gathered up some firewood, and took it home just as if he hadn't been gone at all."

He served in Captain John Welles' Company, under Colonel Chase's regiment of NH Miilitia.

Samuel was a settler in Canaan, NH as early as 1764 and came from Lebanon, Conn. He was an unsmiling, sedate man, who had the appearance of being very thoughtful, although the world is not much wiser for his thoughts because they were unuttered. he was a Wesleyan from the beginning. He, with his family, brought his faith with him from Connecticut and kept it. He waited patiently for his brethren, who came afterwards, like the birds in summer, and made the whole atmosphere vocal with their songs and shouts of Glorias and Amens. He had six sons and five daughters: Jeremiah, Joshua, who lived on Town Hill beyond his father’s house; Joseph, who married Sarah Basford; Andrew, who married Abigail Eastman; Elam, who married Polly Williams; and Thomas; Polly, who married William Bradbury and was the mother of Deacon Benjamin; Sarah, who married Amos Worthen; Phoebe, who married Ezekiel Wells; Miriam, who married Asa Kimball and was in want all her life; Betty, who married Moses Worthen.

I have come across some accounts that show another son, not listed above, and even a later-born daughter, totaling as many as 13.  You'll notice that Samuel, listed by MANY as his son, b. 1766, Canaan, is NOT listed amongst the children of Samuel Meacham and Phoebe Maine.  I'm nearly 100 percent certain the Betty mentioned was his daughter, Bethiah. (also seen as "Bettish").

As for why his son, Samuel, wasn't mentioned, it could be because he had been gone from Canaan for a long enough time when the history was written.  Unless, of course, you have reason to believe the Samuel b. 1766 was NOT a son of Samuel and Phoebe (Maine) Meacham.... ???

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on February 23, 2014 at 6:23pm

Jared, 

According to what I've found, there were 15, maybe more, children. In addition to those you mentioned, I am showing Samuel (1766-1843, md. Phebe Haskell), Olive (1782- _____, md. Amos Worthen,James Streater, & David Bradbury), Anna (1786-_____, md. John Gardiner) Temperance (1794-1861, md. Judah Wells). Unless my info is incorrect, Temperance may very well have been Miriam's twin, or been born the same year as she.