The Descendants of Reuben Newton (1774 - 1833) and Eunice Manley Newton (1782 - 1836)

THE ANCESTRY OF REUBEN NEWTON (1774 - 1833)

By Myron L. Newton, Jr.

Reuben Newton (1774-1833) was the direct descendant of Richard Newton (1601-1701), who has been documented in numerous publications. The Newton Genealogy (see references), compiled by Ermina Newton Leonard in 1915, is the main reference used in this document for the first four generations of Richard. Information on the last two generations, James and Reuben, is supplemented by family documents in possession of Myron L. Newton, Jr. and census records. Unless otherwise noted, all dates and place names in this document are from the Newton Genealogy and have not been independently verified by this author.

The line of Richard Newton (1601-1701) down to Reuben Newton (1774-1833) appears as thus: Richard¹, Moses², James³, Andrew⁴, James⁵, Reuben⁶. Richard was Reuben’s great-great-great grandfather.

Richard Newton arrived in the Colonies from England around 1638. Ermina Leonard reckoned him to be about age 37 at the time, plus or minus a year, but his actual birth year and age have never been firmly established. Rather, they were extrapolated from notes found in his official record of death. Nor has his place of birth or residence in England been established. Ermina “supposes” that Richard and his future wife may have known each other in England, but no proof is offered for this comment.

Richard was one of the original settlers of the Town of Sudbury, a new settlement within the Massachusetts Bay Company boundaries. A map of the original Sudbury settlement, showing the location of Richard Newton’s house-lot, may be viewed on the Internet at: <Sudbury Map> (also see references). In 1645, Richard became a “freeman” meaning, among other things, that he had the right to hold public office and pledged to uphold the laws of the Government. Another document, from 1647, indicated that Richard was a debtor to the estate of Nathaniel Sparrowhawke of Cambridge. It is unknown if this debt was incurred for travel to the Colonies, or for monies used to improve his newly acquired land.

In 1660, the “plantation” of Marlborough was laid out and settled by thirty-eight individuals, many of them Sudbury’s residents. Richard was granted, or drew by lot, thirty acres of land in this new development. Marlborough is only a few miles west of Sudbury and, as Sudbury had been earlier, abutted Indian territory. Skirmishes with the native Indians were not uncommon. A copy of the document allotting house-lots in Marlborough may be viewed on the Internet at <Marlborough Grant> (also see references). Richard’s original land in Marlborough became part of Southborough in 1727.

Over the years Richard acquired additional land and when he died, on August 24, 1701, he owned about 130 acres. Into the official record of his death was added “almost a hundrid (sic) years old” by the town clerk. Richard may not have actually been age 100 when he died, but officials in his community and family recognized his advanced age and may have had “word-of-mouth” information as to longevity. Prior to his death, Richard had handed down all his land to his sons.

Ermina Leonard believed that Richard Newton had only one wife, Anne Loker. At various times she was called Ana, Anna, or Hannah. Anne was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Loker of Bures St. Mary, County of Essex, England and was probably born between 1608 and 1612. Anne and her siblings arrived in Sudbury as early as 1638, in the company of their widowed mother. Richard Newton and Anne Loker married around 1640, and Anne (Loker) Newton died in Marlborough on December 5, 1697.

 From 1641 until around 1655, Richard and Anne (Loker) Newton had nine children: John, Mary, Moses, Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, Daniel and Isaac. Reuben Newton was descended from Moses.

Moses Newton, the third child born to Richard and Anne (Loker) Newton, was the great-great-grandfather of Reuben Newton. Ermina Leonard believes that he was born on October 20, 1645, in Sudbury, Massachusetts. On October 27, 1668, he married Joannah Larkin, the daughter of Edward and Joannah Larkin of Charleston, Massachusetts. She was probably born around 1645 or 1646 and was the mother of all of Moses’ children. Joannah (Larkin) Newton died on December 25, 1713. Moses next married Sarah Joslin who died in 1723.

Moses Newton, a.k.a. Moses Newton, Sr., received a portion of his father’s land while Richard was still living. This land appeared to be part of Richard’s original 30 acres in Marlborough, plus land resting on Stony Brook where Moses used the stream as part of his “Ironworks”. These Ironworks were probably a smelter or foundry. Moses, along with other residents, improved their land holdings by illegally occupying and improving Indian lands in the area. Moses eventually was gave title to this property by the Colonial government.

King Phillip’s War, a bloody period of conflict between the settlers and the Indians, took place between 1676 and 1677. Troops were stationed in Marlborough for a short time, some staying in Moses’ home. After they left the Indians attacked the settlement during a Sunday sermon. Moses was credited with saving an elderly woman during the skirmish, but also received an elbow wound and never totally regained the use of his arm.

During the Indian Wars of 1700-1713, Moses Newton, Sr., Moses Newton, Jr., and their families were assigned to the Isaac Howe Garrison, No. 6, located on the road to Southborough.

Over the years Moses continued to acquire land in the area and distributed much of his acreage to his sons during his lifetime. Deeds show that he owned at least 500 acres, if not more. In 1714, he deeded fifty acres in Marlborough, some of it on Stony Creek, to his son, James Newton, who is in Reuben Newton’s line.

In 1727, Moses was elected selectman of the new town of Southborough at its first meeting. Southborough was created from Marlborough and some, if not all, of Moses’ land became part of the new town.

Moses Newton died in 1736 and his will, which was “allowed” on August 11, 1736, deeded the rest of his possessions to his sons, son-in-law, and grandchildren. All his land had earlier been deeded to his sons.

Moses and Johanna (Larkin) Newton had eleven children between 1669 and 1692: Moses, David, Hannah, Edward, Jonathan, Jacob, James, Mercy, Josiah, Andrew and Ebenezer.

James Newton, the great-grandfather of Reuben Newton, was born on January 5, 1683, in Marlborough, Massachusetts to Moses and Joannah (Larkin) Newton. He spent his entire life in the Marlborough-Southborough area.

On October 5, 1700, James married Mary Joslin, daughter of Nathan, Jr. and Hester (Morse) Joslin of Marlborough. She was born on April 14, 1685, and died on May 27, 1710. James’ first child, Mary, was born of this union on March 13, 1710. The child died about a month before her mother.

James next married Rachel Greeley on September 8, 1712, in Marlborough. She was born on May 19, 1688, to Andrew, Jr. and Sarah (Brown) Greeley of Salisbury, Massachusetts. Six children were born to Rachel and James: Andrew, Judith, James, Rachel, Jacob, and Joseph.

Little is known about James Newton but property deeds show that he lived on some of the original land settled by his grandfather. James Newton died intestate at Southborough on November 29, 1762.

Andrew Newton was the first child born to James and Rachel (Greeley) Newton. He was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts on August 27, 1713. Andrew was the grandfather of Reuben Newton.

Ermina Leonard discovered documents indicating Andrew was born “on Fiddle Neck”, a local name for the area, and had a forge and gristmill on the Hopkinton River near the Southborough line. She was confident that Andrew was a blacksmith and a miller.

Andrew married Mehitabel Bellows who died in Southborough on January 12, 1794. They had three children between 1745 and 1751: Mehitabel, Andrew and James. All these births were recorded in Southborough.

One contradictory bit of data found by Ermina noted that Andrew’s descendants believed: “He lived in the valley of Deerfield River, Mass. He had a farm, gristmill, distillery, tavern and store, but lost everything in a big law suit over water rights.” Ermina did not know who made this statement but believes it was not about Andrew, but about his son James, who went to the Deerfield River vicinity.

The preceding statement can be further discounted as a referral to Andrew since church records show he died while a resident of Southborough on February 10, 1796.

James Newton (II), the youngest child of Andrew and Mehitabel (Bellows) Newton, was the father of Reuben Newton. He was born in Southborough, Massachusetts on August 24, 1751.

It is important to note here that Ermina Leonard Newton’s Newton Genealogy loses some specificity and detailed references with generations further from Richard Newton. This was due to two reasons: First, local records were not as well kept as pioneers moved westward; and, second, Ermina depended on other persons to gather information for her. This probably resulted in transcription errors, errors of omission, and certain assumptions.

It would appear that as a young man James moved from Southborough to Hopkinton, as distance of only a few miles. This would seem normal as families grew and land became scarce.

James Newton first married Bathsheba Nurse, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Walkup) Nurse, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts on November 15, 1769. She was born in Hopkinton on November 9, 1752. They had nine children between 1770 and 1792: Patty, John, Reuben, Sally, Submit, Mary, Elijah, Nathan and Philindia.

When or where Bathsheba died is not noted, but it must have been in Hopkinton after the birth of her youngest child, Philindia, in August 1792. James next married Rachel Greeley and they had one child, James, who was born in 1799. Ermina noted that he was probably born in Putney, Vermont. Coincidently, Rachel Greeley was also the name of James’s grandmother.

In 1775, James used his skills in metal working in the Plymouth shipyards, in Salem, and in Boston after the British evacuated that city. James probably learned his craft in metal working from his father, Andrew.

James Newton served as a soldier during the American Revolution and was enrolled as being “of Framingham”, which appeared to be the closest major town to James’ residence in Hopkinton. Documents discovered by Ermina Leonard indicated that as late as June 1, 1776, he was assigned to Captain Jesse Eames’s Company in Colonel Samuel Bullard’s Regiment. He also was a Private in Captain Aaron Gardner’s Company, Colonel E. Brooks’ Regiment. As late as November 1776, he served on the North River.

No record has been found to suggest that James engaged in any combat or had the opportunity to distinguish himself militarily during this period of enlistment, although his craft in metalworking no doubt proved useful. (Note: Myron L. Newton, Jr. has a hand crafted metal cup and candle mold that was handed down to him as being former possession of Reuben Newton. It could very well be that James made these articles).

According to Ermina Leonard, James also resided in the Deer River area of western Massachusetts but did not indicate when. It may have been after the 1782 baptism of his daughter Mary, which took place in Hopkinton. In the late 1700’s the Deer River area that Ermina referred to was west of Greenfield, Massachusetts and on the Mohawk Trail. Present day Massachusetts Route 2 follows this old historic Indian trail that the pioneers followed into western Massachusetts and beyond.    

James could only have been in the Deer River area for a few years before moving north into Vermont. This would have meant traveling from Greenfield, Massachusetts up the Connecticut River or on roads paralleling the river. By 1790, James resided in Putney, Vermont where he and his family were enumerated in the U.S. Census. Ten years later the 1800 U.S. Census placed him in Dummerston, Vermont. The Dummerston-Putney area of Vermont is only about 30 miles north of the Deer River area in Massachusetts.

Ermina Leonard indicated the she had received certain recollections from the family of James Newton, but did not identify the source. It probably was not from the family of Reuben, but may have been from the family of James’ son, Elijah. These recollections pertain partially to the following paragraphs.

According to the Newton Genealogy, James took his family to “Westward, Otsego County, N.Y. – twelve miles east of Cooperstown”. No Westward has been found, but Ermina’s informants must have meant the Town of Westford, Otsego County, where James and his wife were enumerated in the household their son, also named James, per the 1820 U.S. Census.

James next reportedly moved to Truxton, Cortland County, New York where he died on February 23, 1824. Prior to his death, James placed all his property into the hands of his son, Elijah, upon receiving a pledge that Elijah would support his wife, Rachael, and her son, James.

Reuben Newton was the third child born to James and Bathsheba (Nurse) Newton. He is covered in a separate biographical sketch but some explanation is necessary concerning the documentation of Reuben by Ermina Newton Leonard in her Newton Genealogy. Ermina recorded Reuben Newton twice in her compilation but failed to recognize that they were the same person. This is understandable considering the large undertaking on her part, plus the fact she relied on many other people to collect data.

Ermina correctly identified Reuben as the son of James Newton and gave a date of birth that matches the Newton Family Bible owned by the descendants of Reuben. This date of birth for Reuben was June 17, 1774. She also noted that Reuben married Betsey Burnham on November 6, 1803, in Hopkinton. This seems to be in error. No record of this person, or the marriage, has been found. Church Records do contain an “intent to marry” of a Betsey Burnham to Reuben Newton, however no proof has been produced to show that the marriage ever occurred.

Since Ermina recorded Reuben as a son of James Newton, it therefore shows that Reuben is a direct descendant of Richard Newton.

Reuben Newton was also listed near the back of the Newton Genealogy, placed among the Newtons that she had not connected to Richard. If Ermina had had time she may have made the connection except that an apparent transcription error was made when recording his date of birth, which was listed as June 17, 1779 (instead of 1774). She correctly identified him as “from Vermont, near the Green Mountains”. This record also gave information consistent with that known by Reuben’s descendants; namely, his wife’s name, date of marriage to her, and his date of death. It also listed his children by name.

Myron L. Newton, Jr., a known descendant of Reuben Newton, submitted to a DNA test that proved him a descendant of Richard Newton, therefore proving the same for Reuben Newton. No records have been produced to show that there could have been any other Reuben Newton in the Putney-Dummerston, Vermont area at the time our Reuben was there. It is also important to remember that Ermina also placed Reuben’s brother, John, in Putney, Vermont when he (John) died in 1791.

A more detailed explanation about Reuben, as recorded by Ermina Leonard, is found elsewhere in this publication under the title, “The Case Of Two Reubens”, by Myron L. Newton, Jr.

References:

“Census Records.” Ancestry.Com. 12 Feb. 2008. <www.ancestry.com>.

1790 U.S. Vermont Census, Putney

1800 U.S. Vermont Census, Dummerston

Grant of Lands for town of Marlborough. Colonial Records by Franklin Rice Pub 1910. Viewed 25 April 2008. http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~historyofmarlborough/grantoflands.htm#GRANT

Leonard, Ermina Newton. Newton Genealogy, Being A Record Of The Descendants of Richard Newton of Sudbury and Marlborough, Massachusetts 1638. 1915, DePere, Wisconsin.

Newton Family Bible. Collection of Myron L. Newton, Jr. 2008.

Newton, Clarence A. The Lyman Newton Story. 1988. 

The Sudbury Archives. Map of Sudbury with house-lot owners. Viewed 25 April 2008.  http://www.sudbury.ma.us/archives/history/maps/1889-Map.htm

Myron L. Newton, Jr.

April 2008