Zerviah Houghton

Zerviah married Jonathan Wilder on 23 Feb 1738/39 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Jonathan (son of John Wilder and Sarah White) was born on 5 Oct 1710 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 13 Jan 1794 in Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Zerviah had promised herself to another. Jonathan challenged him and was victorious. The following are from the First Book of Lancaster Records, page 15:

"November ye 25th 1738 Then Jonathan Wilder of Lancaster Entered his Entention of mariage with Zeruiah Houghton of said Town.

December ye 1st 1738 David Farrar of Lancaster appeared and forbid ye banes of mariage being out asked betwix ye above Said Jonath. Wilder and Zeruiah Houghton, and aledged this Reson that shee had Promised him ye said farrar marriage from whch shee cannot Losly depart."

1. Silas Wilder was born on 27 Feb 1747 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was christened on 10 Apr 1748 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
2. Martha Wilder was born on 16 Feb 1750 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
3. Hannah Wilder was born on 22 Mar 1753 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 12 Dec 1801 in Wendell, Franklin County, Massachusetts.
4. Calven Wilder was born on 12 Jun 1755 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
5. Rev. Elihue Wilder was born on 11 Feb 1760 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was christened on 16 Mar 1760 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 18 Jun 1818 in Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
6. Martha Wilder was born on 3 Nov 1761 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt Aug 1720; Benjamin and Zerviah lived in the West Precinct of Lancaster, then called Chocksett. In 1781 it became Sterling, Massachusetts.
• Military: 1723 and 1724; His name appears on lists of soldiers from Lancaster.
• History: Abt 1760; It seems that his seven daughters were highly sought after, probably because of his land holdings. When one suitor asked for a daughter's hand, he replied, "Yes, when you show me that you can butt a log as well as she can, you may have her."

Notes:

Name:


Buried:
HEAR LIES BURIED THE
BODY OF MR BENIAMIN
HOUGHTON WHO
DEPARTED THIS
LIFE FEBRUARY Y^e 28.
1764, IN Y^e 74
YEAR OF HIS AGE.
When death unto you calls
Your soul Resine you must to God that judgeth all
Both Wicked and the just Death is a Debt to Nature Due
Which I have paid & so must you.

Benjamin married Zerviah Moore on 28 Jul 1720 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Zerviah (daughter of Jonathan Moore and Hannah Sawyer) was born in 1700. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt Aug 1720; Benjamin and Zerviah lived in the West Precinct of Lancaster, then called Chocksett. In 1781 it became Sterling, Massachusetts.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved to: 15 Apr 1676, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; John, Beatrix and their children moved from Lancaster, Massachusetts during King Philip's War.
• History: 1704; He was one of the petitioners in 1704 to the Massachusetts General Assembly for relief after the destruction of Lancaster. During this raid, Jonas lost one ox.
• History: 1704, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; In the 1704 list of garrisons, Jonas was assigned to Capt. Thomas Wilder's garrison house.
• Offices Held: say 1704; He was a surveyor for the town of Lancaster.
• Religion: 1708; Jonas was a member of the First Church of Lancaster when the covenant was renewed in 1708.

Notes:

Buried:
Here lyes ye Body
of MR JONAS
HOUGHTON Who
Died Sept. 20th, 1723
Aged 60 Years & 5 Mo.

Here lyes ye Body
of MR JONAS
HOUGHTON Who
Died Sept. 20th, 1723
Aged 60 Years & 5 Mo.

Jonas married Mary Berbeane on 15 Feb 1681 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Mary (daughter of John Berbeane and Sarah Gould) was born on 2 Jul 1661 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 31 Dec 1720 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was buried in Old Common Burial Ground, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Here Lyes the
Body of Ms. Mary
Houghton, Wife to
Mr. Jonas Houghton
Senr. Desd. Decembr
31st 1720 in ye 60th
Year of har Age

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1 Dec 1741

Jonathan married Hannah Sawyer. Hannah (daughter of Thomas Sawyer and Hannah Lewis) was born on 23 May 1675 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 1 May 1765 in Bolton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1646 or 1647; In 1646 or 1647 John brought with him his wife, Beatrix, and three children, John, Jacob and Mary. His cousin, Ralph and his wife Jane, came with him. After he and his family arrived, they lived for a while in Charlestown, Watertown, and Dedham.
• Land/House: 1647, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; In 1647 he received land in Lancaster, Massachusetts.
• Moved To: About 1650, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; About 1650 he settled in Lancaster, having spent a brief time in Watertown and Charlestown.
• Land/House: 1663, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Proposition to the towne was that the towne would Consent that John Houghton might haue Libertie to Lay downe a halfe home Lot being that he had a lott and halfe granted by the towne, this was granted by the towne, 1:12: mon: 1663:
• Miscellaneous: 3 Feb 1667, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Town Grants 3 Februray 1667: "Jo : Houghton's grant. It was ordered by a voate of the towne that John Houghton should haue Libertie to fall Timber in the Commons for his trade vse, And If he take the barke of it, And sett his marke vpon it, Then it is not Lawfull for any to take or make vse of any such Timber.
• Miscellaneous: 7 Feb 1670, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Act of the Town 7 & 8 February 1670: Jo. Houghtons grant. It was granted John Houghton to Lay downe twentie acres of second deuision Land for a high way on the south side of deans brook. And to take it vp againe in a plaine neare his medow this alsoe was Confirmed by a voate of the towne.
• Moved To: 1676, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; John, Beatrix and their children moved from Lancaster, Massachusetts during King Philip's War (1675-1676).
• Petition: 11 Mar 1675/76, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; On 11 March 1675/76, he, and 18 others signed the "Humble petition of the distressed people of Lancaster" to the Government for assistance, in this emergency. It reads: To the Hone^rd Governor and Counsll The humble petition of the poor destressed people of Lancaster, humbley sheweth, that sence tlie enem}' mad such sad & dismall hauocke amongst our deare ffreinds & Bretheren, & we that are left who haue our Liues for a prey sadly seacable of Gods Judgm^t upon us, this with the destresse we are now in dus embolden us to present our humble Requests to yo^r Honors, hoping our Condisions may be considered by you & our Requests find exptance with you, our stat is very deplorable, in our Incapasity to subsist, as to Remoue away we can not, tb.e enemy has so Incompased us, otherwise for want of help our catle being the most of them caried away by the barberouss heathen, & to stay disinabled for want of food, the Towns people are Genially goo who felt the Judgm^t but light, & had theyr catle left them with theyr estats, but we many of us heare in this prison, haue not bread to last us on mongth & our other provision spent & gon, for the genrallyty, our Town is drawn into two Garisons wherin are by the Good favours of yo^r Hon^rs eigyo^r Honors shuould call them of, we are searlaynly a bayt for the enemy if God do not wonderfully prevent, therefore we hop as God has mad you fathers ouer us so you will haue a fathers pitty to us & extend your care ouer us who are yo^r poor destressed subjects. We are sorowful to Leaue the place, but hoplesse to keep it unlesse mayntayned by the Cuntrey. it troubles our sperits to giue any Incuridgm' to the enemy, or leaue any thing for them to promiot their wicked designe, yet better saue our Liues then lose Life & Estat both, we are in danger enienent, the enemy leying Aboue us, nay on both sids of us, as dus playingly Apeare. our womens cris dus dayly Increase beand expresion which dus not ordy fill our ears but our hearts full of Greefe, which makes us humbly Requtst yo^r Hon^rs to send a Gard of men & that if you please so comand we may haue Carts About fourteen will Remoue the whool eight of which has been presed long at Sudburry but nevr came for want of a small gard of men, the whooll that is, all that are in the on Garison, Kept in Major Willards house, which is all from yo^r Hon^rs most humble servants & suplyants.
• Miscellaneous: 12 Oct 1676, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; 1676 Oct. 12. This Court being informed by certifiicat vnder the hand of Capt. Dnniell Hinxksman, that when he was out in the service of the country at Lancaster, they had occasion to make vse of an oxe for a supply of the forces vnder his comand, which sajd oxe was vallued. bv indifterent persons, at fiue pounds in country pay, on a motion made in behalfe of the. ouno^r of the oxe John Houghton, it is ordered, that the Tresurer of the Coiuntry make payment to the sajd Houghton for the sajd oxe accordingly.
• Miscellaneous: 1677, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; While in Charlestown he had grant to use the common in 1677.
• Moved To: About 1679, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; In about 1679 he returned to Lancaster, Massachusetts.
• Will: 8 Apr 1684, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He made out his will 8 April 1684 in Lancaster. He mentions his wife, Beatrix, and his children: John, Robert, Jonas, Benjamin, Mary, and Sarah.
• Probate/Proved: 17 Jun 1684; His will was probated. On 4 April 1721, after the death of the widow, division was agreed upon by John, Robert, Jonas, John Harris and Beatrix Pope.
• Last Full Review: 9 Jun 2020

Notes:

Mistake: Farmer (1829) has him a representative six years after his death. This refers to his son.

Name:

John married Beatrix about 1648/49. Beatrix was born in 1628 in England; died on 8 Jan 1711/12 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved To: Abt 1661, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; They moved from Dedham, Massachusetts.
• Moved to: 15 Apr 1676, Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; They moved from Lancaster, Massachusetts.

Notes:

Name:

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: say 1658; He was a tailor.

Notes:

Name:

John married Sarah Gould on 16 Apr 1660 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Sarah (daughter of John Gould and Mary) was christened on 15 Dec 1637 in Charlestown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died on 14 May 1670 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Christening: Her christening date was recorded as 15 (10) 1637.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Proprietor: 11 Mar 1653/54, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
• Land/House: say 1672; John received his father's farm in Lancaster before his father died.
• Offices Held: 1689; He was elected the Representative to the Massachusetts General Court from Lancaster.
• Military: say 1690; During King William's War, he was made and Ensign in the militia.
• Inventory: 23 Sep 1702, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts
• Probate/Proved: 26 Nov 1703; His nuncupative will was proved.

Notes:

Name:
   

Proprietor:
The date was recorded as 11 (1) 1653.

John married Ann Smith on 16 Nov 1654 in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Ann (daughter of John Smith and Alice) died on 10 Mar 1670/71 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Deed: 31 Oct 1660; He deeded to his new son-in-law, John Moore, twenty acres of land in Lancaster as a marriage portion for his daughter, Ann. Five years later, 12 April 1665, he made a deed of gift of all his lands in Lancaster to John Moore in return for care and kindness of John and his wife, Ann.

Notes:

Death: Her death date was recorded as 10 (1) 1670/71.

Other Events and Attributes:

• History: 1676; After the attack of 1676, he was one of the petitioners to the General Court for relief.
• Moved to: Abt 1677, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Thomas was one of the first settlers to return to Lancaster after the destruction of 1676.
• Military: 1704, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; His house became a garrison and he its commander.
• History: 1705; He was captured by Indians in 1705 and was taken to Canada along with his son, Elias, and John Bigelow. Thomas was supposedly tied to a stake for torture when a friar brandished a key and threatened the Indians with opening the door to Purgatory and casting them into the eternal fires. This was probably on request by the French Governor who wished Thomas' skill in building a mill on the Chambly River. There he and his son helped build the first mill in exchange for their freedom.

Notes:

Birth:
His birth was recorded as 2 (5) 1649.

Name:

Thomas married Hannah Lewis on 21 Nov 1672 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Hannah (daughter of William Lewis and Amy Wells) was born on 18 Mar 1648/49 in Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died before 1718 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Their marriage date was recorded as 21 (9) 1672.