CAPRON Hannah S.

Notes:

Notes for OLIVER CAPRON:
Information on this family from "The History of Richmond" by William
Bassett, 1884, and "The history of Swanzey" by Benjamin Read, 1892,
Page 515.

Oliver married WILSON Lois on 29 Mar 1816 in Swanzey, Cheshire Co., NH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for OLIVER CAPRON:
"History of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire" by William
Bassett, 1884
Page 353 - 354:
"Capt. Oliver Capron, son of Banfield Capron, of Cumberland, b. July
1,1736, m. Esther Freeman, came into town 1765. He was f. s. (first
settler) on the Cheney farm, now owned by St,Clair, lot 24 range 12,
next to the Warwick line, was Captain of a Company that marched to
Cambridge soon after the Concord fight and was at the Battle of
Bunker Hill; and was also captain of a company that went to the
relief of troops at Ticonderoga in 1777, Colonel of the Militia,
first Representive at the General Court after the American Revolution
for Richmond, and Jutice of the Peace in Richmond. He sold his farm
and moved to Canada but returned to Swanzey, Cheshire Co., NH, and
died there in 1816, while living with his daughter who married Calvin
Wright, at age 80 years. Had seven children, vis.: Nathan, Otis,
Oliver, m. Hannah York; Thaddeus, b. Dec.6,1764, Alpheus, b.
July21,1770; Hannah, b. April 6,1776; and Elizabeth."
Page 11: "We may safely assume that those who located on the old
road leading from Winchester to Royalston were among the first that
came, vis Oliver Capron," "and many others who came before 1765.
These came from Smithfield and Cumberland, R.I., and from Rehoboth
and Attleboro, MA, as did the others that followed these".
Page 26: "The lands were rapidly taken up after the close of the
French and Indian War at prices varying from .25 to .75 cents per
acre."
Page 27: "The first settlers drew their supplies of provisions at
first mostly from Northfield, MA. The old road leading from
Northfield to Lunenburg, and thence to Boston"

Page 544:

"Capt. Oliver Capron occupied a position of the first rank among the
early settlers; he evidently was a leader in political, as well as in
military affairs; he shared largely the confidence of his townsmen;
he was entrusted with the most weighty responsibities, as his
repeated leadership of the Rihmond soldiers, in the war of the
Revolution, most conclusively attests. While he was active and
zealous in defence of the right, his activity and zeal was tempered
with wisdom and prudence. He stands at the head of the list of
representatives of the town, having been the first to represent the
town in the General Assembly of the State. We are informed by
tradition that he devoted so much of his time and attention to
military and political affairs, to the neglect of his personal
interests, that he became poor, and was obliged to sell his farm to
pay his debts. It is a melancholy reflection surely, that one who
had contributed so much to the public weal should, in his last days,
be deprived of the means of a cofortable subsistence; but his was
not, perhaps, an isolated and exceptional case in this respect."

Page 95 - 96:

"Petition for Oliver Capron. State of New Hampshire. (for Justice of
Peace, in Richmond)
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives in General
Court Assembled:
The Prayer of us, the subscribers, Inhabitants of the town of
Richmond in said State, Humbly shows, that since the difficulties
subsisted on account of a Number of People calling themselves a new
State called Vermont, the town of Richmond hath laboured under many
inconveniences by reason of having no Justice of the Peace in Town.
These are therefore Humbly to inform the Honourable Court that Major
Oliver Capron is a man of an established good character in this and
the Towns Round where he is acquainted and that he is a man that has
ever been firm for the Government of New Hampshire against the
Userpation of Vermont, and we Humbly Conceived a man every way
accomplished and Capable of performing the business and trust of a
Justice of the Peace, and that it will be to a public benefit that he
may be appointed accordingly. These are therefore Humbly to pray the
Honourable Court to in quire into the affair and act thereon as you
in your Wisdom shall think proper and in Duty bound shall ever pray.

September the third, 1782

Barnabas Threesher, Moses Cooley,
Benjamin Threesher, James Kingsley,
Thomas Dillingham, William Goddard,
Jeremiah Thayer, Jona. Atherton,
Jeremiah Thayer, Jun'r, Peter Holbrook,
Nehemiah Thayer, Othniel Day



"The History of Swanzey, Cheshire County, New Hampshire" by Benjamin
Read, 1892

Page 515:
"The Capron's have principally been farmers and identified with
interests of West Swanzey. Oliver (a granson of Col. Oliver who
lived in Richmond and died in Swanzey) and Jonathan W. who was a shoe
maker, lived where their sons, Geo.O. and Henry W., now reside.
Oliver W. is a clerk for the Goodnows in their store."



More About OLIVER CAPRON:
Fact 1: August 21, 1757, intention of marriage in Bellingham, Norfolk
Co., MA.
Fact 2: cousins
Fact 3: 1772 and 1773 selectman for Richmond
Fact 4: March 24, 1775, on first school district for Richmond


Oliver Capron moved to at Richmond, Cheshire, New Hampshire, in circa 1765; First Settler on Lot 24 Range 12 next to the Warwick line.5 He was a Representative of Richmond to the General Court. in 1785.6 During his Military Service he: Captain of a company that marched to Cambridge soon after the Concord fight, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill; Captain of a company of New Hampshire troops that marched to the relief of Fort Ticonderoga; Served as a Colonel in a NH Militia Regiment.6

Died:
He was buried in Mount Ceaser Cemetery, Swanzey, Cheshire, New Hampshire.4

Oliver married FREEMAN Esther on 21 Aug 1757 in Bellingham, Norfolk Co., MA. Esther (daughter of FREEMAN Ralph and CAPRON Sarah) was born on 25 Jul 1736 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Banfield Capron, Jr. was a Mason and Weaver and Farmer. He left a will on 10 March 1755 at Cumberland, Providence, Rhode Island; TRANSCRIPT OF THE WILL OF BANFIELD CAPRON FROM CUMBERLAND, RI PROBATE RECORDS; VOL 4 PAGE 169.

At a Town Council meeting held at Cumberland in the county of Providence by adjoinment on Tuesday the 29th day of August A.D.
1758.

Sarah Capron widow and Charles Capron, Yeoman, who are joynt Executors to the last will and testament of Mr. Banfield Capron,
late of said Cumberland, Deceased. Exhibited to said Council the will of the said deceased which is as followeth.

In the name of God amen, the Tenth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Five, I, Banfield
Capron of Cumberland in the county of Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island in the New England domain. Being very weak in body
but of a perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God therefore calling to mind the morality of my body that it is appointed for
all men once to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and testament (that is to say) principally and first I give and
recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian
Burial at the discrition of my executor and touching such worldly estate wherewith it please God to Bless me in this life. I give
demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

Item I give and bequeath to Sarah my will beloved wife whom I likewise constitute make and Ordain my Executrix together with my
beloved son Charles Capron of Cumberland aforesaid, they to sole executors of this my last will and testament. I give to my said
wife the third part of my real estate that is the thirds of the income of my lands and buildings the term of her natural life
together with the third part of my stock, chattels, and sheep and my moveable goods as aforesaid furthermore I freely give to my
dear wife all the right, title, estate interest and demand I have or ought to have in all the movable estate that she brought with
her to me that was her former husbands Benjamin Brown to be at her disposal forever.

Item I give to my son Charles the aforsaid Executor in the following manner. Forty Pounds old tenor money to be paid after
the following manner in the next particular.

Item I give to my Beloved son Oliver Capron [ ] about nineteen years old next july when he shall become twenty one
years old and to his heirs and assigns forever all my lands and buildings together with his mother's thirds after her decease
with eight cow common rights in the imindid land belonging to the ellingham property together with all my [armor?] and husbandry
tools and implements, viz cart and wheels, plows, chanse, narrows, axes and all other [ ] belonging to husbandry and also
one mair colt commin three years old, and also my wearing appareil all these said perticulars I give to the said Oliver [ ] that the said Oliver is or his heirs to pay the aforementioned legacy to his aforesaid Brother of Charles when he, the said
Oliver shall become Twenty Two years of age.

Item As to my other moveable or personal estate, stock in chattels, sheep and every other moveable after my just debts and
funneral charges are paid to be diveded equally between my two daughters Sarah and Elizabeth and aforesaid son Oliver [ ] that
Elizabeth and my grand daughter Leah Scott have one silver spoon apiece Sarah having had one already more that the rest and if the
said lives to be 18 years old to have out of the aforesaid shares Ten pounds old tenor money.

Item I give to my wifes daughter Mary Brown one bed, it being the bed that she lieth on and the furniture thereunto belonging
which said is not to be reckoned with the rest of the movables. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke etc etc Ralph Freeman.

signed

Banfield Capron.6

Biographical Notes for Banfield Capron, Jr.: Banfield Capron, 2d, was born in the year 1682-3 , and died August 16, 1758, being about seventy years old. Some time before his death, a violent cancer broke out on his upper lip, which ate off a part of his face, and was the cause of his death. Before that time he was a capable man, and did an abundance of hard labor for a man of his age. He was of large stature, well built, very stout, bold, resolute, and persevering in all his business ; of light complexion, blue eyes, and reddish hair. He was a mason by trade, didmuch work at building chimneys in the neighboring towns in Providence, and was considered in his days to be one of the best of workmen. He was a weaver, also, and did considerable at that when was not employed in other business. In those days men did the greatest part of the weaving. He married Hannah Jencks, of Pawtucket, and was the granddaughter of Joseph Jencks, who was the first settler in that place. They had twelve children, - six sons and six daughters. Philip was informed by a number of old people, who were near neighbors to his grandfather (Banfield Jr.) and his family, that they were very smart, active and handsome, while living, but a great part of them, like the flowers of a garden, young, lovely, beautiful and gay in the morning, and before noon, wither, drop and die, Nathaniel Capron, when about twenty years old, went to sea, and has not been heard of since. About four years after, as I have been informed, which would be in the year 1738, the lung fever got into the family, and were all sick with it, excepting Charles, my father and Leah, and Oliver, who was about two years old ; he was taken from the family during the sickness, and taken care of by one of his aunts. In a short time, not more than two or three months after, six children, with their mother, were dead, viz, : Philip, Benjamin, Jonathan, Betsey, and Lydia. The fever was very violent, and seemed to sweep everything before it. I have been informed by a number of old people, who were neighbors and gave their assistance during the sickness, that the distresses of the family were very great indeed, and that 'my grandfather's fatigue and troubles were so great that he could scarcely retain his senses at times. At one time when the doctor came to see them , two of the family lay dead in the house, and he told the doctor that he 'did not know but he would kill all his family,' The physician was 'so grieved at being implicated as the means of their death, that he wept like a child. It was thought, however, that he used every means in his power to save their lives, according to his best skill and judgment. His name was Thayer, and he was called a very skillful physician. At a Town Meeting Banfield was chosen Grand Juror to attend at next Inferior Court to be holden at Providence on 3rd Tue this June From the Book Banfield Capron.

Birth:
Banfield Capron, Jr. was baptized on 22 October 1684 at Barrington, Bristol, Rhode Island

Died:
He was buried on 18 August 1758 in Capron Cemetery, Woonsocket, Providence, Rhode Island. His estate was probated on 29 August 1758 at Cumberland, Providence, Rhode Island.6

Banfield married JENKS Hannah about 1710 in Bristol Co., MA. Hannah was born on 08 Oct 1690. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Hannah Jenks was also known as Hannah Jenkes. She was also known as Hannah Jeanks.2 She was also known as Hannah Jencks.

Notes:

Notes for RALPH FREEMAN:
History of the Town of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, from
its first Settlement, to 1882. by William Bassett (1884)
Dan Freeman, son of Ralph Freeman and Sarah Capron, lived near the
Aaron Kelton place; born June 16 1745. He removed quite early to
Winchester. Had five children.

Yankee Freeman's


The ability to purchase land became a major factor in the
Freeman's migration movements. Few people wished to risk settlement
in a new area of the wilderness, until a town was laid out.
Particularly in New Hampshire where the raids on newly settled areas,
by the French and Indians, continued until 1765. Massachusetts was
active in Granting of these new settlements in New Hampshire, in
hopes of claiming more land. They issued Land Grants to the Veteran's
of the "Indian Wars", whom they owed a debt too. These Grants
created towns in the Upper Connecticut River Valley, on both sides
of the river.

Ralph Freeman III, our line, the grandson of the first "Ralph
Freeman of Dedham", was one of these settlers to New Hampshire. The
extremely rough hills of northern New England, contained only small
pockets of fertile land , along the river valleys, on which to grow
crops. The climate was more severe with a shorter growing season,
with intense winters filled with heavy snowfalls. Only the very
hardy could survive the difficult living conditions. The men and
women who settled this area were Americans in true pioneer spirit.

Ralph Freeman III settled his family in the town of Richmond,
Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Richmond was Granted by
Massachusetts, on 20 June 1735, to Captain Joseph Sylverster's men,
called Sylvester-Canada Grant. It was later Granted to Joseph
Blanchard and others, by the governor of New Hampshire , on 28
February 1752. A triangular tract in the north part of Richmond was
annexed to Swanzey Township on 11 December 1762.

The townships were divided into 70 different shares about 6
miles square in size. The settlers were responsible for setting up
the township, clearing land for roads and erecting a grist and saw
mill. They assume the rights of self government, church and school.

Ralph Freeman III, moved his family from Richmond to
Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, the next westerly
township, on the Upper Connecticut River.

In the book, "The History of the Town of Richmond, Cheshire
County, New Hampshire, From its First Settlement, to 1882" by
William Basset, 1884, it states, "Dan Freeman, son of Ralph
Freeman and Sarah Capron, lived near the Aaron Kelton place, born
June 16, 1745. He removed quite early to Winchester. Had 5
children." page 389.

The township of Winchester, Cheshire County, New Hampshire,
was Granted to Col. Josiah Willard and 63 others, on 11 February
1952. He had the proprietary rights to distribute land and assumed
responsibility for setting up the township. Winchester is located on
the Ashulot River in the south-west corner of New Hampshire. During
the "King George War" in the early 1750's, troops were constantly
moving to and from the Connecticut River Valley region, and many
people became interested in this previously unexplored land. They
saw it not only as rich farm land, but as a valuable area for
speculation.

Settlers had to locate near rivers for their connections to the
New England Markets. But links to markets were only one aspect of
the problems facing the new settlers. The frontier itself was nearly
self-sufficient in foodstuff supply, thus, local markets were
almost non existent for a pioneer family. Unable to produce large
amounts of marketable agricultural surplus, encumbered by transport
problems, burdened by high land costs, the aftermath of War time
financial policies, new settlements in the 1750's were not as
quickly absorbed by the commercial system of the region as most new
settlements had been in the 1600's and in such, living conditions
changed rapidly within large families. Each son had to carve himself
out a new settlement, in the wilderness and begin a new farm,
without the financial aid of his parents. Such was the life of the
Freeman's.

Ralph married CAPRON Sarah on 29 Oct 1726 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA. Sarah (daughter of CAPRON Banfield and CALLENDER Elizabeth) was born on 11 Mar 1708 in Attleboro, Bristol Co., MA; died in 1789 in Richmond, Cheshire Co., NH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for SARAH CAPRON:
Sarah married Ralph Freeman of Attleboro. They afterwards lived in
Bellingham, and from there moved to Richmond, New Hampshire, where
they lived to their deaths. She was a very old woman when she died.

Birth:
or 1709