BackGround: Boston Temple, Boston, Massachusetts.
Richard CHAMBERLAIN4 [Nathaniel3, Joseph2, Richard1]
Abigail WRIGHT5 [Remembrance4, Benjamin3, Sergeant Samuel2, Deacon Samuel1],
Richard4, eldest son of Nathaniel3 and Elizabeth (HUNKINS) CHAMBERLIN, was born at Oxford, Massachusetts, 9 July 1714; and lived at Northfield, Massachusetts, from 1731, to 1753. (Part first, Branch I, 3d Ancestral Family.) In 1744 he helped to build Deacon Ebenezer ALEXANDER'S "mound" or fort, received from the town of Northfield 16 shillings for two days' work. He was in Captain Phinehas STEVENS' company of sixty men garrisoned at "Number 4" (Charleston, N. H.) withstanding a desperate siege by the French and Indians under one Debelin WILLIAMS, regiment for the reduction of Canada 13 March to 13 Dec. 1758 with his son Abiel.
He lived in Hinsdale, New Hampshire (the town adjoining Northfield and formerly a part of it), in 1755, and removed to Newbury, Vermont, in 1762 Wells' History of Newbury, from which some of this record is taken says
"In June 1762, came up RICHARD4 CHAMBERLIN from Hinsdale (N. H.) with a family of thirteen children. Seven only, came with the parents, the rest afterwards. RICHARD and family landed about noon at the old ferry. Before night a hut of posts, bark, etc., was erected, in which they lived three months. A large stump in the middle, covered with a board, served for a table. He settled upon Musquash meadow and kept a ferry between Newbury (Vt.) and Haverhill (N. H.) for many years."
By vote of the town, 18 May 1773, he was given charge of the ferry "which is by his house across the Connecticut River" he to receive "the profits for ferrying, three coppers for a man and horse, and one copper for a man alone, and allowing the use of his boat on the Sabbath for Newbury and Haverhill to pass and repass to the public worship of God, the boat being made good. After him his sons kept the ferry until the bridge was built in 1796.
One of his daughters, who had crossed the river in her father's boat one day, returned in the dusk of the evening. After pushing the boat into the stream, she found that an animal in the further end of the boat which she had supposed to be a dog was a young bear. The girl screamed and the bear leaped over the side of the boat and disappeared with a great splash. Which of the two, the girl or the bear, was most frightened is not known.
The history, in compairing the early conditions at Newbury with the present says: "Could we return for an hour to the primitive life at Newbury, one hundred and thrity-eight years ago, we would find little to remind us of the prisent aspect of the scene. The Connecticut flowed through a dense forest, broken here and there by Indian clearings of a few acres of extent. A heavy growth of pines covered the plain on which Newbury village now stands. Moosilauke over looked a mighty forest which stretched away as far as the eye could reach; but a closer observation would discern tokens of a coming change. The sound of settler's axe was heard by the river bank. In a few places, a rude trail, the precursor of the present river road, wound through the woods. The sun shone into new clearings here and there, and smoke from a few log dewllings rose in the primeval forest, for the settlers had come. What was there here for that handful of adventurers in the Coös country in that far off winter of 1762-63? What was their manner of life in the rude huts which only partially sheltered them from the northern blasts? When we remember that there were no roads, no schools, no churches; that where was no physician nearer than Canterbury or Charlestown (N. H.); that there was no habitation of white men within sixty miles of them; that the woods were full of savage beasts, and that the dread of the Indians had by no means passed away we wonder how the people endured it. one of the sons of Richard CHAMBERLIN related in his old age that they seldom arose in the mornings of that long winter without seeing the tracks of bears and wolves in the snow around their cabin on Musquash meadow. Few of the cabins had doors, for as yet there was no sawmill, but a coverlit suspended over the entrance kept out some of the cold. Sometimes wolves would lift this curtain and thrust in their heads. The cattle had to be shut in pens built strongly enough to resist the attack of bears. Yet the people seemed to have got through the winter very well. No one died and we do not know that any went back in the spring disheartened to the older settlements. The men worked hard at healthy, vigorous labor in the open air, chopping and clearing land and hunting. They seemed to have had plenty of food; they were all young and took their privations as a matter of course. Richard CHAMBERLIN was the only man past forty-five and he was accustomed to pioneer life.
Richard CHAMBERLIN, as well as his sons Joseph and Abiel, was one of the original grantees of the town of Newbury, by deed from Governor Benning WENTWORTH of New Hampshire, 18 March 1763. Richard with other grantees, signed in April 1768, a deed of land in Newbury to Benjamin WHITING, and the following is a facsimile of his signature to that instrument the original of which is preserved by the New England Historic & Genealogical Society:
The first local town meeting of Newbury was held at General BAYLEY's HOUSE on July 12, 1764, at which Richard CHAMBERLAIN and Simeon STEVENS were chosen as tything-men, a sort of local police whose duties were to inspect taverns, keep an eye upon strangers and suspicious persons and they could arrest without a warrent, offenders of the law. It was their duty to detain travelers upon the highway on the Sabbath and keep order in public assemblies, particularly in the meeting-house on the Lord's Day. When on duty, they carried a wand or staff five feet long. A number of duties which are now performed by other officers were then attended to by the tything-men. The office was considered very important and only the most staid and substantial citizens were elected to it. They usually held the office several years in succession.
At the age of 61 Richard CHAMBERLIN was a member of the first company of Minute-Men organized by Captain Thomas JOHNSON in Newbury for service in the Revolutionary War; but probably did not see actual service. Six of his sons, Joseph (Second Lieutenant), Abiel, Er, Nathaniel, Silas, and Richard Jr., went with Captain JOHNSON'S company to Saratoga in 1775.
He married Abigail, daughter of Remembrance WRIGHT, born April 27, 1719, who was one of the earliest members of the Congregational Church of Newbury. She survived her husband several years, as she is mentioned as late as 1795 in Dr. Samuel WHITE's account book as "Widow Richard CHAMBERLIN" but the date of her death is unknown. He died at Newbury 16 ____ber 1784 and was buried in the cemetery there, where his gravestone may still be seen.
I. Richard4, 4th generation from Richard of England and Braintree
Mass., was one of the first settlers of Newbury, Vermont, and a
record of his descendants is given in the history of that town.
He was one of the garrison of Charlestown, New Hampshire, when
that fort was besieged by the French and Indians in April 1747,
when it was commanded by Captain Phineas Stevens, whose sons
were so prominent here in early days. Richard Chamberlin died
1784.
Richard4, 4th generation from Richard of England and Braintree
Mass., soldier in the Indian wars, came to Newbury, 1762.
He married Abigail, daughter of Rememberance Wright, and
grand daughter of Captain Benjamin Wright, whose diary is
given in Chapter 1. He died 1784, 13 children. He has had
many descendants in Ryegate.
Richard4, b. Oxford, Massachusetts, July 9, 1714; Removed to Northfield.
Was in Capt. Phinehas Stevens' Co. of 60 men at Charlestown, New
Hampshire, during the siege in 1747. In Capt. Salah Barnard's Co.,
Col. Wm. William's regiment for the invasion of Canada from March
13 to December 13, 1758, with his son Abial. Came to Newbury in
June 1762. (see early chapters of this volume), where he settled on
Musquash Meadow, and kept the ferry, Was in a company of Minute Men
in 1775. He seem to have been a man of substance and held in esteem,
and in the town and church records is always spoken of as Mr.
Chamberlin. He was, probably a member of the first church as there
is record of several church meetings being held at his house. He
held various minor offices, and appears to have been a substantial
citizen and the oldest man in the settlement. his gravestone, which
may be found in the cemetery at the Ox-bow, a few feet from the
monument to Col. Thomas Johnson, says that he died 16 ____ber, 1784.
Traditions, handed down through various branches of the Chamberlin
families, assert that Richard, and Moses the pioneer of the third
Chamberlin family to settle here, were brothers, and married
sisters. daughters of Rememberance Wright of Northampton.
(See Moses Chamberlain family).
His wifes name was Abigail, and the date of her death is unknown.
She survived her husband several years, as she is mentioned, as late
as 1795, in Dr. Samuel White's account book, as "Widow Richard
Chamberlin." She was one of the earliest members of the
Congregational Church.
In 1770, a list of heads of families was returned to the Governor
of New York, which gives us approximately the whole number of
people who were her at that time, and is in many ways a valuable
list.* They are as Follows:
Jacob Bayley Jonathan Fowler Nehemiah Lovewell
Ephraim Bayley John Foreman John Mills
Frey Bayley Jonathan Goodwin Stephens McConnell
Samuel Barnet John Haseltine John Nutting
Jonathan Butterfield Robert Haseltine Peter Powers
Thomas Chamberlain Daniel Hall Simeon Stevens
Richard Chamberlin4 Enoch Hall Ephraim Spafford
Joseph Chamberlin2 Sylvanus Heath Gideon Smith
Abiel Chamberlin Robert Hunkins Levi Sylvester
Nathaniel Chamberlin3 Samuel Hale John Taplin Jr.
Uriah Chamberlin Thomas Johnson Daniel Tillotson
Er Chamberlin5 Elihu Johnson5 Moses Thurston
Ezekiel Colburn Haynes Johnson David Weeks
Abner Fowler Robert Johnson Ebenezer White
Abner Fowler Jr. Jacob Kent Joseph White
Jacob Fowler
Those in Italics are related ie cousins or uncles etc.
Those also underlined are direct ancestors.
* Documentary History of New York. Vol iv. p. 209.
1790 Census Abigail CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
1 -------- 3
1790 Census Blanchard CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
1 -------- 2
1790 Census Elanah CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
2 2 4
1790 Census Moses CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
1 3 4
1790 Census Nathaniel CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
3 4 5
1790 Census Remembrance CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
3 4 5
1790 Census Silas CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
1 5 3
1790 Census Thomas CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 32
Males 16 Up; Under 16; Females
1 1 3
1800 Census Benjamin CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 277.
under 10, 10 to 16; 16 to 26; 26 to 45; 45 & Up
Males: 1 2 -------- -------- 1
Females: -------- 2 2 -------- 1
1800 Census Nathaniel CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 277.
under 10, 10 to 16; 16 to 26; 26 to 45; 45 & Up
Males: -------- 1 3 -------- 1
Females: 2 2 1 -------- 1
1800 Census Silas CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 277.
under 10, 10 to 16; 16 to 26; 26 to 45; 45 & Up
Males: 2 2 2 -------- 1
Females: 1 1 1 -------- 1
1810 Census Benj. CHAMBERLIN Newbury, Orange, Vermont, Page 277.
under 10, 10 to 16; 16 to 26; 26 to 45; 45 & Up
Males: -------- -------- 2 -------- 1
Females: -------- -------- -------- 2 -------
CHILDREN of Richard CHAMBERLAIN and Abigail WRIGHT:
1. ABIGAIL b: 28 Aug 1736; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
+ 2. JOSEPH b: 18 Mar 1738; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: Abt 1767; , Orange, Vermont.
Ruth PRESTON.
d: 5 Sep 1815; Wells River, Caledonia, Vermont.
+ 3. ABIEL b: 22 Nov 1739; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: 1769; , Orange, Vermont.
Eliner JOHNSON
d: 14 May 1787;
+ 4. URIAH b: 28 Feb 1741; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: ; , Orange, Vermont.
Rachel COLBY.
+ 5. ER b: 24 Jun 1744; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: Abt 1767; , , Vermont.
Berey FOWLER
md: 10 Mar 1785; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
Mercy WRIGHT.
d: 1831; Rygate, Orange, Vermont.
+ 6. NATHANIEL b: 5 May 1746; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: ;
Mehitable ELLIOTT
+ 7. BENJAMIN b: 15 Dec 1747; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: ; Hannah EATON.
d: 11 Jun 1832;
+ 8. REBECCA b: 13 Mar 1749; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: ; , Orange, Vermont.
John FOREMAN
+ 9. LOUISA b: 25 Dec 1751; Northfield, Fairfield, Massachusetts.
md: 1770;
Joseph HOLLY.
d: 1835;
10. SILAS b: 19 Jan 1754; Hinsdale, Cheshire, New Hampshire.
Of him, all that is known is that he was one of the
three young men who started for Cambridge, Mass., in
the night that the news of the battle of Lexington
reached Newbury, and served in the battle of Bunker
Hill. He also served during most of the war. He later
settled at Wells River, Vermont, where he built in
1792, the "old Parsonage," now Dr. MUNSELL'S house.
11. RICHARD bap: 2 Nov. 1755; Hinsdale, Cheshire, New Hampshire.
He was a private in Capt. Thomas JOHNSON's company of
Minute-Men in 1775. Nothing further is known of except
the fact stated by Mr. PERRY: that at a training held
at Col. Robert JOHNSON'S he shot a man who tried to
take a gun away fron him and was branded "M" on the
forehead.
12. MARTHA bap: 16 Apr 1758; Hensdale, Cheshire, New Hampshire.
md: ; probably, William TAPLIN.
d: 16 Jul 1824; , , Vermont.
13. ERI bap: 22 Feb 1761; Hinsdale, Cheshire, Vermont.
d: 3 Jul 1773; Wells River, Orange, Vermont.
He was drowned. His gravestone may still be seen and in
good preservation near his father's (Wells' History of
Newbury, Vermont, and the pamphlet entitled "Line of
Descent," compiled by Joseph Edgar CHAMBERLIN.)
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