John McConihe (d. 1760), Nutfield Settler

A guest sketch by James H. McConihe, a direct descendant

The reason this sketch did not get written sooner is that John McConihe is hard to find in the records — not because he wasn't there, but because the early Londonderry clerks could not agree on how to spell his name.

The name twelve clerks could not agree on

Across the Early Records of the Town of Londonderry, Windham and Derry, N.H., 1719–1745, edited by George Waldo Browne (Manchester Historic Association, Vol. I 1908, Vol. II 1911), the early town clerks took roughly nine separate runs at John's surname and produced roughly nine separate spellings: Conoghy, Conehey, Conechy, Conochey, Conachey, Conahie, Mckonoihy, McConihe, and — when he signed the Provincial Oaths of Allegiance with his X mark — simply Conihe. The Willey map of Nutfield adds a tenth, "McConoghy," and a 1729 laying-out throws in "MacConechy" for good measure. Even Rev. Edward L. Parker himself, recording the official Schedule of Proprietors of the Royal Charter at p. 326 of his History of Londonderry (1851), contributed a twelfth: "John McConoeighy." One suspects John, signing with his mark, had given up trying to correct anyone.

What the records show

Parker preserves John McConihe's legal standing as a chartered proprietor. The Schedule of Proprietors attached to the Royal Charter granted by Governor Samuel Shute on 21 June 1722 lists "John McConoeighy" with one share among the 124½ shares of the Town of Londonderry (Parker, p. 326).

The 1720 grant of his sixty-acre home lot survives in full in Early Records Vol. II, recorded by Town Clerk John Goffe on 25 February 1722/3:

"Nutfield 1720. Laid out to John M°Conoghy a lot of land in said town Containing sixty acres... beginning at a stake at the north end of the common field... together with an intrest in ye Common land equal to other lots in said Town."

Subsequent entries show him as an active proprietor for another two decades: forty acres additionally laid out in 1722 (Vol. II, p. 80); a further grant confirmed "to John MacConechy and his heirs & assigns for Ever in fee" at town meeting on 5 March 1729/30 (Vol. II, p. 224); and repeated appearances as a bounding abutter through the 1730s (Vol. II, pp. 256, 364).

Browne's Vol. I index, two centuries later, gathers most of the variants under one heading — "McConihe, John, 42, 53, 109, 171, 258, 383, 388" — with a small stray entry filed back under C, "Conihe, John, 384," for the oath-book version. Vol. II is more cooperative: "McConihe, John, lot, 80, 224, 256, 364." Together those eleven page references and Parker's Charter Schedule cover roughly two decades of an active proprietor's life — once you know to look for him under all his names.

Bedford

John removed from Londonderry to Bedford, New Hampshire in 1751 — joining the broader Scotch-Irish migration north over the Merrimack that Parker dates to the late 1730s and 1740s — and died there at the end of October 1760. He was buried beside his wife Mary in the old burying ground; the memorial is catalogued at Find A Grave (#67906800, Bedford Center Cemetery). He and Mary had two sons, John and Samuel, and three daughters. The New Hampshire line persisted through four generations before branches moved west to Illinois in the 1830s and 1840s.

Sources

Rev. Edward L. Parker, The History of Londonderry, Comprising the Towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. (Boston: Perkins and Whipple, 1851), p. 326

Early Records of the Town of Londonderry, Windham and Derry, N.H., 1719–1745, ed. George Waldo Browne, 2 vols. (Manchester Historic Association, 1908 and 1911)

George F. Willey, Willey's Book of Nutfield (1895), map facing p. 8 — archive.org/details/willeysbookofnut00will

Find A Grave memorial #67906800, Bedford Center Cemetery, New Hampshire

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Transcription of an Early Nutfield Map," Nutfield Genealogy, 25 July 2016

James H. McConihe is a direct descendant of John McConihe through the Bedford, New Hampshire line. He welcomes contact from McConihe cousins and fellow researchers at jm2672@pacbell.net

-----------------------

To cite/link to this blog post: James H. McConihe and Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "John McConihe (d. 1760), Nutfield Settler", Nutfield Genealogy, posted June 9, 2026, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2026/06/john-mcconihe-d-1760-nutfield-settler.html: accessed [access date]). 

The Irish Cottage for Weathervane Wednesday

 This weathervane was photographed in front of the Irish Cottage in Methuen, Massachusetts. 

The Irish Cottage is a restaurant in Methuen, Massachusetts, located right at the interchange of Routes 93 and Rt. 113.  It was previously located across Rt. 113 in a strip mall, but now it is a stand alone building.  This miniature cottage is next to the parking lot, right by the street.  It looks very Irish, with the shamrock decorations and thatched roof.  Above the mini house is a small weathervane.  You might not notice the weathervane whilst passing through this intersection, but you will certainly notice the miniature cottage!

The tiny weathervane is a horse silhouette, which is very tradtional around New England.  I've never been to Ireland, so I don't know what the common weathervanes would be over there.  I've seen claddagh weathervanes, and a shamrock weathervane, too, around New England, but this mini vane features the horse. 

The Irish Cottage serves pub food and boasts a staff from Sligo and Galway.  There are special events, and a function room for parties and meetings. Live Irish music is played every Saturday.    

For the truly curious:

The Irish Cottage website:    https://www.theirishcottagepub.com/ 

Irish Cottage Pub and Restaurant, 17 Branch Street, Methuen, Massachusetts

Click here to see over 550 more weathervanes featured on "Weathervane Wednesday":   https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/search/label/Weathervane%20Wednesday   

------------------------------

To cite/link to this blog post:  Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "The Irish Cottage for Weathervane Wednesday", Nutfield Genealogy, posted February 26, 2025, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-irish-cottage-for-weathervane.html: accessed [access date]). 

The Aghadowey Rural Kinship Visits Nutfield

Recently about a dozen folks from Northern Ireland visited Nutfield and New England.  The members of the Aghadowey Rural Kinship are a group who promote the history and culture of the Aghadowey area, where Rev. James MacGregor originated, and many members of his flock who came to Nutfield in 1719.  They took a short "pilgrimage" to visit Nutfield (Londonderry and Derry, New Hampshire), Boston, Salem, and Maine.

After a nice potluck dinner at the Derry First Parish Church, I had the pleasure of giving a short talk to our Irish visitors about recent genealogy projects in Nutfield.  This was followed by a presentation by Michelle Knight McQuillen from Aghadowey, who also presented several gifts to Rev. Deborah Roof.    Derry residents Linda Harvey and Paul Lindemann also addressed the residents from Ireland.

Michelle Knight-McQuillen presents a sketch of Aghadowey
to Rev. Roof of Derry's First Parish Church

Paul Lindemann

During their stay in New England the group from Aghadowey also visited Londonderry to tour the Morrison House Museum and to attend a ceremony at the Londonderry Presbyterian Church honoring the 300th anniversary.  They visited the Casco Bay region of Maine where the Scots Irish first wintered in New England in 1718 and 1719 before coming to Nutfield in April 1719.

Our Irish cousins with the staff at the Derry Municipal Center

For the Truly Curious:

The Aghadowey Rural Kinship Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/AghadoweyRuralKinship/ 


October 28, Derry News article "Founded in Faith"
https://www.derrynews.com/news/founded-in-faith/article_a82ef07b-5efe-51e1-bd83-91590d70f9b1.html


---------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "The Aghadowey Rural Kinship Visits Nutfield", Nutfield Genealogy, posted November 19, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-aghadowey-rural-kinship-visits.html: accessed [access date]).

Nutfield, New Hampshire Genealogy Queries

The query table at the Founders Weekend celebrating
the 300th anniversary of the founding of Nutfield, New Hampshire

These queries were generated during the family reunion and history conference in East Derry, New Hampshire during Founders Weekend April 12 – 14, 2019.  Please peruse these queries to see if you can answer any or if you might know any additional information on these families.  I’ll be collecting more queries, and publishing them on my blog. I hope to find a permanent page or website for these “Nutfield Queries”.

Please post your answers in the comments, or feel free to answer directly to the contact information on each query.

Thank you!

ALEXANDER

Interested in communicating with descendants of Randall Alexander.  From Pat Treadway pgtreadway@gmail.com 

ANDERSON

Looking for info on a (Agnes) Nancy Anderson who was married to Alexander Miller 1725 – 1791. They left Londonderry NH around 1760 and helped establish Truro, Nova Scotia.  Alexander Miller was brother of James Miller who married Mary Alexander, daughter of Randall Alexander. James and Mary Miller left Londonderry and helped establish Belfast, Maine.  It appears the Nancy Anderson, daughter of James Anderson, was unmarried.  The Millers came from Maine to Londonderry.  From mikemck2002@yahoo.com 

Both Morrison’s and Parker’s books state 1^st 16 settler James Anderson’s son Robert m. Agnes Craige. Morrison has them with 7 ch. Parker has then with 9 ch. The 8^th is “Mary”. A land deed suggests that Robert was married to a “Mary” after “Agnes”. Looking for verification for or against this.  From Ken Bennett kbennettr@verizon.net

ARCHIBALD

Seeking sources of information about the ancestor of John T. Archibald, a Londonderry proprietor in 1722. From Paul Margolin  magslp@comcast.net 

Archibald, Taylor, Wilson.  In particular 2^nd generation families who went to Nova Scotia after 1760. From Dorian Hill dorianhill@comcast.net 

ALEXANDER

Any Information from Ireland on Alexander or Randall?  From Gail Pare  gmpare@comcast.net

Interested in Randall Alexander 1667- 1770 Janet Benson 1695 -? Wife and family son Samuel Alexander (1737 Nutfield)  Interested in John Cochran 1675 – 1725, James Cochran 1710 – 1794. From MaryJeanne Cofran Pantanella m.r.pantanella@gmail.com

AYERS

Looking for info on James McCurdy, born 1706, possibly in NH and his wife Elizabeth Ayers born 1707 probably in Londonderry, Ireland.  Interested in their history.  Their daughter Mary McCurdy, born 1732, married James Gregg, born 1725, son of John Gregg.  From Rob Woods robwoods6@yahoo.com

BOYES

James BOYES 1747 will of Londonderry NH names wife Margaret.  Also “my brother William CAVEY or CAREY. Are Margaret and William siblings?  Seek origins of CAVEY/CAREY and BOYES. What became of Margaret? From Nancy Smith familygenerations@gmail.com

BROWN

Thomas Brown, Chester, NH b. Ireland.  Known children:  John Brown, Samuel Brown, sister Elizabeth (Brown) Smith.  Seek family history – possible New Boston, Goffstown and Francestown later residences.  From Nancy Smith  familygenerations@gmail.com 

CAMPBELL

David Campbell 1660-1753 x Elizabeth

Henry Campbell 1697 - 1782 x Martha Black 1696 – 1778

William Campbell 1719 – 1776 x Mary Gregg 1723 – 1805

Was the above Mary Gregg descended from the James Gregg of 1718/19? If so what is the lineage? From Timothy Butterfield WRBFARM1@aol.com

CARGILL

Jennet (Smith) wife of Capt. David Cargill reportly dau. of John and Annis Smith.  Daughters married into McKeen and McGregor families.  Need Jennet Smith Cargill’s siblings.  From N. Smith familygenerations@gmail.com 

CLOUTIER

Interested in connecting with desendants of John Howland of the Mayflower and Zacharie Cloutier of Quebec.  From David J. McRae davidjmcrae@outlook.com 

COCHRAN

Interested in Randall Alexander 1667- 1770 Janet Benson 1695 -? Wife and family son Samuel Alexander (1737 Nutfield)  Interested in John Cochran 1675 – 1725, James Cochran 1710 – 1794. From MaryJeanne Cofran Pantanella m.r.pantanella@gmail.com

GREGG

David Campbell 1660-1753 x Elizabeth

Henry Campbell 1697 - 1782 x Martha Black 1696 – 1778

William Campbell 1719 – 1776 x Mary Gregg 1723 – 1805

Was the above Mary Gregg descended from the James Gregg of 1718/19? If so what is the lineage? From Timothy Butterfield WRBFARM1@aol.com

Looking for verifiable information on the parents of Capt. James Gregg and beyond. I have a name Capt. David Gregg and Jessie Stewart as father and mother, but my daughter has her doubts. I have John MacGregor/Gregg and Ann Palmer as David’s parents.  From Robert Woods  bobwoods38@gmail.com

HOWLAND

Interested in connecting with desendants of John Howland of the Mayflower and Zacharie Cloutier of Quebec.  From David J. McRae davidjmcrae@outlook.com 

HUMPRHIES

Seeking information on the William Humphries family.  From Gail Pare gmpare@comcast.net

KARR KERR CARR

See info on KARR/KERR/CARR.  John Karr captured by Indians 1724 with Thomas Smith his brother-in-law.  Possibly sister Martha Karr/Carr Smith.  Need dates of Martha, parents.  From Nancy smith familygenerations@gmail.com

LINDSAY

Who were the 1600s Lindsay families that went to Ulster plantations?  James Lindsey b. 1680 d. 1774 buried in Nutfield together with his wife Martha b. 1682 d. ?  Son James born in Ireland. B. 1702 c. 1776. Daughter Elizabeth between 1702 – 1710 married Matthew Clark 1722 died 1730, who were their three children?  Daughter Jenat married John Wallace, who were their 6 children?  From Fred_Lindsay@verizon.net 

McCURDY

Looking for info on James McCurdy, born 1706, possibly in NH and his wife Elizabeth Ayers born 1707 probably in Londonderry, Ireland.  Interested in their history.  Their daughter Mary McCurdy, born 1732, married James Gregg, born 1725, son of John Gregg.  From Rob Woods robwoods6@yahoo.com

McGREGOR

Robert MacGregor Jr (1796 – 1881) son of Col. Robert McGregor, Esq. md. Mary Havens in Rhode Island? Ch. Born in RI  son David (1817 – 1891)  What was Robt. Doing in R.I? Other children? From cherribrew@comcast.net 

David MacGregor 1817 – 1891 b. RI,  son of Robert MacGregor and Mary Havens of RI. Siblings?  When back to NH from RI?  From cherribrew@comcast.net

McKEEN

Samuel McKeen’s 1751 wil mentions “my brother Adam Clark”. Who was Adam Clark? From Judy Mann judy.mann5@gmail.com

James McKeen 1728-1800 married “Margaret” supposedly “Alexander” surname. Was she local Alexander or from PA?  from Judy Mann  judy.mann5@gmail.com

Seeking information on all descendants of James McKeen and wife.  Need marriage record for John McKeen and Martha Cargill circa 1730 – 1732 from Jack MacKeen Mackeenresearch@verizon.net

Looking for information on Samuel McKeen 1703 – 1753 married 8/15/1723 Agnes Houston Clark (b. 1702? D.) That’s all I have.  From lisangelini@yahoo.com 

McPHERSON

McRoberts, Margaret = Johnson, James b. 1719 N. Ireland.  McPherson, Hugh b. ca 1750.  Nichols, David b. ca. 1750   In Nova Scotia – Any Nutfield connections?  From Dorian Hill dorianhill@comcast.net

McROBERTS

McRoberts, Margaret = Johnson, James b. 1719 N. Ireland.  McPherson, Hugh b. ca 1750.  Nichols, David b. ca. 1750   In Nova Scotia – Any Nutfield connections?  From Dorian Hill dorianhill@comcast.net

MOOR

Arrived 1720 Charter Samuel Moor and wife Mary

1720 Charter John Moore b. 1692 (nephew and adopted son of Samuel)

1724 Biological son of Samuel Moore b. 1683 and wife Jennet and 2 children, had 2 more in Londonderry.  Want marriage birth info. Where did they come from- Antrim, Northern Ireland Londonderry or Coleraine.  Any information or contacts working on MOOR helpful.  From Karen.johnson@sbcglobal.net 

NICHOLS

McRoberts, Margaret = Johnson, James b. 1719 N. Ireland.  McPherson, Hugh b. ca 1750.  Nichols, David b. ca. 1750   In Nova Scotia – Any Nutfield connections?  From Dorian Hill dorianhill@comcast.net

NUTT

William Nutt. He was on the brigantine “Robert” one of the five ships that arrived in Boston Harbor on August 4, 1718. He settled in Nutfield and worked as an apprentice of Captain David Cargill (Calgik).  He is not listed as one of the original families of Nutfield.  I’m looking for information on what he did between landing in Boston and settling in Nutfield and when he did settle there.  From Steven Davis  wonalancet@gmail.com

RANDALL

Any Information from Ireland on Alexander or Randall?  From Gail Pare  gmpare@comcast.net

RANKIN

Interested in any info on Hugh Rankin and his family history here and in Ireland (His grave is in Forest Hill Cemetery listed as Hugh Ranken) His daughter Agnes Rankin married John Gregg. Hugh’s wife was probably Agnes Dunlop.  But we know nothing of Rankin’s family.  From Rob Woods  robwoods6@yahoo.com 

REID

Martha REID wife of Robert Wear Sr. Need Info regarding her family (parents, sibs, etc.) Wear spelling WARE WEIR WIER.   From Margaret Clark clarkm227@gmail.com 

SHIRLEY

Our first ancestor in America, James Shirley of Chester, born according to the History of Hillsborough County, in 1649 in Scotland, went to Northern Ireland when he was 12 yrs old, came to Chester, NH in 1730, died 1754 Chester. Where, and if in Scotland? Where buried?  Son of James, John Shirley b. 1688 Ulster, died in Chester, some evidence he was the John Shirley in Aghadowey Session book.  From Lisa Hoag, daughter of Mary Shirley Hoag  lisahoag@gmail.com

SMITH

Jennet (Smith) wife of Capt. David Cargill reportly dau. of John and Annis Smith.  Daughters married into McKeen and McGregor families.  Need Jennet Smith Cargill’s siblings.  From N. Smith familygenerations@gmail.com 

I am searching for the date of immigration of James Smith and wife Jean and location from which they came.  Earliest land acquisition in Londonderry that I have found was 1722.  From Richard Smith smithrl@roadrunner.com 

I am seeking the maiden surname and dates of birth and death of Jean Smith, widow of James Smith who died in Londonderry, NH in 1753.  Jean’s will was drawn in 1766, identifying James Todd as executor.  Will was proved in 1767 but date of death, burial location and age at time of death remain unknown to me.  She may have been residing with her daughter and son-in-law (Susannah and James Todd) at the time of her death.  It is not confirmed that they lived in Londonderry.  From Richard Smith smithrl@roadrunner.com

Thomas Brown, Chester, NH b. Ireland.  Known children:  John Brown, Samuel Brown, sister Elizabeth (Brown) Smith.  Seek family history – possible New Boston, Goffstown and Francestown later residences.  From Nancy Smith  familygenerations@gmail.com 

TAYLOR

Archibald, Taylor, Wilson.  In particular 2^nd generation families who went to Nova Scotia after 1760. From Dorian Hill dorianhill@comcast.net 

WEIR

Our Robert Weir 1669 – 1843) born in Virginia ended up in Indiana. Is he any relation to the Nutfield WEIR?    From Jane Greiner glenarborgirl@gmail.com 

WILSON

Need info or citation for Olive Fox (wife of Alexander Wilson 1659- 1752) b. circa 1660? From Pam Wilson cyberpam@mindspring.com

Archibald, Taylor, Wilson.  In particular 2^nd generation families who went to Nova Scotia after 1760. From Dorian Hill dorianhill@comcast.net 

What was the occupation of Alexander Wilson 1659 – 1752?  Who was his wife?  From plouffowler@gmail.com

What / Where are the NW Liberties of Londonderry, Ireland?  From Pam Wilson cyberpam@mindspring.com

Which London companies were granted land in/around Ballymony Ireland during the plantation, and what products or trades were featured? Thanks, from Richard F. Wilson RFWilson@mindspring.com 

STERRETT – Descendants of Nutfield Settler James Sterrett

STERRETT / STARRATT / STARRET

[NOTE:  I have been publishing a series of genealogical sketches of the first sixteen families to settle in Nutfield (Londonderry, New Hampshire in advance of the 300^th anniversary for Founders Day, April 12 – 14, 2019 in Derry, New Hampshire.  If you have additional notes on the first few generations of the STERRETT or STARRETT family, please comment below or send me an email at vrojomit@gmail.com and I will edit this sketch. These sketches will be used and distributed to the public and to the descendants at the Founders Day activities]

Very little is known about James Sterrett.  He was one of the sixteen settlers who followed Rev. James MacGregor to Nutfield, New Hampshire in 1719.  He was granted an additional 80 acres next to his original home lot in 1729. Most of his children all removed to Maine.  His wife was “Catherine” and he had four children:

      1.       James Starratt, died 1729 when his ship was lost at sea near Ipswich, Massachusetts. He married first to Lois Curtis, and second to a Woodside. He lived in York, Maine

      2.       Mary, married James McCartney in November 1723 in Kittery, Maine.

      3.       John Starratt, married Martha and lived in Chester, New Hampshire

      4.       Peter Starrat, was married first in Ireland, and married second to Eleanor Armstrong in 1742 in Falmouth, Maine. Children:  Joseph b. 1743 married Mary and removed to Granville Township, Nova Scotia;  John, born 11 February 1745/6 at Falmouth, Maine and died 4 October 1829 in Paradise, Nova Scotia, married Hannah Bancroft; George, born 1747 in Falmouth, Maine and died 20 April 1820 in Paradise, Nova Scotia, married Sarah Balcom; William, born 1749 in Granville, Nova Scotia, died 23 April 1777 in Boston, Massachusetts; Mary, born 1751, died in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, married first to Thomas Spencer Brown on 1 June 1767, married second to Daniel Wade on 24 December 1776 in Granville, Nova Scotia; Anna Starratt, born 1753, married Zaccheus Phinney; Eleanor Starratt, born 1757 married John McGregor 1773 in Granville, Nova Scotia.

One of the four speakers at the Founders Weekend (April 12 – 14) in Derry, New Hampshire will be Robert Starratt, a history instructor for the city of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and a well- known Ulster-Scots migration researcher.  His talk will be “From Londonderry to Londonderry… the Sterret(t) Saga”.  https://www.nutfieldhistory.org/300th/founders-weekend/conference  

There is another Scots Irish STERRETT family in Maryland and Virginia.  You can read about them in the book The Stewart Sterrett Family Tree, 1740 – 1979, by E. S. Shearer, 1979.

See all sixteen genealogical sketches of the first settlers to Nutfield at this link:
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/p/nutfields-first-16-settlers.html 

-----------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "STERRETT – Descendants of Nutfield Settler James Sterrett", Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 8, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/03/sterrett-descendants-of-nutfield.html: accessed [access date]).

NESMITH – Descendants of Nutfield Settler James Nesmith

The Nesmith Family Memorial at
Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, New Hampshire

NESMITH / NAESMYTH

Deacon James Nesmith was born about 1692 in Northern Ireland.  He emigrated from the river Bann valley and came to America in 1718.  He was one of the signers of the petition to Governor Shute on 26 March 1718, and one of the original sixteen settlers in Nutfield.  He married on 25 December 1714 in Antrim, Ireland to Elizabeth McKeen, the daughter of Nutfield settler James McKeen.  He died on 9 May 1767 at age 75.  His wife died in Londonderry on 29 April 1763.

Elizabeth was born in 1696 and died on 29 April 1763 at age 67.

James was one of the elders of the Presbyterian church in the West Parish when it was formed in 1739.  

  

Children (first two born in Ireland, the rest in Londonderry, New Hampshire):

      1.      Arthur, was born in Ireland, died young

      

      2.      James, was born in Ireland on 4 August 1718, served in the Revolution (Bunker Hill and the Battle of Bennington), and died on 15 July 1793 in Londonderry.  He is buried at the Valley Cemetery in Londonderry, New Hampshire.  He married Mary Dinsmoor, and had eight children:  James born 10 December 1744 (married Martha McCluer); Jonathan born August 1749 (married Eleanor Dickey and removed to Antrim); Robert born 1748 (married Jane Anderson), Margaret born 7 February 1747/8 (married Hugh Moore); Elizabeth born 22 March 1749/50 (married James Cochran of Windham); Mary Jean born 2 September 1751 (married James McCluer) of Acworth); Martha born 6 November 1755; and Sarah born 27 May 1756 (married Daniel Anderson).

      3.      Arthur, born 3 April 1721, married Margaret Hopkins, settled in Maine, had James, John, Benjamin and Mary.

      4.      Jean, born 12 April 1723, died young

      5.      Mary, born 29 January 1726, died young

      6.      John, born 6 February 1728, married Elizabeth Reid (sister of General George Reid) and had eight children:  James born 6 February 1758 (married Elizabeth Brewster and removed to Antrim); Arthur born 1760 (married Mary Duncan and removed to Antrim and then to Ohio); John born about 1766 (married Susan Hildreth and married second to Lydia Sargent,  and had 10 children by two wives); Ebenezer born 27 March 1769 (married Jane Trotter); Thomas born 1775 (married Annie Wilson); Elizabeth born 1762 (married Deacon James Pinkerton);  Mary born 8 April 1764 (married John Miltimore and removed to Pennsylvania); Jane born 14 July 1772 (married Hugh Anderson)

      7.      Elizabeth, born 28 January 1730, married Jonathan Wallace and removed to New York state where she died November 1817.

      8.      Thomas, born on 16 March 1732, married to Annis Wilson, daughter of James Wilson and Janet Taggart. He died on 30 November 1789.  Was a farmer in Windham. He had eight children:  Jacob, Elizabeth (married Jonathan Wallace), and Thomas.

      9.      Benjamin, born 13 September 1734, married Agnes Gilmore. He died on 18 September 1800 in Belfast, Maine.  Agnes died at the home of their son, Thomas Nesmith, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 18 October 1814.  Their children were: James born 23 May 1764 and died 4 March 1811 in Belfast, Maine (married Nancy Gilmore); Elizabeth born 10 September 1765 (married James Miller); Benjamin born 13 October 1767 (married Hannah Morrill); Jeanette born 27 May 1770 (married Dr. William Crooks); Jonathan born 3 July 1772 and died 1798 in Belfast, Maine (married Sally Crosby); Mary born 24 September 1779; and Thomas born 27 March 1782 (married Susan Davidson and Sally Loud Cargill).

Note:  James Nesmith had a brother, Thomas Nesmith, who lived near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

For more information:

History of Windham by L. A. Morrison, page 687

Scotch-Irish in New England by Arthur Latham Perry, Boston: Printed by J.S. Cushing & Co., 1891 

Willeys semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896 : and Manchester edition of the Book of Nutfield : historic sketches of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old Tyng Township, Nutfield, Harrytown, Derryfield, and Manchester, from the earliest settlements to the present time by George Franklyn Willey, 1896

Nesmith Genealogical Society:  http://nesmithupdate.com/ 

For more photos and a transcription of the Nesmith Family tombstone, see this link:

https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2012/11/tombstone-tuesday-nesmith-derry-new.html  

Click here for links to the entire series of the first 16 settlers:
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/p/nutfields-first-16-settlers.html  


------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "NESMITH – Descendants of Nutfield Settler James Nesmith"; Nutfield Genealogy, posted March 2, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/03/nesmith-descendants-of-nutfield-settler.html: accessed [access date]). 

MITCHELL – Descendants of Nutfield Settler John Mitchell

John and Elinor Mitchel's tombstone at Forest Hill Cemetery,
in East Derry, New Hampshire.  From "Find A Grave" by D. J. Goldman

Captain John Mitchell was one of the first sixteen settlers to arrive at Nutfield in April 1719 with Rev. James MacGregor to found the town that became Londonderry, New Hampshire.  He was a surveyor, and his name can be seen on deeds and grants given to early settlers in the 1720s in Londonderry.  He served as selectman, and other town offices.

Captain John Mitchell died 10 August 1776 at age 80 in Londonderry, New Hampshire.  His wife Eleanor (maiden name unknown) died on 16 March 1771 at age 74.  They are buried in Section K, Lot 100 of Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry, New Hampshire.

There was an unfortunate situation which took place in 1749 during the pastorate of Mr. David MacGregor, son of the first Presbyterian minister, Rev. James MacGregor.  Captain John Mitchell of Londonderry was arrested and imprisoned under suspect of having asked for a ransom of five hundred pounds and threatening the life of Mr. Jotham Odiorne of Portsmouth.  Mr. MacGregor attended the trial in Portsmouth in support of Mitchell, who was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of one thousand pounds.  Mitchell was kept in prison until he was finally acquitted. [See Parker’s History of Londonderry]

Did John Mitchell have children?  Who were his descendants? Or was he childless?   If you know the answer to these questions please comment below or email vrojomit@gmail.com 

Note: There appears to be a John Mitchell, Jr. (about 1713 – 1801) in some of the Londonderry town records, who was also a surveyor.  This John Mitchell, Jr. did some surveying in the Belfast, Maine area, too, where he received lots No. 1, 12, 21, 35, and 51.  John Mitchell lived in Belfast until the revolutionary war broke out, and settled back in Chester, New Hampshire.  [See this link: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0233 ]     John Mitchell named his property in Maine and his children in his will filed in Rockingham County probate – son Robert,  granddaughter Margaret, granddaughter Elizabeth, grandson David, grandson John, granddaughter Elizabeth McFarland, daughter Mary Patterson, daughter Elizabeth White, daughter Sarah Heath, daughter Eleanor Wilson, and Hannah Huston.  He names his son Robert Mitchell, sons-in-law William White and Robert Houston executors.  [ PS.  According to the History of Belfast, the first couple married in Belfast, Maine was William Patterson and Mary, daughter of John Mitchell.]

See the website http://dunhamwilcox.net/me/me_bio_wilson.htm  for the Wilson family genealogy, which mentions John Mitchell, Jr. of Belfast, Maine.  “John (2) Mitchell, father of Mrs. Eleanor Wilson, was a son of John (1) Mitchell.  The last named was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and arrived in Boston Aug. 4, 1718, with the Scotch Irish immigrants who came that year.  He settled in Londonderry, N.H.  His son John (2) was then five years old and became a joiner by trade.  In 1768 he became the founder of the town of Belfast, Maine, where he cleared up land and engaged in agriculture, and died in 1801.  He took up lots Nos. 1, 12, 21, 35 and 51.  He married in Chester, in 1735, Elizabeth, second daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilson.  Children: John, George, Samuel, Robert, Joshua, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Hannah.  The fourth daughter, Eleanor, was born in 1760, and became the wife of Jonathan Wilson…”

See also History of the City of Belfast in the State of Maine, Volume 2, by Joseph Williamson, 1913, pages 595 – 597 for more about John Mitchell, Jr. and the founding of the town of Belfast, Maine.

-----------------------------

There was another John Mitchell, born in Ireland, who died in 1749 in Londonderry.  He was married to a woman named Janet (maiden name unknown).  These two men do not appear to be related. Their children born in Nottingham West (now Hudson, New Hampshire):

      1.       Agnes Jane Mitchell, born 5 April 1734, died 18 June 1807 in Amherst, married William Hogg, son of William Hogg and Elizabeth (maiden name unknown).

      2.       Mary Mitchell, born on 13 February 1735, and she married James Houston 7 March 1750/1 in Nottingham West.  James Houston was born 1729 in Londonderry, the son of Samuel Houston and Mary Cargill. 

      3.       John Mitchell, born 6 March 1741, died 21 September 1804 in Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada, buried at Aird, Quebec.  Married to Margaret Hogg on 1 June 1767 in Amherst, New Hampshire.

      4.       William Mitchell, born 25 September 1744 in Nottingham West, died 15 November 1815 in Acworth, New Hampshire.  William married Martha Wallace, born 1739 in Londonderry, the daughter of John Wallace and Janet Lindsey. 

       5.       Elizabeth Mitchell,  born 5 June 1745

       6.       Thomas Mitchell, born 21 March 1747, died on 24 April 1798 in Francestown.  Married Jeaney McInnes, daughter of Hugh McInnes and Martha (maiden name unknown) from Merrimack.

[From the website http://www.bmgen.com/paf/web/mitchell/d1.htm#g1  and vital records]

Click here for links to the sketches of all sixteen first Nutfield settlers: 
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/p/nutfields-first-16-settlers.html 

-----------------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "MITCHELL – Descendants of Nutfield Settler John Mitchell", Nutfield Genealogy, posted February 23, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/02/mitchell-descendants-of-nutfield.html: accessed [access date]).

BARNETT – Descendants of Nutfield Grantee John Barnett

John Barnett, Sr. 
buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, NH
in 1740

[NOTE:  I will be publishing a series of genealogical sketches on the early Nutfield settlers in advance of the 300th anniversary of Founders Day, April 12 - 14, 2019 in Derry, New Hampshire.  If you have additional notes on the first few generations of the BARNETT family, please comment below or send me an email at vrojomit@gmail.com, and I will edit this sketch.  These sketches will be used and distributed to the public and to the descendants at the Founders Day activities.]

John Barnett was born about 1652 in Northern Ireland and died 8 October 1740 in Londonderry, New Hampshire.  He was one of the sixteen men who followed Rev. James MacGregor to Nutfield in 1719, and received a land grant.  He married Janet/Joan Seaforth in Londonderry in 1721 and died there on 8 October 1740, about age 85, and is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry, New Hampshire.

John Barnett’s name is on the list of proprietors for the original Nutfield grant on 21 June 1722.  John Barnett was one of the early school teachers in 1725 in Londonderry, along with Robert Morrison, Eleanor Aiken, W. Harvey and Archibald Weir.  He was a selectman in 1741, 1742, 1743, and 1750. 

The second marriage in Londonderry was John Barnett and Joan Seaforth by Rev. James MacGregor on 2 November 1721.  The first marriage was between John Walis [sic] and Annis Barnet on 18 May 1721 [Was this woman kin to John Barnett?].

His widow remarried to John McKean about 1687.  

From Vital Records of Londonderry, New Hampshire, 1719 – 1910, page 41

Barnat, John and Joan.  Children: Rebecca, Oct 18, 1722; Sara, Sept 18, 1724; William, Feb. 15, 1726/7; Francis, Feb. 3, 1728/9; John, June 7, 1731; Hanna, Feb. 24, 1732/3; Robert, Jan. 5, 1734/5.

Children:

      1.       Rebecca, married Robert Walker 

      2.       Sarah, m. Thomas Christy 5 December 1749

      3.       William, m. Jean Walker, died 19 April 1776 in New York

      4.       Margaret,  died 17 September 1771 in Londonderry

      5.       Francis, m. Hannah Walker, d. 16 Oct 1772 in Bedford, NH

      6.       Samuel, born about 1730, m. Amy Smith, d. about 1794 in Newbury, VT. 

      7.       John, m. Sarah Holmes, d. 24 October 1784

      8.       Hanna, died 10 April 1753, age 20, In Londonderry

      9.       Robert, died 24 Feb. 1772 in Londonderry

10 10.   Jonathan, born about 1740, died 1807 in Peterborough, NH

Note:  Three Barnett children married children of Andrew Walker.  Robert Walker was one of the first settlers of Bedford, New Hampshire about 1737. 

For more information:

Barnett Surname DNA Project http://barnettdna.micbarnette.com/category/londonderry-ire/  

Family Tree DNA BARNETT Project https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/barnett/about   

Click here for links to the sketches of all sixteen first Nutfield settlers: 
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/p/nutfields-first-16-settlers.html 

---------------------------

UPDATED 18 February 2019

On 14 February 2019 I received an email message from Scots Irish research Colin Brooks:

"....my first problem is the age thing. Using the burial records from "Willey's Book of Nutfield" vol.1, part 10,11,12 pp400-414 we have this at Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry:    John Barnett died Oct. 8, 1740 age 86 therefore born circa 1654. 1718 arrival age is c.64.  Wiley then says "William (son) died 1749, aged 11 years. SO John would have been aged 84 at William's birth. Frankly, impossible.

          I backed up to the Land records. I'm sure you know Willey has in the above book multiple maps by Rev. J. McMurphy. What I find appears to support my hypothesis. John Barnet has settlement land on the south side of the original proprietors divide and sandwiched between Archibald Clendinnen and James McKeen.  

          BUT the original "shares" 1722 records show John Barnet with one (1); John Barnet Jr. with one (1). and John Barnet and sons with two (2) in Parker's History of Londonderry pp 323-6 

          In order to gain a share, you had to be an adult (and I believe a family man); so the son's were under age 21 or not married. As you know, the JR. designation simply means the younger John Barnet. Here is the interesting part. John Sr and his second lot for sons almost touch as you go to the south. John Jr.'s land is only a 100 acres and completely on the other side of modern Derry up near the Hill Graveyard overlooking the current Interstate. So clearly, another adult John who had family by 1722, and if his name is given as "Captain" John Barnett then he had some marketable means. This is the John Barnett in most of the town records. 

          As to the "disappearance" of John Sr. until his death. Willey slips in a little note and then a map that shows John Sr. did not like his homestead location and request redress along with other men. He moves to Windham (map by McMurphy in Willey's book) and you can find his land on the modern map at the intersection of I-93 and NH- 111 between Cobbet's Pond and Canobie Lake. That pretty much takes him out of Nutfield/Derry/Londonderry history which explains the lack of records. 

  SO I have:

  John Barnet Sr. born 1654 and died Oct, 8, 1740. Original 16 proprietor of Nutfield who's land abutted Archibald Clendinnen and James McKeen Esq. John then moved to Windham, NH

   John  Barnett Jr. given one full share of original settlement recorded in 1722. Marries Joan/Janet (Seaford) McKeen Nov. 2, 1721." 

UPDATED 6 December 2020 by Fred Learned of North Carolina

by email "Please note that #9 Robert you currently show partly concerns the wrong Robert.  You have the correct parents and date of his death, the 24th of Feb, 1772.  However, the Robert who married Elizabeth Varnum in 1801 was the son of a John Barnett the 3rd.  It is his youngest son Robert, born 14 Sept 1772, who married Elizabeth Varnum in 1801 that you currently show.   

       I've also attached Janet, widow of John McKean & John Barnett, Sr.  I can only presume widow Janet married John Barnett Sr. bet 1722 and 1724 based on the following evidence:

Via various Deeds, Capt. John Barnet gave certain % of his Real Estate to his sons John, Jr., Robert & Moses, that included his wife Janet giving up her dower rights.  Since she and her sons are listed as original Proprietors by her dec'd husband John McKean's name, presumption is she did not marry John Barnet until after date of Town Charter.  Willey shows Janet & sons John & Samuel McKeen on a lot in English Range as well as Aiken Range adjacent to Beaver Pond, 1720, recorded Feb 1722.  NH State Papers Jenet Mackeen & her sons are proprietors as of 21 June 1722.  FDL

I scoured the Land Records in an attempt to make some sense of the three generations of John Barnett." 

--------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "BARNETT – Descendants of Nutfield Grantee John Barnett", Nutfield Genealogy, posted February 13, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/02/barnett-descendants-of-nutfield-grantee.html: accessed [access date]). 

CLARK – Descendants of Nutfield Minister Rev. Matthew Clark

[Note:  I will be doing a series of genealogical sketches on the early Nutfield settlers in advance of the 300th anniversary of Founders Day, April 12 - 14, 2019 in Derry, New Hampshire.  If you have additional notes on the first few generations of the Clark family, please comment below or send me an email at vrojomit@gmail.com, and I will edit this sketch.  These sketches will be used and distributed to the public and to descendants at the Founders Day activities.]

Matthew Clark, born about 1660 in Northern Ireland, and died in Londonderry, New Hampshire in February 1735/6 .  He was a Lieutenant during the Siege of Derry from 19 April to 10 July 1689, where he was wounded in the temple.  His wound never healed and he always wore a black patch. He was ordained in 1697 and served in Kilrea and Boveedy in County Derry.  On 28 April 1729 Matthew Clark left his congregation and came to Londonderry, New Hampshire to meet up with kin who were probably his children.

The Rev. James MacGregor had just died in Londonderry, New Hampshire when Rev. Clark arrived.  Since the town needed a minister they made him an offer, which he first refused, but then took the second offer and stayed as their minister for six more years.  He married Rev. MacGregor’s widow, Mary Anne Cargill, and died 27 February 1735/6. .  When he died, according to legend, his coffin was carried by fellow veterans of the Seige of Derry.

It is not proven that these were his children by a first marriage, but since they all named descendants “Matthew” he was probably their father or close kin.

      1.       Matthew, died 28 May 1781 by drowning near Amoskeag Falls; married to Elizabeth Lindsay on 15 April 1722.  Children:  Margaret, Jean, George. 

      2.       James, born about 1692, died 13 October 1768 age 77 years.  He was one of the original sixteen Nutfield grantees. James Clark married first to Elizabeth Fulton, widow of James Wilson on 22 May 1722 (the mother of Ocean Born Mary Wilson); married second to Margaret Unknown. Children born in Londonderry: John born 31 March 1723 married his cousin Margaret Clark; Samuel born 12 April 1726, died 27 November 1792, married Mary Unknown and resided in Windham; George born 15 April 1728; married Mary Wilson and had thirteen children; Elliner born 20 April 1730, died 21 September 1808, married Robert Hemphill of Windham and had nine children; Matthew born 30 June 1732, died 22 January 1805; married first Margaret Anderson, married second Margaret Unknown; and Mary born about 1740 and married William McAllister and lived in Antrim, New Hampshire.

      3.       John, died 12 January 1720/1 and was the first death recorded in Londonderry, New Hampshire.  The land he was granted in 1722 was deeded by his brothers James and Matthew on 28 January 1725/6 (NH Deed 14: 445)

      4.       Agnes, married Samuel McKeen on 15 August 1723, and had eleven children.

      5.       Thomas, arrived in 1720 to Londonderry as a servant of James McKeen.  Was granted land with his brother George.  Disappears from the Londonderry, New Hampshire records by 1733.

      6.       George, also a servant to James McKeen, also disappeared from the Londonderry records by 1733. 

      7.       Alexander, married Jane McGregor, daughter of Rev. James MacGregor, was a doctor in Portsmouth.  Jane was buried at Forest Hill in East Derry with the epitaph “Mrs. Jane Clark, relict of Dr. Alexander died Sept. 25, 1778 in her 67^th year”.

    

      Note:

          There is also a Robert Clark who appears to be completely unrelated to the above CLARK , was born about 1720, died 20 April 1775, married Letitia Cochran. He came to New England about 1725 and lived northwest of Beaver Pond.  Eight children: William, married Anne Wallace and removed to New Boston;  John, married Nancy Stinson; Samuel, married Sarah Holmes and Janet Barnett; Ninian, married Mary Ramsey and removed to New Boston; Jane, married James Crombie who removed to New Boston; Letitia, married Samuel Wallace and Robert Moor; Agnes, married William Anderson; and Elizabeth, married Andrew Mack

For more information:

“Rev. Matthew Clark of Ireland and Londonderry, N. H.” by John B. Threlfall, The American Genealogist, Volume 48 (1972), pages 21 – 26.

History of Londonderry, by Rev. Edward L. Parker


Click here for links to the sketches of all sixteen first Nutfield settlers: 
https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/p/nutfields-first-16-settlers.html 

------------------------

Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "CLARK – Descendants of Nutfield Minister Rev. Matthew Clark", Nutfield Genealogy, posted February 9, 2019, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/02/clark-descendants-of-nutfield-minister.html: accessed [access date]).