Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

STETSON The name appears in the records variously spelled: Stetson, Stilson, Studson, Stedson or Stutson, from the time of its first record in the Plymouth Colony in 1633. It is traditionally credited with having been a Scotch family. Robert, the first of the name in America, is credited with having been a native of Kent county, England, and landing in New England in 1633. As the first settlers of Scituate were known as "Men of Kent"; it may be that he is credited to county Kent, England, with the others, as in 1634 he received a considerable grant of land from the general court of New Plymouth Colony, at which date he must have been twenty-one years of age. The land granted him was on the North river, in the town of Scituate, where he built a home, and the land did not pass out of the family or out of the Stetson name until the widow of Charles Stetson married Clarke Sampson, of Duxbury. (I) Robert Stetson, immigrant, was an important man in Plymouth Colony and a useful citizen both in time of peace and of war. He took the oath of freeman in 1652; was made foreman of jury for laying out roads in 1653; a deputy to the general court of Plymouth Colony 1653-56; erected a saw mill in 1656; was again a deputy to the general court in 1658-59-60-61-62, and again in 1666-67, and an additional deputy in 1674, on account of the immediate prospect of war with the Indians. He was a commissioner in June, 1659, with Major Josiah Winslow and Lieut. Southworth, appointed by the general court of Plymouth Colony to view and adjust the troublesome question of the boundary line at the time unfixed between the colonies of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth, finally fixed in 1664. In 1675 he was a member of the committee to procure clothing for the soldiers in the Indian wars, and in 1681, with Nathaniel Thomas, of Marshfield, he hired the Capt fisheries for the privilege of catching bass and mackerel. He served in the colonial militia as cornet, or flag bearer, of the first company of horse organized in Plymouth Colony, in 1658 or 1659, and was a member of the council of war in 1661 and again in 1681. He took the field repeatedly in repelling Indian attacks or the defending of settlers on the frontier. In the time of the King Philip war he was despatched to visit Scahem Philip, and was paid for this service, according to the records, as follows: "1677 Paid Cornett Studson for his horse, time and pains forty shillings." In 1668 he was commissioned by the general court to purchase form the Indian owners the tract of land which subsequently formed the towns of Hanover and Abington, for the use of the colony, but the title to be made in his name and some of his sons settled on these lands. The maiden name of the mother of Cornet Stetson's children is not known. In his will, made and witnessed Sept. 4, 1702, he gives his wife's name as Mary, and it is generally conceded by the most careful and trustworthy genealogists that she was his second wife and the widow of John Bryant, and that he married her after 1682. His will was proven on March 1, 1703, he having died Feb. 1, 1703, at the age of ninety years, and in his will his daughter Eunice is mentioned as Eunice Rogers, and the widow of his son John as Abigail. He evidently became a member of the Second Parish Church of Scituate before the time he took the oath of freeman in 1652, as his first three children were brought to the church and baptized Oct. 6, 1645. The time of his marriage is not definitely known, but the eldest of these children, Joseph, was born in Scituate; (died young), Samuel, John, Eunice, Lois, Robert and Thomas. (II) Joseph, eldest child of Cornet Robert Stetson, was born June, 1639, at Scituate, Plymouth Colony, and was baptized in the Second Parish Church, Oct. 6, 1646(?). He married Prudence ____, and lived a quiet life on his farm, taking part in neither the affairs of the church, town or colony. He died between 1722 and 1724. His will was dated April 4, 1722, and was probated May 8, 1724. Children: Joseph, Robert, Lois, William, Desire, Prudence, Samuel and Hannah. (III) Robert (2), second son of Joseph and Prudence Stetson, was born in Scituate, Plymouth Colony, Dec. 9, 1670. He served his town as constable in 1722, the only office credited to him on the town records. He was evidently a man of business affairs, in addition to his cultivation of a farm. He married Mary Collamore, of Scituate. Children: Anthony, Jemima, Isaac, William, Martha, Gideon and Robert. (IV) Robert (3), youngest son of Robert (2) and Mary (Collamore) Stetson, was born Sept. 3, 1710. The date of his death is not known. He was a farmer, and evidently lived on a part of the Indian plantation purchased by his great-grandfather, Cornet Stetson, he having a farm of forty-three acres, and on it he erected a house that was still standing on the highway leading from the meeting house to Hanover and was still standing in 1900, being next to the oldest house in the town of Hanover. He sold the place to his brother William in 1746. He married, Nov. 23, 1738, Hannah Tower, of Pembroke, Mass. Children: Robert, Reuben, Hannah, Mary, Batcheler, Caleb, Martha and Jemima. (V) Batcheler, third son of Robert (3) and Hannah (Tower) Stetson, was born in Hanover, Mass., Dec. 11, 1753, and died in Greene, Maine, in 1825. He removed to New Gloucester, Maine, and in 1791 settled in Greene, locating on the place laterly occupied by Reuben Stetson. He served through the revolutionary war, and in the battle of Bennington received a charge of powder in the face. His record in the Mass. Rolls is as follows: Batcheler Stetson, Hanover, list of men raised to serve in the Continental army from Colonel John Cushing's (second Plymouth county) regiment, residence, Hanover, engaged for town of Hanover, term, three years, also bombadier, Captain William Treadwell's company, Colonel John Crane's (Artillery) regiment; Continental army pay accounts for service from February 14, 1777 to December 31, 1779, reported as services, twenty-four months as matross, ten months seventeen days as bombadier. He married Margaret Nash, of New Gloucester. Children: Hannah, Deborah, Turner and Caleb. (VI) Turner, son of Batcheler and Margaret (Nash) Stetson, was born in Greene, in 1788, and died in the same town in 1847. He was a farmer, a man much respected and popular. He was a lieutenant in the militia. He married Thankful Lombard, b. in 1794, died in 1848. Children: Reuben, Angelina, Hannah, Benjamin, Caleb, Melissa, Andrew Jackson, Maria, Martin Van Buren, Alfred, Alonzo Johnson. (VII) Reuben, son of Turner and Thankful (Lombard) Stetson, was born in Greene, March 25, 1813. He followed the sea, and was mate for six years, and was the last survivor of the crew that took the Stevens exploring party to Mexico and Central America. He afterwards settled on the farm upon which Batcheler Stetson first located in Greene. He married Christiana, daughter of David Tompson. She was a woman of most attractive personality and a great force of character. Children: Herbert Lee, William Wallace, Clement Skofield and James Henry. (VIII) William Wallace, second son of Reuben and Christiana (Tompson) Stetson, was born in Greene, Maine, June 17, 1849. His early life was passed at the family homestead and in attending the district school. He went to Monmouth Academy, and later to Edward Little Institute in Maine, and finally to Monmouth College, Illinois. He began teaching at the age of fifteen years and taught some part of every year until 1895. He commenced in the district schools of Maine, and in 1868 went to Illinois, where he taught in district, normal and high schools, and finally became superintendent of schools. While principal in the high schools of Illinois, he fitted pupils who took honors at Cornell, Harvard, Evanston and Ann Arbor, in mathematics, the languages, literature and history, and wrote for educational journals. In 1884 he returned to Maine, and in March, 1885, became principal of Webster school in Auburn, and took charge of the Auburn schools, a position he filled for a period of ten years, at the same time lecturing on educational subjects and writing for magazines. "As a superintendent of schools," says the "History of Androscoggin County," "he enjoys an enviable reputation for executive ability, a broad grasp of what should be taught, and great fertility in devising methods of instruction. He is noted not only for being abreast of the times on educational subjects, but as an explorer in new fields. His annual reports, in which he has elaborated his theory of education, have received the hearty endorsements of leading educationalists." From 1895 to 1907 Mr. Stetson was state superintendent of the schools of Maine and brought to his work vigorous health, marked enthusiasm and tireless energy, great capacity for sustained effort, wide knowledge of school organization and management, quick insight into educational conditions and needs, and foresight into methods of meeting them; a large and ready fun of pedagogical laws and facts, the power to think clearly, connectedly, to right conclusions, and, withal, a terse vigorous, graphic, ready style of expression in speech and writing, giving power to make others think with him and make his thoughts their own. The state reports of Mr. Stetson have been more extensively circulated than any other similar documents in the last decade. Besides being largely copied by educational journals of this country, many portions of these volumes have been reprinted in French, German and Spanish. When Mr. Stetson resigned from the responsible office of state superintendent of schools, Governor Cobb, upon accepting the resignation, designated June 30, as the date upon which it was to go into effect, thus keeping Mr. Stetson identified with the office until the close of the school year. The feeling of the legislature was shown by its voting seven to one in the house and unanimously in the senate, to nearly double the salary of the state superintendent. The governor, in a public letter, expressed his approval of and confidence in Mr. Stetson, concluding with the words: "You have done much for the cause of education in Maine, and I thank you." Though his school work made up a busy and useful life, the more than ordinary energy of Mr. Stetson led him, upon taking up his residence in Auburn, to ally himself with every effort to increase the prosperity of that city, and his efforts have materially aided in the advancement of many important organizations. He was especially prominent in the founding of the Building and Loan Association, having charge of the meetings which led up to its formation. It was a suggestion made by him to a newspaper reporter that kindled the flame of enthusiasm for a public library. Later he brought the subject before the Board of Trade and was made chairman of the committee of the board in library, and it was largely through his persistent efforts that the idea has been substantially realized. He was one of its corporators, and was elected one of its trustees. Since 1907 Mr. Stetson has devoted all of his time to writing and the lecture field. He is a polished and impressive speaker, his well-chosen words flowing gently and smoothly from a fountainhead of sound reasoning, prfound logic and wholesome thought. His eloquence is calm but inspiring, his argument, simple but convincing, his humor, plain but genuine and refreshing. He has contributed much to educational publications. His writing is characterized by his ability to grasp a subject with east to express his ideas with clearness, yet in a terse and striking manner, while a fine presence and a harmonious and well modulated voice add much to his delivery. In speaking without notes he is more apt to be brief and pungent than in his more carefully prepared speeches. He is a constant student of history, philosophy and literature, and to these subjects he has devoted the greater part of a fine private library. From his interest in these branches he has always made it a point to belong to a history and literature club, and he has formed several of these organizations. The following extract from the Evening Post, of Wellington, New Zealand, is certainly of great interest: "In this revival (educational) Maine appears to lead the way. That state is blessed with an enthusiast in the person of William Wallace Stetson, superintendent of the educational department. He raises his voice on paper, and he sings in a way that makes the people listen gracefully. Even his correspondence paper bears signs of his belief that the care of the young is the most important national duty. On the left-hand corner of his note-paper sheet there are five statements - democratic, incontrovertible: 'The homes of Maine are domestic universities.' 'The home and the school hold the hope of the future.' 'The common school is to be the social, literary and art center of the community.' 'The safety of the nation is not in the hands of its ruler, but in the lives of its common people.' 'The world's best servant knows the past, lives in the present, forsees the future, and is ready for the next thing." Such appreciation from far-off New Zealand is certainly pleasant. Professor J. D. Wilson furnishes the following comments: "In the way of intellectual outlook and professional uplift the Kirksville Normal School of Missouri came to high tide under the masterful sway of Hon. W.W. Stetson, the brilliant, scholarly and eloquent State Superintendent of the schools of Maine. In ripeness of scholarship, in catholicity of spirit and in finish of culture Mr. Stetson has few equals in this county. * * * Mr. Stetson's large and lasting service to this institution and to the cause of education and the higher life in Missouri came less from his preaching and more from his personality." Mr. F. B. Arundell, a well-known author of North Carolina, wrote an appreciation of Mr. Stetson as a speaker, from which the following is taken: "He has sojourned among many peoples and has studied men and conditons everywhere his travels have led him. These experiences give him a power and make him a force for progress. He is one of this country's foremost educators. His educational creed is as comprehensive as the children of his country are numerous and his impulses are as sincere and patriotic as the cause for which he pleads is essential and just. Dr. Stetson is a really great American, and he who hears him on the rostrum, or lingers with him in social intercourse, will not only admire him but hold him in sincere and lofty esteem." He is a man of strong personality, warm heart and generous impulses, and out of the strength of his own manhood impresses himself on those with whom he comes in contact. His record as a lecturer extends over the United States and Canada, and he has been heard in many of our most famous educational institutions. Some of his principal lectures are: Some Essentials, The Natural Order of Development, The Literary Training of the Teacher, Reading an Unprinted Page, The Emotions as a Factor in Education, A Master's Message, Some Lessons the South May Teach Us, A Review of the Record, Historical Study for the Teacher, The Duty of the Community to the School, Lessons Taught by Leaders, The Big Four, Education Through the Study of Things, Basis of the Efficient School, One Point of View, Helping Without Hurting, Interpretation of Works of Art, The New Education, Aesthetic Culture. He is the author of: History and Civil Government of Maine; Rural Schools of Maine; Needs of Schools of Maine; What is and Should be Taught in the Common Schools; Waste and Kindred Evils in the Administration of Public Schools; The Public School System with Regard to Purpose, Scope of Instruction, Organization and Present Condition; The Schools of Northeastern Maine; Sketches, Designs and Plans for School-buildings, School Yards and Outhouses; What the School Should do for the Child; Suggestions on Study of U.S. History and Arithmetic; Library and Art Exchange; Local History and Geography and Kindred Subjects; Some of Our School Problems and State of Local Interest; Experiment in Child Study; The School as it Was, Is and Should Be; Words, Reading and Literature; Improvement of School Buildings and Grounds; Methods for Elementary Schools; Manual for Teachers; Gains and Losses; Educational Ideals; Rural Communities and Centers of Population; The Work of a Decade; Standard Schools; To the Boys and Girls of Maine; Crying of the Children; Industrial Education: A Theory and a Condition; and Thoughts by the Way. Mr. Stetson received the degree of A.M. and LL.D. from Colby College, and the degree of LL.D. from Monmouth (Illinois) College. The home of Mr. Stetson on Minot avenue is one of the notable residences of the city, and is surrounded by handsome and well-kept grounds. He was married, July 4, 1871, to Rebecca Jane Killough, of Morning Sun, Iowa. She is a woman of education and refinement, and is active in literary and philanthropic work. STETSON [For first generation see Robert Stetson I]. (II) Benjamin, second son of Cornet Robert Stetson, the immigrant settler, of Scituate, Plymouth colony, was born at Scituate, August, 1641, and baptized Oct. 6, 1645. He was a deputy in the general court of Plymouth colony to 1691, and a representative in the general court of the Massachusetts Bay colony at Boston in 1693-94-1700, the two colonies having joined in a common government with the general court to assemble at Boston in 1692. He was conspicuous in the affairs of the Second Parish of Scituate, and represented the interest of the church repeatedly before the general court. He married Bethiah ____. Children: 1. Benjamin (q.v.) 2. Matthew, born June 12, 1669, died Nov., 1690, in the expedition which successfully besieged Quebec under Sir William Phipps at the time that knight was high sheriff of New England colonies and before he was made the first royal governor of Mass. Bay Colony, 1692-94. 3. James, born May 1, 1670. 4. Samuel, born in October, 1673. 5. Bethiah, b. May 14, 1675. 6. Mary, b. April 21, 1678. 7. Hannah, b. June 1, 1679. 8. Deborah, b. Dec. 3, 1681. 9. Eunice, b. March, 1683. 10. Mary, b. Sept., 1684; died young. Benjamin Stetson, Sr., died at Scituate, Mass. May 4, 1711. (III) Benjamin (2), eldest son of Benjamin (1) and Bethiah Stetson, was born in Scituate in February, 1663, baptized May 19, 1668. He was a farmer, and also engaged in manufacuring iron as early as 1720, when the towns at annual town meeting "granted two acres of land on Indian Head River to Joseph Barston and Benjamin Stetson for the accomodation of a forge." He was a representative in the general court of Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1700, and a man of importance in the affairs of the town. He married Jan. 22, 1690, Grace Turner. Children: 1. Matthew, born Nov. 5, 1690. 2. Grace, b. April 29, 1692; married (first) John Hatch, Jr., Feb. 26, 1718-19, and on the settlement of her father's estate she is recorded as Grace Beals. 3. Margaret, b. March 30, 1694; married Nov. 22, 1739, James Briggs. 4. Benjamin, b. July 1, 1696. 5. Bethiah, b. May 4, 1699; married Sept. 5, 1728, Nicholas Powers. 6. Leah, b. May 6, 1702; married Nov. 16, 1732, Enoch Whitten, or Whitney. 7. Abijah, b. July 4, 1704 (q.v.) Benjamin Stetson Jr. died in Scituate, Mass. about 1740. (IV) Abijah, youngest child of Benjamin (2) and Grace (Turner) Stetson, was born in Scituate, Mass. July 4, 1704, and he was taken to the church and baptized with his sister Leah, two years his senior, Sept. 24, 1704. He married, June 5, 1728-29, Deborah Turner, of Scituate, and they made their home in the town of Hanover after their first three children were born in Scituate. Children: 1. Adam, born March 12, 17__. 2. John, b. April 17, 1731. 3. Abigail, b. Nov. 4, 1733, died Feb. 3, 1752, unmarried. 4. Deborah, b. 1737, d. 1762. 5. Prince, b. in August, 1741 (q.v.) 6. Margaret, b. April 7, 1745; married July 18, 1765, Job Sylvester. 7. Elijah, b. in March, 1747. 8. Zilpha, b. in March, 1750; married Oct. 17, 1771, James Carter, and died Sept. 21, 1776. The five children last named were born in Hanover township, Mass. (V) Prince, third son of Abijah and Deborah (Turner) Stetson, was born in Hanover, Mass. in August, 1741. He married, in 1768, Eunice Sylvester, and after his marriage lived for a time in Hanover, and then removed to Freeport, Maine, at which place he died. He was familiarly known as Captain Prince Stetson by reason of his position in the militia service. Children: Sophia. Joan. Eunice T., married May 3, 1796, Thomas Willet, of Abington, Mass. Temperance, married Jacob Stetson. Nathaniel, born in 1772 (q.v.) P_____, married and lived in Boston. Prince, born Feb. 28, 1780. Charles, born 1786. Sage. Joseph and Henry (twins). (VI) Nathaniel, eldest son and fifth child of Captain Prince and Eunice (Sylvester) Stetson, was born (probably) in Hanover, Mass. about 1772. He removed from Hanover to Freeport, Maine. He married, in 1793, Ruth Curtis. Children, all prob. b. in Freeport, Maine: Daniel, b. Sept., 1797. John. Vienna, married George Corlis. Eunice, married John Stevens. William B. (q.v.) Emeline, married Frank Woods. Clarissa, married Samuel Matthews. Nathaniel, born 1807, died at sea 1835. (VII) Captain William B., third son of Nathaniel and Ruth (Curtis) Stetson, was born in Freeport, Maine, Oct. 28, 1803. He was a sea captain and lived in Freeport. He married, Dec. 25, 1826, Melinda Dunham. Children, b. in Freeport: William E., b. Sept. 26, 1827. Melinda H., b. April 3, 1829. Joseph H. (q.v.) George W., b. Oct. 18, 1832. Eliza F., b. May 18, 1835. Lucille E., b. May 8, 1841. (VIII) Joseph H., second son and third child of Captain William B. and Melinda (Dunham) Stetson, was born in Freeport, Maine, Jan. 22, 1831. He attended schools of that town until twelve years of age, and made his first trip to sea as cabin boy in May, 1843, on the schooner "Edward and Frank." He followed the sea for seven years, first as cabin boy, later as mate, during which time he visited many foreign countries. In 1849 he returned to his home and started to learn the tinsmith trade with J. P. Weeman, remaining with him three years. He then went to Bath, where he was employed at his trade three years, and the following winter he spent in New Orleans. In Sept., 1857, he came to Lewiston and engaged in the hardware business with George Soule, their store being located on Main street near the bridge. In 1863 the partnership of Bean & Stetson was formed, and continued until the death of Mr. Bean in 1886. Mr. Stetson continued the business alone under the name of J.H. Stetson & Company until 1900, when the corporation of J.H. Stetson Company was formed. In the Masonic order Mr. Stetson ranks high; he is a member of Ashlar Lodge, having united with this order in 1868; of King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter; of Lewiston Commandery; and is one of the oldest Scottish Rite Masons now living, having taken his degrees in 1872. For thirty-four years he has been treasurer of Dunlap Council, and for thirty-one years has been treasurer of Lewiston Lodge of Perfection. He married Nov. 18, 1857, Harriet J., born April 9, 1836, daughter of Captain John N. and Jane C. (Trufant) Smith, of Bath, Maine. Children: 1. Ella F., born Sept. 6, 1859, died Jan. 31, 1864. 2. George B., born Sept. 26, 1866; resides in Lewiston, Maine; married Oct. 8, 1890, Hattie J. Noble; children: Ruth E., b. Aug. 9, 1892; Joseph W., b. Feb. 14, 1894. 3. Edward S., born June 30, 1868; see forward. 4. John N. S., born Aug. 9, 1871, see forward. (IX) Edward S., son of Joseph H. and Harriet J. (Smith) Stetson, was born in Lewiston, Maine, June 30, 1868. He was educated in the public schools, and began his business career with J. H. Stetson & Company at the completion of his studies, devoting energy and applicaton to his work. In 1900 Mr. Stetson was elected president and general manager of the company, which position he now holds. He is a member of the Masons, in which fraternity he has been singularly honored. He is past master of Ashlar Lodge; was twice illustrious master of Dunlap Council; past illustrious potentate of Kora Temple; president generalissimo of Lewiston Commandery, Knights Templar; member of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Calumet Club. He married Nov. 29, 1893, Mae L. French, and resides in Auburn, Maine. Children: Edward S., born Feb. 7, 1897. Harvey L., born Feb. 8, 1899. (IX) John N. S., son of Joseph H. and Harriet J. (Smith) Stetson, was born in Lewiston, Maine, Aug. 9, 1871. He was educated in the public schools, and graduated from Lewiston high school in 1891. After leaving school he entered correspondence department of the Youth's Companion in Boston, where he remained several years. For the past four years Mr. Stetson has been associated with the Boston Loan Company of Boston, and at the present time (1908) is president of the Institute, a position and standing that tests his ability and enterprise. He is also vice-president and treasurer of the J. H. Stetson Company. He is a member of Ashlar Lodge, the Scottish Rite, being a thirty-second degree Mason, is a member of Kora Temple, Mystic Shrine, the Boston Art Club, and the American Canoe Association. He resides in Boston, Mass. He married April 18, 1900, Ethel Wyman. STETSON (For preceding generations see Robert Stetson I] (III) Samuel, fourth son of Joseph and Prudence Stetson, was born in Dec., 1679, probably at Scituate, mass., which was the family dwelling-place for several generations. According to the probate records of Plymouth colony, he died in the year 1761, leaving a will which was executed Nov. 8, 1757. His first wife and the mother of the seven children, was Elizabeth, whose maiden name is unknown. On Jan. 7, 1731, Samuel Stetson married (second) Rachel, daughter of Sergeant Samuel Stetson, who was living at the time that her husband made his will. Children (all of first wife): 1. Abner, whose sketch follows. 2. George, born Nov. 6, 1714. 3. Elizabeth, born March 24, 1717, married Nathaniel Stetson, of Pembroke. 4. Joshua, born June 26, 1719. 5. Alice, born March 20, 1720, married Joshua Ripley. 6. Joseph, born March 25, 1724. 7. Ruth, who was called Ruth Merritt in her father's will. (IV) Abner, eldest child of Samuel and Elizabeth Stetson, was born, probably at Scituate, Mass., Nov. 3, 1712, baptized Sept. 6, 1713, and died in Scituate, where he had spent his life, Nov. 20, 1805. He married Deborah, daughter of Matthew Stetson, Oct. 7, 1762. Children: 1. Deborah, born in 1763, married Abner Crooker, of Marshfield. 2. Joshua, b. October, 1766. 3. Lois or Louisa, b. 1768, married Henry Josselyn, of Pembroke. 4. Abner (2), whose sketch follows. 5. Melzar, b. Nov. 27, 1772. 6. Rogers, b. 1775. The youngest son was deaf and dumb; he died in October, 1843, unmarried. (V) Abner (2), second son of Abner (1) and Deborah (Stetson) Stetson, was born at Scituate, Mass., in July, 1771. He was a farmer all his life, and in the spring of 1793 moved to Newcastle, Maine, and afterwards to Nobleboro, where he died Sept. 13, 1846. On Dec. 25, 1795, Abner (2) Stetson married Susanna Day, of Bristol, Maine, who died Sept. 22, 1819. On July 15, 1820, Abner (2) Stetson married (second) Susanna Wiley, who became the mother of: Child: James, born May 30, 1822. Children of 1st wife: 1. Martha, born Sept. 14, 1796, married James Robinson. 2. Deborah, b. Nov. 22, 1798, married Jeremiah Knowlton. 3. Abner (3), see below. 4. William D., b. Nov, 18, 1802. 5. Mary D., b. Feb. 29, 1804. 6. Susannah, b. Jan. 19, 1806, died March 1, 1809. 7. Waterman, b. Jan. 1, 1807. 8. Melzar, b. Nov. 4, 1809. 9. Henry, b. June 2, 1811, died Sept. 8, 1835. 10. Benjamin D., b. May 9, 1813. 11. Abigail, b. Nov. 24, 1814, married Lorenzo Wright. 12. Susannah, b. Aug. 11, 1817, died Oct. 19, 1819. It will be noted that both of the children named Susannah died in babyhood; one at the age of three and the other at the age of two years. (VI) Abner (3), eldest son of Abner (2) and Susannah (Day) Stetson, was born Jan. 26, 1800, at Newcastle, Maine, died Nov. 4, 1878 at Damariscotta. His early education was limited to the town schools which he attended till the age of twelve, and his subsequent knowledge was gathered by reading and observation. He early learned the trade of ship carpenter, and afterwards became a master in that line and the founder of the girm which for many years did business under the name of Stetson & Hitchcock. Among the interesting incidents connected with this industry may be mentioned the fact that Mr. Stetson built the ship "Wiscasset," which brought Andrew Carnegie to this country when, an unknown boy, he set out to seek his fortune in America. If the Stetson workmanship had not been sound and trustworthy, we might have been deprived of our most generous multi-millionaire and the multitudes of libraries bearing his name. Mr. Stetson gave up his ship-building at the breaking out of the rebellion, but he still retained an ownership in vessels, and he lost one valuable ship during that war. During his later years he was retired from active business. Mr. Stetson was a man of upright character, and a member of the Methodist church. In politics he was a Whig in early life, but he became one of the earliest and staunchest members of the Republican party, and was one of the presidential electors when Lincoln was nominated in 1860. Mr. Stetson belonged to Damariscotta Lodge of Masons, Alna, No. 43, of Damariscotta. He was a dummer boy in the war of 1812, and his widow was one of the five remaining pensioners of that war at the time of her death. Abner (3) Stetson married (first) Dec. 13, 1821, Mary Hiscock. Children: 1. Abner, born May 30, 1822, died June 27, 1833. 2. Everett W., born Aug. 23, 1825, married Sarah A. Knowlton Sept. 25, 1846, one son, Henry C.;, died April 18, 1893. 3. Joseph H., born Nov. 25, 1828, died in Seattle, Washington, 1892; married Sarah A. Hitchcock; four children: Alfred, Josephine, Mary, and a baby died at sea. 4. Martha S., born July 20, 1830. 5. Mary E., born Aug. 16, 1831, married Charles G. Merry; one son, Joseph L.S. 6. Abner Crayton, born Jan. 1, 1834, married Rachel Gammans; children: Abner C., Daniel R., Elizabeth, he died 1866. 7. Sarah D., married Daniel Thombs; children: William and Mary; she died 1893. Three children died in infancy. Mrs. Mary (Hiscock) Stetson, died Jan. 8, 1841. Mr. Stetson married (second), July 18, 1841, Betsey, b. in 1818, died Sept. 3, 1865, daughter of Jackson and Lydia (Merry) Riggs. Children of 2d wife: 1. Charles W., born Dec. 26, 1842, married Sarah Barstow; children: Isabella C., Ralph and two who died in infancy. 2. Henry W., born Oct. 15, 1844, married Isabel Curtis; one child living, Anna Louise, and son who died aged three years. 3. Frederick J., born Sept. 1, 1845, died 1901; married Augusta E. Simmons. 4. John F., born Jan. 23, 1847, died 1877; married Mary McMichael; one child, Bessie M. 5. Wilder F., born Jan. 23, 1849, married Bessie ____. 6. Helen G., born Jan. 17, 1851, married Thatcher W. Parker; children: Stet[son?] married William M. Pennell, son, Anna C., Infant, deceased, and Curtis; died 1892. 7. Edwin F., see below. 8. William A., born April 30, 1856, married Mary A. Hill; one child, Marion. 9. Leida M., born May 25, 1858, the present sheriff of Cumberland county. Mr. Stetson married (third), August, 1867, Susan Cushman, of Warren, Maine, who died without issue March 16, 1902. (VII) Dr. Edwin F., sixth son of Abern (3) and Betsey (Riggs) Stetson, was born at Damariscotta, Maine, Dec. 21, 1853. He obtained his preliminary education at Lincoln Academy, from which he was graduated in 1874. He entered Bowdoin College, leaving at close of Sophomore year to enter Harvard Medical College, graduating in 1879. In that year he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, to begin the practice of medicine, and remained there for six years, during which time he was secretary of Vigo County Medical Society for several years, also member of Indiana State Medical Society, Tri State Aescupapian Medical societies, also member and secretary of the city board of health for one term. In 1885 he returned to his home town of Damariscotta, where for nearly a quarter of a century he has been one of the leading physicians. He was a member of the United States board of examining surgeons for Lincoln county, being retired with President Cleveland's election. For the past fifteen years has been a member of town board of health. He is a member of the Lincoln County Medical Association, Maine Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is also interested in fraternal organizations, and belongs to Alna Lodge, No. 43, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Ezra B. French Royal Arch Chapter, No. 42, of Damariscotta, of which he is a past high priest; Dunlap Commandery, Knights Templar, Nov. 5, of Bath; Lincoln Lodge, No. 90, Knights of Pythias, Damariscotta. He is a Republican in politics, and has served on town committees. He has been a trustee of Lincoln Academy from 1888, and now (1909) and for the past three years has been chairman of the superintending committee. On Oct. 3, 1883, Dr. Stetson married Mary P., daughter of Rufus C. and Mary Matilda (Lunt) Chapman, of Newcastle, Maine. Children: 1. Helen C., born Sept. 6, 1884, in Terre Haute, Indiana, was educated at Lincoln Academy and at Mount Holyoke College, graduating from the latter in 1905. Since that time she has been an assistant teacher at Lincoln Academy. 2. Rufus E., b. Aug. 10, 1886, at Damariscotta, was educated at Lincoln Academy, graduated from Bowdoin College in 1908, and is now studying medicine. 3. Grace L., b. July 4, 1891, was graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1909. 4. Mary E., born July 15, 1894. STETSON (For preceding generations see Robert Stetson I). (IV) Anthony, eldest child of Robert (3) and Mary (Collamore) Stetson, was born at Scituate, Mass., Sept. 12, 1692, and died in 1747. He lived in Scituate all his life, and was a cordwainer, the term applied to shoemakers in his day. On March 28, 1717, he married Anna Smith, Children: 1. Mary, born Dec. 9, 1717, married (first) John Vinal, (second) James Woodward. 2. Isaac, see below. 3. Joseph, b. Feb. 24, 1722. 4. Anna, b. June 2, 1724, married William Hayden. 5. Charles, b. Oct. 17, 1726. 6. Ezra, b. Sept. 22, 1729. 7. Elisha, b. Jan. 28, 1731. 8. Thomas, b. April 22, 1734. 9. Benjamin, b. July 7, 1736. 10. Abiel, b. Oct. 23, 1738. 11. Martha, b. Aug. 18, 1741, married Seth Taylor, of Pembroke, and moved to Chesterfield, Mass. (V) Isaac, eldest son of Anthony and Anna (Smith) Stetson, was born at Scituate, Mass. Oct. 19, 1719, and died there June 8, 181, much respected and beloved. On Nov. 16, 1749, he married Ruth Prouty, of Scituate, and they had eleven children, three sons and eight daughters. Children: 1. Isaac, born Nov. 30, 1750, died on board the prison ship "Jersey." 2. Ruth, b. March 27, 1752, married John Lincoln and moved to Maine. 3. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 7, 1754, married Gershom Bowker, of Scituate. 4. Anne, b. Sept. 22, 1755, married John Morton, of Scituate. 5. Eunice, b. May 31, 1757, died Nov. 28, 1758. 6. Elisha, see below. 7. Eunice, b. Jan. 2, 1761, married Richard Boylston, of Charlestown, Mass. 8. Abigail, b. Dec. 26, 1762, married Henry Nye, of Hingham. 9. Mary, b. Jan. 1, 1765. 10. Chloe, b. Aug. 21, 1767, married Benjamin Bowker, and moved to Charlestown, Mass. 11. David, b. July 7, 1769. (VI) Elisha, second son of Isaac and Ruth (Prouty) Stetson, was born at Scituate, Mass., April 8, 1759, and died at Durham, Maine, Feb., 1848. He moved to Durham with his wife and three children in 1789, and settled on the County Road. In 1784 Elisha Stetson married Rebecca Curtis. Children: 1. Ruth, born Nov. 18, 1784, married Nathaniel Parker. 2. Sally, b. July 20, 1786. 3. Elisha (2), see below. 4. Stephen, b. May 28, 1791, married Betsey Dennison, of Freeport, and lived in Lewiston. 5. Isaac, born March 3, 1793, married Betsey Curtis, of Boston, and lived in Pownal. 6. Clarissa, b. May 18, 1795, married Elisha Lincoln. 7. Abigail (twin to Clarissa), married Nathaniel Parker. 8. David, b. March 30, 1798, married Elizabeth Sylvester, of Freeport, and lived in Auburn. 9. Mary, b. April 6, 1800, married Captain Nathaniel Lincoln. 10. Charles, b. April 11, 1802, married Elmira Watson, of Calais, and lived in Durham. 11. Nathaniel, b. July 20, 1804, married Ann Osgood, and lived at Durham. (VII) Elisha (2), eldest son of Elisha (1) and Rebecca (Curtis) Stetson, was born at Scituate, Mass., Nov. 17, 1788, and died at Auburn, Maine, Jan. 26, 1876. When an infant of one year he was brought by his parents to Durham, Maine, and there his youth was passed. For several years he followed the sea, and after his marriage he settled in Auburn. The growth of that city enabled him to sell his land at a great advance, and the remainder of his life he spent in Auburn in retirement. Mr. Stetson helped build the first toll bridge between Lewisotn and Auburn, and was clerk of the company thirty years. He was interested in the manufacutre of woolen goods and in railroads. For several years he was a member of the board of selectmen at Auburn, and he was active in promoting the public welfare in every way. On Oct. 29, 1815, he married (first) Pamela Haskell, of New Gloucester, Maine. She died May 22, 1822. Children of 1st wife: 1. Elizabeth A., born Sept. 10, 1816, married Nathan Briggs, of Auburn. 2. Alfred, born Nov. 5, 1818, married Eleanor Barden. 3. Emeline, b. Oct. 27, 1820, died July, 1906. On April 5, 1823, Mr. Stetson married (second) Laura Bradford, daughter of Chandler and Sarah (French) Bradford, of Turner, Maine. She died June 20, 1862. Children: 4. Bradford, born Jan. 15, 1824. 5. Pamela H., mentioned below. 6. Laura B., b. Dec. 8, 1827, died Aug. 10, 1839. 7. Sylvanus C., b. Sept. 28, 1829. 8. Maria L. C., b. Nov. 27, 1832. 9. Abigail L., b. Dec. 8, 1837. 10. Elisha E., b. Dec. 26, 1841, died Sept., 1869. (VIII) Pamela H., eldest daughter of Elisha (2) Stetson and his second wife, Laura (Bradford) Stetson, was born at Auburn, Maine, Feb. 19, 1826. In 1850 she was married to Howe Weeks, of Auburn. STETSON Stephen Stetson (see Dennison sketch) was descended from Robert Stetson, the immigant (q.v.) through Joseph (II), Robert (III) and (IV) Anthony, eldest child of Robert (2) and Mary (Collamore) Stetson, was born Sept. 12, 1693, probably in Scituate, and lived in that town, where he was a cordwainer, and died in 1747. He was married March 28, 1717, to Anna Smith. Children: Mary, Isaac, Joseph, Ann, Charles, Ezra, Elisha, Thomas, Benjamin, Abiel and Martha. (V) Isaac, eldest son of Anthony and Anna (Smith) Stetson, was born Oct. 19, 1719, in Scituate, and resided south of George Moore's Pond in that town, where he died June 8, 1811. He was married Nov. 16, 1749, to Ruth Prouty, of Scituate, who died Sept. 8, 1805. Children: Isaac, Ruth, Elizabeth, Anne, Eunice (died young), Elisha, Eunice, Abigail, Mary, Chloe and David. (VI) Elisha, second son of Isaac and Ruth Prouty Stetson, was born April 8, 1759, in Scituate, and settled in Durham, Maine, in 1784. He was married in the last-named year to Rebecca Curtis, of Scituate. Children: Ruth, Sally, Elisha, Stephen, Isaac, Clarissa and Abigail (twins), David, Mary, Charles and Anthony. (VII) Stephen, son of Elisha and Rebecca (Curtis) Stetson, was born May 28, 1791, in Durham, Maine, where he resided. He was married Aug. 13, 1813, to Betsey Dennison, daughter of George (3) and Dorcas Soule. (See Dennison VII). Children: Jennet Betsey, George D., Pamelia H., Elisha and Andrew J. (VIII) Jeanette, eldest child of Stephen and Betsey (Dennison) Stetson, was born Sept. 22, 1815, and became the wife of Nathan A. West, of Lewiston, later of Bath, Maine. (IX) Nettie Aldea, daughter of Nathan and Jeanette (Stetson) West, was born May 20, 1859, in Bath, and became the wife of John I. Brown.