You’ve
got to love the fierce bravery of the early settlers in the far North New
England states. They were facing a frontier that was days, if not weeks from
the ocean and an escape back to civilized Europe. On the other hand, they were
facing an adventure that would lead to more religious freedom and thought. The Scot-Irish
Presbyterians found a haven in Chester where they could build a church and
create a community. And on the other hand (I know that makes three hands) there
is also the sense of loss where the “native” population is concerned too. I’ve
done a poor job of determining the effect of the building of a Scot-Irish
community in the wilderness might have done to the Indians of the area. But I
still have to admire a people group that would pick up and leave the familiarity
of Ireland (even if they were transplant just a generation or two before) for a
totally foreign place.
Samuel
Aiken was born about 1708 in Ireland, probably the son of John AIKEN although
William Aiken and Janet Wilson have also been suggested as Samuel’s parents
He
married a woman whose surname may have been YOUNG.
The
children of Samuel AIKEN and his wife were:
1. William
AIKEN born about 1730 in Ireland. He married Rebecca FOWLER. They drowned
together at Passamoquaddy. His two sons, James and Robert died at the Battle of
Bunker Hill
2. James
AIKEN born 1 June 1731 in Ireland or in Chester, NH and died 13 May 1787 in
Londonderry, Rockingham, NH. He married Mary “Molly” McFARLAND
3. Peter
AIKEN born 1736 at sea and died 21 October 1806 in Canada. He married Rebecca
Fowler the daughter of Thomas FOWLER (obviously a different Rebecca Fowler from
the one who married Peter’s brother William.)
4. Sarah
AIKEN was born about 1740 in Chester, Rockingham, NH. She married Robert
WITHERSPOON and had at least four sons
5. Samuel
AIKEN was born about 1749 probably in Chester, New Hampshire. He died there 4
January 1825. He married Isabella MCMCDOLE 17 April 1738 in Gofftown,
Hillsborn, New Hampshire.
6. Sarah AIKEN
possibly born about 1736 and died young as a second daughter named Sarah was born
about 1736.
Samuel AIKEN died in 1786 in Chester, New Hampshire and was
buried there.
These early AIKENs in New Hampshire were a bear to research.
Records were sparse and they, as was the English and Scottish tradition, name
their numerous children names that were repeated by the many branches of their
family tree. In one source (1) Samuel is listed as the son of John AIKEN; in
another William and AIKEN and Janet Wilson (5) are named as his parents. I
think Benjamin Chase just got the generations mixed up as Samuel is not
mentioned in John AIKEN’s will and Chase in his book on Chester, New Hampshire
mentions that he Samuel) was a young brother of John Aiken. Chase writes that
He took the scenic route stopping at Portsmouth and Greenland where they might
have lived for a short while before continuing on to the America colonies. The
Scots-Irish who settled in Chester were early settlers although not the
earliest European settlers. However, they soon became the largest group of
settlers there. Samuel purchased one half of lot No. 32 in Chester on 22 June
1738. He later bought the other half for his sons, James and Peter. Samuel is mentioned
in the town and church records but not as often as his older brother.
The Rev. John Wilson became the minister of the First Presbyterian
Church in 1734. They worshiped in private homes until 1749 when the church was
built. Samuel was one of the men in a committee to “examine the collector’s
list” in 1743/4 and 1745 and again in 1749.
The Presbyterian Church seemed to be the center of this
community, made up mostly of Scots-Irish immigrants. The government of the
church was led by the Pastor but controlled by the elders. There must have been
a very strong sense of democracy in this little town. Many of the Aikens and
their cousin participated in the Revolutionary War. I imagine (and this is just
my imagination) strong preachers who emulated the fierce image of John Knox of
Scotland and the independence of pioneers in a new world.
Samuel AIKEN died about 1788. His wife survived him nine years
and died in Chester in 1797. Only daughter, Sarah and son Samuel seemed to have
remained in Chester until their deaths.
***SOURCES***
1. "History of Old Chester, From 1719 to
1869" by Benjamin Chase, 1869
2. "Probate Records of the Province of New
Hampshire" Vol. 4, 1750-1753 State Papers Series Vol 34, Edited by Otis G.
Hammond, 1933, 974.2 Rec 21.2-4
3. "History of Chester, New Hampshire" a
Supplement to the History of Old Chester," compiled and published by John
Carroll Chase, 1926; 974.22 CHE 3.60
4. Internet http://www.redrock.net/sjones/d0006
5.
http://hstsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/texindices... Roots Web
surname searches "CNIDR I search -cgi 1.20.06" Akin Family by Marci
6. Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History
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