Margaret Aiken McArthur was the daughter of Scot-Irish parents. She was probably raised in the Presbyterian and married into it as well. While her life isn't well documented a lovely letter written by her daughter, Roxann, provides an unexpected view into a large family that spread out in New England and out into the West.
Margaret Aiken was born 10 February 1759 in Chester, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She was the daughter of James AIKEN and his wife Mary McFarland.
She married John McArthur 24 Dec 1775 in Chelsea, Orange County, VT
Their children were:
1. Catherine McArthur born 29 Dec 1776 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She married David Bartlett Jr. and died in Rochester, New York on 16 Oct 1822
2. James McArthur born 2 Dec 1778 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. He married Polly Church on 20 March 1806 and died in Allegany, Orange Co., Vermont on 24 Aug 1848.
3. Mary McArthur born 10 Jan 1781 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire married Josiah Maltby probably in Orange Co., Illinois. She died 18 Aug 1848 in Sangamon, Illinois
4. John McArthur was a twin of Mary McArthur. He married Sally Fuller on 31 March 1811 and died in Holland, NY on 24 August 1827.
5. Andrew McArthur was born 11 Feb 1783 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire, married Sarah (who was called Sally) Cheney on 9 Feb. 1807 and died 24 Feb 1812 in Chelsea, Orange, Vermont
6. Samuel McArthur was born 25 April 1785 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire and died at sea in 1814.
7. Margaret McArthur was born 2 Feb 1786 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She married Thomas Keyes on 16 June 1807 and died 15 August 1853 in Newbury, Orange, Vermont.
8. Salley McArthur was born 25 February 1789 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She married Phiny Dwight 24 October 1810. She died 01 July 1865 in Barre, Washington Co., New Hampshire.
9. Janet McArthur born 04 September in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire
10. Moses Little McArthur born 28 February 1794 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire, married Mary Salisbury 06 July 1820 and died 12 Feb 1879
11. Duncan McArthur born 22 May 1789 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire died 20 Oct 1866 in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah. He was a polygamist who married 1. Susan McKeen 1 Jan 1818 in Holland, New York; 2. Cynthia Nickola and 3. Eliza Rebecca Scovil. He died in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, Utah on 20 Oct 1866.
12. Roxana McArthur born 27 July 1798 in Thornton, Grafton, New Hampshire. She never married and died 19 Jan 1879 in Vershire, Orange, Vermont.
Margaret Aiken McArthur died 31 Oct 1842 at Vershire Center in Vershire, Orange County, Vermont.
Margaret Aiken McArthur died 31 Oct 1842 at Vershire Center in Vershire, Orange County, Vermont.
Margaret Aiken was born 10 February 1759 in Chester, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire. She was the daughter of James AIKEN and his wife Mary McFarland. although some sources list her birthplace as Newbury, VT. Most likely she was raised a Presbyterian and her husband John McArthur, being a good Scots, probably was Presbyterian as well. Margaret didn’t leave a lot of records but a letter written to her grandson by her youngest daughter, Roxann has survived and creates of wonderful history of Margaret, her husband John McArthur
Roxanne wrote the following undated letter to her nephew, Duncan McArthur after he joined the the Church of Latter Day Saints (also called Mormans) and moved to Utah. Since the Mormans are very interested in genealogy for religious reasons, Duncan most likely asked for the information just for that reason. But whatever the reason behind the letter, it is a wonderful piece of genealogy wealth and information about the McArthur family.
The undated letter reads as follows:
Dear Nephew
I commernced writing this more than a year ago but eye sight and lame wrist put a stop to things. You will see by the words that I am an old woman to write much. Helen Rogers what lives near your aunt Morrow wrote me that you had gone to Scotland and would be back this winter. Your uncle Rev. Dr. Silas McKeen died more then a year ago. I will send the sermon that was preached at his funeral to Mrs. Morrow and she will send it to you. When you receive it please write me and I will send you my picture that was taken tenyears ago and I would like one of yours in returen. You speak of a gold mine near you. I hope you will be benefited by itif so I wish you would send me a bit if no larger than a pins head. It would be such a treat to have some of oru own gold right from the mine. Did you see any McArthurs Cousins in Scotland? After yourself ggive much love to your wife & children & brothers & sisters. When I first heard you had moved to Salt Lake they said some of the children did not go there. Now if so please tell where they are and what their names. May we all have our sins washed away int eh blood of the Land that was slain on Calvery & be forever with him and with the dear ones that have gone before us in the wish of Aunty Roxanna McArthur. I feel as if this may be perhaps the last letter I may writ. May God’s will be done--. I am always thinking I shall live to be as old as my mother was Live is very uncertain how many sudden deths we hear of.
John McArthur was born in Scotland Glenion Parish of Fortingall 1742 Emigrated to America 1772
Margaret Aikin in Chester N. H. Rockingham County Feb 10 1759. They were married Dec 24, 1775 the births of their children are as follows.
Catherine McArthur Dec 29, 1776
James McArthur Dec 2, 1778
John and Mary McArthur Jan 10, 1782
Andrew McArthur Feb 11, 1783
Samuel MacArthur April 25, 1785
Margaret McArthur Febuary 2, 1787
Sally McArthur Feb 23, 1789
Jannet McArthur September 4, 1791
Moses McArthur Feb 28, 1794, Still lives in Holland N. York
Duncan McArhtur May 22, 1796 died 63
Roxana McARthur Feb 23, 1789
We were all born in Thornton N. Hampshire County of Grafton. My father moved to Chelsea Orange County State of Vermont in 1802. After Father died Mother and I went to Vershire & lived with Sister Keyes. He [brother-in-law] died in 1850. He left her well off for property. They had 4 sons all dead but one Horace t. Keyes lives here his health is not good. Henry was President of Topeka Atchkison & Santifee R. Road died six years ago. Freeman five years ago. I live in one of their house another family in the house. John McArthur died in Chealsea Vt Orange Ct Dec 20, 1816. My Grandfathers name was Robert McArthur his wife Jannet.
Margaret McArthur died in Vershire Orange County Oct 31 1842. Her Fathers name was James Aiken he & 3 sons went into the army of the revolution. He & one son were killed in Ticonderoga and other 2 were wounded they are all dead.
C. Barlet [of] Rochester N.Y. [died] Oct 161822. Her husband died soon after
Jas [of] Allegany Pen., Orange Vt. [died] August 24, 1848. His wife died next year.
Joh [died] Holland Ny 1832; Mary Ill 1827
Andrew Chelsea Vt. Feb 23, 1812
S was on a vessel lost at Sea in 1814
M Keyes Newbury Vt. Orange Ct August 15 1853
Sally Dwight at Barre Vt Washington Ct July 1, 1865
Jannet Baily Essex N.Y. August 4,1 839. Her husband is dead. Her son Keyes a. Bailey was living the last I heard of him in N York City. She had one daughter married Amherst Stone. She is dead but he lives in Denver City Colorado in Supreme Judge of the State. James had a son John & Noble they both went to Mich. Or Wis, they must be old [as] me if living. Mary Maltby had one son Alonso who went to Arkansas & John went to Iowa to the lead Mines.
"The family moved here [Chelsea, Orange, VT] in 1802." [RM] "After father died Mother and I went to Vershire and lived with Sister Keyes." [RM]
***SOURCES****
1. Olive Connary
2. DAR Applications of B. Mae Kimball Collins and Leah McArthur Moellmer,
3. Roxana McArthur, letter
4. Olive M. Peters, McCook Nebraska (Per info from June Knaack and Margery Peterson)
5. The Maltby Family Genelogy by Dorothy Maltby Verril and Prof. Fred A. Molby
6. "History of Old Chester, From 1719 to 1869" by Benjamin Chase, 1869
7. "Descendants of Andrew McFarland" by Lewis L. Gregory Jr., 2002
