Yeaton, James

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

James Yeaton, a well-known farmer of Epsom, Merrimack County, was born in this town, January 11, 1832, son of John and Sarah (Bickford) Yeaton. His ancestors for several generations were prosperous farmers in this State; and his great-grandfather, John Yeaton (first), was a pioneer settler in Epsom. John Yeaton, second, grandfather of James, was a native of this town, and resided here his entire life. A successful farmer, he accumulated considerable property. He was a Democrat in politics and a Congregationalist in his religious views. At his death he was about eighty-one years old. He was three times married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Bickford, died at the age of twenty-five. Of her two sons who attained maturity, John was the elder. The father married for his second wife a Miss Towle, who had three children, none of whom are living. His third marriage, which was made with the widow of William Yeaton, resulted in no children.

John Yeaton, third, was born in Epsom, March 29, 1804. He was reared to farming, which he followed successfully during his active period; and he died at the age of seventy-six years, leaving a good estate. He was one of the prominent men of his day. While not an office-seeker for himself, he took an active part in securing the election of capable officials. In politics he acted with the Free Soil party, but later became a Republican. He was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. His first wife, Sarah Bickford Yeaton, whom he married December 25, 1828, was a daughter of Samuel Bickford, of Epsom. She died at the age of forty-nine years, leaving five of her six children; namely, James, Sarah E., Daniel, Vianna R., and Betsy A. Daniel Yeaton married Annie B. Rowell, of Chichester, N.H., and has three children-Alfred D., Minot R., and Alice B. Vianna R. is now the widow of Elbridge Batchelder, late of Epsom, and has two children-George E. and Edith G. Betsy A. married for her first husband Thomas B. Robinson, of Epsom, by whom she had two sons-Bert and Elmer. She is now the wife of John Brown, of Northwood, N.H. John Yeaton, third, married for his second wife Mrs. Caroline Cilly, the widow of Samuel Cilly, late of Lowell, Mass., and a sister of his first wife. By this union there were two children: Stella R., who is no longer living; and Fred W.

James Yeaton was educated in the schools of his native town and at Pembroke Academy. After leaving school, he learned the shoemaker's trade in Deerfield, N.H., and followed it for three winters. He then engaged in agriculture. In 1878 he purchased his present farm of sixty acres. On March 3, 1858, he contracted his first marriage with Martha A. Randall, daughter of Francis D. Randall, of Deerfield, N.H. Of her three children Edwin Randall Yeaton is living. June 25, 1860, he married Ella M. Eastman, of this town, and now has one child-Albert James, who was born May 26, 1896. Mrs. Martha Yeaton died at the age of thirty-six. On April 9, 1874, Mr. Yeaton entered his second marriage with Annie R. Crockett, whose mother was a sister of his first wife. She was born in Concord, March 30, 1853, daughter of John K. and Sally Rebecca (Randall) Crockett. The children of this union are: John C., who was born May 19, 1875; Helen E. P., born July 22, 1878; and George Hill, born December 21, 1883.

Mr. Yeaton is a member of the Free Will Baptist church. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as Town Clerk for two years in succession, and has been several times elected a member of the Board of Selectmen. As a public official he was able and efficient. He is much respected by his townsmen.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

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