Couch, Enoch

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

Enoch Couch was a prominent farmer of Webster in his time. He was born in Webster, April 12, 1793, son of Joseph and Sarah (Pillsbury) Couch. His grandfather, Joseph Couch (first), who emigrated from Wales in 1748, settled in Newburyport, Mass. In 1768 the grandfather moved to Webster, and there improved the farm now owned and occupied by his great-grand-daughter. He resided here for the rest of his life, and died in 1784. The first of his three marriages was made with Elsie Rowell, the second with Mary Webster, and the third with Mrs. Muzzey. Born of the first were four children-John, Elsie, Benjamin, and Joseph; and of his second, one daughter, Mary.

Joseph Couch, the father of Enoch, was born in Massachusetts, and accompanied his parents to Webster. He succeeded to the possession of the homestead, which he carried on for the rest of his life; and he died February 7, 1821, aged sixty-five years. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, enlisting from Newburyport, Mass. His wife, Sarah, a native of Newburyport, whom he married February 10, 1785, died March 16, 1846, aged seventy-six years. She was the mother of six children, as follows: Enoch (first), born November 23, 1785, who was accidentally killed August 18, 1789; Sally, born August 23, 1787, who married Samuel Little, and died June 5, 1852; Captain Joseph, born May 23, 1789, who died in Nashua, N.H., in 1851; Enoch (second), the subject of this sketch; Phœbe, born July 2, 1798, who married Herschel Green, of Salisbury, N.H., and died September 22, 1854; and Eunice J., born July 4, 1810, who married Peter Coffin, and died December 4, 1888.

Enoch Couch was reared to farm life, and always resided at the homestead. He was an industrious and successful farmer. He improved the fertility of the soil, bringing it to a high state of cultivation. Although a man of much natural ability, he never aspired to political prominence, but preferred instead to enjoy the comforts of home and the society of his family. He was highly esteemed for his many commendable qualities; and his death, which occurred at his home, April 23, 1867, when he was seventy-four years old, caused general regret. He married for his first wife Nancy Eastman, of Salisbury, who died September 26, 1828, aged thirty-two years, leaving no children. For his second wife, on April 2, 1834, Mr. Couch wedded Jane O. Stickney, of Brownfield, Me. Her parents, John and Mary (Evans) Stickney, both of whom were natives of Concord, N.H., moved from that place to Brownfield, Me., where they resided for the rest of their lives. The children of Mr. Couch's second marriage were: Nancy E., born February 12, 1835, who now occupies the homestead; Joseph, born March 22, 1837, who died March 14, 1872; and Mary S., born June 12, 1844. Joseph was for some years engaged in teaching school, and later assisted in carrying on the farm. Mary S. married Orlando Whitney, and died April 17, 1876. She left one son-Herbert C., born November 16, 1867, who is now residing with his aunt. Mrs. Enoch Couch died August 31, 1877. Miss Nancy E. Couch, who now owns the homestead of sixty acres, together with other real estate, is a lady of much ability and worth, and is loved and respected by her many friends and acquaintances.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

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