Batchelder Family
Reverend Stephen Batchelder (1) the founder of the family in this country, was probably from the southern part of England, as he certainly preached at a village a few miles north of Southampton, in the County of Hants, England. The town of Hampton, New Hampshire was so named at his request. Reverend Stephen lived in Holland a number of years, and saled from London to Boston, Massachusetts and 1632, he went directly to Lynn, where he planted the first church. His daughter, Theodote, wife of Christopher Hussey, also lived at that place. He lived at Lynn until 1636, and went from there to Newbury, Mass., and from there to Hampton, in 1638, and then to Portsmouth, about 1647; lived there until 1650, and went back to England about 1655, and died at Hackney (now London), in 1660, in his 100th year. His third wife, Mary ____, who he married 1650, was a bad investment, and could not live with her. She was a widow, whose real character he did not understand. His third wife, Mary, petitioned the court for divorce soon after, upon the grounds that he married a fourth wife, which there is no evidence of whatsoever, as he was 94 or 95 years of age when he went back. His son Nathaniel had three wives and 17 children; was a man of prominence for many years; in fact, he held a leading position until this death, and 1710. The woman whom Mr. Bachelor was justified in leaving was soon convicted of immorality that brought a sentence of 30 lashes and marking her with the letter A.
there were at least six Batchelders who settled in Loudon, and with families, and were descendants of the Reverend Stephen Batchelder, of England,_____1st., Josiah, born in January, 1767, who was son of the Deacon David of Hampton Falls; Deacon David was son of Josiah, of Hampton Falls; Josiah was son Nathaniel, Jr., of Hampton; Daniel, Jr., was son of Nathaniel, Sr., of Hampton; and Nathaniel, Sr., was a grandson of the Reverend Stephen Batchelder.
Major Nathan Batchelder was born Oct. 25, 1734, and was son of Deacon Ebenezer, of East Kingston. Deacon Ebenezer was son of Deacon Nathaniel, Jr., of Hampton. Nathaniel, Jr. was son of Nathaniel, Sr. the grandson of Reverend Stephen Batchelder. Major Nathan was a brother to Richard. Richard was born Oct. 5, 1736. Nathaniel, brother to Major Nathan, was born February 21, 1740. Abraham and Jethro were sons of Jethro, Sr.; Jethro was the son of Nathaniel, Jr., who was the son of Nathaniel, Sr. who was the grandson of the Reverend Stephen Batchelder. Abraham and Jethro were cousins of Major Nathan, Richard and if Nathaniel. Major Nathan settled at Loudon Ridge, New Hampshire, where are living some of the descendants of this line. After the Major came to Loudon he took the name of Esquire Nathan in all the business matters of the town. The descendants of the Batcheldes who resided in Loudon are noted for being good citizens, our public spirited, firm in their principles and honest in their purposes and aims.
Abraham Batchelder, Esq., and Jethro, his brother, came to Loudon (then Canterbury) near the year 1760, as Abraham Batchelder was chosen constable and 1765 in the town of Canterbury.
Abraham Batchelder, Esq., was a man of large business capacity; was a surveyor of land and was engaged in laying out the town of Loudon in lots. Also, he served as one of the selectmen of the town, and laid out and made the return of a large number of the highways. Abraham Batchelder settled on land near the White school house, he having, while traveling in locality and looking for meadowland with his son Abraham, Jr., found the swell of land bordering upon the pond, covered with a most beautiful growth of birch, oak and white ash, and, at the earnest request of his son, concluded to settle at this place. The built a log house just north of the one upon the Ira Osgood farm, and the land in the southeasterly direction to us a school house, was the first cleared. Afterwards Abraham, Jr., built the northeasterly half of the old red Batchelder mansion, as it now stands.
This lot of land was called a pitched lot, and contained 100 acres. It was afterwards divided by the highway leading to Gilmanton, and that part lying westerly of said road passed into the ownership to another person. The irregularity of the line of the boundary of some of the adjoining lots is caused by the pitching of the owner. Several other lots were pitched upon in the same manner. During the first years of clearing the land and many privations had to be endured. In the first year they were short of food for bread, and Mr. Batchelder was obliged to cut some of his rise before was ripe,dry it as much as possible, and carry in upon his shoulders to Canterbury for grinding, a distance of several miles. The corner raised and used for bread was pounded in a wooden mortar into meal. This same mortar is still it in existence, and consist off a maple log about two feet long, with the bark still on, standing upon one end, while in the other is a cavity, made by burning out the wood by fire, in which corn or salt was placed and pounded with a wooden pedestal. The mortar may be seen by examining the attic of the old mansion.
Jethro Batchelder located at the village then known as Batchelder Mills. He was a largely and owner, the proprietors giving him 400 acres as an inducement for him to build mills upon the privilege at that place. The land given embraced that tract now owned by Joseph P. Batchelder, and also the Cate farm. Mr. Batchelder built the first house at the village, and it is known as the Captain P. Robinson house. He was the ancestor of the race of Batchelder's in the south part of the town, and Abraham was that of the line living at the center. The line of descent for Abraham was Abraham Batchelder, Jr., born in 1744. His wife, Anna Judkins, was born in 1755, married in 1772. Their children are Nathan Batchelder, born in 1773; Abraham and Josiah Batchelder (twins), born in 1775; Hannah Batchelder, born in 1776; Josiah Batchelder (2d), born 1779; Philip Batchelder, born in 1781; James Batchelder, born 1783; John Batchelder, born 1785; Sally Batchelder; Jonathan Batchelder, born 1790; Judith Batchelder.
Jonathan Batchelder married Lois Wells and had a family of 12 children, Abraham, Mary, Ann, Stephen W., True, William T., Nathan, Nancy G., Sarah S., Hannah E., H. John, John (2d) and Benjamin.
Benjamin Batchelder married Mary E. Batchelder, of Meredith, New Hampshire, and has a family of two children, named Martha E. and John. He resides upon the farm and occupies the original house in part that was built by Abraham Batchelder, Esq., his great grandfather. He has held the office of post master at Loudon Center, New Hampshire, for a number of years.
Cyrus Batchelder, who was the son of James, brother of Jonathan, lived in Loudon, and had two children, named James K. P. and Georgia, who maried the Reverend Warren Applebee. Mr. Batchelder has been elected to the office of selectmen, has held that of town treasurer and has represented the town in the Legislature.
Jethro Batchelder was born in 1723, married Abigail Lovering and had a family of eight children, named William, Abram, Jethro, Daniel, Libby, Nathaniel, Jacob and Aaron.
Mr. Batchelder was a onetime the largest taxpayer in the town, but for some reason lost and consumed his property, until he was in his old age provided for his children, who built a small house upon the hill near Mr. Abram Batchelder's, where he died, and was buried in the old village burying ground.
Libby Batchelder and Esquire Nathaniel lived in Loudon and had large families, and were men of note in the today.
Capt. Abraham married Betsy Batchelder. Was born in 1759, and they had a family of 11 children, named Smith, born 1785; Zephaniah, born 1786; Olive, 1788; Nathaniel born 1790: Gardner, born 1792; Betsy, born 1793 Asa, born 1795; Lois, born 1797; Enoch W., born 1798; Joseph, born's 1800; and Clarisa, born 1802.
Zephaniah Batchelder married Mary Eastman and had seven children, named Harmon E., Abraham G., Mary, Arvilla, of Genette, Martha and Louisa.
Abraham G. Batchelder Mary Rebecca Fifield, and had five children, named Fred, Frank, Charles, Asa and Frank. Mr. Batchelder is a good representative of the family; is a man of ability and judgment, and is often applied to for advice and assistance in public as well as private life. He has acquired a good property, and has been successful in the profession which he has chosen for a living.
Deacon Harmon E. Batchelder married Clarisa Sanborn and has one daughter, who married Samuel M. True, and she has three children, named Nellie, Blanche and Mary. Mr. Batchelder resides upon the homestead of his father, Col. Zephaniah, and is a large farmer, and is Deacon of the Congregational Church at Loudon Village.
Genette Batchelder, daughter of Zephaniah, married William T. Wheeler and has no children. Mr. Wheeler is engaged extensively in farming, and has been successful in his avocation.
Gardner Batchelder married, first Clarisa Bradley, and, second, Nancy Young, and had a family of 16 children, named Nathaniel S., Emory B., Judith, Stephen, William, Abby, Henry F., Winthrop, Abram and other infant children.
Henry F. Batchelder married Lydia S. Rogers, and has three children, named Marion, Emma and Helen. Marion married Fred Lawrence and has one son, named Henry B.. Emma married Frank E. Robinson. Helen died in 1883. Henry F. Batchelder has been a trader in groceries and dry goods for a large number of years and has acquired a good property. He has held the office of post master at Loudon for 24 years. His life has been marked in his dealings with others by integrity and uprightness, and he is a respected citizen of this town. His business is now carried on under the firm name of Batchelder and Robinson, and they are extensively engaged, and in addition to the trade, in lumber business, and at present are the largest business firm in the town.
Abram Batchelder married______Whitney, of Canterbury, and they have one child, named Ivy.
Asa Batchelder, brother of Zephaniah, married in 1795, Rachel True, and had a family of seven children, named Augustine, Abram, Roscoe G., Ancie and three others, who died in infancy.
Ancie Batchelder married Joseph Wiggin, and had two children, named Nattie and Gertrude. Mr. Wigin married, first, Eliza Walker, daughter of Ruel Walker, and had four children, named Eddie, Willie, Gertrude and ____. Mr. Wiggin commenced the business of a tanner when a young man with Mr. Walker, and afterwards married his daughter. He soon became the owner and has since carried on an extensive business, and is a prominent invaluable citizen.
Asa C. Batchelder, son of Abraham G., married Jennie Badger and has a family of five children, named Edwin, Emory, Kate, Gennette and Lillian.
Nathan Batchelder married Margaret Bean, April 8, 1756, and had a family of seven children, named Richard, born December 8, 1756; Phineas, born Nov. 16, 1760; William, born March 19, 1762; Joseph born Jan. 2, 1764; Ebenezer, born Oct. 2, 1769; Dolly, born February 13, 1772; Josiah, born January 24, 1775. Esq. Nathan settled at Loudon Ridge.
William Batchelder, son of Richard and great grandson of Esquire Nathan, married Mary Sargent, of Canterbury, New Hampshire, and had a family of six children, named Mary E., Jeremiah, Nettie P., William N, Sarah A. and Park B.
Nathaniel Batchelder had the following children: Betty, born February 10, 1783; Sally and Fanny (twins), born Nov. 23, 1784; True, born July 20, 1794.
Libbe Batchelder The following children:Nabby, born June 19, 1779; Peter, born Aug. 2, 1781; Dolly, born March 23, 1784; Polly, born Sept. 28, 1786 Sukey, born March 8, 1790; Manly and Betsy (twins), born Aug. 10, 1793.
William Batchelder had the following children: James, born March 18, 1784; John, born July 25, 1786; William, Jr., born May 28, 1791; Hazen, born April 16, 1793.

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