Genealogy Report: Descendants of John Niles
Descendants of John Niles
89.JUDGE SAMUEL4 NILES (SAMUEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born May 14, 1711 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts169, and died April 30, 1804 in Lebanon, New London Co., Connecticut170.He married SARAH NILES December 20, 1739 in South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island170, daughter of NATHANIEL NILES and MARY HANNAH.She was born June 17, 1711 in South Kingston, Washington Co.,Rhode Island170, and died February 22, 1802 in Lebanon, New London Co., Connecticut170.
Notes for JUDGE SAMUEL NILES:
He was a judge in Boston, MA.He and Sarah were cousins german and they resided in Braintree, Massachusetts.
He was a judge and intimate friend of President John Adams.He was a judge for over 40 years and had exceutive powers in that he could act on place of the govenor.He was also the senior member of the committee that included John Adams who drafted the letter protesting the Stamp Act.They met at Niles home to write and review the letter.It is considered the first step taken for liberty by the colony.Adams probably did most of the writing.
"He graduated at Harvard College 1731, AM.1734.Was representative from the town to the General Court and held many town offices and other positions of public trust for many years.He resided in Braintree Highlands section on his father's farm "Beersheba" but in old age (after 1793) removed to his son Jeremiah Niles in Lebanon, Conn. where he died."(Sprague - 3551)
"He grad. H. C., 1731; and at his death was probably the oldest living alumnus of that Institution.On leaving college, he did not study a profession, but engaged for a time in agricultural pursuits. His talents, intelligence, good sense, and integrity, soon brought him into public notice.Several years, he represented his native town in the General Court.He was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Suffolk, then including Norfolk; and after the Province had thrown off the power of the mother country, he was one of the twenty-eight councilors, who, before the State Constitution was formed, exercised the Executive power of Government." (Hobart’s Hist. of Abington)
Towards the close of his life, he with his wife went to Lebanon Ct., into the family of his son Jeremiah, where he d. April 30, 1804, a. 93.His wife Sarah also d. at Lebanon, Feb. 22, 1802, a. 90 years and almost 9 mos.He recorded her death with a steady hand; adding -- "She was my loving and tender wife."(The Vinton Record; p. 349)
Samuel Niles Jr. followed Col. Hunt as a prominent figure in town affairs.He was born here May 14, 1711, son of the Rev. Samuel Niles.He was graduated from Harvard with the Class of 1731 and received his M.A. degree in 1734.His home stood near the present Norfolk County Hospital.He resided for a time and was married in Rhode Island but returned and held his first town office in June of 1743.From then on he was continuously involved in town matters with a reputation for set opinions.In 1752 and 1753 he was elected representative to the General Court but did not serve because of his objections to a part of the oath.He was again elected in 1754 and served for many years.He was first elected a selectman in 1748 and started a perennial service as moderator in 1754.He served on many important committees including the Committee of Safety in 1774.He was senior member of the committee that presented the Braintree Instructions in 1765.John Adams states that he drafted the Instructions at his home in the North Precinct,, and that they were approved by the committee meeting at Mr. Niles’ home before presentation to the Town Meeting.The young John Adams looked on him as a “guide and counsellor in the stormy period preceding the Revolution.In the first election under the State Constitution in 1780 he was elected Counsellor and Senator from Suffolk County.
In 1757 Samuel Niles was appointed a Justice of the Peace.In 1775 the Provincial Government appointed him Justice of the Peace for Suffolk and a member of the Court of Common Pleas.As a representative on the Provincial Council in 1778 he became a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College.His last public service to the town was in January of 1793 as a member of a committee to draught and sign a petition on behalf of the town to the General Court “praying that a stop be put to the distilling Rye into spirits.Shortly thereafter he removed to Lebanon, Connecticut to be with his son, and died there on April 30, 1804, the oldest living Harvard graduate at the time.
Children of SAMUEL NILES and SARAH NILES are:
232. | i. | HON. NATHANIEL5 NILES, b. April 04, 1741, Braintree, Norfolk Co.,Massachusetts; d. October 31, 1828, West Fairlee, Orange Co., Vermont. | |
ii. | ELIZABETH NILES, b. March 31, 1743, Braintree, Norfolk Co.,Massachusetts171; d. Unknown; m. DEACON SAMUEL HOLBROOK, Abt. 1763; b. July 04, 1732, Braintree, Norfolk Co.,Massachusetts171; d. Unknown, Connecticut. | ||
233. | iii. | REV. SAMUEL NILES, b. November 03, 1744, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts; d. January 16, 1814, Abington, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. | |
234. | iv. | MAJOR JEREMIAH NILES, b. September 23, 1749, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts; d. September 30, 1829, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island. | |
235. | v. | SANDS NILES, b. Bef. August 04, 1751, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts; d. October 1823, West Fairlee, Orange Co., Vermont. |
90.MARY4 NILES (SAMUEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born May 27, 1713 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts171, and died Unknown.She married REV. ATHERTON WALES November 05, 1730 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, son of NATHANIEL WALES and JOANNA FAXON.He was born March 08, 1703/04 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, and died November 29, 1795 in Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
Notes for REV. ATHERTON WALES:
He was pastor of the Second Church at Marshfield, Massachusetts.
Children of MARY NILES and ATHERTON WALES are:
i. | RACHEL5 WALES, b. February 02, 1733/34, Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; d. January 19, 1798; m. AMOS ROGERS, December 01, 1757; b. Abt. 1728, Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; d. August 26, 1802. | ||
236. | ii. | MARY WALES, b. July 27, 1740, Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; d. July 05, 1779, Pembroke, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. | |
237. | iii. | PHEBE WALES, b. March 04, 1730/31, Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; d. March 02, 1799, Marshfield, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. |
91.SUSANNAH4 NILES (SAMUEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born July 30, 1719 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts171, and died May 09, 1754 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts171.She married CAPTAIN EBENEZER THAYER April 03, 1746 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts171, son of EBENEZER THAYER and RACHEL WALES.He was born July 31, 1721 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts171, and died February 07, 1794 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts172.
Children of SUSANNAH NILES and EBENEZER THAYER are:
238. | i. | GEN. EBENEZER5 THAYER, b. August 21, 1746, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts; d. May 30, 1809, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts. | |
ii. | ELISHA THAYER, b. December 04, 1748, Braintree, Norfolk Co.,Massachusetts173; d. February 01, 1774, Barbados, Barbados Islands, West Indies173. | ||
iii. | JOHN CODDINGTON THAYER, b. February 1751/52, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts174; d. December 04, 1753, Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts175. | ||
iv. | DAUGHTER THAYER, b. May 09, 1754, Braintree, Norfolk Co.,Massachusetts176; d. May 09, 1754, Braintree, Norfolk Co.,Massachusetts176. |
92.NATHAN4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born September 12, 1700 in South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island177, and died July 05, 1778 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut177.He married (1) MARY NORTHUP September 12, 1728 in Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island, daughter of THOMAS NORTHUP and CATHERINE WESTGATE.She was born Abt. 1712 in Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island, and died September 15, 1757 in Groton, New London Co., Connecticut.He married (2) ZERVIAH WHEELER Aft. 1757.She was born Unknown, and died Aft. 1778.
Children of NATHAN NILES and MARY NORTHUP are:
239. | i. | CATHERINE5 NILES, b. July 18, 1729, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island; d. January 09, 1759. | |
ii. | MARY NILES, b. May 19, 1731, South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island177; d. June 12, 1800; m. PETER AVERY, 1759, Groton, New London Co., Connecitcut; b. February 22, 1729/30, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; d. December 16, 1807, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. | ||
240. | iii. | SARAH NILES, b. October 22, 1732, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island; d. April 12, 1783, Orford, Grafton Co., New Hampshire. | |
241. | iv. | CAPTAIN ROBERT NILES, b. September 02, 1734, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; d. 1818. | |
242. | v. | TABITHA NILES, b. August 07, 1736, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; d. March 23, 1823, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. | |
243. | vi. | NATHAN NILES, b. January 16, 1737/38, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; d. Aft. February 1794. | |
244. | vii. | THOMAS NORTHOP NILES, b. December 09, 1739, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; d. May 06, 1796, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. | |
viii. | NATHANIEL NILES, b. March 23, 1741/42, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut177; d. February 17, 1812. | ||
ix. | HANNAH NILES, b. November 04, 1744, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut177; d. May 05, 1808, Preston, New London Co., Connecticut; m. AMOS AVERY, April 14, 1762, Preston, New London Co., Connecticut; b. April 16, 1737, Preston, New London Co., Connecticut; d. June 05, 1824, Preston, New London Co., Connecticut. | ||
x. | ELISHA NILES, b. Abt. 1750, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut177; d. February 17, 1812; m. SARAH BURROWS; b. August 06, 1747; d. March 12, 1832. | ||
245. | xi. | LUCY NILES, b. Abt. 1746, Groton, New London Co., Connecticut; d. Unknown. |
93.MARY4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born August 14, 1704 in South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island177, and died Unknown in North Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island.She married DR. CHARLES HIGGINBOTHAM February 07, 1722/23 in South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island177.He was born Unknown, and died Unknown.
Child of MARY NILES and CHARLES HIGGINBOTHAM is:
i. | DR. CHARLES5 HIGINBOTHAM, JR., b. Unknown; d. Unknown. |
94.JEREMIAH4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born April 07, 1707 in Point Judith, Washington Co., Rhode Island177, and died 1781.He married ANNA UNKNOWN April 21, 1737 in North Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Isalnd177.She was born Abt. 1713 in North Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Isalnd, and died Unknown.
Children of JEREMIAH NILES and ANNA UNKNOWN are:
246. | i. | SARAH5 NILES, b. March 31, 1743, South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island; d. 1781. | |
247. | ii. | ANNA NILES, b. September 12, 1744, Point Judith, Washington Co., Rhode Island; d. March 23, 1827, New Shoreham, Block Island, Washington Co., Rhode Island. | |
248. | iii. | MARTHA NILES, b. April 21, 1746; d. Unknown. |
95.SARAH4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born June 17, 1711 in South Kingston, Washington Co.,Rhode Island178, and died February 22, 1802 in Lebanon, New London Co., Connecticut178.She married JUDGE SAMUEL NILES December 20, 1739 in South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island178, son of SAMUEL NILES and ELIZABETH THACHER.He was born May 14, 1711 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts179, and died April 30, 1804 in Lebanon, New London Co., Connecticut180.
Notes for JUDGE SAMUEL NILES:
He was a judge in Boston, MA.He and Sarah were cousins german and they resided in Braintree, Massachusetts.
He was a judge and intimate friend of President John Adams.He was a judge for over 40 years and had exceutive powers in that he could act on place of the govenor.He was also the senior member of the committee that included John Adams who drafted the letter protesting the Stamp Act.They met at Niles home to write and review the letter.It is considered the first step taken for liberty by the colony.Adams probably did most of the writing.
"He graduated at Harvard College 1731, AM.1734.Was representative from the town to the General Court and held many town offices and other positions of public trust for many years.He resided in Braintree Highlands section on his father's farm "Beersheba" but in old age (after 1793) removed to his son Jeremiah Niles in Lebanon, Conn. where he died."(Sprague - 3551)
"He grad. H. C., 1731; and at his death was probably the oldest living alumnus of that Institution.On leaving college, he did not study a profession, but engaged for a time in agricultural pursuits. His talents, intelligence, good sense, and integrity, soon brought him into public notice.Several years, he represented his native town in the General Court.He was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Suffolk, then including Norfolk; and after the Province had thrown off the power of the mother country, he was one of the twenty-eight councilors, who, before the State Constitution was formed, exercised the Executive power of Government." (Hobart’s Hist. of Abington)
Towards the close of his life, he with his wife went to Lebanon Ct., into the family of his son Jeremiah, where he d. April 30, 1804, a. 93.His wife Sarah also d. at Lebanon, Feb. 22, 1802, a. 90 years and almost 9 mos.He recorded her death with a steady hand; adding -- "She was my loving and tender wife."(The Vinton Record; p. 349)
Samuel Niles Jr. followed Col. Hunt as a prominent figure in town affairs.He was born here May 14, 1711, son of the Rev. Samuel Niles.He was graduated from Harvard with the Class of 1731 and received his M.A. degree in 1734.His home stood near the present Norfolk County Hospital.He resided for a time and was married in Rhode Island but returned and held his first town office in June of 1743.From then on he was continuously involved in town matters with a reputation for set opinions.In 1752 and 1753 he was elected representative to the General Court but did not serve because of his objections to a part of the oath.He was again elected in 1754 and served for many years.He was first elected a selectman in 1748 and started a perennial service as moderator in 1754.He served on many important committees including the Committee of Safety in 1774.He was senior member of the committee that presented the Braintree Instructions in 1765.John Adams states that he drafted the Instructions at his home in the North Precinct,, and that they were approved by the committee meeting at Mr. Niles’ home before presentation to the Town Meeting.The young John Adams looked on him as a “guide and counsellor in the stormy period preceding the Revolution.In the first election under the State Constitution in 1780 he was elected Counsellor and Senator from Suffolk County.
In 1757 Samuel Niles was appointed a Justice of the Peace.In 1775 the Provincial Government appointed him Justice of the Peace for Suffolk and a member of the Court of Common Pleas.As a representative on the Provincial Council in 1778 he became a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College.His last public service to the town was in January of 1793 as a member of a committee to draught and sign a petition on behalf of the town to the General Court “praying that a stop be put to the distilling Rye into spirits.Shortly thereafter he removed to Lebanon, Connecticut to be with his son, and died there on April 30, 1804, the oldest living Harvard graduate at the time.
Children are listed above under (89) Samuel Niles.
96.COL. SILAS4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born May 26, 1718 in South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island181, and died Bef. September 12, 1774.He married HANNAH MUMFORD Unknown.She was born Unknown, and died Bef. October 13, 1794.
Children of SILAS NILES and HANNAH MUMFORD are:
249. | i. | SILAS5 NILES, b. October 19, 1745, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island; d. Bef. 1805, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island. | |
ii. | NATHANIEL NILES, b. February 17, 1746/47, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island181; d. Unknown. | ||
iii. | MARY NILES, b. August 16, 1750, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island181; d. Unknown. | ||
iv. | SARAH NILES, b. Unknown, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island181; d. Unknown; m. SAMUEL CLARKE, April 13, 1775; b. Unknown, Pomfret, Windham Co., Connecticut; d. Unknown. | ||
v. | LUCY NILES, b. Unknown, South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island181; d. Unknown. |
97.PAUL4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born May 16, 1721 in South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island181, and died Unknown.He married (1) LUSANAH KEEN Bef. 1755, daughter of BENJAMIN KEEN and DEBORAH BARKER.She was born Aft. October 07, 1722, and died Unknown.He married (2) CHARITY UNKNOWN Unknown.She was born Unknown, and died Unknown.
Child of PAUL NILES and LUSANAH KEEN is:
250. | i. | PAUL5 NILES, JR., b. Abt. 1755; d. Bef. December 1802. |
98.HANNAH4 NILES (NATHANIEL3, NATHANIEL2, JOHN1) was born August 26, 1723 in South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island181, and died Unknown.She married BENJAMIN RODMAN March 29, 1753, son of THOMAS RODMAN and KATHERINE FRYE.He was born July 22, 1726 in South Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island, and died February 11, 1821.
Child of HANNAH NILES and BENJAMIN RODMAN is:
251. | i. | KATHERINE5 RODMAN, b. December 29, 1753, South Kingston, Washington Co., Rhode Island; d. March 24, 1825. |