Col. John Wentworth

Biography

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47886936/john-wentworth

John WENTWORTH is a son of Benjamin WENTWORTH [born 1670 at Dover died - 25 July 1728 at Dover} and Elizabeth LEIGHTON {born - 30 May 1691 at Kittery, York, Maine died - October 1779 at Dover} Married 23 September 1717 at Kittery.

John was baptized on 26 December 1722 in the Dover Church.

John married three times.

1] on 9 December 1742 Joanna GILMAN They were the parents of; Paul, John, Benjamin, Nicholas. [Benjamin and Nicholas died of throat distemper].

2] on 16 October 1750 at Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire Abigail MILLETT They were the parents of; Thomas Millett, Thomas Millett, Benjamin, Joanna Gilman, Abigial, Andrew, Susanna, Andrew.

3] on 1 June, 1768 Elizabeth WALLINGFORD They were the parents of; Abra, Samuel. Elizabeth WALLINGFORD
married first to Amos COLE on 4 January 1756. They were the parents of four children; Mary, Ambrose, Elizabeth, Amos. Amos COLE Sr., died on 1 January 1762 at Berwick, York, Maine.

WENTWORTH BIOGRAPHY

John, was generally known as 'Colonel John' or 'Judge John', Left fatherless at the age of six years, John was much indebted to his uncle, 'Colonel' Paul, for his early advantages. Colonel Paul took a deep interest in him, and made him his chief heir, willing him the homestead at his death, and the house, still standing at Salmon Falls.

John was chosen one of the Selectmen of Dover in 1747, as 'Captain John' and was frequently re-elected while Somersworth continued to be a part of Dover. He was chosen Representative to the Legislature from Dover in 1749, and various years until the separation of Somersworth. He was first chosen to represent Somersworth, 21 October 1755, was in the Legislature in 1767, and annually thereafter. He was chosen Speaker of the House in 1771, and was continued in office during the existence of the Provincial government.
Upon the organization of Strafford County in 1773, he was made Chief-Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and held the place till the Provincial government ended. Under the Revolutionary government he was chosen one of the Judges of the Superior Court on 17 January 1776, and served until his death. He was one of the State Counselors from 21 December 1775, also until his death. He was colonel of the 2d New Hampshire regiment when the review took place by Governor John.

The last date at which he was present at the Council Board was 22 March 1781, and he died 17 May 1781, at 11 o'clock, P.M. Thus he did not live to see acknowledged the independence of his country, for which he so indefatigably labored.

He was buried at 4 o'clock P.M., 21 May 1781, in the family burial-ground at Salmon Falls, on the homestead farm.

References

• "New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FSLL-XMG : accessed 3 April 2016), John Wentworth in entry for Andrew Wentworth, 26 Mar 1759; citing Somersworth, Bureau Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; FHL microfilm 1,001,115.
• The Wentworth Genealogy: English and American, Volume 1 By John Wentworth. Page 393 GoogleBooks
• "The Wentworth Genealogy comprising The Origin of the name, the Family in England and a particular account of Elder William Wentworth, the Emigrant and of his descendants". By John Wentworth, LL.D., of Chicago, Ill. In Two Volumes, Volume 1. 1870 Press of Alfred Mudge & Son, Boston, Mass. p. 220-225
• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~teschek/genealogy/wallingford/i00000...
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wentworth-1383