PORTER FAMILY of Sullivan County, NH
Transcribed and contributed to Genealogy Trails by Janice Farnsworth - Farns10th@aol.com
Source: History of Charlestown, NH - Fort 4 by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson pub 1876,
Claremont, NH

James Porter the progenitor of those of that name who settled at Charlestown, NH was prob. the son of Hezekiah Porter of East Hartford, CT b. Feb. 24, 1695. He was in the garrison at Northfield as early as 1722 and from an old manuscript in the State House in Boston, "James Porter of Northfield, petitions May 1727 - being one of the soldiers that in the year 1725 enlisted under the command of Capt. Thomas Wells of Deerfield on an expedition up the Connecticut River in the month of March in pursuit of the Indian enemy. On the return it was the bad hap to have the canoe overset coming down a ledge of falls, when three of the canoe's company were drowned. Lieut Jos. Clesson and Samuel Harmon and John Porter gained land. Porter lost his gun, value f5 and his blanket and all accoutrements fitted for such an expedition - f5 allowed". The prob. locality of the above bad hap' was at what is now Bellow Falls, but which at that time was unamed and evidently little known.

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James Porter m. Experience___(surname unknown) and had issue (most settled at Charlestown).
1. Mary Porter b. 1726
2. James Porter Jr. b. 1728
3. Sarah Porter b. 1730
4. William Porter b.1732
5. Noah Porter b. 1734
6. Nathan Porter b.1736 d. 174l.

Author's note: "We find in the roll call of Capt. Phineas Stevens' company from March 10th to Oct 20th, 1748 the names of James Porter, James Porter Jr., and William Porter. The names of James Porter and William Porter are also found on the roll of Capt. Phineas Stevens for 1750."

The Porter brothers, James, William and Noah were bold and dauntless men and they inspired in the minds of the Indians, such fear that they were left unmolested by their attacks.

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Lieutenant James Porter Jr. and his wife Elizabeth
(Betty) Porter (who d. 1778 age 48) had issue:
1. Molly Porter b. 1750
2. Nathan Porter b.1752 d. 1756 at Nova Scotia.
3. Susanna Porter b. 1754 m. Elijah Ellsworth.
4. Noah Porter b. 1755 and d.1805 m. Mrs. Jerusha Porter widow of Chandler Porter. Their issue:

1. Noah Porter Jr. b. 1798
2. Clara Porter died 1860
3. Nancy Porter b.1803

5. Nathan Porter 2d b. 1757 d. 1758
6. Chandler Porter b. 1759 d. 1795 m. Jerusha Downer (see item 4, above) Their children:

1. Warren Porter b.1792
2. Chandler Porter Jr. drowned 1796 aged 2 and was buried with his father.

7. James Porter b. 176l
8. Joel Porter b. 1763
9. Sabra Porter b. 1765 m. Abner Powers on Oct l2, 1784
10. Miriam Porter b. 1767 d. 1768

Note: William Porter son of James Porter settled at Charlestown NH as early as 1749 but no record has been found of his marriage or his family.

Noah Porter son of James Porter also settled at Charlestown, NH and claimed to have been one of the lst settlers of Springfield, Vt. The following family was prob. connected with the families above, but in what manner has not been ascertained.

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Asahel C. Porter and Mehitable Porter - their issue:
l. Burrill Porter b. 1804 m. 183l Susan Garfield dau John Garfield b. 1803

l. Burrill Porter Jr.
2. Eleazer Porter
3. Ann Porter
4. Asahel Porter
5. Aaron Porter
6. Emily Porter
7. George Porter
8. Harrison Porter
9. Sarah Porter.

2. Mehitable Porter b. 1806
3. Isiah Porter b. 1808.

Jonas Porter son of David and Deborah Porter of Alstead NH b. 1829 m. 1849 Caroline W. Putnam, dau of Ephraim and Prudence Putnam. She b.1830. Their issue:
l. Mary Kendall Porter b. 185l m. 1869 Warren W. Pickering.

l. Mabel Louise Pickering b. 187l
2. Hattie Louise Porter b. 1859.

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