Michael Neale Dalton, DGS Chairman gives a personal view of the first ever DGS American Gathering, held over the first weekend of October 2006.

Thursday 5 October 2006

A slightly delayed American Airlines flight from London Heathrow touched down in Boston, where the weather was very clear and sunny, at about 1.45pm local time (EST), that’s 6.45pm BST. Immigration procedures into the USA are a little bureaucratic but they were dealt with very pleasantly by the border control staff and it wasn’t long before we were reunited with our baggage and through the customs hall in search of John and Sheila. We soon found them – they had flown in from Manchester and were on time so had been waiting about 2 hours.

Found the shuttle bus to the Alamo car rental location and picked up our 4x4 Chevrolet Trail Blazer – more like a tank than a car! Kate decided this was highly appropriate for the US highways! By about 3.00pm we were away, navigating ourselves out of Boston airport on the road north to Newburyport and Hampton. Only one wrong turning at a rotary and we duly found Lamies Inn & Tavern at about 4.15pm. We were greeted by Howard J, Millicent, Sam, Mary Lou and several others and agreed to meet in the restaurant for dinner at 6.30pm. In the meantime we checked in to our super room with a canopy bed and found our bearings.

Lovely round table for 11 of us at dinner – Kate and myself, Sam & Barbara, Millicent, John & Sheila, Mel & Dairne, Howard J and Mary Lou. Caught up with everyone’s news and the gastronomic highlight of the meal was Barbara’s clam bake which came with half a lobster on top. The waitress had to show Barbara how to deal with this! Kate decided she would have to have this dish before leaving Hampton. By about 9.00pm we retired for an early (by New England time), late (by UK time) night after a very good start to the trip.

Friday 6 October 2006

Woke early and up early for my 8.00am breakfast appointment with Millicent! Millicent had thought of everything and all the arrangements for the weekend seemed to be well in hand. We agreed to go to the St James’s Lodge at 2.00pm to set up the room for the Saturday meeting. During the morning Mary Lou came with Kate and I on a photocopying expedition. After a fruitless effort to find Staples in Hampton (it’s not there, it’s in Seabrook!) we located a friendly (and cheaper) copying shop very close to the hotel and they did the DNA handouts and reports while we waited. Those done, Kate and I had time to go down to Hampton Beach for a walk and to see the ocean around The Boar’s Head – a bracing wind but good to get some fresh air. We then drove along the coast road to Rye and found Petey’s Seafood Bar, which judging by the number of locals in there, is the place for lunch in Rye. Superb lobster rolls – there’s no doubt we are in one of the finest locations for fish and seafood.

Back to Lamies and meeting up with Kelvin Dalton, who lives locally and showed us the way to St James’s Lodge, where we were met by Bob and Velma Drinwater, the caretaker and his wife. They couldn’t have been more helpful – Bob had already been to get the hired projector and we soon had everything set up with projector and laptop working, seating arranged, DGS banner on the wall and handouts and displays all organised. On the way back John took Kate and I to the Pine Grove Cemetery to see the memorial stones to Philemon Dalton and his wife Abigail, which we photographed.

At 5.00pm we were all on parade to receive the delegates for the “getting acquainted” session in the Goody Cole Room and, by 6.30pm, there were about 40 of us ready to sit down for an informal dinner. I sat at a table with Nancy Samuelson, Dalton Henneberg and Stephen Dalton amongst others. These three are from the Virginian Dalton branch and were new face to face acquaintances for me. Another excellent Lamies dinner – grilled swordfish tonight. Retired reasonably early for the big day tomorrow.

Saturday 7 October 2006

Early breakfast and to the hall by 9.00am for final preparations. Delegates totalled about 50 including a number of day registrants from New England who lived near enough to drive over. By 10.00am we were ready to start and I opened the first ever Dalton Genealogical Society American Gathering and gave a warm welcome to all the delegates. Millicent outlined the programme for the weekend and then I gave my introductory presentation, which included a potted history of the DGS, peppered with examples from my in tray of the past few months to illustrate how diverse the study of family history is. Geoffrey said a few words about Daltons and the Drapers Company; John talked about the DGS Journal; Howard introduced the programme planned for Worcester 2007 and Millicent updated us on developments in hand for the DGS website. We then had contributions from Nancy Samuelson, K T Mapstone, Wendy Fleming, John White and Arthur Young, who each introduced themselves and their Dalton ancestry. This concluded the first session. The slides used for this presentation can be found as a power point file by clicking on the link below. Delegates then took a welcome break for coffee and cookies and had time to look at items on display on the literature table.

Following the break I was on parade again, this time acting as the messenger for Chris Pomery and reporting on progress to date on the Dalton International DNA Project. Eight genetic families have been identified from the 71 participants in the project and each was presented in outline with comments about identification of future work that should now be prioritised to take the project forward. The DGS is on the cutting edge with one of the largest DNA one surname projects worldwide.

The break for lunch gave us all an excellent buffet prepared by Velma Drinwater which also included local wine provided by David Dalton and Indian Pudding, an early settler recipe prepared by Velma to add authenticity to the main theme of the weekend. Before resuming our conference, everyone assembled outside in glorious sunshine for the traditional group photograph.

The afternoon session was given over to a presentation by Betty Moore, Executive Director of the Tuck Museum in Hampton, entitled “Lives of early settlers and how they prospered”. She was assisted by Sammi Moe, President of the Hampton Historical Society, and she concentrated on the early settlers in Hampton with particular reference to Timothy and Philemon Dalton and Philemon’s descendants. Betty’s talk was very well illustrated with slides showing how the early settlers lived.

After a tea break, the assembled company moved to Founders Park, the triangular green in the centre of the old part of Hampton, near the Tuck Museum, where there was a ceremony to dedicate the Dalton stone recently placed alongside the many other family stones to record the Daltons among the earliest settlers in Hampton, arriving in 1638. DGS committee member, Howard Dalton introduced Elizabeth Ackroyd, Curator of the Tuck Museum, who spoke about the origins of Founders Park and explained that the Daltons were not resident in Hampton in 1925 when the Park was laid out with the family stones and, as a consequence, no Dalton stone was included. She expressed her delight that, 81 years later, this omission had been rectified. At the suggestion of one of our delegates, Lenny Dalton from Melrose, Massachusetts, we then sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic (Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord). Lenny led the rendition, which provided a fitting completion to the official dedication ceremony. Elizabeth then invited delegates to view the exhibits in the Tuck Museum, which is devoted to the history of Hampton and its early settlers.

We then returned to Lamies with just enough time to change into our glad rags for the DGS Annual Dinner in the Goody Cole Room. I welcomed our guests, Betty Moore and Sammi Moe, who had been with us throughout the day, and then Stephen Dalton said grace. Lamies put on an excellent dinner for the 50 delegates seated at five round tables. At the conclusion of the meal we were entertained by Nancy Samuelson, who gave an illustrated talk about the Dalton Gang. Nancy’s knowledge of her subject is encyclopaedic and her mission was to separate facts from myths. Everyone learnt a little more about these colourful Dalton characters who were not all bad all the time! Nancy has written two books “The Dalton Gang Story” and “Shoot from the Lip”, and copies of both were available for delegates to purchase. The final formal part of the evening was the raffle, conducted by Mary Lou. New England tradition has it that events such as the DGS Dinner should include a free raffle with donated prizes. Some excellent prizes, including DGS badges from Mary Lou and framed pictures from Barbara Craig, were won and thanks go to all those who donated them. So concluded a very interesting and busy day. Some delegates continued informal discussions about their genetic families identified in the morning presentation, but the majority decided that it was time to retire for a well-earned night’s sleep in readiness for tomorrow’s programme.

Sunday 8 October 2006

After breakfast, delegates were matched to cars in two groups for the trip to Newburyport, Mass. a drive south on Route 1 of about 40 minutes. Group A went first to the Spenser/Pierce/Little Farm and then to the Coffin House and Group B vice versa. These properties have been maintained by Historic New England as examples of the kind of dwellings occupied by the early settlers. At each house we heard about the families that occupied them and something of the hardships they endured and then, in later years, as they prospered, how their lifestyles changed.

At 1.00pm we arrived at The Dalton House, an imposing white house in downtown Newburyport where we had a welcome buffet lunch and an opportunity to tour the house, which was originally the home of Michael Dalton and then his son, Tristram Dalton. Michael was a son of Deacon Philemon whose grave we had seen at Hampton, in turn a great, great grandson of the original Philemon Dalton who settled in Hampton in 1638. The Dalton House is now a very well appointed and exclusive gentlemen’s club in Newburyport and for the afternoon session we assembled in the lecture room for two talks.

The first was a brief history from Clyde Dalton of his descent from Philemon. Clyde had volunteered to speak on Saturday morning but time ran out. Clyde’s anecdotal talk provided a fitting introduction to the main lecture of the afternoon given by the Curator of the Newburyport Historical Association, Jay Williamson. Jay covered that early history of Newburyport and the roles played by the Daltons in the development of this important seaport. His talk prompted a number of questions and afterwards we were able to walk along the street to St Paul's Episcopal Church, and find the burial places of Michael Dalton, Tristram Dalton and their family in the churchyard. Following this a number of us took the opportunity to walk down to the waterfront in glorious sunshine and see the port as it is today, including the Custom House and the Town Hall.

After a very interesting day out, many of us returned to Lamies at Hampton and stayed over Sunday night. About 20 of us had yet another excellent Lamies dinner in a private room off the restaurant, which afforded us the opportunity to review the success of the weekend and reminisce further about our Dalton heritage. All agreed that the gathering had been extremely enjoyable, and Wendy Fleming proposed a well-deserved vote of thanks to Millicent for her hard work commenced some 18 months ago to make all the arrangements and ensure that everyone enjoyed themselves. Millicent’s attention to detail was unparalleled – she had thought of everything!

Monday 9 October 2006

Our last Lamie’s buffet breakfast and time to bid our farewells. Kate and I departed from Hampton at about 10.30am and set out on the remainder of our trip which included a three night stay at Newport, New Hampshire about 100 miles to the north to enjoy the fall. We then visited friends near Boston and cousins (not Dalton ones!) in New York before flying home from JFK overnight on Mon/Tue 16/17 October. Altogether a memorable trip and one we will remember for a long time.

Michael N Dalton

Once again our two photographers, Barbara Craig and Mary Lou Weber-Elias, have captured the spirit of a Dalton Gathering and posted them on the web for your perusal. Allow time for browsing as there are several hundred photos to examine. Click the small photo for an enlargement. Directions are posted to transfer them to you computer. John and Sheila Dalton photographed the early tombstone of Deacon Philemon Dalton at Pine Grove Cemetery, Hampton. They are truly souvenirs of a most memorable week-end. You may view the picture gallery here:

www.daltongensoc.com/gallery/hampton2006

Dalton Coat of Arms

Mary Lou, a computer graphics designer, embroidered the Dalton coat-of arms on patches that can be worn on the pocket of a blazer or ball cap. She raffled off several of her creations in a New England style door prize drawing. The patches match the coat of arms on the home page of each issue of Daltons in History. Barbara contributed group photos of delegates taken at the Dublin/ Mount Dalton AGM in 2005.

The Atlantic News

Liz Primo of the News interviewed delegates at the dedication of the Dalton Stone in Founders Park, Hampton. Her story was printed in two parts. Part I includes a photo of the descendents of Philemon Dalton and appeared in the Friday October 13, 2006 issue of Atlantic News, page 3. Part II appeared in the Friday, October 20, 2006 issue and began on page 1. You can access these articles at: http://www.atlanticnews.com/

Genealogy Connections

One of the more valuable aspects of the Hampton Gathering were the connections and the lasting friendships that were made by the delegates. Some connections date to medieval times, Mayflower pilgrims, and in more recent times to Ireland and to Virginia. DGS Journal 45, published after Christmas 2006, will contain an account of these connections in the section, News from America. Delegates are to be commended for sharing their extensive research with others.

Velma's Indian Pudding

Velma Drinwater of Hampton, our chef on Saturday at the Lodge, surprised us by preparing a family recipe for colonial Indian Pudding. Her recipe follows for those who would like to serve this traditional dessert of the colonists at their Thanksgiving dinner.

4 cups of whole milk                    1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/3 cup of cornmeal                     1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup of sugar                           1/2 cup molasses

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon                 2 tablespoons margarine

Scald 3 cups of milk in a double boiler. Add corn meal to the rest of the milk and stir. Add to scalded milk. Cook until separated then add remainder of ingredients. Cook until thickened or bake in a 350 degree oven is a buttered dish for 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

The 2006 Dalton Gathering in Hampton, NH

Friday 6th to Sunday 8th October

September 2006

The following programme is tentative and time slots of events may change according to the speakers' time table. Delegates will receive a final programme with their badge at registration.

Friday, October 6, 2006

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Sunday, October 8, 2006

Delegates who wish to attend Sunday morning services will find that churches of most denominations are located in Hampton, NH and in Newburyport, MA. White clapboards and high steeples are the marks of the early Colonial houses of worship.

Delegates to the Dalton Gathering at Hampton, NH on October 6, 7, 8, 2006 who have extra time to explore the richness of the colonial era, will want to visit some of the historical sites within a few miles of Hampton. The Fall schedule for admissions will be in effect and therefore check the schedules, maps and telephone. Visit the Seacoast, NH web site at: http://www.seacoastnh.com/101nh/houses.html for additional details. (For the ladies, one of the largest outlet centers is just north of Lamies on Route 1).

Most delegates appear to have from one-half to a full day of leisure time. We suggest that you drive to the nearby town of Exeter, NH. It was founded in 1638 and is the home of Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the oldest schools in New England. This colonial town maintains its original bandstand in its center and it is surrounded by large salt box type homes of the 1700's.

For those who like to walk, the grounds of Phillips academy will be open and there is also a river walk with historical markers. To reach Exeter, take Route 27 beside Lamies.

Ladd-Gilman House is located at 1 Governor's Lane in downtown Exeter. It now houses the American Independence Museum and rare printed copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution. Tel. 603-772-2622

Gilman Garrison House (ca 1690). This was originally a fortified garrison and in the center of the house is the garrison with walls 6 feet thick. It is located at 12 Water Street. Tel 603 436 3205.

Moses Kent House (1868) is a French Second Empire mansion on extensive grounds that were probably designed by Olmstead, the architect who designed New York City's Central Park. This does not appear to have admission but is worth noting. Tel. 603 772 2044.

Lamont Gallery, Phillips Exeter Academy is located in the Frederick Mayer Art Center on Tan Lane. Exhibits are free and open to the public but is best to telephone in advance. Generally the Gallery hours are Mondays 1-5 p.m.; Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. For further information, contact the Lamont Gallery at 603 777 3461.

Portsmouth, NH requires time to explore and if you have a few days, set up a schedule from the Seacoast address above. Portsmouth is reached by traveling north on Route 1 from Lamies.

Just beyond Portsmouth, after crossing the bridge into Kittery, Maine is one of the world's largest discount outlet shopping centers in the country. Every conceivable product and designer label is sold there. Be prepared to spend a day in this center.

If there others who want to attend the three day Gathering and have not made reservations, we may be able to make lodging accommodations for you at this late date. Please contact me at: Millicenty@aol.com

The DGS visited the colonial homestead of the Little's in Newbury, now Newburyport, during it's meeting in Hampton, NH. A bit of background on the Little/Dalton connection can be gleaned from the will of Tristram Little. His daughter, Mary Little, married Captain Michael Dalton and their son,Tristram Dalton, is mentioned in the will. Mary Dalton Little eventually inherited the property and at her death, ownership went to son, Tristram Dalton. Prior to his politically unfortunate journey to Washington, DC, after the First Continental Congress, Tristram sold his share of the property.

Will of Tristram Little of Newbury, Essex County, MA, file date 11 May 1762, transcribed from microfilm of Essex County probate copybooks at Massachusetts Archives, Volume 339, pages 219-221 (volume and pages as numbered by the Archives). Other probate documents exist but are not included here. Brackets indicate non-readable word.

In the Name of God Amen. I Tristram Little of Newbury in the County of Essex and Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Trader, etc., etc. .

Imprimis I Will that all my just Debts and funeral Charges be Well and Truly paid by my Executors hereafter named, out of Such Part of my Estate as they Shall Judge most convenient and proper I give and bequeath to my Well beloved Daughter Ann Sewall, Twenty pounds Lawfull money to make her Equal to my Eldest Daughter Mary Dalton in household goods and furniture given her at the time of Marriage or after.

Item I give and order my Executors hereafter named to Deliver to my youngest and Well beloved Daughter Judith Little in household goods that may Remain in the house at my Decease as Shall be Apprized and Valued as much as to make her [entire line illegible] household Goods and Furniture they may already [most of a line illegible] to be made [several words illegible] after a due Complyance of the afore written [Articles?] my will is that the Remainder of all my Estate both Real and personal wherever it may or shall be found be Equally Divided in Three parts one third to my Grandson Tristram Dalton his heirs assigns &c: after his mother Mary Daltons Decease who during her natural Life is to have the use of it, one third to my three Grand Children John Sarah and Ann Sewall their heirs and assigns &c: after the Decease of their mother Ann Sewall Who also is to have the use of it during her natural Life & the use and Income of the other third I give and bequeath to my Well beloved Daughter Judeth Little to be under the care of Capt. Stephen Emery or as Shall hereafter be agreed among the Executors. If the Income of the third So Left is found not Sufficent for her Support and maintenance the Executors here after named are to make an Allowance out of her third as Shall Support and maintain her unless She Should be married. In that case my Will is that the Executors Shall Lay out only the income of the third so Left as they shall Judge necessary and Convenient for her Support and if the said Judith should Continue single or be a Widow and the third so left should not be Sufficient for said Judith as Long as She lives and She should Stand in need of further Support I order the afore[___] Tristram Dalton his heirs &c: and the three Children of my Daughter Ann. John. Sarah & Ann Sewall their heirs &c: to af[___]d What further Support She may want Equally out of [___] two thirds. and further my Will is if my Daughter Judith Should die possessed of any thing [Real?] or personal that it Shall be Equally divided Between the heirs Lawfully Begotten of her Body if any, In [failure?] thereof, my Will is that it be Equally Divided Between Tristram Dalton Son of my Daughter Mary Dalton and John Sarah & Ann Sewall Children of my Daughter Ann Sewall, my meaning is that my Grandson Tristram Dalton have one half and the other half to be Equally Divided Between the three Children of my Daughter Ann Sewall. Lastly I do hereby Ordain and Appoint Tristram Dalton John Sewall and Capt. Stephen Emery all of Newbury to be Executors of this my Last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this Thirty first Day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty two and in the Second year of the Reign of George the third King of Great Brittain &c.

Tristram Little (seal)

Signd Sealed published and declared by the sd: Tristram Little to be his Last Will and Testament in the
presence of us [witnesses' names illegible, with one possibly being a ___ Moody]
[Proved in Ipswich 11 May 1762, with probate referring to Tristram Dalton and Stephen Sewall as two of the executors, the second perhaps conflating the Stephen Emery and John Sewall named in the will]

from Dorothy Malcom of Massachusetts

DALTON, Isaac of Salisbury. Private, Capt. Moses Nowell's co., Col. Titcomb's regt.; arrived at Providence May 4, 1777; discharged July 4, 1777; service, 2 mos. 9 days, travel included, at Rhode Island; enlistment, 2 months; also, Capt. Jonathan Evans's co., Col. Samuel Johnson's regt.; enlisted Aug. 15, 1777; discharged Nov. 30, 1777; service, 3 mos. 29 days, travel included, in Northern department; reported 280 miles from home; also, Capt. Samuel Huse's co., Col. Jacob Gerrish's regt. of guards; enlisted March 12, 1778; service to April 4, 1778, 24 days, at Winter Hill; also, same co. and regt.; enlisted July 24, 1778; discharged Dec. 14, 1778; service, 4 mos. 23 days, at Cambridge; also, Capt. Stephen Jenkins's [p.372] co., Col. Jacob Gerrish's regt.; enlisted Oct. 14, 1779; discharged Nov. 22, 1779; service, 1 mo. 20 days, travel included; regiment detached from militia of Suffolk and Essex counties to reinforce army under Gen. Washington. SOURCE: [35] Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Vol. 4, page 372 http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ma/state/revwar/d.html

Editor's note. Following the War, Isaac received a land grant in Warner, NH where he farmed and raised a family. The old covered bridge of Warner, now the Dalton Bridge and his modest home are historical sites. The DGS urgently seeks descendents of Isaac or descendents of any of his Salisbury siblings. Please contact: Millicent Craig: Millicenty@aol.com

Little is known of the ancestry of Philemon and Rev. Timothy Dalton and what has been uncovered is the result of research into baptismal, marriage, death records and wills by DGS historian, Dr. Lucy J. Slater of Cambridge, England. How long this family resided in Suffolk and where they originated is still unclear. The popular explanation is that they were a Yorkshire family but there is no evidence thus far to support this assumption.

The Family of George Dalton

Rev. Timothy was the second child born to George Dalton who was born about 1535 and was buried in Dennington, Suffolk on 24 February 1613. George was most likely married before 1575 since his first child Edmund was born about that time. Rev. Timothy, born about 1577, was married on 13 September 1615 to Ruth Leete in Gislingham. Ruth was baptized in Little Eversden, Cambridgeshire on May 8, 1615. This family has been the subject of numerous DGS Journal articles. The Woolverstone registers record three children -Samuel about 1617, infant burial; Deborah born about 1619 and buried 1624; and Timothy, b. about 1622 and who accompanied his parents to America. Deborah has been mistakenly assumed to be the wife of Jasper Blake.

John, the third son of George (born between 1577 and 1590) married Ann Cranmer on 28 October 1622. He was married and buried in Culford, Suffolk. Burial date was 23 Feb 1668. There were at least six children born to this couple and at least three died young or prior to marriageable age. Three daughters may have survived- Rebecca baptized in 1623, Mary in 1624 and Anna in 1626.

Philemon Dalton, George's fourth son was born about 1590 and married Anne/Hannah Cole in Dennington, Suffolk on 11 October 1825. They had one child Samuel, born about 1729. All died in Hampton, NH.

Sarah Dalton was George's only daughter and was born about 1595. Sarah became the wife of Richard Everard and the marriage took place in Holbrook, Suffolk, 24 Sep 1623. This couple had at least five children according to the baptismal records at Woolverstone: Israell 1624; Timothie 1626; Marie 1627; Debora 1628; and John 1629. Thus it was Sarah Dalton's daughter, Debora Dalton Everard who logically would be the wife of Jasper Blake. No record of a marriage has been located so whether it took place in England or in Hampton, NH is still unknown.

George Dalton's Brothers

The birthplace of the three Dalton brothers is unknown as is the date and place of birth of their father. Thomas and William are linked together in the Ely Episcopal records and dates of birth are estimated; 1537 for Thomas and 1540 for William. For the purpose of this item, our concern is with the descendents of George and Thomas.

Thomas Dalton married Eleanor Gelybrand about 20 years of age in Linton, Cambridgeshire, 5 October 1562. This couple had eleven children and the one of note was Michael Dalton, known as the country lawyer.

The Genealogical Link

What has not been mentioned in previous writings is the likely relationship between Philemon and Rev. Timothy and Michael Dalton, lawyer. If George and Thomas were brothers as the data suggests, then the Hampton Daltons were first cousins to Michael Dalton.

The DGS has the opportunity at the Hampton Gathering of Daltons in October, to view the Coat of Arms used by descendents of the Hampton Daltons. It is one of two Dalton memorabilia that remains in the Dalton House at Newburyport. The Coat of Arms of Michael Dalton is described as a "silver lion rampant on an azure ground with crosslets". A match with that of the Hampton Daltons may be further evidence of the genealogical relationship.

The Genetic Link

A search in England for a male descendent of Michael Dalton's line has proven fruitless thus far but may exist in America. What is now needed is the DNA of two more descendents of Philemon's son, Samuel to compare with another line of American Daltons. This could prove or disprove long standing assumptions on the connection to Michael Dalton. If you are a male Dalton and descended from Samuel Dalton of Hampton, then please be in touch. Your help in resolving this issue is urgently needed. Millicent Craig, Coordinator of the Dalton International DNA Project. Millicenty@aol.com

Founder's Park is a small triangular shaped grassy lot that was once part of Hampton Green. In 1925, the Hampton Historical Society decided to preserve the area and dedicate it to the founding families who arrived in Hampton in 1638, thus making it one of New Hampshire's original towns.

Smaller family memorial stones encircle a large boulder representing Rev. Stephen Bachiller who came to Hampton in 1638 with a number of settlers from Massachusetts including Daltons. Yet there was no Dalton family stone in the Park although the Daltons entered Hampton in 1638.

Philomen Dalton came first to Watertown, MA in 1635 and the following year was joined by his brother, Rev. Timothy Dalton. In 1637 the Daltons became proprietors and settlers of Dedham, MA. Philemon lost a court case involving land while Rev. Timothy who left England because of his Puritanism vs Anglican views, met with a similar reaction in Dedham. He made friends with Rev Stephen Bachiller who offered him a preaching and teaching position at his church in Hampton. By 1638 the brothers were proprietors and settlers in Hampton.

We questioned the Hampton Historical Society as to why the Daltons did not have a memorial stone in Founder's Park and the answer was quite simple. No one had ever requested it. Under the guidance of MS. Elizabeth Akroyd, Pres. of the Hampton Heritage Commission, your American Secretary prepared a request for the Board of Selectman of Hampton. The result was posted in the Hampton Union as below.

New Stone Added To Founders Park

The Hampton Union, Tuesday, May 9, 2006

[The following article is courtesy of The Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]

"A new stone will be placed in Founders Park in honor of the Dalton Family, whose members were among the first group to settle in Hampton. The Dalton Genealogical Society recently requested permission to place the stone in the park from the town's Heritage Commission.

Founders Park, which was dedicated in 1925, contains stones representing the early families of Hampton around the perimeter of the park. Generally, stones have been approved by the Hampton Historical Society and the Heritage Commission for families who settled in the area from 1638 to about 1695.

"As a member of the Dalton Genealogical Society and descendant of English Daltons, I request approval of a stone in Founders Park to commemorate this illustrious family of Daltons," Millicent Craig stated in a letter to selectmen. The commission had no objection to the stone being added, and selectmen signed off on the request last week. Craig stated the Daltons arrived in Hampton from England in 1638. Samuel Dalton was a clerk of courts for Rockingham County in the Massachusetts Bay Colony while his son, Philemon Dalton, was a deacon at a Hampton church.

In honor of that, the society will be holding its first gathering in America right here in Hampton on Oct. 6, 7, and 8".

The stone and bronze placque have been ordered and a dedication ceremony will be held on October 7, 2006 at the close of formal activities of the Dalton Gathering of that day, about 4:00pm. All Daltons who live in the area are cordially invited to attend the proceedings and dedication.

We also extend an invitation to descendents of Deborah and Jasper Blake. Deborah was a niece of Philemon and Rev. Timothy. Deborah's mother, Sara Dalton Everard was a sister to Philemon and to Rev. Timothy Dalton.

Also created in 1925 was the Tuck Museum, home to the Hampton Historical Society. Hampton is among the four original NH colonies, and originally called Winacunnet. The Tuck serves as a repository for the many relics, antiques, documents, photographs, post cards and other memorabilia pertaining to Hampton's colorful history. Among the exhibits is the --The Trolley Era of Hampton - 1897 to 1926 -- which depicts the electric railway once connecting the town with Hampton Beach and with other surrounding towns. Also on the Green, adjacent to the Museum is the Fire Museum, Farm Museum and the One-room District Schoolhouse which are also open during the Museum's hours. It is a short walk from Founder's Park to the Museum and the staff will open the Museum to the Dalton delegates after the dedication of the stone.

For more information on the October gathering of Daltons, please read the Invitation and Program, the lead article of this issue.

A history of the Hampton, NH families has been well covered in the Journals of the Dalton Genealogical Society. From the on-line Index of the Journals pertinent reading material has been extracted so that you may become acquainted with this line of Daltons.

The articles cover the period before they before left Suffolk, England, settled in Hampton, NH, and migrated to Newburyport, Massachusetts and adjacent towns. The final article in this series describes the founding of Dalton, Georgia by the grandson of Senator Tristram Dalton of Newburyport, Edward White of Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Early Journal extracts are fairly short and the complete Journal can be ordered by visiting the above web site. Later extracts are quite lengthy and provide a fairly accurate picture of life in colonial New England. Contents of the index were prepared by Dr. Lucy, J. Slater of Cambridge, England.

In addition you may want to visit the Dalton Data Bank and peruse the New Hampshire file. It contains data for the branches of this family (including a Maine branch). Data for some towns is as late as 1900.

READING LIST

“Timothy and Philemon” by Lucy Joan Slater

DGS Journal, Volume 19, Part I, December1990, page 15.

Philemon is said to have been the first man with the surname Dalton to land in America in 1635. He was followed by his brother Timothy founded a Church called the Church of Jesus Christ in Hampton, New Hampshire. Timothy had been a sizer at St. John's College, Cambridge and the Rector of Wolverstone before he vanished from England and turned up in New Hampshire, in 1636 as so many Puritans were forced to do. There are three pages of American descendants from Philemon Dalton.

“The Daltons of Hampton, New Hampshire” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal, Volume 28, May 1998, Page 35.

This discusses Philemon and his son Samuel. Also it tells of the Haverhill massacre of 1708.

“The Wills of Philemon and Timothy Dalton” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal, Volume 28, May 1998, Page 42.

This gives the actual texts of these wills transcribed by M. Bone into modern English.

“Facts and fancies about the families of Timothy and Philemon Dalton” by Lucy Joan Slater

DGS Journal, Volume 30, May 1991, Page 19.

This article gives a summery of present knowledge about Timothy and Philemon, the first Daltons to land in America. Rev. Timothy's possible family is given in the first section followed by section two on his wives and children. Section five covers Philemon's family the next part covers the family of Timothy's wife, Ruth Leet and the last section deals with the Parkhurst family who were related to Ruth.

“The Daltons of Hampton, Philemon's descendants, Part II” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal, Volume 31, November 1999, Page 18.

The seven generations coming after Philemon Dalton are listed, as the same family Christian names are repeated. This long article details the fourth to sixth generations. In the fourth generation, Samuel’s son Isaac and his descendants are discussed. The epidemic of a throat infection killed over 2000 people in Massachusetts in 1736 and 7, including four of Isaac Dalton’s children.

Isaac decided to go to fight the French at Cape Breton, and he wrote home from Louisburg on 16^th October, 1745. He died soon afterwards, and his widow Mary got £40 for his wages at Cape Breton. His inventory showed that he had little else to leave. Including the proceeds from some land and the £40, the total was £465. Legal fees were £247, leaving only £218 for a lifetime’s work. In 1754, Mary’s dower rights to live in the farmhouse were recognized, but she had to bring up 5 children. So she had to petition several times for a few pounds a year for their survival. She died in 1758. Sixteen years after Isaac’s death, his estate was finally settled between his surviving children.

In the fifth generation, Isaac’s son Samuel earned a living as a shipwright, and raised six children. At his death, he left £56.7s. But his debts were £71.7s1d, so his estate was declared insolvent.

Two of Sam’s children were Deacon Isaac Dalton and Captain John Dalton. Isaac died in 1838 and a covered bridge at Warner, New Hampshire, is a memorial to him. He left one son John who became a doctor, and a second son Isaac who was a Colonel in the state militia. Deacon Isaac’s brother Jonathan was a sailor and little is know about him except that he sailed to the Orient and brought back cargos of silks and spices. His ship sank in a storm in 1802 and he died then aged 35. His inventory shows that he was well off with a mansion and furnishing valued at $3615, an interest in a ship value $2250 with insurance money and cash $1500. The total of the estate when a few debts had been settled, was $6500. He left one son John who also became a doctor.

“War and its Spoils” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal Volume 31, November 1999, page 12.

The Robinson family found over a thousand bundles of letters and other documents in the Old Courthouse in Kingston, dating from the American War of Independence. Later E. Arnot Robinson wrote a book “The Spanish Town Papers” based on these documents. Among them was a letter from Tristram Dalton to one of his captains, Edward Fettiplace of “The Antelope“, discussing what Edward should do to make money on the voyages he was undertaking for Mr. Dalton.

“The Daltons of Hampton, N. H.; Part III” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal, Volume 33, November 2000, page 21.

Deacon Philemon Dalton married Abigail Gove in 1690 and they had ten children, listed in this article. Philemon died in 1721 and left the will given here. The will of his son Timothy, proved in 1756, is also reproduced together with a list of Timothy’s ten children.

The next section deals with Michael Dalton, son of Philemon. He was thirteen years old when his father died. He became a sailor and Captain of his own ship. He married Mary Little in 1734 and they had three children. Two died in infancy but the third, Tristram lived to be 82. There are pictures of Michael’s house and St. Paul‘s Church.

Tristram married Ruth Hooper and they had ten children. He entered politics and lost most of his fortune. His daughter Mary married Leonard White who was a descendant of the William White who had gone to America with Philemon.

“Excerpts from the Diary of Rev. Matthias Plant” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal, Volume 33, November 2000, Page 33.

Captain Michael Dalton was one of the Church Wardens who chose Mr. Plant as their pastor in 1741/2. However, there was soon trouble among his congregation, which seems to have lasted for six years. Then Dalton recommended Mr. Wingate to become the next minister. There was a dispute between Mr. Plant and Captain Dalton. Next, the wardens proposed Mr. Quincy to be their minister. Captain Dalton sailed to England to ask permission to remove Mr. Plant. When the first census of Newbury was taken by Mr. Plant, ten per cent of the population were slaves and some seem to have been owned by Captain Dalton.

“The Rev. Timothy Dalton's Estate” by George Byrkit

DGS Journal Volume 34, June 2001, Page 9.

This is an extract from a thesis on migrations from England, found in the Bury St. Edmund's Records Office. It showed that Timothy Dalton sold land and property before his departure to America to the value in modern money of about £750,000. This made him a very rich man in those times.

“The Founding of Dalton, Georgia” by Millicent V. Craig

DGS Journal Volume 38, June 2003, page 45.

The land where Dalton now stands was inhabited by the Indians, who were removed by force to Oklahoma, so that a township called Cross Plains could be built. It was developed by Edward White, whose father was Leonard White and whose mother Mary was a direct descendant of Philemon Dalton. Edward was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and went to New York to set up in a shoe making business with two of his brothers. In 1836, a railroad was commissioned to be built from Atlanta to the Mississippi river with a depot at Cross Plains. A second railway was to be built in 1845, to join the first one from Knoxville at this depot. By now, White was an agent for a group of northern financiers. He saw the opportunity and bought a square mile of land where the new junction was to be built. He drew up a plan of the new city to be called Dalton which was presented to the City Mayor in 1846.

A considerable investment was made, but this early history was lost in a fire at the court house, about 1850. Some years later, J. T. Whitman wrote his memories of the town in 1847. This is reproduced here. The first train to come to the depot arrived at 11am and for weeks afterwards, Mr. White was selling plots of land nearby at $25 each. A boom developed in Cross Plains which was now called Dalton, after Edward's mother. For the next 16 years Edward developed the community. He founded the Militia and so got the title Captain. Then he built the first non denominational church The Dalton First Church.

He married in 1848 and had 8 children. He was a Baptist but he gave a plot of land for a new church to the Baptists. Then he donated land for a Courthouse and a public Square. When the War broke out in 1861, Georgia seceded from the Union. He removed is family to Atlanta. Some major battles in the war took place near the railroad depot. One between General Bragg and General Rosecrans' forces, at Chicamauga led to 35,000 casualties. General Sherman assembled 98,000 troops near Dalton. A Union garrison of 50,000 opposed them. Sherman then marched on Atlanta. Edward had a boxcar with an engine fired up outside his house, and he escaped with his family to Macon, Georgia. For 120 days, battles were fought along the railway line for 100 miles.

Reconstruction followed the war. Dalton returned to his home, helped to repair the railway system and built a new line between Rome and Atlanta. In the 1880 census, Edward was living with his wife and six of their children, in the family home. He died there is 1898. One hundred years after his death, his great grand son presented a collection of his books to Historical Society in Dalton. More than half of them were of a religious nature.

In Dalton, recovery proceeded slowly, as the railroad and the town were rebuilt. In 1895, a girl made a chenille bedspread by hand, and the demand was so great for more these chenille bedspreads that a new industry was started in Dalton. By the 1920's there were about 10,000 home tufters in Georgia. By the 1930's machines were producing similar rugs and carpets.

After the Second World War, the return of the military brought new growth to Georgia. By the 1950's, man made fibres were used and Dalton boomed. There was a mass market for wall to wall carpeting. But by the 1980's there was a shortage of workers in this booming industry, so workers had to be brought from Mexico.

Dalton Georgia is now the Carpet Capital of the world. Of an annual demand for new carpets worth $11 billion, about two thirds is satisfied by Dalton workers. As an annual replacement demand of about $7 billion is still growing, the future of Dalton is bright. Edward could never have imagined such a growth even in his wildest dreams.