Franklin E. Day1

M, #3511, b. circa 1858, d. before 1870

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1858UT, USA, age 2 in 1860 census1
Deathbefore 1870not in 1870 census

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1860 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1314, p. 70-71.

Elizabeth Jane Staker1,2

F, #3512, b. circa 1859

Family: Abraham Nelson Day b. 14 Feb 1852, d. 31 Jan 1917

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1859UT, USA, age 21 in 1880 census1
MarriageDec 1, 1878Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, USA2
1880 Census1880Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA, 6 houses from father Abraham, next to brother Ira1
Biography1880 census gives father born in UT, mother born in PA

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  2. [S1022] Nicholas John Schroeder, April 2000, from Nicholas John Schroeder, April 25, 2000.

Arthur Day

M, #3513, b. circa 1879

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birthcirca 1879Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA, 11 months in 1880 census1

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.

Polly A. Noakes1,2,3,4

F, #3514, b. March 1861

Family: Ira Alfred Day b. 14 Feb 1855, d. 7 Mar 1933

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthMar, 1861CA, USA, age 19 in 1880 census; age 39, 3/1861, in 1900 census; age 58 in 1920 census3,2,1
MarriageDec 29, 1877Springville, Utah Co., UT, USA4
1880 Census1880Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA3
1900 Census1900Lawrence, Emery, UT, USA1

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1900 US Census, Lawrence, Emery Co., UT, ED 197, S 12.
  2. [S235] U.S. Census, 1920 US Census, Emery Co., UT, ED 68, S 11.
  3. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  4. [S1022] Nicholas John Schroeder, April 2000, from Nicholas John Schroeder, April 25, 2000.

Nelson I. Day1,2

M, #3515, b. November 1878

Family: Lona May Day b. c 1884

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthNov, 1878Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA, age 2 in 1880 census; age 21, 11/1878, in 1900 census1,3,2
Marriagebefore 1905UT, USA
BiographyWith family of 5 children in 1920.

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  2. [S235] U.S. Census, 1900 US Census, Lawrence, Emery Co., UT, ED 197, S 12.
  3. [S235] U.S. Census, 1920 US Census, Emery Co., UT, ED 72, S 2.

Johanne Petrena Bertlessen1,2

F, #3516, b. September 1850

Family: Joseph Smith Day b. 7 Sep 1839

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthSep, 1850Denmark, age 28 in 1880; age 50, 9/1850, in 19001,3
MarriageJun 4, 18782

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  2. [S1022] Nicholas John Schroeder, April 2000, from Nicholas John Schroeder, April 25, 2000.
  3. [S235] U.S. Census, 1900 US Census, Lawrence, Emery Co., UT, ED 128.

Martin L. Day1,2

M, #3517, b. circa 1867

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birthcirca 1867UT, USA, age 3, bp as UT, in 1870 census; age 13, bp as Denmark (& both parents bp as Denmark!) in 18801,2

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1870 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1612, p. 5.
  2. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.

Eliza Day1,2,3

F, #3518, b. circa 1860

Family: Eli Azariah Day Sr b. 23 Sep 1856, d. 23 Nov 1943

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1860UT, USA, age 20 in 1880; age 39, 11/1860, in 1900 census; age 59 in 1920 census1,2,4
Biography1900 Census states married 22 years, 10 births, 8 living. 1880 census gives bp as UT, father's bp as Canada, mother's as England
Marriagecirca 1878UT, USA, married 22 years in 1900 census2
1880 Census1880Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA1
1900 Census1900Fairview, Sanpete, UT, USA2
1920 Census1920Fairview, Sanpete, UT, USA3

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  2. [S235] U.S. Census, 1900 Fairview, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1686, ED 121.
  3. [S235] U.S. Census, 1920 US Census, Fairview, Sanpete Co., UT, ED 103, S 12, L 89.
  4. [S235] U.S. Census, 1920 US Census, Fairview, Sanpete Co., UT, ED 103, S 10.

Elisa E. Day1

F, #3519, b. circa 1879

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
Birthcirca 1879Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA, age 1 in 1880 census1

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.

Mary H. Day1

F, #3520, b. November 1860, d. after 1920

Family: Herbert S. Day b. May 1855

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthNov, 1860UT, USA, age 19 in 1880 census; age 39, 11/1860, in 1900; age 60 in 1920 census1,2,3
Marriagebefore Nov, 1877UT, USA
1880 Census1880Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA1
1900 Census1900Basin City, Grand, UT, USA2
Deathafter 1920Lasal, San Juan, UT, USA
BiographyPer 1880 census, both parents born in UT
Children+3 more children: 6 living in 1953; 9 of 12 had children; 55+ grandchildren

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  2. [S235] U.S. Census, 1900 Basin city, Grand Co., UT, ED 96, S 7.
  3. [S235] U.S. Census, 1920 US Census, Lasal, San Juan Co., UT.

Abraham Day1,2

M, #3521, b. November 1877

Family: Stella Day b. c 1886

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthNov, 1877Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA, age 2 in 1880 census; age 22, 11/1877, in 19001,3,2
Marriagebefore 1904UT, USA
BiographyIn 1900, living in Basin City, Grand Co, UT with parents. In 1920, at Noah, Grand Co, UT with 5 children.

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.
  2. [S235] U.S. Census, 1920 US Census, Noah, Grand, UT, ED 80, S 7, L 97.
  3. [S235] U.S. Census, 1900 Basin city, Grand Co., UT, ED 96, S 7.

James H. Day1

M, #3522, b. circa 1879

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Birthcirca 1879Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete, UT, USA, age 11 months in 1880 census1
Biography1900Not with family in 1900.

Citations

  1. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete Co., UT, Box 1337.

Sarah Houghton1,2,3,4

F, #3525, b. 7 August 1794, d. 1873

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthAug 7, 1794NJ, USA, age "47" in 1850 census; age 65 in 1860 census; age 78 in 1870 census2,3,5,6,7
1860 Census1860Summerhill, Cayuga Co., NY, USA, age 848
Death1873unmarried3,6
Burial1873Atwater Cemetery, Homer, Cortland Co., NY, USA9

Citations

  1. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #456.
  2. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  3. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 59.
  4. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 2 #53, 4 #70.
  5. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  6. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.
  7. [S235] U.S. Census, US Census, 1870, Honner?, Cortland Co., NY, Box 922, p. 778, line 14, dwl 437-503.
  8. [S1227] 1860 U.S. Federal Census , Summerhill, Cayuga, New York; Roll: M653_728; Page: 22; line 37, dwl 188-187.
  9. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://interment.net/data/us/ny/cortland/atwater/…

Nancy Houghton1,2,3,4

F, #3526, b. 28 January 1796, d. 3 October 1875

Family: Richard Palmer Price b. c 1787, d. 3 Oct 1865

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthJan 28, 17962,3,5,6
MarriageFeb, 18133,6
DeathOct 3, 18753

Citations

  1. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #459.
  2. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  3. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 59.
  4. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4 #71.
  5. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  6. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.

Catherine Houghton1,2,3,4

F, #3527, b. 31 March 1798, d. 1873

Family: Joseph Hart

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthMar 31, 1798NJ, USA, age 49 in 1850 census; age 62 in 1860 census; age 74 in 1870 census1,2,5,6,7
MarriageSep 19, 1819Hunterdon, NJ, USA, Deats: Sept. 4, 1819, Vol. 2, p. 176 (Hastings)8,2,6
Note1850with mother in 1850 census, as Catherine Hart9
Death18737
Burial1873Atwater Cemetery, Homer, Cortland Co., NY, USA, w/o Aaron Houghton7

Citations

  1. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  2. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 59.
  3. [S143] Deats, Marriage Rec. of Hunterdon NJ, p. 143.
  4. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #457.
  5. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  6. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.
  7. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://interment.net/data/us/ny/cortland/atwater/…
  8. [S143] Deats, Marriage Rec. of Hunterdon NJ, p. 145.
  9. [S1226] 1850 U.S. Federal Census , Homer, Cortland, New York; Roll: M432_493; Page: 296; line 5, dwl 613-672.

William Sexton Houghton1,2,3

M, #3528, b. 1 August 1803, d. 9 September 1805

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthAug 1, 1803Houghton: Aug 1, 1803; Rev. Pension: 09 Sep 1805 [see bd of John Sexton Houghton]; RWG gives above1,2,4,5
DeathSep 9, 1805Houghton: 1805; Rev. Pension gives Sep 9 1805 as bd2,5

Citations

  1. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  2. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 59.
  3. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4 #73.
  4. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  5. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.

Aaron Houghton1,2,3,4,5

M, #3529, b. 22 June 1807, d. 1 March 1837

Biography

Corresponded with authorN
A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
BirthJun 22, 1807H. Houghton: 22 Jan; IGI: both Hopewell NJ & Homer NY2,6,3,7,8
Occupationa surveyor9
DeathMar 1, 183716 Mar 1832, age 303,8,5
BurialAtwater Cemetery, Homer, Cortland Co., NY, USA, age: 30 yrs, h.o Catherine Houghton5
ResearchRel: John Conover6

Citations

  1. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #455.
  2. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  3. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 60.
  4. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4 #75.
  5. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://interment.net/data/us/ny/cortland/atwater/…
  6. [S147] International Genealogical Index.
  7. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  8. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.
  9. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342.

Joab Houghton1,2,3,4

M, #3530, b. 24 September 1813, d. 31 January 1876

Family: Ann Caroline Giles Shoemaker b. 21 Mar 1831, d. 12 Apr 1914

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectY
NotableY
Corresponded with authorN
BirthSep 24, 1813Leesburg, VA, USA, also 25 Feb. 1810; DAR, Vol. 89: 1813; age 26 in 1860 census; age 57 in 1870 census; 1900 Census of son William gives MI5,6,2,3,7,8,9
OfficeSep 22, 1846Santa Fe, NM, USA, Appointment, by General Kearny, of Civil Officers; September 22,
1846

Being duly authorized by the President of the United States of America, I hereby make the following
appointments for the government of New Mexico, a territory of the United States. The officers thus
appointed will be obeyed and respected accordingly:

Charles Bent, to be governor.

Donaisano Vigil, to be secretary of the territory.

Richard Dallam, to be marshal.

Francis P. Blair, to be United States district attorney.

Charles Blumner, to be treasurer.

Eugene Seitzendorfer, to be auditor of public accounts.

Joab Houghton, Antonio José Otero, Charles Beaubian, to be judges of the superior court.

Given at Santa Fé, the capital of the territory of New Mexico, this 22d day of September, 1846, and
in the 71st year of the independence of the United States.

S. W. KEARNY,

Brigadier General U. S. A.

Francisco Sanacino (Pajarito) is hereby re-appointed prefect of the district of the Southwest, in
place of Francisco Armijo y Ortiz, this day removed.

Miguel Romero is hereby appointed alcalde at the Placeya, in place of Julien Tenoira, this day
removed.

S. W. KEARNY

Brigadier General U S. A.

SANTA FÉ, NEW MEXICO, Sept. 22, 1846.

[Received at the War Department November 23d.]10
1850 Census1850Sant, Santa Fe Co., NM, USA, age 38, a circuit judge11
MarriageSep 18, 1856DAR: 18573,5
ResidenceSanta Fe, NM, USA12
1860 Census1860Santa Fe, Santa Fe Co., NM, USA, age 47, attorney at law, property $5000-80013
1870 Census1870Santa Fe, Santa Fe Co., NM, USA, age 57, ex associate justice, superior court, $10000-$200014
Immigration1876Las Vegas, Clark Co., NM, USA, leaving his wife and 6 children15
DeathJan 31, 1876Las Vegas, Clark Co., NM, USA5,6,3,8
ObituaryFeb 1, 1876THE DAILY NEW MEXICAN on Tuesday, February 1, 1876:
"Death of Ex-Chief Justice Houghton

With the death of Hon. Joab Houghton announced in yesterday's daily,
departs one of the oldest of the American residents of Santa Fe dating
back prior to the American occupation. Judge Houghton was, we believe,
from New York, was educated a civil engineer and at his death was about
sixty-five years of age. He came to Santa Fe in 1841 and was subsequently
appointed consul for the United States at this place. About the same time
he engaged in merchandising with a Mr. Leitensdorfer, and from 1846 to
1848 theirs was the leading mercantile house west of the Missouri river.
Their store was located on what is now known as the Brimmer property, on
the corner of San Francisco street and the Galisteo road, near the plaza.
On New Mexico coming into the possession of the United States in 1846,
then constituting the whole of what has since been divided into New
Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah and a portion of the state of Nevada,
and under the provisional government, he was appointed by Gen. Kearney the
first Chief Justice of the territory and held the position until the
organization of the territory under the organic act in 1852. Subsequently
he also held the position of Associate Justice. He has since been engaged
in the practice of law and resided at Santa Fe until his removal to Las
Vegas in 1871, where he died. He also drew the plans and specifications
of the state house. About this time he was married to a daughter of Capt.
Shoemaker, now military storekeeper and chief ordnance officer at Fort
Union. During the late rebellion he was a staunch Union man, asserting his
sentiments when it required nerve to maintain his patriotism. He leaves
surviving him his wife and a numerous family of children. He was
uniformly courteous and affable, rather a gentleman of the old school, and
naturally attracted to himself many friends who will mourn his death."

A Spanish translation of this obituary was printed in THE DAILY NEW
MEXICAN on February 3, 1876.
-------------15
Notablea Supreme Court Judge in New Mexico
BiographyH. Houghton: He also had a wife of Spanish ancestry. Moved to New Mexico in 1844 (when a Mexican territory) and became a territorial judge later. He was Chief Justice in Santa Fe, NM. H was the first District Deputy Grand Master of Missouri (Mason) and Master of Montezuma Lodge in 1855-56.

The following article was published in IMPACT, the Albuquerque Journal Magazine, on May 6, 1980. It was written by Howard
Houghton of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He says in the article that Judge Houghton was his "great, great, great uncle".

"He was chief justice of New Mexico's first Supreme Court, from 1846 to
1851. He was the principal author of the territory's first constitution
in 1850. He designed the first Capitol and the first penitentiary,
neither of which was completed. Yet it seems few people have ever heard
of Joab Houghton. I hadn't either until I was told recently that he was
my great, great, great uncle.

Checking the New Mexico history books, I found there are a couple of other
"firsts" on his record. For example, he was probably the first New Mexico
judge to have it out with a political opponent in a pistol duel. He also,
quite possibly, was the first person to inform the government in
Washington that adobe is not a suitable building material for New Mexico's
climate.

He is not New Mexico's answer to Thomas Jefferson. In fact, a few
historians have judged him rather harshly. But it's clear he was a man of
varied talents and considerable ambition. Although he served as chief
justice, he apparently never had any formal legal training. He was, shall
we say, a businessman-politician-cum-lawyer whose education was in civil
engineering. He might never have become a judge if he hadn't been one of
the few learned Americans around when Gen. Stephen Kearny marched into New
Mexico in 1846 during the Mexican War. Born in New York State, Houghton
had arrived here (Santa Fe) three years earlier at age 33. By 1845, he
was a leading trader on the Santa Fe Trail and serving as the American
Consul in Santa Fe. As the U.S. Army approached Santa Fe, he sent a rider
out to inform Kearny of brief, half-hearted troop maneuvers by Mexican
Gov. Manuel Armijo, who eventually fled south. Perhaps as a reward,
Kearny appointed Houghton chief justice of the government he set up before
marching on to take California.

Thus, his legal career was launched. Although the military held sway
during the first years of the American occupation, he served as chief
justice until the territorial government was established in 1851. He went
on to become a practicing lawyer by reading law. During the Civil War, he
was U.S. District Attorney for New Mexico, and managed an appointment from
Abraham Lincoln as an associate justice for the territory from 1865 to
1869. But, commented New Mexico historian Ralph Emerson Twitchell, "He
was not educated to the bar and the records of his court from 1846 to 1850
fairly demonstrate, from the crude manner in which the entries are made
and from the decidedly peculiar and irregular method of entering orders,
judgments and decrees, that his experience in dispensing justice in those
turbulent and troublous times was anything but satisfactory either to
himself or to litigants."

One of his earliest gaffes occurred when he presided over the trial of the
accused murderers of Territorial governor. Charles Bent. Bent, his
friend, was killed in Taos during an uprising against the American
occupation in 1847. After the trial, there were inquiries about the
correctness of trying the defendants for "treason against the United
States" -- in view of the fact New Mexico was still occupied territory at
the time. But, no matter what the charge, it's doubtful the sentence he
rendered would have been any different: "...to be hanged by the neck till
you are dead! Dead! Dead! And may the Almighty God have mercy on your
soul."

His judicial shortcomings became something of an issue following the Civil
War, when he was serving as an associate justice over New Mexico's
southern district. He was staunchly anti-slavery and pro-Union. As U.S.
District Attorney during the war, he had caused treason indictments
against a number of prominent New Mexico citizens for aiding Confederate
forces. As a judge, he ordered the confiscation of property that belonged
to Southern sympathizers. His rulings in several cases caused his court
to be labeled a "prize court." The Santa Fe NEW MEXICAN editorialized in
December, 1865, "It is now clear that Judge Houghton is wanting all the
essentials necessary to a speedy and satisfactory administration of
justice, and his appointment to the bench is but another evidence that
those not bred in the law should not be entrusted with its
administration." In Houghton's defense, historian Twitchell cautioned,
"It is impossible now to realize how overwhelming was the excitement and
prejudice in those days. The exercise of calm judgment seems to have been
almost an impossibility."

Houghton's career on the bench came to an end in 1869, shortly after the
Territorial Legislature petitioned for his removal. The alleged grounds
wee non-residence in his judicial district, "neglect of duties, engaging
in private practice of law, partisanship for (President) Andrew Johnson,
and illegal decisions." Soon after, President U.S. Grant came into office
and removed the entire judiciary in New Mexico.

While his career as a judge was rocky at times, he had a fair measure of
success in politics. He wielded enough influence over one of the early
territorial parties that it became known as the "Houghton faction." In
those days, there were no affiliations with national parties. Factions
wee organized around the issues of what type of government New Mexico
should have -- statehood or territorial status -- and who would get the
positions of power in the new government. Most New Mexicans were opposed
to Texas' claim that it owned everything east of the Rio Grande and were
anxious to have a separate, independent status. Houghton and other
officials in the government of the occupation initially favored a
territorial government. According to historian Frank reeve, "they
believed that continued control of patronage by Washington would keep them
in office and there would be less likelihood of withdrawal of the troops
from New Mexico which were an important source of income."

The opposition, which favored statehood, was led by a retired Army officer
named Richard Weightman. His faction was irritated by the military
government and pushed for statehood even if it meant joining the Union as
a pro-slavery state. All manner of charges and personal attacks were
exchanged in speeches and letters to Washington, with each side seeking
influence and positions in the new government. For awhile, the Houghton
faction enjoyed the advantage of possessing the only printing press, which
they used to publish various newspapers, such as the SANTA FE REPUBLICAN,
an early version of the SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN and the SANTA FE WEEKLY
GAZETTE.

Apparently swept up in politics and judicial duties, Houghton's
partnership in a trading business, described as once "one of the leading
mercantile houses west of Missouri," was dissolved in bankruptcy in 1848.
In 1849, Houghton's clash with Weightman reached a crescendo. Weightman
accused him of accepting bribes. The judge replied with a challenge that
read, in part, "I demand of you an unequivocal retraction of such
slanders, or the satisfaction due from one gentleman to another."

The contest of honor was held in an arroyo north of Santa Fe. Weightman,
a former soldier, fired when the word of command was given, while
Houghton, who was slightly deaf, ducked his head as the bullet whizzed
past. By most accounts, the judge shouted, "I didn't hear the command to
fire." When Weightman held up his hands and said, "all right, you have
the right to shoot -- fire now," The seconds rushed in and stopped the
proceedings. In a compromise, Weightman reportedly said, "I'll apologize
as far as being sorry is concerned, but I can't take back what I said, for
it is so." Houghton evidently was willing to take that as an apology, but
vowed that if Weightman ever again insulted him on the bench, he would
shoot to kill the next time.

The Houghton faction, which eventually was convinced to support the idea
of statehood, dominated early legislative assemblies. The judge himself
is credited with writing most of the constitution adopted in 1850 and
presented to Congress. It was strictly antislavery. It also defied Texas
by locating the capital at Santa Fe, 20 miles east of the Rio Grande.
Houghton lost to Weightman, however, in a contest over who would be
nominated senator from New Mexico. With the formation of the territorial
government in 1851, he also lost his post as chief justice. It was at
this point that he became involved in the territory's efforts to build a
Capitol and a penitentiary, an involvement that has aroused the suspicions
of a few historians.

Wrote Howard Lamar in "The Far Southwest", "It was in the field of funds
for building a Capitol that the (territorial) Assembly reached a frontier
norm for pork barrel handouts. The indefatigable Joab Houghton, now no
longer the chief justice, and having become bankrupt as a merchant,
suddenly remembered that his first profession had been that of a practical
engineer. Why not return to that earlier calling and be of service to the
new territory by agreeing to build a suitable Capitol building?" A
cooperative legislature appointed Houghton chairman of a three-member
building commission and asked Congress for $ 68,000 -- his estimate of the
cost of construction. The appropriations from Washington began in 1853
with $ 20,000 and increased to $ 70,000 in 1854, with money included for a
penitentiary as well as a Capitol.

"In his report to Washington," said Lamar, "(Houghton) solemnly
recommended that the prison be constructed of stone and not adobe, for ‘I
am now informed that a visible change has taken place in the climate of
New Mexico.' The rainfall had become more plentiful. With increased
humidity, he warned, an adobe prison would soon ‘melt.'"

Another writer, Lewis Garrard, has charged that Houghton "controlled the
stone quarries," and that he and other Anglo merchants realized "huge
financial gains from materials they sold the government." "The secretary
of the treasury, James Guthrie, although astonished at Houghton's remarks,
nevertheless reluctantly approved the use of stones," said Garrard.
"Houghton realized great profit not only from the sale of stone, but from
lime and other materials as well."

After a controversy over location of the penitentiary, work began in 1855.
Foundations were constructed for both the prison and the Capitol at a site
just north of the Santa Fe Plaza. The money was expended before the end
of 1856, and, despite repeated requests for more funds, none were granted
until 1860, when Congress appropriated another $ 60,000 for completion of
the buildings. By then, however, parts of the penitentiary walls had
crumbled and many repairs had to be made on the already completed sections
of the Capitol. Whatever hopes there were of finishing the project ended
with the outbreak of the Civil War. During the conflict the penitentiary
walls fell into a state of ruin. Santa Fe's main post office now stands
on the site. The Capitol, which was raised to a height of a story and a
half, stood in the same condition for 30 years. In the late 1880s, New
Mexico's delegate in Congress secured an appropriation for completion of
the building. But it has since been known as the Federal Building and was
never used for Capitol purposes.

Houghton apparently had more success in the building of the first
Protestant church in the territory. W. H. H. Davis wrote that a Baptist
church was completed in January 1854. He described it as a "neat and
comfortable building." He added, "In the erection of the building much
praise is due to the Hon. Joab Houghton, who took a lively interest in it
from the beginning, and seconded all the efforts... to have it completed."
The church was torn down and replaced with a brick edifice in the late
1880s by Presbyterians, who bought the property shortly after the Civil
War.

Houghton was listed as the lawyer for at least a dozen claimants of land
grants, an area of litigation that was a bonanza for Santa Fe lawyers
during the Territorial period. Getting clear title to the sometimes
rubbery land grants was often a matter of persistence and influence. He
was one of the attorneys responsible for getting one large land grant
confirmed by Congress in 1860.

Along with a partner, he also garnered a contract to deliver monthly mail
by coach between Santa Fe and San Antonio, Tex., in 1854. The contract,
which called for annual compensation of $ 16,750, became the subject of a
dispute that ended up in the U.S. House of Representatives. The result,
according to one source, was "the amount claimed by the mail contractors
was considerably reduced." In other areas, he helped organize the
Historical Society of New Mexico in 1859 and was one of the participants
in a gold-hunting expedition near "the headwaters of the Gila" in 1866.

He retired sometime around 1875. He left Santa Fe, where a residential
street still bears his name, and moved to Las Vegas, N.M. He died the
following year."
----------------
The following descriptions have been collected by Jerry Zollars

He was a lineal descendant of Sir John Houghton, Bart., of Houghton La
Spring, England [CJV: not so]. Before the Mexican War, Joab Houghton was Acting Consul
to Mexico for the United States in Santa Fe; after peace was declared he
was appointed one of three Chief Justices of the Territory of New Mexico,
which office he held for 4 years, the full term. Under President Lincoln
he was appointed Associate Judge for 4 years. He was always intimately
connected with the government of the New Mexico Territory, and held many
important positions, such as Acting Governor, Registrar of the Land
Office, Superintendent of Public Buildings, etc. He was educated at
Princeton College, New Jersey. He was one of the principal drafters of
the first Territorial constitution and is said to have designed the first
Territorial Capitol building - the current Federal Building in downtown
Santa Fe, New Mexico.

R. E. Twichell, in his LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY, says of
Houghton:      
"He was born in the year 1809, in the state of New York (this is probably
incorrect), where he received a common-school as well as a collegiate
education. He was a civil engineer by profession. When thirty-three
years of age he came to New Mexico and in the year 1845 was appointed
United States consul at Santa Fe. About the same time he engaged in
merchandising with Eugene Leitensdorfer, and, from 1846 to 1848, theirs
was one of the leading mercantile houses west of the Missouri river. The
firm had its store on the corner of what was known as the Galisteo road
and San Francisco street in Santa Fe. After his appointment by General
Kearney, Judge Houghton held his first term of court for Santa Fe county
in December, 1846, and continued to hold court regularly at the appointed
terms up to his retirement from the bench in 1852. Judge Houghton
presided at Taos in the trials of the men accused of the murder of
Governor Bent. He was not educated to the bar and the records of his
court, from 1846 to 1850, fairly demonstrate, from the crude manner in
which the entries are made and from the decidedly peculiar and irregular
method of entering orders, judgments, and decrees, that his experience in
dispensing justice in those turbulent and troublous times was anything but
satisfactory either to himself or to litigants.

In 1849, Judge Houghton fought a bloodless duel with Major R. H.
Weightman. The parties met in an arroyo, near the city of Santa Fe; when
the command "fire" was given, only one shot was heard -- that from
Weightman's pistol, the ball from which passed close to Houghton's ear.
Houghton, who was slightly deaf, insisted that he had not heard the word
of command. Weightman then lifted both of his hands in the air and told
Houghton to shoot; the seconds interposed, however, and the party left the
grounds, Weightman still insisting that what he had said concerning Judge
Houghton was the truth. Weightman had made some very objectionable
statements concerning Judge Houghton in a public address delivered at
Socorro.      

In 1850, Judge Houghton and Murray F. Tuley framed a constitution for the
state of New Mexico. It was modeled after the constitutions of the newer
states of the Union, and, among other things, contained a clause
prohibiting slavery, in order to meet the views of the native New Mexicans
who were pronouncedly opposed to slavery in any form. The constitution
was adopted on the 20th of June, with little if any opposition. During
this period, Judge Houghton drew up the plans for the capitol building but
the building (the current Federal Building on Federal Place) was not built
until the 1880's, after his death, and never used as a capitol.      

During the Civil War he was a staunch Union man, asserting his sentiments
when it required nerve to maintain his patriotism. In 1862 Judge Houghton
was an acting U.S. district attorney and as such drew several indictments
against prominent citizens. In the year 1865, when Judge Houghton was
again appointed to the bench, he was assigned to the 3d judicial district
and while officiating as judge had before him various suits brought under
the act of congress of March 3d, 1863, authorizing the confiscation of
property in certain cases. By his rulings in these cases he laid himself
open to the severest criticism, much of which was brought about through
his lack of legal knowledge.      

The New Mexican of December 15, 1865, says: "It is now clear that Judge
Houghton is wanting in all the essentials necessary to a speedy and
satisfactory administration of justice, and his appointment to the bench
is but another evidence that those not bred in the law should not be
entrusted with its administration." His court was called a "prize court;"
and so great was the indignation in certain quarters against the judge,
the United States attorney, and the marshal, that on December 5, 1865,
they were denounced to their faces as unmitigated scoundrels. It is
impossible now to realize how overwhelming was the excitement and
prejudice of those days. The exercise of calm judgment seems to have been
almost an impossibility. In his two official terms he appears to have
filed but one written opinion; that was in the case of Archibeque vs.
Miera, in 1869, in which year he was succeeded by Judge Bergen, appointed
by President Grant.      The legislative assembly of the territory passed a
memorial to congress asking for his removal in 1868.

Many incidents in Judge Houghton's career are narrated in THE MILITARY
OCCUPATION OF NEW MEXICO, 1846-1851, by R.E. Twichell.

" After his retirement from the bench Judge Houghton practiced law and
lived in Santa Fe until 1876 when he moved to Las Vegas and died. He left
Caroline, then 45, with 4 children ranging from 9 - 17 years of age. She
lived on for another 36 years."
---------------
In an 1891 report published in the New Mexico Bar Association Minutes, p.
44, Twitchell sums up Houghton's life as follows:

"All in all, he was a fairly good man. He had his faults, but they were
not glaring. He tried to do his duty as a judge and if he failed it was
purely through his lack of legal knowledge and not with an intention to
wilfully wrong any man."
In the book, A CENTURY OF FREEMASONRY IN NEW MEXICO (1851-1951) published
by the Montezuma Lodge No. 1 in Santa Fe, NM, he is shown as having been a
Grand Marshall of the Montezuma Lodge during the years 1856-58, and a
picture of him is included. The book indicates that he was buried in the
Masonic Cemetery in Las Vegas, NM but the contemporary Masonic officials
in Las Vegas have no record of his burial there, and no tombstone has been
found. Some evidence exists showing that he was a member of Union Lodge
#480 at his death, and that members of that lodge arranged his funeral in
the Masonic Cemetery at Las Vegas, NM.

Jerry Zollars has examined tombstones in the following cemeteries in an
unsuccessful attempt to locate Judge Houghton's final burial place:

The Masonic Cemetery, Las Vegas, NM
The Wagon Mound Cemetery, Wagon Mound, NM
The Shoemaker Cemetery, Shoemaker, NM
A small cemetery outside Watrous, NM
The Fairview Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM
The National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM
----------
Judge Houghton was a supporter of the first Baptist Church to be built in
Santa Fe in 1854.

He served as the President of the Congregation of the Santa Fe
Presbyterian Church for a period after May 8, 1868 and was a member of the
Church's Board of Trustees from 1869 to 1872.
-------------
On July 2, 1854, he and Elias Brevoort of Santa Fe contracted with the US
government to carry a monthly mail between Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Socorro,
Dona Ana, Fort Fillmore, New Mexico and Fronteras, El Paso, San Elisario,
Magoffinsville, Leona, and San Antonio, Texas for an annual compensation
of $ 16,750.00. This contract was involved in extended controversy and
litigation.

In 1857 he was a partner in the Santa Fe law firm of Houghton, Wheaton &
Smith.
----------
Arie W. Poldervaart wrote an extensive study of the history of
administration of justice in new Mexico from the American occupation in
1846 until Statehood in 1912 that was published in 1948 as a book
entitled, "BLACK-ROBED JUSTICE". It contains a great deal of information
about Judge Houghton. Jerry Zollars has selected the following items for
inclusion here:

The trial of the Taos insurgent, Antonio Maria Trujillo:

"Soon after Judge Houghton had opened his first court at the capital an
insurgent old native by the name of Antonio Maria Trujillo, living near
Lan Canada, now Santa Cruz, on or about January 20, 1847, became involved
in a movement, said to have been part of a carefully devised plot, to
upset the American controlled regime and to turn the territory back to
Mexican jurisdiction. The uprising led to assassination of the governor
of the Territory, Charles Bent, of Narcisco Beaubien, son of Judge
Beaubien, and of others. Judge Houghton went to Taos to assist and sit
for Judge Beaubien, who presided over the northern district of the
territory, when the latter was disqualified because of personal interest
from conducting the case, perhaps the most famous court trial ever held
there under American jurisdiction.

Presnet at the trial in the primitive court room, and guarded by members
of the military detachment under command of a Lieutenant Colonel Willock,
were two daughters of the murdered governor; Willam and George Bent,
brothers of the governor; Lucien B. Maxwell of Maxwell Land Grant fame;
Richard (Uncle dick) Wooton, operator of the toll road across Raton pass;
Judge Beaubien, and a large number of other prominent citizens. Trujullo
was given a trial by jury in the new American way, and convicted. If not
the trial, certainly the sentence imposed upon Trujillo will live as one
of the most interesting in New Mexico history, serving it is believed, as
a model for a famous and much quoted sentence pronounced by Chief Justice
Kirby benedict over a decade later.

The Court spoke as follows:
"Antonio Maria Trujillo -- A jury of twelve citizens, after a patient and
careful investigation, pending which all the safeguards of the law,
managed by able and indefatigable counsel, have been afforded you, have
found you guilty of the high crime of treason. What have you to say why
the sentence of death should not be pronounced against you?

Your age and gray hairs have excited the sympathy of both the court and
the jury. Yet while each and all were not only willing but anxious that
you should have every advantage placed at your disposal that their highly
responsible duty under the law to their country would permit, yet have you
been found guilty of the crime alleged to your charge. It would appear
that old age has not brought you wisdom nor purity nor honesty of heart.
While holding out the hand of friendship to those whom circumstances have
brought to rule over you, you have nourished bitterness and hatred in your
heart. You have been found seconding the acts of a band of the most
traitorous murderers that ever blackened with the recital of their deeds
the annals of history.

Not content with the peace and security in which you have lived under the
present government, secure in all your personal rights as a citizen, in
property, in person, and in your religion, you gave your name and
influence to measures intended to effect universal murder and pillage, the
overthrow of the government and one wide-spread scene of bloodshed in the
land. For such foul crimes an enlightened and liberal jury have been
compelled, from the evidence brought before them and by a sense of their
stern but unmistakable duty, to find you guilty of treason against the
government under which you are a citizen. And there only now remains to
the court the painful duty of passing upon you the sentence of the law,
which is that you be taken from hence to prison, there to remain until
Friday, the 16th day of April next, and that at 2 o'clock in the afternoon
of that day you be taken thence to the place of execution, and there be
hanged by the neck till you are dead! dead! dead! and may the Almighty god
have mercy on your soul. Joab Houghton, Judge"
Filed March 16, 1847
James M. Giddings, Clerk

It is to be noted, however, that after the conviction of Trujillo, Judge
Houghton signed a petition, along with the United States attorney, the
counsel for the defense, most of the members of the jury before whom
Trujillo was tried, and a number of other respectable citizens, suggesting
that execution of the sentence by suspended until a petition could be laid
before the president of the United States seeking pardon for the old man
by reason of his age and infirmity. This was sent by governor Donaciano
Vigil to President James K. Polk with a recommendation from him personally
for executive clemency. The president, apparently on grounds that the
insurgents in New Mexico were not yet citizens of the United States,
courteously declined, but suggested that the governor might properly grant
the pardon in his stead. No further coaxing was necessary and the old man
was spared from the gallows." pp 22-24. (1)

Marriage Notes: In 1860, Ann Caroline bought a house in Santa Fe. It
appears to be at the present corner of Washington Avenue and Palace Avenue
where the Howell Gallery now stands. The documents relating to this
purchase follow:

The Sale of land and house of Hugh N. Smith to Anne Caroline Houghton,
April 2, 1861. This document was found in the W. W. Griffin Papers, Box
1, Folder 8, New Mexico State Archives, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"Know all men by these presents that I, Henry Oneill legally constituted
attorney of Robert N. Smith of the County of Lafayette in the State of
Missoury and father and heir of the late Hugh N. Smith late of the
territory of New Mexico and County of Santa Fe by virtue of the power and
authority in me vested by a certain power of attorney to me made and
executed bearing date the 13th day of September, AD 1861, by the said
Robert N. Smith which said power attorney is herewith recorded. In
Consiteration of the same of Two thousand five hundred Dollars to me paid
by Ann Caroline Houghton of the County of Santa Fe and Territory of New
Mexico, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do by these presents
give, grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Ann Caroline Houghton,
her heirs and assigns, a certain parcel of land situate in the city of
Santa Fe, bounded and described as follows.

Beginning at a point on the East side of the street leaving from the said
city of Santa Fe Northerly towards Taos, and the Northwest Corner of the
lands of the late Hugh N. Smith deceased and running thence Northerly on
the East side of said Street Seventy five feet to a Stone for a Corner.
Thence Eastward and parallel with the North line of the property of the
said Hugh N. Smith, Preston Beck and Juan Sena to the West Wall of the
cienega, thence Southerly along the Wall of said cienega, to the North
lines of the lands of the said Juan Sena and thence Westwardly along the
said North line of Hug H. Smith, Preston Beck, and Juan Sena, to the place
of Beginning. Said land being seventy five feet wide [prorvaid year]??
the same having been conveyed to the said Hugh N. Smith deceased by
Sutiones Sandoval the 16th day of February AD 1857 by Deed also. By there
present a certain house and lot adjoining the above described on the North
by above described lot of land. East by a house and lot belonging to the
estate of the late Preston Beck to deceased, South by a Public Street
leading in the Public Plaza of the city of Santa Fe, and on the West by
another Street meeting the first mentioned Street at a right angle. Of
the Southwest Corner of the last described premises. Together with all
the buildings improvements, rights, privileges and appurtenances unto the
two described parcel of land belonging or anywise appertaining. To have
and to hold the said described premises to the said Ann Caroline Houghton
her heirs and assigns forever, and I the said Henry Oneill, attorney as
aforesaid for the said Robert N. Smith and for his heirs executors, and
administrators and for my self my heirs executors and administrators do by
these presents warrant and defend the tittle to said Real Estate against
the claim or claims of all persons whatsoever who may claim under by or
through the said Robert N. Smith, his heirs, executors and administrators
or his said attorney but no other person whatsoever.

In testimony whereof I have, hereunto set my hand and seal, this second
day of April AD 1861.                    Henry Oneill, attorney.

United States of America
Territory of New Mexico
Before me the undersigned, Clerk of the United states District Court for
the first Judicial District, Territory aforesaid personally appeared Henry
Oneill to me known to be the same person who signed the foregoing Deed of
Conveyance and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and
designs therein wherein at his (???) Act and Deed.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court this 2 day of April 1861.               Sam'l Ellison, Clerk

Territory of New Mexico
County of Santa Fe

I, the undersigned Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the county of
Santa Fe, in the territory aforesaid, do hereby Certify; that the
foregoing is a true copy of the record; taken from book "C" records of
deeds, pages 272 and 273, non remaining in my office.

Witness my hand and the Seal of the Probate Court of said County, at Santa
Fe, NM this 14th day of April AD 1874     Ambrosio Ortiz, Clerk of the Probate
Court.
-----------------

In September, 1870, Joab and Ann Caroline borrowed $ 4600 from Lucien B.
Maxwell giving the deed to their Santa Fe house as security. The
documents relating to this loan follow:

The is a Mortgage of land and house of Joab and Anne Caroline Houghton to
Lucien B. Maxwell, Sept 5, 1870. This document was found in the W. W.
Griffin Papers, Box 1, Folder 10, New Mexico State Archives, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.

This Indenture made the fifth day of September eighteen hundred and
Seventy between Joab Houghton and Ann Caroline Houghton his wife of the
City and County of Santa Fe and Territory of Mexico, part of the first
part, and Lucian B. Maxwell of the County of Colfax and Territory
aforesaid, part of the second part. Witnesseth that the said party of the
first part for and in consideration of four thousand six hundred dollars
to them paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted
being arrived, sold and conveyed unto the said part of the second part and
to his heirs, and assigns forever all the real estate following to wit:

A certain house and lot of land situated in the City of Santa Fe and
territory of New Mexico, and bounded on the North by the lands of the
widow of the late Governor Henry Connelly deceased; on the South by the
street leading from the North East Corner of the Plaza of the City of
Santa Fe. Eastwardly to the cienega; and by the house and lands of Col.
John C. McFerran, on the East by the house and lands of the said John C.
McFerran and the lands of the widow the late Juan Sena deceased; and on
the West by the Street leading from the said Northeast Corner of the Plaza
Northerly in the direction of the town of Taos; being the same real estate
conveyed to the said Ann Caroline Houghton in her own right by Robert N.
Smith father and sole heir of the late Hugh N. Smith deceased, late of the
County of Santa Fe aforesaid by deed being dated the second day of April
1861 and record in book C, record of deeds in the Office of the Probate
Clerk of the said County of Santa Fe at pages 272 , 273 & 274; together
with all the buildings, improvements , rights, privileges, and
appurtenances to the said described real estate belonging or in anywise
appertaining. To have and to hold the said described premises to the said
Lucien B. Maxwell and to his heirs and assigns forever.

And the said parties of the first part for themselves and for their heirs,
executors, administrators and assigns do by these presents warrant and
defend the title to the said real estate to the said Lucien B. Maxwell his
heirs and assigns against the claims of all persons whatsoever who may
claim under by or through the parties of the first part or through either
of them their heirs, executors or administrators.

In testimony whereof we have here unto set of our hands and seals the day
and year first above written. Signed...... J. Houghton          A. C.
Houghton

Territory of New Mexico
County of Santa Fe

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Clerk of the District Court
of the first Judicial District of the Territory of New Mexico Joab
Houghton and Ann Caroline Houghton known to me to be the persons who
executed the foregoing Deed of Conveyance and acknowledged that they had
signed and sealed the foregoing Deed of Conveyance for the uses and
purposes therein expressed. And the said Ann Caroline wife of the said
Joab Houghton being by me examined separate and apart from her said
husband then and there acknowledged that she signed and executed the same
as her voluntary act and clear and without fear, compulsion or undue
influence of her said husband.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
the said District Court of Santa Fe this fifth day of September AD 1870.
Wm Breeder, Clerk

Territory of New Mexico
County of Santa Fe

I, Trinidad Alarid, Clerk of the Probate Court, in and for the County of
Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, do hereby Certify; that the
foregoing Deed of Conveyance was filed in my office for record on the
fifth day of September A.D. 1870 at two o'clock of said day; and that the
same was by me recorded on the same day in book "C" pages 420, 421 and 422
of record of deeds kept in my office for that purpose. Witness my hand
and the Seal of said Court at Santa Fe, N.M. date at Supra.
Trinidad Alarid
Probate Clerk & ex officio Recorder
--------------
The actual Note read as follows:

Santa Fe, New Mexico
September 5th 1870

$ 4600.00

On year after date we or either of us promise to pay to the order of
Lucian B. Maxwell Four Thousand Six Hundred dollars for value received
with interest at the rate of twelve per cent from date till paid.
J. Houghton
A. C. Houghton
--------------------

Joab Houghton wrote a covering letter to Lucien Maxwell to accompany the
Note and Mortgage as follows:

The is a letter from Joab Houghton to Lucien B. Maxwell dated Sept 1,
1870. This document was found in the W. W. Griffin Papers, Box 1, Folder
10, New Mexico State Archives, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Joab Houghton to L. B. Maxwell
letter about Griffins house Sept 1, 1870

Santa Fe, New Mexico
September 5th 1870

L. B. Maxwell
Cimarron, N.M.

Dear Sir

Herewith you find enclosed our Deed and Note for $ 4600 - the Deed signed,
acknowledged and recorded - proper revenue stamp $5. All complete - the
note requires no stamp for the reason that the Deed is given to secure its
payment. Stamp on one is sufficient. Please fill out the date and sign
(without witnesses) the obligation to reconvey upon payment and return it
with the $ 4500 (sic.)

I hope you will be able to forward the money by the return mail after
receipt of this - As the Jews are already watching to devour us - our
property - and Isheredon(sp?) (the hardest of the race) would not spare me
an hour - I would be in bad fix should any delay occur in the receipt of
the money - For Gods sake do not let any delay happen, Mac, for any cause
whatever - We will make all right long before the year's out.

Send by express or Registered letter, either way is safe - the Registered
letter will be least trouble for you and least cost to me.

Very truly yours
J. Houghton
---------------------------------
Apparently, the note was not repaid by one year later, and the Houghtons
asked their friend, Lucien Maxwell, to extend the loan for 6 months as
follows:

The is a letter from Lucien B. Maxwell to Joab and Ann Caroline Houghton
to dated Sept 5, 1871. This document was found in the W. W. Griffin
Papers, Box 1, Folder 10, New Mexico State Archives, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.

J. Houghton
A. C. Houghton
Note
$ 4600.00
Due Sept 5/71

Payment of the within is secured by deed of equal date. Conditioned
property to be reconveyed upon payment of the within.

Payment of the within note extended six months from the fifth day of
September 1871.

Fort Sumner, N. Mex
September 20th, 1871

L. B. Maxwell3,15

Contributn15

Citations

  1. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #452.
  2. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  3. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 60.
  4. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4 #76.
  5. [S28] DAR Lineage Book, 108: 99.
  6. [S28] DAR Lineage Book, 89: 176.
  7. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  8. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.
  9. [S1233] 1930 U.S. Federal Census , La Junta, Otero Co. CO, p. 6B, ED 45-8, SD 45-8, line 91, dwl 202-125-150: of son David.
  10. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , Avalon Project, Yale Law School, Nov. 21, 2001.
  11. [S1226] 1850 U.S. Federal Census , Sant, Santa Fe Co., NM, p. 346, line 41, dwl 1099.
  12. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342.
  13. [S1227] 1860 U.S. Federal Census , Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory; Roll: M653_714; Page: 491; sheet 43, line 11, dwl 340-351.
  14. [S1228] 1870 U.S. Federal Census , Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory; Roll: M593_896; Page: 348; line 9, dwl 485-426.
  15. [S415] E-mail from Jerry Zollars, Aug 26, 2003.
  16. [S415] E-mail from Vonnie Coulter, Nov. 11, 2001, information supplied by George W. Houghton, Jr., ggrandson of Judge Joab Houghton.

Elizabeth Houghton1,2,3,4

F, #3531, b. 28 November 1812, d. 22 January 1883

Family: Jeremiah Devoe b. c 1818, d. 5 Dec 1882

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthNov 28, 1812NJ, USA, age 37, NY, in 1850; census; age 47, NJ, in 1860 census; age 57 in 1870 census2,3,5,6
Marriage6,7,8
1860 Census1860Summerhill, Cayuga Co., NY, USA, age 44, farmer9
1870 Census1870Homer, Cortland Co., NY, USA, age 52, a farmer, property $18,36010
DeathJan 22, 1883Cortland Co., NY, USA3
ObituaryMrs. Jeremiah Devoe, of the Scott Road, was buried today. About six weeks ago she buried her husband, and she has now followed him. The family are very much bereaved.
BurialAtwater Cemetery, Homer, Cortland Co., NY, USA, Inscription:
Jeremiah DeVoe
Died
Dec. 5, 1882
AE 65 Y'rs 1 Mo

Elizabeth Houghton
His Wife
Died Jan. 22, 1883
AE 70 Y'rs 2 Mo

Citations

  1. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #458.
  2. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  3. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 60.
  4. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4 #77.
  5. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  6. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.
  7. [S235] U.S. Census, US Census, 1870, Honner?, Cortland Co., NY, Box 922, p. 778, line 14, dwl 437-503.
  8. [S1226] 1850 U.S. Federal Census , Homer, Cortland, New York; Roll: M432_493; Page: 296; line 5, dwl 613-672.
  9. [S1227] 1860 U.S. Federal Census , Summerhill, Cayuga, New York; Roll: M653_728; Page: 22; line 30, dwl 187-186.
  10. [S1228] 1870 U.S. Federal Census , Homer, Cortland Co., NY, Box 922, p. 778, line 14, dwl 437-503.

William Houghton1,2,3,4

M, #3532, b. 26 September 1816, d. 26 January 1890

Family: Clarissa Hull b. 21 Dec 1821, d. 27 Sep 1887

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname ProjectN
Corresponded with authorN
BirthSep 26, 1816NJ, USA, age 33 and 35 in 1850 census; age 44 in 1860 census; age 53 in 1870 census; age 63 in 1880 census; RWG: 26 Dec 1816; 1880 census of son Milton gives NY2,3,5,6,7,8,9
Occupationa farmer and a county representative to the legislature10
Marriage7
1850 Census1850Dist. 53, McDonald Co., MO, USA, age 33, a farmer9
1860 Census1860Elk River, McDonald Co., MO, USA, age 44, farmer; property $6000-400011
1870 Census1870Wea Twp, Miami Co., KS, USA, age 53, a farmer, property $-336012
1880 Census1880Paolo Twp, Miami Co., KS, USA, age 63, a farmer, and Milo Forner, not related, 20, IA7,13
ResidenceChase Co., KS, USA10
DeathJan 26, 1890Chase Co., KS, USA, H. Houghton: "Bible of William Houghton, (son of Joab). This record was included in the Revolutionary War pension application of William's widow"; MLM Jan. 253,6
BurialAtwater Cemetery, Homer, Cortland Co., NY, USA
NoteHe left a wife and six children, all deceased by 1908.6

Citations

  1. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342 #454.
  2. [S101] Revolutionary War Pension, Box 1335, p. 1053.
  3. [S190] Houghton, Our Houghton Heritage, p. 60.
  4. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4 #78.
  5. [S249] White, Geneal. Abstr. of Revol. War II, p. 1719.
  6. [S815] Marshall L. McClanahan, John Houghton, Pioneer of Hopewell NJ;, M, p. 4.
  7. [S235] U.S. Census, 1880 Soundex, Paolo Twp, Miami Co., KS, Reel 19, Vol. 12, E.D. 141, Sh. 3, Ln. 28.
  8. [S1226] 1850 U.S. Federal Census , District 11, Caldwell, Missouri; Roll: M432_393; Page: 181; line 15, dwl 165-165.
  9. [S1226] 1850 U.S. Federal Census , District 53, McDonald, Missouri; Roll: M432_405; Page: 116/P. 335, Ln. 5, dwl 335-335.
  10. [S1] Dr. John Wesley Houghton M.D., Houghton Genealogy of 1912, p. 342.
  11. [S1227] 1860 U.S. Federal Census , Elk River, McDonald, Missouri; Roll: M653_633; Page: 81; sheet 81, line 25; dwl 550-550.
  12. [S1228] 1870 U.S. Federal Census , WeaTwp, Miami Co., KS, Roll 439, p. 549, ln 11, 115-117.
  13. [S1229] 1880 U.S. Federal Census , Paolo Twp, Miami Co., KS, Roll: T9_389; Family History Film: 1254389; Page: 419C; Enumeration District: 141;, Reel 19, Vol. 12, E.D. 141, Sh. 3, Ln. 28, dwl 21-22.
  14. [S235] U.S. Census, 1870 US Census, WeaTwp, Miami Co., KS, Roll 439, p. 549, ln 11, 115-117.