John Stevens (New Hampshire politician) explained

John Stevens
Office:Member of the
Constituency:Mason district
Term Start:June 7, 1826
Term End:June 3, 1835
Predecessor:Josiah Russell
Successor:William Wright
Constituency1:Wilton district
Term Start1:June 7, 1819
Term End1:June 4, 1823
Predecessor1:Abiel Wilson
Successor1:Samuel Abbott
Party:Whig
Birth Date:21 July 1783
Birth Place:Wilton, New Hampshire, U.S.
Death Place:Mason, New Hampshire, U.S.
Restingplace:Pleasant Street Cemetery,
Allegiance:United States
Branch:New Hampshire Militia
Rank:Captain

John Stevens (July 21, 1783March 25, 1848) was an American farmer, educator, and politician from the U.S. state of New Hampshire. He served 15 years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Wilton and later Mason.

Biography

John Stevens was born at Wilton, New Hampshire, in July 1783. His parents were among the earliest settlers at Wilton. He was raised on his father's farm and educated in the common schools. At age 18, he became a school teacher. He quickly earned a reputation as a capable teacher, and spent more than 20 winters teaching schools in the area.[1]

Politically, Stevens was a Whig. He served his first term in the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1819, representing the town of Wilton. He was subsequently re-elected to the 1820, 1821, and 1822 sessions.

In January 1824, he moved to the town of Mason, New Hampshire, where he was hired as clerk and treasurer of the Mason Cotton Mill Co., working in that role until the company failed.[1] While living in Mason, he was elected to nine more terms in the House of Representatives, serving from 1826 through 1834.[2]

He spent much of the rest of his life working in his workshop and on his farm. He died of heart disease on March 25, 1848.[1]

Personal life and family

John Stevens' father was also known as John Stevens. He was a volunteer in the New Hampshire militia during the American Revolutionary War and was one of the earliest inhabitants of Wilton, New Hampshire.[1]

John Stevens married Hannah Lovejoy on June 6, 1807. Hannah Lovejoy was a descendant of John Lovejoy, who came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. John Stevens had six children. Several of his children moved to Caledonia, Wisconsin, in the early years of that town, including Henry Stevens, who became a Wisconsin state senator.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: History of the Town of Mason, N.H., from the First Grant in 1749, to the Year 1858 . 1858 . 300 - 302 . May 26, 2022 .
  2. Book: Laws of New Hampshire . 1922 . 10 . The John B. Clarke Company . Batchellor . Albert Stillman . May 26, 2022 .
  3. Book: History of the Town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire . 1888 . Marden & Rowell . Livermore . Abiel Abbot . Putnam . Sewall . 510 - 511 . May 26, 2022 .