“Souhegan” John Chamberlain and Paugus John were cousins, so nicknamed to keep their identities distinct. “Souhegan” John Chamberlain married Hannah Farwell, the daughter of Lieutenant Josiah Farwell and Hannah Lovewell. Hannah was the sister of Captain John Lovewell. John’s wife’s father and her uncle were prominent leaders who perished in the Indian fight at Pequawket.1
John was a large land owner and, in 1734, erected the first mills at Souhegan Falls. He also built the first bridge across the Souhegan River at the village at his own expense. He defended his family against the Indians by surrounding his log cabin with pickets and took his family with him for safety when he work in the fields.3
He was also called Captain John Chamberlain as he was commissioned a captain in 1746.
John was a politician who served as a member of the provincial assembly from Merrimack, New Hampshire from 1756 to 1775.1 The Colonial governments had a Governor appointed and sent from England by the King; a Council usually upper class members chosen by the King or by the Assembly; and the Assembly chosen by vote of 50% of white, male colonists.4
His Majesty’s Council in session
“Souhegan” John Chamberlain was a member of the Assembly. He demonstrated his quick wit when a Councilman, frustrated at the Assembly’s refusal to concur on a certain point, said in disgust– “I wish the Assembly were all in heaven.” To this came Chamberlain’s quick reply– “I should not object to that, sir, were it not that we would lose the pleasure of the company of His Majesty’s Council”.3
Family Line of “Souhegan” John Chamberlain:
Thomas Chamberlain b. about 1639; d. 28 March or May 1727, (Grandfather of Paugus John and Souhegan John). Sarah Proctor b. 12 October 1646 in Concord MA, d. 27 March 1727). Children of Thomas and Sarah (Proctor) Chamberlain (Married 10 August 1666):2
- Thomas, b. 20 May 1667 Chelmsford MA; m. Elizabeth Hall
- Samuel, b. 11 Jan 1679, Chemlsford, MA
- Jane, b. 19 Nov 1682
- Elizabeth, b. 21 July 1685
Samuel Chamberlain b. 11 January 1679 in Chelmsford MA; d.12 April 1767, (father of Souhegan John). Abigail Hill, b. 26 December 1683 in Billerica; d. 16 May 1760, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Holmes) Hill. Children of Samuel and Abigail (Hill) Chamberlain (Married about 1703):3
- Benjamin, b.11 August1704 in Chelmsford, MA; m. Esther Fasset
- John, b. 11 February 1706 in Chelmsford, MA
- Abigail, b.28 December 1707 in Chelmsford, MA
- Elizabeth, b. 8 January 1710 in Chelmsford, MA
- Jonathan, b. 11 February 1712 in Chelmsford, MA; m. Elizabeth Cram; resided in Chemlsford MA and Lyndeboro NH.
- Samuel, b. 15 July 1714 in Chelmsford, MA
- Joseph, b. 25 July 1716 in Chelmsford, MA
- Thomas, b. 28 March 1718 in Chelmsford, MA
- Jane, b. 6 August 1723 in Chelmsford, MA
- Aaron, b. 23 August 1725 in Chelmsford, MA
- Jacob, b. 25 April 1729 in Chelmsford, MA
John Chamberlain b. 11 February 1706, d. 1792 (Souhegan John). Children of John and Hannah (Farwell) Chamberlain:
Abigail (Nabby), m. 11 June 1761 to Joseph Whiting; resided in Merrimack NH; d. 19 April 1799.
Rachel, d. 16 Jan 1828
Susannah (Susie), resided in Merrimack NH;
Josiah b. about 1740
Silas, settled on Isaiah Herrick’s place and afterward removed.
Find other stories of “Paugus” John Chamberlain in chapters 6, 7 and 8 in the Table of Contents
© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to www.thechamberlainstory.com.
References:
- George W. Chamberlain, John Chamberlain, The Indian Fighter a Pigwacket. Weymouth, Mass, 1898.
- George W. Chamberlain, One Branch of the Descendants of Thomas Chamberlain of Woburn, 1644, Weymouth, Mass., 1897.
- Ancestors of the Chamberlain Family of Merrimack NH. www.nh.searchrootss.com
- Government in England and the Colonies, www.digital History.uh.edu
Hello David,
I’m a descendant of William, the brother of Thomas and Edmond. I’m writing about my/our family history and I came across an inconsistency that I hope we can help each other clarify.
In this article on Souhegan John you say that Souhegan John and Paugus John are cousins. I’ve seen this also, but thought the term cousin was much broader in meaning – synonymous with kin. The reason I thought this is because in my records I have Paugus John as being the brother of Capt. Samuel (the father of Souhegan John). This would make Paps John the uncle of Souhegan.
In this article, though, you don’t have a John as being a sibling of Samuel. I’m curious if you could share with me the lineage you have Paugus John. What I have is Thomas[1]; Thomas[2]; (Paugus) John[3] – with Samuel also being in generation [3] and a brother to John.
Who do you have as Paugus John’s father and grandfather?
I appreciate any help you could give. Feel free to email me privately.
Thank you very much,
Walter Chamberlain
Hillsboro, NH
Hi Walter,
Yes, the multiple Thomases and Johns make this line very confusing. Thomas(1) the immigrant to Mass in 1644, his son was Thomas(2) b.about 1639 married Sarah Proctor. They had sons Thomas(3) b. 1667 and Samuel(3) b. 1679. Paugus John(4) b. 1692 is son of Thomas(3), Souhegan John b.1706 is son of Samuel(3). Their grandfather is Thomas(2). My main ref for this is: George Chamberlain, ONE BRANCH OF THE DESCENDANTS OF Thomas Chamberlain OF WOBURN, 1644. p. 5.(1897)
Dennis Chamberlain