#52Ancestors: Edward AIKEN, Sr., 1661-1747, New Hampshire

Continuing the #52Ancestors year-long challenge by genealogist Amy Johnson Crow, here is my ex-husband's 5th great-grandfather, Edward AIKEN, Sr., 6th great-grandfather to our children, 7th to the grandchildren. Note that Edward's great-grandson Robert AIKEN married Martha PURDY, the granddaughter of the original United Empire Loyalist, Gilbert PURDY. Hopefully, you're drawing out a family tree with all this information-!  This is the coat of arms of the Londonderry County council, from Wikipedia, above.

Edward AIKEN, Sr., born approximately 1661 in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was the original immigrant to New Hampshire, before 1723. He married Barbara EDWARDS, in estimated 1689/90. I have not found records of their marriage, nor any information of their parents as yet. 

He brought his wife and 4 sons over, and was one of the original proprietors listed in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Much of the information of this family was gathered from Probate records as well as a book, The History of Londonderry, by Rev. Edward L. Palmer, published in 1851, a book written primarily by his father. There are some errors, and as the Aiken sons kept using the very same names over and over again in each generation, the errors are not surprising. 

The following children of Edward and Barbara are listed in several compilations; note their birth dates are estimates, as is their birth order; all born in N.Ireland:
    1.  William, b. 1691, d. 16 Oct 1745 Londonderry NH;  m. 23 Dec 1725 to
              Janet Wilson, 6 children
    2.  James, b. 1693, d. 1 May 1753 Londonderry NH; m. 26 Oct 1725 to
             Jean Cochrane
    3.  Nathaniel, [ancestor], b. 14 May 1696, d. 17 Jul 1782 Londonderry NH;
              m. 1 Dec 1725 to Margaret COCHRANE; 8 known children
    4.  Edward Jr., b. 1698; more research needed. he is often conflated with
              his father.
    5.  Eleanor [possible], b. est 1700; not researched.

Did you notice the spate of marriages in Oct-Dec 1725?  And the two Cochrane sisters marrying two Aiken brothers? 

The family remained in Londonderry New Hampshire, marrying with many descendants.  Edward's wife Barbara died 3 Aug 1744 in Londonderry NH, aged 79, and is buried next to her husband.

Edward died 3 years later 15 Nov 1747, aged 86 years, in Londonderry NH. He is buried next to his wife Barbara, in Forest Hill Cemetery, East Londonderry [FindAGrave, Memorial ID #18085552]:
Inscription,

  HERE  LIES  BURIED /  THE  BODY  OF  MR  /  EDWARD AIKEN /  

  WHO  DEPARTED   /  THIS  LIFE  NOVR  / 15  1747  IN  THE  / 

   86th  YEAR  OF  /  HIS  AGE

The term "Mr." is a notation of a 'gentleman'.  I have not found a will for Edward AIKEN, Sr., and I would be thrilled to find more information about his life in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.  The Presbyterian Scots in Northern Ireland were very challenged by having to abide to the "official church" - the Church of Ireland [Anglican].  The original group of settlers in this area came with their pastor, Rev. James MacGregor, around 1717. 

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If these are your ancestors, I am happy to share what little I have on these ancestors. And if there are errors, please do let me know, via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below and I will get back to you either by email or in the Comments. I appreciate the opportunity to correct any issues in these family trees.

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