Sewell C. Huntington, an enterprising agriculturist of Henniker, was born May 5, 1856, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, son of the late Elijah B. Huntington. He is of English ancestry, being a lineal descendant of Simeon Huntington, who, accompanied by four sons, sailed from England for America in 1633. Simeon died on the voyage. While one son returned to England, the others-William, Christopher, and Simeon -remained in New England. The last-named son settled in Salisbury, now Amesbury, Mass., in 1640. From him the line was continued by William, John, William, John, John, and Benjamin, all of whom were born in Amesbury.
Benjamin Huntington, the great-grandfather of Sewell C., was the first of the family to come to New Hampshire. He located in Weare, Hillsborough County, which he made his permanent home. Two of his children, Jacob and Betsey, came to Henniker. Jacob Huntington, the grandfather, born September 3, 1783, in Weare, died July 15, 1857, in Henniker. On May 4, 1809, he married Huldah Gove, also of Weare, and, coming to Henniker, purchased the farm where his son, Joseph John Huntington, now lives. He was a man of imposing presence, strong and vigorous, possessing great powers of endurance. Broad-minded and benevolent, he was prominent in the Friends’ Society, which he assisted in establishing, and was highly esteemed by all. His first wife died in 1819. His second wife, Mehitabel Hedding Huntington, passed away in 1827. He was survived by his third wife, whose maiden name was Lavina H. Breed, and who died October 13, 1859. Of the four children born of his first marriage Elijah Brown and Elizabeth attained maturity. Of the second wife’s children three were reared-Franklin T., Huldah G., and Joseph John.
Elijah Brown Huntington, born in Henniker, June 15, 1811, spent his seventy-five years of life in this town, and died November 9, 1886. From his earliest years he was engaged in farm work, beginning as a day laborer. After his marriage he owned for a while the farm now occupied by his brother. In 1842 he purchased the homestead of his father-in-law, Richard Breed, now owned and occupied by his son Sewell C., and continued in its active management until about a year prior to his death. The main part of the present house was erected by Mr. Breed, who subsequently enlarged it by adding the original house, which was built more than a hundred years ago on another part of the farm. While Elijah B. Huntington was not an active politician, in his earlier life he supported the Know Nothing party, and was afterward identified with the Republican party. Of his union with Mary P., daughter of Richard and Bethiah (Huzzey) Breed, there was but one child, Sewell C. She died February 5, 1864. Afterward his household affairs were put in charge of a housekeeper.
Sewell C. Huntington inherited the farm of ninety acres lying near the Quaker meetinghouse. To this he has since added the adjoining estate, so that his property is now one of the most valuable in the vicinity. An intelligent, clear-headed man, he has made a success of farming, his annual crops of grain, hay, vegetables, and fruit bringing him in a fine income. He was married September 21, 1880, to Miss Georgianna Barker, who was born and reared in Hillsborough, a daughter of Elbridge G. and Mary (Goodwin) Barker. Eva Mary Huntington, his only child, is a bright young miss of eleven years. Mr. Huntington is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 60, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Huntington has been deaf for some years; but in spite of this difficulty, which is a great drawback to her enjoyment, she is a most pleasant woman to meet, and has a large circle of friends. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church; and Mr. Huntington is identified with the Friends’ church, which he has attended since a boy.