Eli Newell Houghton

GEDCOM Note

Gail Fuller Girard has a copy of page from Houghton Family Bible: Eli Houghton was born Oct 7 1797 Deborah Houghton was born Jun 3 1798 James Houghton was born Aug 29 1821 Newel Houghton was born Aug 29 1821 Newel Houghton was born Dec 14 1822 Mary Houghton was born Apr 11 1824 George Houghton was born Jan 8 1828 Edward Houghton was born July 3 1831 Charolotte Saria Houghton was born Dec 20 1834 Eliza Ann Houghton was born June 5 1836 Carlos Houghton was born Oct 29 1841

1848 Per Book 'History of Wright County, MN' it states on pg.91 "Big Lake Township was settled in 1848 by James, Eli, and Newell Houghton, from Vermont."

1850 Newell's family with the Winbago in Little Praire.

1850 census - Sherburne Co., MN age 27, born in Vermont. Listed as Newell with brother James. Last name spelled incorrect.

1854 - A patent (land grant) was issued on Aug 15, 1854. "United States to Eli Haughton"

1860 Federal Census - Home in Mankato, Blue Earth, MN. EN Houghton, age 34, b. 1825 Vermont, Male Nancy Houghton, age 34 b. 1825 Wisconsin, Female Eli Houghton, age 11, b. 1848 Minnesota, male Eliza Houghton, age 9 b. 1850, Minnesota, Female Henry Houghton, age 7 b. 1852, Minesota, Male Francis Houghton, age 2 b. 1857, Minnesota, Male

Killed during the Indian attack in New Ulm in 1862

Family Story: Per letter from K Ostvig: Eli Houghton and his first wife, Deborah Dwinnell, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Oakland Co., Michigan. At that point they sold their property and left for Missouri. Soon after their arrival, the Saints were kicked out of Missouri and left to found Nauvoo, Hancock Illinois. Eli left to go visit his 3 sons, James, Newell, and George in Minnesota on his way out west and then stayed in Minnesota rather than go out west. The three sons were settling up in Big Lake Township. Information of the sons at that time was this: Captain George Houghton, a steamboat captain on the Mississippi and Minesota Rivers, Newell ended up in Battle Lake by following his wives band of Winnebago from Iowa and Prairie Du Chein, WI area, and James ended up in Carver Co. Eli liked Minnesota and as a result never travelled wet with the Mormons to Utah. His daughter, Deborah housed many Morman Missionaries in Minnesota and the first Branch of the church was organized in her home in Monticello. There is a 'Church Records Office' in Nauvoo that has some records.

Newspaper clipping (no date) Letter to the Editor regarding Eli Newell Houghton. He had a trading post established in 1849. He supplied deer meat for Fort Snelling that he had traded from the Indians. He was first grave in cemetery. Indians revered and respected him. He was killed during an uprising in New Ulm in 1862. At least 17 other graves are on the knoll but markers have been destroyed by vandals. Eli Houghton, Sr. is also buried there. He was first Sherburne County treasurer and lived in the settlement at that location. Letter written by Marion Jameson, Box 581, Monticello. 295-2950 or 682-3900

Newspaper clipping (no date) The pioneers of the town (Big Lake) were James, Eli and Newell Houghton. They settled there in 1848, having made a difficult journey from their native state of Vermont. Newell Houghton was killed in the massacre at New Ulm in August, 1862. He was buried on the family homestead which he had worked to establish 18 years before.

Copy of Will, dated 6 November, 1865 of Eli Houghton. Gail Girard has copy. In it it states: "I give to Eli N. Houghton, Eliza Houghton, and Carlos Houghton, children of my son Eli Newell Houghton, the land and appurtnances siturated there or knnown as the Houghton Farm and described as follows: (descriptin) The above described land is not to be disposed of or transferred by the said Eli Newell Houghton, Eliza and Carlos Houghton until the expiration of twelve years from the date November 6, 1865, when said Carlos Houghton will be twenty one years old. The said land above described then to be divided or the proceeds thereof equally between the three children share and share alike.

"I will also give to my son Eli Newell's children Eli N. houghton, Eliza Houghton and Carlos Houghton two houses and harnesses, two wagons, one plow, one harrow, two cows, three yearlings, five sheep, two stoves and all the beds and bedding and household furniture and farming utensils except what I have given to my wife and daughter Laura W. Houghton."

"My wife is to have a home on the old farm with Eli, Eliza and Carlos Houghton if she wants to stay with them, and they are to provide for her all the necessaries of life except clothing, and to give her a quiet and peaceful home with them."

Per Nauvoo Records - Gail Girard has: Eli was a hunter He married the daughter of the chief of a Winnebago tribe. When he died in the indian attack - traditions says that the Indians put a crow on his chest, took a small piece of his scalp. They paid him the highest tribute to an enemy warrior