NATHANIEL HARRISON MALTBY

(CFG-FI)

Nathaniel Harrison (5) Maltby was born in Norfolk, Connecticut, March 31, 1786.  He married, first, October 16, 1811, Betsey Patchen in Groton, Thompkins County, New York.  He was in the war of 1812, enlisting from New York.  He removed to Bristol, Trumbull County, Ohio, and died there in 1855, and with his second wife, Sally Mason, was buried in the Maltby Burial Ground in Southington, Ohio.

The following article contributed by a descendant will be found of interest to members of this branch of the family:

MR. AND MRS. HARRISON MALTBY CELEBRATED GOLDEN WEDDING

(“Evening Independent,” Ashtabula, Ohio, August 24, 1910.)

A notable event in the history of the Maltby family of Ashtabula County and Saybrook, was the golden wedding celebrated yesterday, August 23, by the family and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Maltby.

Mr. Maltby is one of the oldest well known residents of this section and is hale and hearty at eighty years of age.  He married Miss Emily Hough of Rooktown, Ohio, who has been to him a helpmeet in the founding of a home remarkable for its ideals.

Mr. Maltby, as were his ancestors before him, is a farmer.  He is of that sturdy American stock which has wrested a living from the wilderness for as far back as one hundred years before the Revolution.  He was born in a log cabin in 1830, at Southington, Ohio, and knew well the hardships, the early settlers endured.  In him are typified the Maltby characteristics of strong home love, honesty and firm religious principle.

The is the second golden wedding in the House of Maltby.  In 1868 under the same hospitable rooftree that sheltered yesterday’s event, Mr. Maltby’s father, Deacon Daniel Maltby, and his wife, Ester Tapping, gathered about them a company of ninety to rejoice with them in attaining the fiftieth milestone in their married life.  Everyone of the thirteen children were present and a host of grandchildren.  Deacon Maltby was one of the earliest pioneers of the Western Reserve, journeying with his wife to Ohio in an ox cart in 1820, from New York State.

The occasion of his son’s anniversary yesterday was most delightful in every way.  At noon bounteous tables were spread in the orchard of the homestead for the large company of sons, daughters, grandchildren and friends and neighbors present.  Rev. Collins of the Congregational church gave the invocation.  At the close of the feast, the toastmaster, T.J. Osborne, presided over a short program.  Telegrams and letters of congratulation from those unable to be present were read.  Some old familiar songs were sung.  Toasts were responded to briefly by Mr. H.A. Beckett, Mrs. Clark Throope and Dr. M.C. Scott, pastor of the M.E. church.  Rev. W.E. Rix of Wisconsin, pronounced the benediction.

In the evening fifty of the Saybrook friends and neighbors surprised Mr. and Mrs. Maltby by walking in on them to further congratulate and wish them many happy returns of the day.  They brought with them substantial refreshments which were served later in the evening, and a token of regard in a gift of gold pieces, Rev. Collins making the presentation speech.  Mr. Maltby in a voice broken with emotion, responded.

Various gifts in gold and other suitable presents had been received earlier in the day.

Of the sons and daughters living there were present Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Osborne of Berea, Ky.: Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Beckett and Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Hinman of Lakewood, Ohio, and Miss Ruth Maltby.  Other out-of-town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. Clark Throope of Ashtabula, Rev. and Mrs. W.E. Rix of Lake Nebagamon, Wis., Mrs. Mary Beckett of Lakewood.

Two sons, Albert Maltby of Hastings, Fla., and Benjamin Maltby of Long Beach, Cal., and their families were unable to be present.