M. 28 Jan 1824 in Nelson, New Hampshire
Husband: Abel Kittredge
D. 2 May 1838 in Nelson, New Hampshire
When a child loses both parents at a young age, they are often placed into a family that offers a new path in life. In the case of Sophia Lyman, her circumstances led her to another town in another state where she would make her future. Sophia was born on September 21, 1800 in Charlotte, Vermont to Medad Lyman and Anne Clapp. She had an older sister, Minerva, but tragically, their mother died in childbirth in 1802. Their father then remarried, and with his new wife, he gave Sophia a half-sister, Anne, born in 1806.
For a time, Sophia’s family had a comfortable life together, but everything changed when she was 12-years-old. That winter, a typhus influenza swept through upper Vermont, taking the lives of many people, including her father. Rather than remain with their stepmother, the two older girls were split up and taken in by extended family. Sophia was sent off to her uncle and aunt, Reverend Gad Newell and Sophia Clapp, in Nelson, New Hampshire. Minerva went to another aunt and uncle among the Clapp family, likely in Massachusetts. Meanwhile younger half-sister Anne stayed with her mother in Charlotte.
The Newells would come to consider Sophia as their adopted daughter. Having a father who was the town preacher made Sophia very rooted in religion, and in 1820, she became a member of Reverend Newell’s church. A few years later, she became engaged to a fellow parishioner named Abel Kittredge, and they were married on January 28, 1824, with Reverend Newell presiding.
Believed to be a silhouette of Sophia about when she was married.
After setting up a household in Nelson, Sophia gave birth to a daughter Sophia in 1824, and a son Edward in 1827. Unfortunately with the birth of another son Samuel in 1830, she showed health issues related to pregnancy, much like her own mother had. A letter Sophia wrote to her sister Anne in 1830 expressed concern for her health, and her feelings that she may not have a long time to live:
"[You] must not think my affection in the least abated because I have kept so long in silence. Ah no, my sister, my affection for you is strong, and my love is true and sincere. Since we parted I have passed through some trying scenes. On the 14th of March, I became mother of a fine healthy son; before its birth my strength was very low and since that time until within a few weeks, I have been extremely feeble, more so than I ever was before. I have written no letters at all, not even to sister [Minerva].… Oh, my sister, permit me to entreat and beseech you to become reconciled to God. Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve, delay no longer; recollect your future eternal happiness is depending."
Letter from Sophia L. Kittredge to Anne Lyman, November 21, 1830
From the letter, we can see the bond Sophia had with her two sisters, and the frustration of living so far apart. Sophia also had a strong bond with her step-sister, Ursula Newell, but she, too, moved a long distance away — to become a missionary in Hawaii. On October 25, 1831, Ursula married a preacher named John Emerson, and the newlyweds boarded a ship the next day. It was painful for the family to say goodbye; Sophia never saw her step-sister again.
Sophia continued to have problems with childbirth, and after she had one more son in 1835, she never recovered from it. Sadly, the boy died at one-year-old. Sophia knew she was also dying, and worried about who would take care of her three surviving children. So she made a bold request of her husband Abel: she asked if he would marry her half-sister Anne. He agreed to do so, and this must have eased her mind. Sophia passed away in Nelson on May 2, 1838, and as promised, Abel married Anne six months later. They would go on to have a marriage that lasted over 40 years.
Children:
1. Sophia Newell Kittredge — B. 22 Nov 1824, Nelson, New Hampshire; D. 22 Dec 1900, Los Angeles, California; M. James Riddle French (1810-1857), 7 Aug 1849, Nelson, New Hampshire
2. Edward Lyman Kittredge — B. 14 May 1827, Nelson, New Hampshire; D. 16 May 1906; M. Deborah Lewis (1822-1906)
3. Samuel Farrington Kittredge — B. 14 Mar 1830, Nelson, New Hampshire; D. 24 Nov 1907, Boston, Massachusetts; M. Marietta Prudy Fillebrown (1835-?), 24 Nov 1853
4. Charles Stone Kittredge — B. 15 Dec 1835, Nelson, New Hampshire; D. 1 Mar 1837, Nelson, New Hampshire
Sources:
A History of Nelson, New Hampshire, Parke Hardy Struthers, 1968
The Kittredge Family in America, Mabel T. Kittredge, 1936
Letter from Sophia L. Kittredge to Anne Lyman, Nelson, New Hampshire, 21 Nov 1830
Death certificate of Sophia Kittredge, Nelson, New Hampshire, 2 May 1838
Family bible of James Riddle and Sophia Newell French
Letters of James Riddle French (1849-1852)
Death certificate of Sophia French, 22 Nov 1900, Los Angeles, California
