Children of Lieut. Jonathan Houghton and Susannah Moore: 2) Jonathan, b. "4, 5, 1765", d. Boston 19 Dec 1825, m. (1) "12, 31, 1795" Jane Bigelow, m. (2) Rebecca Dutton.
[Note: this second marriage appears to be erroneous, probably a misreading of the marriage of James Houghton to Rebecca Dunton found in Bolton VRs (intention, p. 140). First wife Jane had a daughter Sarah in 1815, and died 18 Jan 1816 according to
Find A Grave (also see 3 lines above Jonathan's death record cited below). Jonathan m. (2) 25 Jul 1816 Betsey Wood (
here) who was his widow
[also, see probate file cited below], so no time available to have a second wife Rebecca.]
"He resided n Boston in the early part of the nineteenth century and was employed on the police force. While in the performance of his duty as night watchman in Dec, 1825, he received injuries which caused his death, Dec. 19, when he lacked but two days of being sixty-one years of age
[-sic-note this doesn't agree with the birth date given above?].
"The following is copied from the
Columbia Sentinel, Boston, Dec. 14, 1825. Police Court Records.
On Monday John Holland, an Irishman, was bound over to court in the sum of $2,000 to take his trial at the Municipal Court in January for an assault on Jonathan Houghton, one of the watchmen of the city. It appeared by the testimony in the court that one of the watchmen heard the cry of murder in Broad Street about one o'clock on Sunday morning, and discovered a man running by him, whom he attempted to seize.
Houghton came to his assistance, and as they were passing through Broad Street with their prisoner, Holland came up and wanted to know what they were going to do with him. They ordered Holland to go about his business, and proceeded into State Street when another watchman came to their assistance. Houghton was then some distance behind, when the other two heard a groan, and looking around saw Holland strike Houghton with an axe. They then left their prisoner, who escaped, but secured Holland after a severe conflict. Houghton was shockingly wounded on the right shoulder and on the back and loins, but hopes of his recovery are entertained. Holland, being unable to secure bail, was committed to prison.
The Boston Directory for the following year, 1826, omits the name of Jonathan Houghton, but gives that of Betsey Houghton, widow, whence it would seem that he had married a second wife
[-sic-By the presentation would have been his third wife, but as explained above, the alleged second marriage was erroneous]."
