I am looking for a James Patton, wife Mary Miller, daughter Ida May Patton. Recent information leads me to believe that James and possibly a brother Samuel Padden came from Nova Scotia. They both arrived at the same time and settled in the same area. (Minnesota) Here we find the name changes from Padden to Patton (Patten)
James and Mary were born @ 1836 and Ida May in 1856.
From a book on Wright County of Minnesota history I have received this...
pg. 159: James Patten filed a first claim on section 1 of Franklin township on November 26, 1860.
S. Patton filed a first claim on section 11 of Franklin township on Dec. 26, 1864.
S. Patton filed another first claim on section 2 of Franklin township on Jan. 14, 1868.
Pages 729-731: After 1855, "James and Samuel Padden from Nova Scotia came at the same time and selected claims in the same vacinity". "James Patten sold his claim in 1867 to W. G. Cooper and engaged in the lumber trade in Minneapolis. Samuel Patten was killed June 18, 1873, by the accidental falling of a barn frame which he was taking down."
"The first white child born in Franklin was Ida May Patten, daughter of James and Mary Patten, August 17, 1856."
"Among those who enlisted in the Civil War from (Franklin) township were: John Patten in Hatch's Battalion, Co. A., ...James Patten, Mounted Rangers".
Page 734 is history of Delano. "James and Samuel Padden, who came at the same time (1855), settled in the same vicinity."
Page 662: The Montrose Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Association was organized on March 2, 1091 by James Padden, among others.
Page 952: The listing of township officers for 1915 shows James Padden serving as one of the Supervisors (one year, chairman) for Marysville township.
If any of this sounds familiar like a match to your family please let me know.