I compiled an extensive database (ordered by given name abbreviation) of information on possible descendants of Edward Melcher, a baker of Portsmouth NH in 1657 (see http://home.comcast.net/~tdoherty/m-web.html ). Capt. Joseph Melcher, 1735-1821 has the given name abbreviation of Js. There is no known birth record. Back calculation gives birth of birth in ca 1728 [Vital Records of Topsham ME (#vaTO)}, ca 1733 [Hugh D. McLellan, "History of Gorham ME"(1903)(#gME)] and ca 1736 [George A & Henry W Wheeler,"History of Brunswick, Topsham & Harpswell ME" (1878) (#gMEw)]. It is likely that Samuel Melcher (Sm5a) is the brother of Joseph (Js).

While some early sources say that Joseph (Js) parents are Edward and Elizabeth (Bailey) Melcher of Arundal ME, there is no definitive proof.

Two histories provide a connection between the Edward of Arundel and Gorham and Brunswick. The 1824 "History of Kennebec" [#kMEb:262] says that Edward Melcher was in Kennebunkport [formerly Arundel] on Saco road in 1728, but moved to Brunswick. The 1903 "History of Gorham" [#gMEm:616] says that Edward moved to Gorham from Kennebunkport about 1750. While there are no records of Edward in the town records or vital records of Gorham or Brunswick, his presumed daughter Rebecca, who married Abijah Peco Lewis was of Gorham and so was the Nathan Whitney who married Elizabeth Melcher, probably Edward’s widow, in Biddeford.

Edward Melcher of Arundal was born ca 1698 [taxed in 1720 as “son” of Nathaniel], possibly the one baptized 5 Jun 1709 in Portsmouth when his mother Elizabeth (Lear) Melcher owned the covenent and had three children baptized [NHGR 3:54] and died after Jul 1744, possibly still of Arundal, when he was a defendant for debt incurred in Common Pleas Court [PleasYork 13:54, box 96:42, index#610068].

Before removing to Arundel, Edward Melcher was a resident of Newcastle NH when he bought land there on 14 Mar 1724 [DeedsNH 13:443] and sold it there on 25 Nov 1725 [DeedsNH 14:381], and on 6 Jun 1724 when he sold land in Portsmouth from father Nathaniel's estate [DeedsNH 14:66]. However, he was not in Newcastle long enough to appear on a surviving tax list, neither the 1723 Newcastle "Town Rate", nor the 1723 school rate, nor the 1728 tax [#vxNC].

Edward of Arundal, the eldest son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Lear) Melcher, was born ca 1698 of Edward Melcher, the 1857 baker of Portsmouth NH, and Elizabeth, his wife.

...Tom Doherty tdoherty@magpage.com