Did James Heaton, b. 5-30-1752 in Swanzey, New Hampshire marry Susanna Grimes or Freedom Rider?

Question

I really would appreciate help in figuring out whether James Heaton (Heaton-2768), husband of Susanna Grimes, or James Heaton (Heaton-1267), husband of Freedom (Rider?), was the son of James Heaton and Abigail Rice.  See the discussion of conflicting information in the Research Notes for the profile for James Heaton (Heaton-1260).

Answer 1

As a descendant of James and Freedom (Rider) Heaton through their son Lewis, I too would like to find the answer to this.  I think a big question is whether or not Abigail (Rice) Heaton moved to western Massachusetts with her sons after the death of her husband James Heaton.  If she remained in New Hampshire, then she is likely the mother of the James who married Susannah Grimes, but if she moved to western Massachusetts then I think she is likely the mother of the James who married Freedom Rider.  Matt Bushnell Jones’ History of Waitsfield is the only reference I have found so far that suggests that she did move to Massachusetts. 

I think it is correct that the James Heaton associated with Buckland/Shelburne, Massachusetts and Waitsfield, Vermont (not New Hampshire), is the one who married Freedom Rider.  I have not seen Dean Heaton’s second edition but it sounds like it adds more confusion rather than clarification.